The Most Dangerous Dame

We all turned to stare. I’d nearly forgotten Natasha was there. She’d been sitting quietly on a stool the whole time, listening to every word. She blushed prettily at the sudden shift of attention, but continued to speak.

“I don’t think this is about Sophia or Benny.” Her smoky eyes locked with mine. “I think it’s about you, Mick. I think the assassin is playing some sort of twisted game with you, and everyone else are just pieces on the board.”

I sighed, exhaling a cloud of gasper smoke. “Points to the lady for putting the pieces together. I’m inclined to believe she’s right. At first I thought it was a vendetta against Flacco, but that’s nixed at this point. I’m the target. This is about my past catching up to me.”

Flask shrugged. “Ok, where does that leave us, then? Is this lady gunman working alone? And if not, who’s really behind all of this? All we’re doing is going around in circles here.”

“Not for long. You all know I lost most of my memory not too long ago. Everything I remember is after I woke up in this Haven. And since that time I haven’t had dealings with any dame who would hate me like this one does.”

Angel sniffed. “I’m surprised you can keep up. Your apartment may as well be called the Red Light District from the rumors I hear.”

I winked. “Only the best parts are true. You should know that, Angel.”

Her face turned scarlet as Flask gave her a questioning look. My amused chuckle turned into a coughing fit after noticing Natasha’s decidedly neutral gaze. I doused my sputters by chugging the rest of my coffee and quickly returning to the main subject.

“The point is, I don’t know any woman who would come after me with a killer grudge. She mentioned things about my past I can’t remember at all. Which means she’s probably an agent of the Secret Service.”

Poddar’s eyes widened. “You worked for the Service? You never told us that.”

“I only recently found out. Besides, that’s not something a body just shares with anyone, you know? I’m opening up a Pandora’s box just telling you right now.”

Flask whistled softly. “I knew there was something different about you. You’re right — that definitely changes everything. If the Service is gunning for you there’s not much that can be done. They don’t exactly play around when it comes to finishing a job.”

Benny stared bug-eyed as though he’d never seen me before. “The hell, Mick. You didn’t say nothing about being with the Service. This could muck with my uncle’s entire operation.”

I pulled a bottle of Jack and some shot glasses from under the table. “Don’t everybody start dying at once. I swear, you’re all squealing like a bunch of newborn kittens. Take a drink and calm your nerves.”

Ms. Kilby waved away the offer. “Although I tend to agree with the sentiment, you can’t deny this puts us in a bit of a pickle, Mr. Trubble. The Secret Service has long sought a way to infiltrate New Haven and place their operatives in charge. The fact that you have ties to such a lethal association is unsettling to say the least.”

“Anyone can be a target at this point.” Poddar held his shot of Jack as though not sure what to do with it. His eyes slid over to Ms. Kilby. “I’ve seen what those SS butchers can do firsthand. Any and all means to get to an end. Collateral damage means nothing to them.”

I downed a shot of Jack. “Well, maybe I should fly solo until this thing sorts itself out. Wouldn’t be the first time. And with the exception of Flask, I kinda like you folks. Wouldn’t want anyone catching a stray slug with my name written on it. Well, unless it’s Flask, anyhow.”

Flask poured a shot and swigged it. “Yeah, yeah — I get it, Mick. Not to worry. Captain Kennedy is on my ass about this case. I’m in until it’s over.”

I knocked back another shot. “Your funeral, Ace.”

Benny folded his arms. “I’m not going nowhere either, Mick. Sophia was blood. Don’t matter if it’s the SS or not. Somebody’s gonna pay for what they did to her.”

Poddar looked at Ms. Kilby, who gave the slightest nod. He shrugged. “I never said we wouldn’t help, Mick. It would not be fair to let you go at this without backup. We’re partners, right?”

“Yeah, but that’s not gonna fly this time, Ace. I can’t guarantee any of us will make it outta this soup sandwich alive so best make sure it’s what you wanna do, right?”

Poddar didn’t bat an eye. “If I say I’m in, I’m in.”

I nodded. “Appreciate it, partner.”

Angel drummed her manicured nails on the table. “Hope you don’t expect me to shuffle paperwork while you’re all out on some dangerous mission. I can handle myself in a tight spot, you know. I want in, too.”

I knew Angel could handle herself in a tight spot, all right. Both in between the sheets and out. After all, she had conned me with the whole ‘naughty good girl’ act, all the while playing both sides with Tommy Tsunami and the Gutter Girls, pretty deadly company either way. Her whole secretary act was suspect as well, but I let that slide so I could keep an eye on her. Her looks had nothing to do with it. Or so I kept telling myself.