Queen City Dies Laughing...Chapter 4

Queen City Dies Laughing, Chapter 4

“Athena my dear, it's delightful to see you again.  And you're the answer to my unspoken prayers and wishes.”  My uncle Harry Fort smiled a dazzling smile as he charmed me through lunch at the Tenderloin Grill.

“I suspected as much when you called and said you were in town for a week's performance at the new Joker's Wild club, Uncle Harry,” I smiled.  “What's wrong?  Your swords lose their edge?”

“Alas no,” said Uncle Harry, mopping his brow with a large silk handkerchief.  As he did, several more handkerchiefs slipped from his pocket, more and more; an ever increasing string of them ending with a black and white checked one that stated “The End”  Despite having seen the trick a multitude of times, I still laughed.

“No, Athena my dear, something far worse.  Myra left me.”

“Again?”  I snorted.  “She leaves you every year about now Uncle Harry.  Its when she goes on her trip to visit her rich grandmother in the Oneidas.”

“I know, I know.  I had hoped with the upcoming show here, she might have postponed the trip, but Myra said the old girl was fading and might not make it a week.  Personally, I think she's pulling an old man's leg, but still...”

“Still, you're short an assistant for the week?”

Uncle Harry smiled broadly.  “EXACTLY!” he cried excitedly.  “Do you know that's one reason you're my favorite niece, Athena?  You're so perceptive to my needs.”

“And now you need an assistant?” I asked.

“But of course!  What magician worth his salt wouldn't have a beautiful assistant, dressed in a sequin covered leotard.  And I remember teaching you about my craft.”

“That was 20 years ago, Uncle Harry.  I...well...frankly, I'm a bit rusty on my stage magic.”

“Nonsense.  You have the blood of the Great Fortescue in you; albeit somewhat diminished.  You will rise like a prize boxer to the bell!  You can't tell me no-there's no one who could learn the role so quickly.”

I sighed.  “All right I'll do it. But I can't use my real name, Uncle Harry.  Could you call me Candace?  What do I have to do?”  Uncle Harry smiled.

“Candace, of course.  And I have rehearsals starting in an hour, he said.”

“And I will be there tomorrow. ” I replied.  “I have to give Ajay some time to rant first.”

Sure enough, the curator at the museum center was predictably annoyed.  “Ten Days?” he grumbled.  “Outrageous!”

“Need I remind you Director Chatterjee, that I ran the museum AND managed to get you released from prison during an 'unfortunate event?'”  Ajay swallowed hard.  

“I can see you won't take no for an answer,” he said.  “Oh look!  There happens to be some time available in the leave budget.  I think I can spare you for ten days, Dr. Nikos.”  

“Thank you O Gracious One,” I said sarcastically.  Dr. Chatterjee frowned, but stoically accepted good-natured ribbing.  I stopped by my office to clean some things off the desk and to get some papers so I could work a bit on my “down time.”

“Hey boss,” I heard the gentle voice of Hef, my assistant.

“Oh Hef!  Good!  I didn't want to leave you an email or sticky note.  I'm going to be out for the next ten days on family business.  I won't be needing you here, so if you'd like, you can have the time off too.  With pay of course,”  I quickly added.

“Well sure, Dr. Nikos, I mean who doesn't like a little R and R?  But this is really sudden.  Is there something I can help with?” He asked, possibly more concerned than I would have thought.

“No, its nothing like that,” I replied.  “Just going to help a family member with a small problem.”

“OK, well, you have my number if you need me,” he said.

A few hours later, I was landing on the rooftop of Police Headquarters.  Reed stepped from the shadow and I whistled.  “Wow, Detective, you clean up nicely.”  He was dressed in comfortable khaki pants with a dress shirt and blazer.  His beard was shaved and he reminded me more of a little kid playing dress up than the serious officer I knew so well.

“Yeah, I don't like it either,” he said.  “But Chief Ohara wants her leadership team to look respectable. Its either this or the blues. Since I'm a temp leader, she's gonna have to get used to it.”  He handed me a cup of coffee, the signal that we were ready to start business.

“Do you have any ideas about how to get into the Joker's Wild?” he asked.  “I could bring the force in, but I'd need a hell of a reason to get a warrant.  That place is political dynamite.  Its going to make the city a lot of money, and most of it legit, even if it comes from people who may or may not be able to afford it.  And I'm sure what's left of Mancari's people, not to mention the syndicates in Blue's Landing will have some ties to the place as well.”  Reed sighed, again.  But with no evidence, his hands were tied.

“I might have a way in,” I said.  Reed perked up.

“What was that?”

“I may have a way in,” I repeated.  “Let's just say I know people.”

Reed smiled.  “All right, woman of mystery, I'll leave you to your devices.”  He turned away then turned back smiling.  “Speaking of devices...”

“No,” I said firmly.  “I will not wear a wire.”

“But?”

“No!  I will not compromise myself or this mission.  I'll still be able to contact you through the cell phone if necessary, and by smoke signals if I have to.”

Reed look distressed, and I slipped my arm around his shoulder, leaning in to speak softly.  “Its a recon mission first, right?  You study the plans of the casino, I'll be on the inside doing the same and keeping an ear open for either Barbie or the Buffoon.”

“All right, you got it,” said Reed.  “I don't like it, but I don't have anything better.”

“Thanks, Detective Reed,” I said, leaning in to kiss his ear.  “I'll be fine, though.”

MEANWHILE

“Look at all the trouble Queen City went through to honor you, darlin'” the scratchy, squeeky voice of Barbie Dahl echoed through the now empty Mercer Novelty Company.  They built a big boat, and festooned your image all over it.”

“An' den dey didn't have da coitesy ta invite me ta da Gran' Openin'.”  The Buffoon's accent was thick tonight, indicative of his sour mood.  “Even after my holdin' companies fronted da money, and helped build da dang thing!”  With trembling hands, he stuck a Churchill into his mouth, and clicked a zippo in frustration.  The flint sparked a flame, and after three good draws, the cigar glowed to life.

“Oh now, Poopsie,” said Barbie, “you know your stogies give me SUCH a frightful headache.  Can't you put it out?”

“No! I need it ta think.”

“But its SO Stinky!”  Barbie brought a seltzer bottle close to the master of mayhem, her finger poised to depress the tap.

Wordlessly, the Buffoon spun in his leather easy chair, squeezing a rubber chicken.  Barbie screamed as several darts sprung from the chicken's beak, striking the woman in the chest and torso.  The Buffoon touched another button on the chicken and Barbie danced, convulsing as the taser forced its energies though her lithe body.  The dimpled darling rolled her eyes up and dropped unconscious to the floor.

“Nobody, I mean NOBODY, distoibs me when I'm t'inkin'” said the Buffoon.  His eyes fell on the Queen Citizen magazine under Dollface's hand.  A look of shock, then glee filled the eyes of the Buffoon.

“Oh yeah,” he said.  “Dere'll be a hot time at da casino an' soon!”



Detective Payton Reed is an OC of and used with permission.
Hef Karamikos is an OC of and used with permission.
The Buffoon and Dollface are OC's of and used with fiendish delight.

And all other characters in this story are mine, used without worry.  And this is taking place in