Editing Adventures of Dash Karp and Cat Flynn (section)

== Chapter 4 "A Dashing Rescue"==

'''''DASH'''''

When I got to the boarding house, I notice two other men turning into the alley and my gut just told me these were goons up to no good. I had no reason to think they were after the gypsy, but I chose to slow my own approach just the same. Nice and soft and easy I snuck into the alley to hear footsteps clanking on the fire escape. I looked up and saw my mark descending in a hurry, but one of those goons was waiting for her right underneath. Just as she got to the bottom, the goon wrapped her up in one arm and clapped a hand on her mouth. "Now be quiet sister and I don't hafta break no arms." 

He started to drag her back towards me and that's when I stepped in and played a bluff that I had only seen in the movies. "Let the girl go and I won't need to fill you full of led." I had my hand in my coat pocket and pointed it at him like I was holding a concealed gun. But I guess I wasn't threatening enough with it.

"Don't be stupid, fella," the goon warned me. "Mister Lorenzo don't like no interference in his bizzyness." Mr. Lorenzo? This was getting worse. Lorenzo was a former member of the Explorers Club who had been expelled on suspicion of criminal activity that involved white slavery and narcotics. Rumors were rampant about his strange activities, and he also had a reputation as some sort of Swengali where the ladies were concerned.

The goon was big, but I was bigger, so acting on impulse and arrogance, I rushed him and punched him full in the face. A bit of blood spattered from his nose, his eyes shut, but he was still holding the gypsy when he hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. There was no time to waste and I offered my hand. "No time for explanations right now, Miss Flynn. There's another goon like this one just around the corner. We need to hurry."

'''''CAT'''''

 
Her heart was racing as she descended the metal ladders, she'd not even removed her stage makeup yet and the hand that clasped over her mouth smeared the deep red lipstick as she shrieked, his arm painful around her waist.  Her feet kicked, connecting solidly with his shin, but his grin only tightened.  Blue eyes went wide as she saw yet another man there and then she was on the ground, the man's grip slacking as he had been laid out cold.  She stared, scrambling back from the large man but he knew her name and in times like these, that was enough.  She seized his hand, a frightened look around as she got to her feet. 
"Who? And why? And who are you?" 
Her Irish brogue evident in her fear though she was generally good at hiding it.

'''''DASH'''''

Her hand was small and soft and disappeared in mine. Not sure why I noticed that, but I did. I gave a tug to get her to her feet and we exited the alley in a hurry. 
"Karp. Dash Karp," 
I made my standard introduction as we reached the street and I hailed a cab. Luck was with me and a Yellow Taxi veered to the sidewalk to answer my hail. I thrust the gypsy inside and turned to see the other goon coming out of the alley. 
"Fourth and Thirty-fourth," 
I instructed the cabbie and added the standard, 
"...and step on it!" 
Through the rear window, I saw the goon trying to hail a cab of his own, but we were already turning a corner and out of sight. Only then did I take a moment to stare at the gypsy girl next to me. I saw that her lipstick was smeared, so I reached in my breast pocket and handed her my hanky. 
"Your lipstick, Miss Flynn. You might want to fix it." 

'''''CAT'''''

She shivered slightly, no time to grab a coat as she had run, a surreptitious pass of hand over her chest, the stiff thickness of her padded bra concealed what was hidden within. Her hair was still done up from the show, make up dark and exotic around the eyes, her skin tone darker from the pancake makeup.  She slid to the far side of the seat, glancing to the driver then taking the handkerchief.
"Up town?"
To her anything north of Houston was up town, well used to the darker underbelly of the city.  She used the rearview to wipe at the smears.
"So what was that? If you have a beef with Johnny or his boys, ain't nothing to me.  I keep outta his business."
Blatant lie but hell, she didn't know the man and as far as she knew, he could be one of any number of enforcers.

'''''DASH'''''

"Yes, Miss Flynn, uptown," and I was furtively glancing out the back for any tails. "That's where I lay my head. Now don't get any wrong ideas, I don't normally take strange women there, but seems someone else wanted to horn in on our party." Another glance behind revealed no tails yet and was starting to feel a bit better. "But if those goons don't know me, then its a good place to cool our heels." I leaned forward so I could get a better look at the cabbie. It was just something I liked to do as an exercise in memory. "I don't know Johnny or his boys, Miss Flynn, but I am sure if you co-operate fully, we can have you back with Johnny by morning." I believed that would be the case too. I had no expectations of finding the jewels in her possession and a short interrogation should reveal that. 

'''''CAT'''''

She studied the man in profile, he was large, impressively handsome even if he was scaring her.  Her brows rose. "Your place? Cooperate?"
She sat forward. "I do not know what kind of woman you think I am, but as grateful as I am for your...timing....back there....I am not that kind of grateful." She wrapped her arms at her waist softly, she knew she was nowhere near safe in life, ever really, but she would use what gift of gab she had to try and dissuade whom she took, thus far, for another underworld sort. "And after what my place looked like? Not sure I want to be anywhere near Johnny." Her hands twisted as she looked out the window, the enormity hitting her. "He was supposed to be keeping me safe." A soft snort of derision.

'''''DASH'''''

I really didn't care about Johnny, or what he was to her. As far as I was concerned, I only needed a few minutes with her to put this whole jewel caper to rest once and for all. I hated dead ends and I was still convinced that's exactly where I was heading now. When the taxi stopped where I indicated, I flipped the cabbie a sawbuck and ushered Catarina, aka Exotica, into Wentworth House. Without word, Willy, the elevator operator, lifted us to the sixth floor. I didn't utter a word until I had her inside my apartment. A suite, really. Well appointed and obviously a touch on the swank side compared to what she was used to. 
"Please, make yourself comfortable Miss Flynn," But I wasn't sure how comfortable she would feel when I bolted the door as a precaution against intruders (not really expected) and her escape (more likely). I lifted the receiver on the phone and spoke quickly. "Connect me with Applewhite," 
I told the house operator. After a moment, I said, 
"Keep trying and ring me when you have him."
I hung up the phone and turned to Catarina. 
"Can I get you anything, miss?" 

'''''CAT'''''

She knew her eyes widened as she looked around the suite, it was definitely high class by her standards, a sharp look at the door when she heard the bolt click into place, blue eyes surveying for windows.  She moved toward one, a lovely view but no fire escape.  Shit. She walked past a settee, keeping it between herself and him casually. "Yeah, you know some water would be nice, thanks....Mr. Karp." She smiled, head tossed a bit, the charm an easy glamour usually and she wanted him out of the room.  She had heard enough half conversations in her time to know something was not kosher here and diversion was often all the ploy one needed.

'''''DASH'''''

"Have a seat, please. I'll be right back." 
So much for my well stocked, if illegal, liquor cabinet. 
"I assure you, Miss Flynn, you will not be harmed. I only have a few questions for you." 
If she refused to answer, I had no real options available to me. But she didn't know that yet. For some reason, however, I wanted her to know that. I was no kidnapper or torturer. If she demanded to leave, I would let her go. No matter how angry Applewhite became. Though Applewhite was no kidnapper or torturer either. Since she was only drinking water, I decided against helping myself to the cognac I often enjoyed at this time of night. As I handed her the glass of water from the spigot, I asked my first question. 
"Are you the same Catarina Flynn who stayed with Mrs. Talliver at North Brother Island until her death seven years ago?" 
It was the first establishment question. I already knew it was her, but it was always good to start with the question you knew the answers to.

'''''CAT''''' 

When he walked to the spigot she took a few steps toward the door when she felt the wad of cash and the brooch slipping.  Her back was to him as a hand snaked down the front of her dress, trying to stabilize things, spinning back as he spoke, startling her by being so quick, her arm wrapped high under her boobs.
"I should have asked for whiskey." 
A quiet lament but genuine.  Heels sank into the soft carpet as she crossed to the settee and perched at the edge, blue eyes turning to him with a shrewd narrowing at the question.
"How do you know that? Are you related to Miss Lorraine?" 
And fear curled low in her belly, recalling well the plan years back to send her back to Barbados, was this man some sort of retrieval agent?
"She was a wonderful woman, sweet as nectar she was, a shame the gods called her home so early in life." 
Genuine sorrow in her voice even as the curled arm pressed the brooch almost painfully against her breast.

'''''DASH'''''

Her posture seemed odd, but I considered the likelihood of her being nervous. The poor dear. At six-foot-two, I know I can be intimidating, and my voice, according to others, had a leonine quality to it. 
"I'm afraid I didn't know the woman. Were you aware the General, her husband, passed only a year later? It was syphilis, as I understand it." I regretted making that report, but it was the truth and I hoped it would help open her up some. 
"Now, Miss Flynn, I want you to understand I am not with the authorities. I have no interest in your legal status in this country or what you've been doing for the last seven years. Did Mrs. Talliver give you any items of value? Any jewelry perhaps?" 

'''''CAT'''''

Her hand holding the glass shook and a hand came to her mouth.
"I....no..."
She stood, pacing, her heels making no sound in the soft carpet.
"Syphilis? Gods above." 
Her hands went to her hair, feeling the stiffness of spray and the beaded hair wrap she still wore.
"I had no idea." 
Her voice sad, gaze dropping to a small shadow box on the shelf, hand reaching to touch the small medal in it, a soft pause as her head rose, blue eyes distant.
"Ohhhh...I am so sorry.  You were close."  
Her eyes closed a moment and  she smiled. 
"He never did like the smell of the cigars your grandfather sent did he?"
That was the thing with Catarina, she sometimes forgot that not everyone could see and know what she could, and much as her hard shell exterior was a necessity....there was a far softer young woman in there. 
"And if you're not with the cops, why do you want to know? Do I look like I have such riches and wealth Mr. Karp?" 
Trying to chuckle but shaken, fingers still touching the medal.

'''''DASH'''''

Well this was a fine how-do-you-do! I picked up a girl that belonged in the funny farm! 
"I wasn't close..." 
He started, but she continued and I was at a loss for a moment. I shook my head when she seemed to be addressing me and I refused to ask who she'd been talking to. 
"Do you have any keepsake from her......" 
And then the phone rang. 
"Karp here," 
I answered. 
"You're never going to guess who I have in my apartment, Horsey," 
I said with a smile. 
"The gypsy girl!" 
Silence. 
"Well no, we just..." 
Silence and a grimace on my face. 
"No! I haven't tried any such...." 
And I was interrupted again. 
"I was just getting to that, Horsey, but I don't she's going to be any help." 
Now my head was nodding. 
"Of course, of course, but," 
And I turned my head to talk quieter, though I was certain she could still hear me. 
"I think she may be in some sort of trouble with Lorenzo." 
Silence. 
"I have no idea, and I can fill you in tomorrow, but I think you should send a car for her and take her to the chateau if she's willing." Silence, and a sneer. 
"Here?" 
My eyes went wide and I turned to look at her again. 
"But she doesn't even know me!" 
Silence. 
"I'll ask but if she doesn't want to, I'm not making her." 
Silence. 
"Well you just make sure you have two cars here at seven a.m." 
A roll of eyes. 
"Oh cut it, Horse-face! I said two cars. This is why you pay me, to handle the heavy lifting." 
I smiled then, as much to Cat as for my own sake. I hung up the phone, and my smile slowly faded. 
"I need to ask, Miss Flynn, would you mind sleeping here tonight? Tomorrow, with your permission, you will taken to my employer's estate outside the city where we can discuss things in greater detail." 

'''''CAT'''''

She took her hand off of the medal on display from Dash's father's days in the army.  Turning to blatantly listen to the conversation, letting the fact that she had in fact been talking to Dash about his deceased but not departed father fade.  The reference to 'that gypsy girl' was not unusual, and she did cultivate the image for profit and survival, but she was still soft enough on the inside for it to ache.  She watched and listened to him talk, admiring the line of his shoulders before she felt the heat of a soft blush, arms folded, a strategic shift and a wince as the brooch dug in. 
"Who is the Horse? And why do you care about what Miss Lorraine might have given me?" 
She was curious, and also certain that for both sentimental and practical reasons she was not going to give away the one gift she had ever been given with no strings attached.  Oh sure, men had given her flowers, clothing, even jewelry, but they gave it to Exotica, the Gypsy Dancer, not to Catarina of Glenariff. 
"And she did give me a gift, but it is not something I am going to part with, you should know that now."

'''''DASH'''''

She had not responded to his 'invitation', but I am a patient man. Normally, it would be too soon for me to share information, but I was increasingly convinced this poor girl really knew nothing. 
"Ahhh....Horsey is one Horace Applewhite; a man very interested in artifacts and art and making sure it gets back to the rightful owners." 
I was almost convinced she had nothing of interest until she mentioned receiving a gift from the late Mrs. Talliver. I'm sure the immediate curiosity flashed on my face. 
"She did? May I ask what it was exactly?" 
But before letting her answer further, I decided to explain my own reasons for asking. 
"Let me explain..." 
I walked to the liquor cabinet then and decided to have that cognac now. 
"In 1907, the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from Dublin Castle and have never been recovered. Horsey....Applewhite...has gone to great trouble and expense to find those jewels. The trail, tenuous it may be, took us to your Mrs. Talliver. Personally, I would not have believed the jewels even made it to Barbados, let alone to America with a  sick woman. But, I have to ask. Where is the gift you were given?" 

'''''CAT'''''

"You have any whiskey in there Mr....did you say your name was Dash?"
Her brogue was back and she eyed him a long moment before she stepped from her heels, moving back to the  settee and sitting cross-legged. 
"It is...safe."
Brows furrowed some, wanting to rub her face but the makeup would smear everywhere. 
"Crown Jewels of the Irish or the filthy jackboots?" 
No disguising the hatred in her tone for the British. 
"It is an emerald brooch, about so big, the stone."
Holding out her palm and tracing the size of the palm. 
"But I will throw it in the East River before I let the jackboots have it back, friend of yours or no." 
And her chin rose, the stubborn Romnichal evident in her gaze, all cocksure and tough in the samw way a puffed up kitten might be. 
"And I will agree to stay on three counts....you sleep on the couch, your shower has hot water and you hurry with that whiskey." 
A small smile quirked, the girl behind the stage make up peeping through.

'''''DASH'''''

"You may call me Dash if I may call you Catarina...Miss Flynn." 
I nodded to her request for whiskey, half expecting that to be her choice. While she spoke, I enjoyed my cognac, but when Cat even hinted at showing some claws, just a small bit of sympathy faded away. I set my cognac down and started to pour her whiskey, nodding as she recounted what she would do before the 'jackboots' could get their hands on whatever it was she was holding on to. I still wasn't sure it was the jewels even when she described it because she was only describing one item! It sounded like the Diamond Star of the Order of Saint Patrick. Still, I wanted to see it. 
"I do hope it is safe, if its what I think it is. Applewhite believes it belongs to the Irish people and, if recovered, he would see to it that it was returned to Dublin Castle." 
I took my time with my cognac, then took my time pouring her whiskey, and took my time bringing it to her. 
"Evenings and mornings can be iffy for a hot shower. I will sleep in my own bed, thank you very much," 
And I finally delivered her whiskey. 
"You can sleep in the guest room and I will have some feminine toiletries delivered in the morning." 
I stepped away then to return to my cognac. 
"One last thing," 
I smiled, 
"I never hurry anything on command." 

'''''CAT'''''

She ducked her chin some. 
"You have a guest room?" 
She did not realize  how backwater she probably sounded to a man of means such as him, but coming from where she did, the idea of an apartment having more than one bedroom was alien to her. She took the whiskey, startled by his words of not being commanded, she gave him a cheeky smile.
"I'll remember that, and Catarina is fine.  Let me ask you, why does he want it to go back?  Miss Lorraine wanted me to have it.   
She swallowed down some whiskey, wincing at the burn, not sure if she could speak openly with him, she changed tack, sliding close enough to take his hand, flipping it palm up, studying his hand and catching a breath.
"Oh my...your life line is very deep....so is your heart line, though it has started to spread very thin, many threads."
Fingers delicate as she traced the lines.

'''''DASH'''''

"Applewhite is a deep intellectual, a lover of antiquities, a collector of art," 
I started to explain, but there was so much more to say about Applewhite that no one ever really asked him about before. 
"He is an honest man and just likes to see things in their proper place. Or at least what he believes is the proper place. I assure you, if you have the item he seeks, he will pay you quite well for it." 
When she took my hand and started tracing lines, I felt my brows knit together. My first instinct was to pull my hand away, but I have to admit her touch was pleasing. Even soothing. I smiled and as her words faded, I finally managed to free my hand of hers. 
"You are quite the disarming girl, Catarina, but I'm afraid I don't much buy into palm reading and fortune telling. Anyway, no one is going to force you to give up anything, but Applewhite will sure do his best to convince you." 
My fingers curled against my own palm where she touched it only a moment ago. I missed the touch already, but I was also trying to erase the 'lifelines' she had traced. For me, it was so much hocus-pocus, though there were times I wondered. 

'''''CAT'''''

She gave a delicate sniff at the mention of being paid.
"Many talk money but few deliver Dash."
A small salute of her whiskey glass and a sip taken.  She was not a big drinker, despite her heritage, but the warmth was nice as the chill of reality settled in.  Her home, slovenly as it was, was no longer an option, her job....well, likely no safer.  A hand squeezed his forearm softly, noting the muscle.
'Tis a rare man who believes such gifts at first sight, you're far from alone in that." 
A pat pat given, not her first rebuff on such matters, she was a pro.
"Did you know those two men?"

'''''DASH'''''

I couldn't decide if I wanted to watch her hand or her eyes. For the moment, I watched her hand squeeze my arm. 
"Not exactly my first 'sight', as you put it," 
Because I have seen some odd things in my days with the Explorers Club. 
"You mean the goons that tried to nab you? Never seen those two, but goons are goons." 
I shot my grey eyes right into hers then. There was another wrinkle in this matter that was quite unexpected. I honestly didn't think anyone else had connected Miss Exotica to the Irish Crown Jewels. In all the time I've been hunting them down I never got a sense that anyone else was on the trail at all. 
"Do you know Mr. Lorenzo, Catarina? Are you in some sort of trouble with him?" 

'''''CAT'''''

The mention of the Explorer's Club lifted a brow and she lifted her hand from his arm, a self conscious smile as she shook her head.
"No, I have never even heard of him.  Though I may know him by another name, many use....aliases...as it were."
She almost physically jerked when those eyes caught hers, a rare lapse in facade and she was suddenly glad she was still in stage makeup, teeth catching at her lower lip as she dropped her gaze away.
"Honest, I know I am Romnichal but we are not all as people say." 
And her chin rose, those deep sapphire eyes meeting his, a stubborn little jut of chin, life having handed her many reminders about the way her people were too often viewed.

'''''DASH'''''

I consider myself a worldly man and though I was aware of the term 'Romnichal' and I had no preconceived connotations to attach to it. Now for gypsies, there were a slew of connotations! 
"Are you really a gypsy? I thought maybe that was just a stage act." 
I kept my cool grey eyes locked to her pretty blues. Mostly because the were pretty and it was hard to draw away. But also because it seemed to have an affect upon her. 
"I've never know Lorenzo to use an alias, Catarina. He's bad news and I think he likes it that way." 
Then I started doing a little math in my head. Palm reading plus fortune telling plus gypsy. Lorenzo was known for his interests in the occult and now I had to wonder just what else this gypsy girl had besides the Irish Crown Jewels. Lorenzo was mad, a determined collector of occult items said to have mystical qualities. 
"Is there anything else in your possession of a strange, unusual nature?" 

'''''CAT'''''

She laughed, not offended by his question as it was so clearly genuine. 
"I am a proud gypsy indeed.  Pureblood, seventh daughter of a seventh daughter.
Her smile reached her eyes, a small tuck of hair behind the shell of an ear.
"Oh....Lorenzo......could he also go by Giuseppe?" 
And then fear crept over her face, a shiver seen. 
"There is a man who has come to the club and  has asked to watch my sessions with some clients.  Oh....seance sessions that is."
She turned a ripe pink, that could have sounded simply scandalous. 
"I said no of course.  Say what you may about it, but my abilities are fae given and real.  And well Johnny knows it, too." 
It had never occurred to her that she herself might be an occult objet-de-arte of sorts for some.

'''''DASH'''''

Seances too! Fae given! Oh Applewhite was going to love her! Applewhite was a man of science who hoped against hope he could prove something of a supernatural nature. Because I was such a skeptic, he often sent me to check out various claims and more I almost always found charlatans. Almost always. There had been that fellow with the tall tale about a vampire in New Orleans. He was certainly convincing, and the police reports of the murders had all the earmarks of the strange. But, as usual, it fizzled to nothing. I found her mouth alluring as I watched her speak, but caught myself. Her mention of Johnny was just another item to add to the equation. 
"This town is full of 'Giuseppes' and Lorenzo is just known as....Mr. Lorenzo." 
Even official documents at the Explorers Club showed only the one name. 
"I'm not going to judge your abilities or where they came from, Catarina. My only concern is to settle the affair of the jewels." 
And that should have been my only concern! It seemed likely Johnny had 'sold' her out somehow and Catarina just might be caught in a mess beyond her 'fae given' abilities. 

'''''CAT'''''

She listened to his words, those lips pursing some before she lifted the whiskey glass, a small sip taken again that left a faint press of red lipstick on the clear surface.  Her gaze met his again and much as she might well have wanted to remain caught in the steel grey, she gave a small shake of  dark head, her chin dropping some.
"So then you see me safe to this friend of yours, he sees about some jewel and....then what?"
It was partially rhetorical, partially a voiced fear.  She'd been in tough spots before, but given the night thus far and those two goons, all of the usual places she would turn for help seemed suddenly suspect.