Riccardo 'Shady' Layne

Riccardo 'Shady' Layne

Background

Born in Chicago to an Italian mother and an Irish father. 'Shady' was raised in the back streets of the city where for the first thirteen years of his life he was involved in small scale theft, truancy and running errands for members of the Scarlatti family who dominated his neighbourhood.

When he was fourteen, his father who had been attempting to crawl inside a whisky bottle for over twenty years died suddenly leaving 'Shady' his mother and four sisters without any means of income.

The family moved across town where Shady's Uncle offered him a job as a runner for an illegal potcheen distilling operation. He quickly gained a reputation for quick thinking and organization. Everyone knew his reputation as an excellent worker, but he always avoided being the man who pulled the trigger.

When he was 25 he moved to Boston and worked in loan sharking, then Sicily and running a crew before moving onto Vegas and gambling.

It was here he met his fate.

His then employer - a Don Michaelangelo Portillo, saw him as a liability — he was rising too fast through the ranks for the top dogs to be safe, and his ability to manipulate others to do it so readily were a problem. He was smart and charismatic ..... and a threat.

In the world inhabited by 'Shady' there is only one way to deal with such a problem. He was ambushed one day and his body riddled with 60 bullets, was found in a ditch by a lonely desert road by an anonymous Good Samaritan. Taken in by the mysterious do-gooder and protected from his former employers he slowly recovered and resolved himself to wreak his vengence on those that had wronged him.

Character and Behaviour

Shady moves equally well between Irish and Italian communities being equally at home in either because of his birthright and upbringing. His intellect has been augmented by a ruthless streak since the attempt on his life. He is clearly driven, cares not for anything that gets in his way and is quite capable of using violence to further his aims. He confides in no one and closely guards his purpose. He is not all he seems.

He hates being referred to as 'Ric', 'Rick', 'Ricky' or 'Riccardo' ...... except by broads, for whom he has an irresistable charm.

Equipment, Appearance and Skills

Shady carries two Berettas, he is a good shot and not afraid to use what he packs. He habitually wears a grey trench coat a sharp suit and a fob watch which he constantly looks at. He is adept at disguising his appearance.

Things Discovered About Shady So Far

• He's had a relationship with Lola sometime in the past.
• He's looking for a clue about something.
• He's not in the employ of Henry.