Editing Adventures of Dash Karp and Cat Flynn (section)

== Chapter 7 "Lorenzo Has Dash and Cat"==

'''''DASH'''''

How long I was out, I couldn't say. The light that glared in my face was garish and made my head pound even harder. I squinted and discovered I was securely bound to a chair, but I could see nothing for that glaring light. My ankles were tied to the legs of the chair and my wrists behind the back. I struggled only a moment before deciding to save my strength. I was alive, so that meant I was wanted for something, though I had no idea what. I only had to wait a moment before I heard someone else nearby. A movement of furniture, I thought. I heard a shuffle of feet, and then a voice. 
"I regret the violence, Mr. Karp, but I'm afraid you've proven rather uncooperative." 
I recognized the voice immediately as Mr. Garifini and wondered how he managed to catch up with us. It seemed certain they had decided to follow Ribbons against any eventuality. 
"Mr. Lorenzo would prefer to avoid any further unpleasantries and your cooperation, as I tried to convey before, might even prove rewarding to both you and Miss Flynn." 
The light was turned away from me and cast upon Catarina who is in a nearby chair and likewise bound, though she was additionally gagged. It was still hard to see Garifini, who directed the light, but both goons flanked Catarina, who appeared otherwise unharmed and quite awake. 

'''''CAT'''''

She'd woken to a headache but otherwise physically fine.  Panic served no purpose, but that was not to say she was calm either, currently trying to dislodge the cloth gag that was pressed far back behind her teeth and tied behind her head, her hair a tumble of curls and a bit rumpled.  She wished her ankles were not tied, as her dress was dangerously close to rising above her left knee and that was making her very uncomfortable given the two large men flanking her.  Seeing Dash wake up she made small noises behind the gag, blue eyes wide  as she listened to the lanky man  from the doorway.  Gods had that only been this same day? She blinked, turning her face from the light but one of the men seized her hair and brought her head back to center.  She did not like him touching her and she could feel that tight small fist of energy that was always present in her start to loosen, nostrils flaring.  Angry noises came from the gagged mouth.

'''''DASH'''''

I was none too happy with Catarina's predicament but being tied as well, tough words seemed useless. 
"Now this isn't necessary at all, Mr. Garifini. I was simply taking Miss Flynn to our first appointment," 
Trying to imply that we had every intention of keeping our appointment with Mr. Lorenzo. 
"Now if you'll just untie us, we can discuss your proposal in a more civil manner." 
There was some difficulty on my part in keeping my eyes away from Catarina then. The bit of thigh that was exposed caught my eye and was alluring, despite the circumstances. Garifini nodded to one of the goons, who left the side of Cat and came to untie me. I was surprised at this and would likely have boxed the fellows ears had it not been for Garfini's next words. 
"We will keep Miss Flynn restrained for now and you will in turn remain peaceful, is that understood Mr. Karp? Mr. Lorenzo will hold ''you'' personally responsible should anything happen to her." 
I rubbed my wrists as soon a I got to my feet and stepped away from the chair I had been in. 
"So what makes you think her safety will guarantee my cooperation? I only met the dame last night." 
I tried to sound as dispassionate as possible without even glancing to Cat. Mr. Garifini finally emerged from the shadows. 
"Your reputation quite precedes you, Mr. Karp. Quite the gallant gentleman and womanizer all in one."

'''''CAT'''''

Her pulse was quick and she could feel her cheeks warming with a creeping blush, squirming some in the chair, trying the rope that bound her wrists.  Her eyes widened a bit as she watched them untie Dash, a shake of her head in negative in terms of the statement that they were keeping her bound.  The words the lanky man spoke made her go very still, it was becoming clear to her that Dash had likely been right, it seemed her skills or person were of some value, albeit nefarious value, to Lorenzo.  She recoiled slightly when Dash so casually implied he did not care what happened to her and a sinking sensation filled her, dipping her chin as she felt her eyes prickle, trying to shake the feeling.  Her hands flexed in their bonds and her awareness opened a bit, the temperature of the area directly around her dipping noticeably.  The light that was shining on her flickered a moment.

'''''DASH'''''

"I'll take over from here now, Albert," 
And a door opened, admitting a short, but slim man with a pencil thin mustache, wearing a black suit and spats on his shoes. 
"Boys, go get coffee," 
He waved off the goons. 
"You too Albert, everything is fine. Thank you for getting this meeting together." 
When the other three men left, Lorenzo closed the door and moved along the wall a few steps. Lorenzo was too comfortable and it indicated he was quite aware he was safe in my presence. Sure, he had things all ordered to his liking and unless I wanted to risk getting Cat hurt, I wasn't going to make any disquieting moves. 
"I think the last time we met, I trounced you in billiards, Lorenzo. Did you want a rematch?" 
He seemed to ignore me and walked behind Cat's chair and removed her gag. 
"Please accept my apologies, Miss Flynn. Albert has a flare for the damsel in distress scenario." 
He smiled, then returned to me. 
"Perhaps later, Daniel." 
We had first met before I started using the 'Dash' moniker and it somehow made my skin crawl to hear him call me Daniel now. 
"For the moment, I only ask that help me convince Miss Flynn to join us in a ....quest of sorts." 
What was he talking about, and why did he think I would help him? 
"Join you?"
And I realized I might have sounded too indignant so I toned it down. 
"Well, I suppose we could hear what you had to say," 
As though I was Catarina's agent or something.

'''''CAT'''''

She was somewhat split focus right then, aware of the changing energy though when she heard Lorenzo's voice, the temperature dipping a few more degrees and the chair Dash was no longer in gave a soft creak.  Blue eyes lifted, her tongue tracing her dry lips, working the feel and taste of the gag from her lips as best she could, shaking her head some.  Her eyes blazed when she looked at Lorenzo, cutting a glance to include Dash as well. 
"If you truly wish me to cooperate in any way, untie me."  
"Her accent was thicker as she was stressed, the lyrical Irish brogue somehow feminine and sweet despite the heat behind the words she spoke. "And what sort of quest is it that you think I would undertake to help you anyway?"  
She was trying to reign in her fear, knowing it only fanned the flames of the energy surrounding her like a close protective swarm.

'''''DASH'''''

I only knew Catarina for less than twenty-four hours, but I was already gaining a sense about her. The moment she spoke, I hurried to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. 
"Now, now, Kitten," 
I knew it sounded condescending, but it was for Lorenzo's benefit. 
"Leave the man to make his offer. He's a serious customer, you know." 
I gave her shoulder a squeeze which I hoped she would take as somehow reassuring and looked to Lorenzo, who gave me a suspicious nod and smile. Somehow, I didn't think he was buying my cooperation, but he was going along just the same. 
"I am a collector of the unusual, Miss Flynn. One might say even the mystical. There is one item I have been seeking for a number of years now. It is known as the Missile of Eros; a sculpture dating back to the fourth century B.C. I believe I may have uncovered a clue to its whereabouts." 
He stopped there and was probably waiting for me to argue against its authenticity. Even Applewhite never invested any money in that fruitless search. But I said nothing just yet. I left it to Cat to respond so I could better play my own game. 

'''''CAT'''''

Her eyes widened a bit when he called her Kitten and she really wished her legs were free so she could stomp on his foot right then.  His hand on her shoulder squeezed and she drew a breath, odd to be so distracted by so small a thing at a time like this, but it reeled in her temper some.  Blue eyes turned to Lorenzo and she was quiet a moment. 
"I have never even heard of a missile of whoever, how in the name of Katie Clancy am I supposed to help you to find it?  Have you tried the daily papers?  Place an advert?" 
Her frustration sometimes shorted out her brain to mouth filter but at least she was not swearing at him.

'''''DASH'''''

It was attractive in its way, I suppose, how she tried to be defiant while tied to a chair. Just the same, I was more interested in getting to the bottom of what Lorenzo wanted. 
"It would be a wonderful find for the archeological community," 
Though I was quite aware he no intentions of sharing anything he found. He was quite the opposite of Applewhite in that regard. 
"But just how do you expect the gypsy girl here to find it?" 
Sure, I was digging myself deep with Catarina, but I was still hoping I could convince Lorenzo my own interests were purely mercenary. 
"She's just a burlesque dancer." I was sure that was another nail in my coffin when I called her that.

'''''CAT'''''

She felt her cheeks go warm as Dash categorized her as a burlesque dancer and she flipped her hair as her head turned, away from them both.  Blue eyes stared at the floor a few feet away as she twisted her wrists, the left loop starting to loosen a wee bit, or maybe she was vainly hopeful.  She drew a breath, her shrug aborted as her hands were tied behind her back, acutely uncomfortable with how that simple fact caused her dress to be pulled tight across her bosom, and not only because of how it accentuated her figure.  She was only certain that no one had gotten fresh while she was out because she was being poked painfully by the brooch. 
"He is right, what use would I be?  I am just a dancer.  This is all some misunderstanding, honestly. 
And she flashed a charming smile, the one that did not reach blue eyes but often upped her tips.

'''''DASH'''''

She was playing along and I was rather grateful of that fact. 
"There, ya see? Now why don't you let the little gypsy girl go back to her dancing. This Missile of Eros sounds interesting enough for me. You and I should sit down and discuss. Its not like I have an exclusive contract with Applewhite, you know." 
If I could at least get Cat out of there, I would feel a whole let better. I would be more free to act rashly if rashness became the desired course of action. 
"I'm afraid you don't understand, Mr. Karp. Your talents - and I do commend you on them - are not required. At least not yet," 
And that last bit had me more interested now. He continued, "our Miss Flynn here may be the only person in the greater metropolitan area capable of divining the information I seek." 
I looked from Lorenzo to Cat and realized I was fast running out of options. 

'''''CAT'''''

She felt her pulse jump, the temperature taking a sharp spike downwards as her fear rose.  She blew out a breath and regretted it, a faint white hang of breath in the air.  She had to think fast, chin rising as her attention was split between harnessing back the energy and talking her way out of this.
"What does the thing you're looking for look like?  Maybe I seen it somewhere, like a museum or gallery." 
Praying he might believe she frequented either type of establishment. 
"I could ask folks, but gee, I can't think how else I might be of help, especially like this."
Glancing down at herself.
"Maybe untie me and I can think better."
It was worth a shot, a jump of adrenaline as the chair Dash had been secured in simply fell over.  That was not, to her awareness, her.  She could not as truthfully say that no one else present, visible or not, was not responsible.

'''''DASH'''''

My head snapped to the chair when it was upset, and I saw Lornezo do the same. The goons were gone, as well as Garifini, so that was just strange odd. To me at least, but Lorenzo seemed much less surprised and smiled at Cat. 
"Yes, I am even more certain you can be of some help, Miss Flynn. You see, the information I need can only be reached by someone with a gift such as you possess." 
I scratched my head, still looking at the chair I slowly turned my grey eyes on Cat. I tried to convey to her the suggestion that she needed to play dumber than dirt now. 
"Oh come now, Lorenzo," 
And I laid my finger to the side of my nose, 
"I have a nose for these things. If the missile is anywhere to be found, you know I can find it and I can retrieve it! Now lets stop wasting time on the gypsy and talk turkey. What information you have got on it so far? Where do I start?"  
I was trying to draw Lorenzo into a more reasonable approach to his quest, even though I was aware of Lorenzo's quirks for the mystical. My eyes glanced to that chair again and wondered if it had been some trick of Lorenzo's just to throw us off. Lorenzo kept his eyes on cat as though he was expecting her to disappear in a mist. 
"If you agree to perform this one service, miss Flynn, I will pay you five thousand dollars," 
And then he looked to me. 
"Once Miss Flynn reveals the location of the Missile of Eros, I will indeed hire you to retrieve it." Though he didn't set a price with me. 

'''''CAT'''''

She closed her eyes, a silent prayer sent to the gods for calm and control.  She looked up to see Dash's look and she did understand that whatever else, she was in trouble.  The kind of trouble she could not get out of on her own by a long shot, not unless someone or something conveniently rendered everyone but her and Dash unconscious.  Second plan.  Cue the tears.  She was fully capable of acting, and crying on cue was not too hard when bound helplessly in the presence of one very scary man and another one she had known less than a full day.  Those soft full lips quivered prettily as tears slid over pink cheeks and hung from raven lashes. 
"You're making no sense and you're scaring me! I'm just a dancer, tell him Mr. Karp.  I don't know anything and I cannot take your money on a lie."
Oh it was a good performance, right down to the squirm that seemed emotional but in reality had her left wrist almost free, a fact she hoped Dash, and not Lorenzo, noted.
"Please, just let me go, I won't tell anyone about this, I promise!"
She had a death grip on the knot of energy internally though that did not stop the current of cold.

'''''DASH'''''

Her performance was even convincing me, but it was obvious Lorenzo was not so moved. 
"Perhaps more than monetary persuasion is in order here," 
Lorenzo advised Cat, then pounded three times on the door. Immediately, Lorenzo's goons re-entered, the uglier one leveling a .38 at my chest. My immediate response was to put my hands up, but my mouth was less resigned. 
"Hey, what's the big idea? I said I would work with you on this!" 
The goon, for whom I still had no name, waved the gun in a way to back me into the far corner. 
"You want I should plug him here, Mr. Lorenzo, or you want me and da boys should take him for a ride?" 
Lorenzo shook his head and walked to the chair behind Cat. 
"No, Lawrence, I am hopeful Mr. Karp will become our associate once Miss Flynn is convinced to be our associate as well. Are you a bit more receptive now, Miss Flynn?" 
He untied her hands rather quickly, leading me to believe he had tied them himself in the first place. 
"I really don't like the sound of guns, Miss Flynn, so please let us have no cause for them to go off in this small room." 
The other goon - still unnamed - moved to stand threatening next to Cat. My fists clenched in anger, but I remained as cool as a cucumber. 
"I still think I can do a better job than this dame, Lorenzo." 
I stared at the barrel of the gun. It wasn't the first time I stared down a gun. 

'''''CAT'''''

The sight of the gun was not one she was familiar with, not in many long years and as the men returned and she saw it her tears faded on cue, eyes wide and fixed on the barrel before swinging to Dash.  Alarm registered on her face when Lawrence spoke of plugging Dash.  As Lorenzo moved behind her she went very still, startled by the feel of him loosing the bonds, drawing her hands in front of her body and rubbing at her wrists.  She used the motion to think frantically for a moment, well aware of the sheer size of the man looming over her.  She opted for bending at the waist to reach down and tug free the rope on her ankles, not asking, just doing it.  Calculating that they were not going to shoot either of them over so small a thing.  She drew her knees together, smoothing her skirt down and shaking out her hair while sliding a look to Dash.
"You're not going to shoot either one of us.  You seem to think you need me, and while I think you are nuts, I can guarantee you I wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire if you do anything to Mr. Karp."
Ohhh risky, the devil she knew over devil she didn't? Hard to say considering she only had that nascent sense of his energy to go on, but it was far better than Lorenzo.

'''''DASH'''''

"Make no mistake, Miss Flynn, my desire to obtain the Missile of Eros transcends mere mundane concerns such as your life or Mr. Karp's. After all, if you cannot discern the location of what I seek, there is certainly no need for Mr. Karp's services, now is there?" 
I sneered at Lawrence then and he just grinned back at me while Lorenzo then addressed the other goon. 
"Have you gotten over the loss your paramour, Robert?" 
Robert stared back and simply asked. 
"What is a parry-more?" 
I rolled my eyes and Lorenzo chuckled. 
"I believe you referred to her as your 'moll', Robert." 
Robert looked embarrassed then and almost seemed apologetic as he looked to Lorenzo. 
"Well I didn't m..m..mean to make her stop breathin', Boss," 
He made a choking motion with his hands, 
"I just wanted to scare her some." 
Lorenzo was pulling out all the stops! I glanced to Cat before glaring at Lorenzo. 
"Now cut out all the theatrics, Lorenzo. No need to scare the poor thing like. Look, lets talk to Horace. between the three of us we can find this thing for sure!" 

'''''CAT'''''

And scare her it did, the implication in Lorenzo even bringing up the topic was not lost on the dark haired gypsy.  She stood swiftly, spinning and backing away from both Lorenzo and Robert.  She hadn't forgotten about the gun, but the swift movement was as much calculation as reaction and her volume as well as motion might, possibly, distract Lawrence too.
"I TOLD you that you were scaring me!"
Her back bumped into the wall but her eyes never left Lorenzo and Robert. 
"This is CRAZY and you need to STOP!"
Oh hell.  She felt it a moment before she saw it, a subtle distance in her blue eyes as she 'saw'.  The chair she had vacated slammed into Lorenzo's lower legs hard and the room dipped by at least ten degrees.  Lorenzo was knocked to his side by the chair and she eyed the door the men had come in from, every instinct telling her to make a break for it.

'''''DASH'''''

Now things were getting quite crazy. What was it with the chairs in this place? Lorenzo went down from the furniture onslaught and Robert's jaw dropped. But Lawrence kept a steady aim at my chest and didn't seem to flinch at the strange occurrence. 
"I buy my chairs at Gimbels, they're guaranteed not attack anyone."
"Abert!" 
Lorenzo called out and the lanky man hurried in. I saw that look in Cat's eye, but I knew it was useless. There were likely dozens of goons and associates around this house....where ever they were. Lorenzo struggled to his feet and stepped away from Cat. Albert stood just inside the door and silently waited for orders. 
"Prepare them both, then bring them to the Red Hall." 
He seemed only slightly less calm than he did a moment ago and rubbed his leg. Seemed like an attempt to diffuse tempers was in order here. "Okay, Kitten, they got us! Lets just do as they want and collect the money, deal?"

'''''CAT'''''

She had no time to explain, or even the ability right then, blue eyes a bit distant though she was blinking rapidly trying to refocus.  What she needed was contact, physical contact when the energy was that high and when he opted to call her Kitten again, she figured it would make sense to the others that she moved to him, wrapping her arms around his waist regardless of Lawrence and his gun.  She knew she was shaking but could not help that right then, drawing on Dash's energy and solid strength as she steadied herself and regained control over the wispy energy.
"What does he mean, prepare us?"
Softly, looking up at Dash for all the world as if they were alone right then, trying to discern if he really wanted her to help Lorenzo in this or just fake anything to get them out of this room.

'''''DASH'''''

I had no idea what it meant to be 'prepared' for the Red Hall so I just skipped over that question for now. I remained, on the surface at least, the epitome of calm, cool and collected. In turn, I slipped my arms around Cat's figure in a most soothing gesture that left me surprised at just how soothing it was to me. "There, there, Kitten," and I found myself quite liking holding her and calling her 'Kitten'. "Everything is going to be just fine. We can work with Mr. Lorenzo. He won't hurt us." I pulled her a bit closer and got my mouth next to her ear and as best out of sight of Lorenzo or Garifini as I could and whispered. "Give him whatever you can. Don't hold back. Might buy us some time."

"If you will please come with me, Miss Flynn," and Garifini reached for Cat and I slapped his arm away with a sneer. "Keep your paws off, fella. I said she's going to co-operate and she will." I released cat so she could indeed follow the man, and thats when two very lovely ladies wearing some sort of flimsy gowns, half off the shoulder and leaving little to the imagination, came through the door. They were twins! One smiled and took Cat by the hand while the other stood before me as though she were waiting for instructions. Lawrence waved that gun at me again. "Get goin', Karp." 

'''''CAT'''''

His arms around her were startlingly reassuring, drawing on the natural energy inherent in all living creatures to steady the shivery wash of the lingering chill. His energy was warmer, more..alive...than most, a fact she definitely took notice of as she heard movement and other voices. She was grateful he slapped away Albert's hands, standing straight she gave a small nod to indicate she had heard him, deep blue eyes meeting his a moment with a shadow within, uncertain if he knew how...odd...things might get. She clasped her arms around her own waist, giving the sheer nightgown woman a withering gaze as she reached for the gypsy. "Just walk." Not sharp, in fact her words seemed lyrical in that Irish brogue. The woman bowed her head and led the way from the room, Cat blowing out a breath and following. 

'''''DASH'''''　
I looked at the girl standing demurely before me, then turned to Lorenzo. "You know, Larry here is making me nervous with that piece. He's gonna get himself hurt if he keeps waving it around like that. Now what do you expect me to do, Lorenzo? Take down you and Larry and Bobby and even Al, and then try to find my way outta this dungeon here? Come on! Gimme some credit." I prided myself on my ability to alter speech patterns based on the situation. I could get right down Bowery if I wanted, or slip into high grade Hamptons style on a dime.
　
"Lawrence," Lorenzo nodded to me then spoke to his goon, "I believe Mr. Karp will give us no trouble. Put the gun away." Lawrence grunted a complaint and did as he was told, but still gave me a small shove to the girl in the long nighty. Least it seemed like a nighty to me. "Thanks, Lorenzo," and I even managed a smile for my captor. I was going to be the model prisoner and not cause any fuss! At least not yet.
　
The girl softly took my hand and led from the room, down a dimly lit corridor of old brick and mortar to a small, shockingly well lit room where another girl was waiting. I was thinking of Cat, and wondering if she had been taken somewhere similar. "With your permission, Mr. Karp..." and the other half of the twin started untying my necktie, while her companion helped me off with my jacket. The twin was a redhead and the other girl was a blonde. I liked redheads. I also liked blondes and brunettes. Cat was a brunette and had the most magical blue eyes! "Hey girls, shouldn't we at least have dinner first?" and that made them giggle. See? I wanted to be a likable prisoner. 
　
I have to admit I was worried about Cat, and worried about the two of us as a whole. I was also worried about Ribbons since no one had mentioned him. I speculated the fiends had killed him once they ran us off the road, but didn't ask for fear that's exactly what I would learn and that would scare Cat that much more. Unless she already knew what happened. 
　
I was none too convinced Lorenzo would pay Cat, and then hire me to fetch whatever he was looking for. Indeed, I held no belief that Cat was going to be able to help him at all, but I didn't want her to lie either! It was my hope she believed in herself enough to be convincing to Lorenzo just enough to keep this game going. So long as I was breathing, I was in the game, and so long as I was in the game, fortunes could turn.
　
The attendants stripped me down to me birthday suit and while I am not most modest fellow, I must admit I was mildly uncomfortable with their almost clinical attentions. They wiped me down with cool water and then some oils that had a musky odor I did not find pleasant, but not revolting either. 
　
When they were done, the brunette turned to the blonde and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your aid, Sister Carol."

"You are quite welcome, Sister Alice," and she too bowed. Then they hugged, kissed briefly, and I caught myself staring at the scene with more than fascination. I don't think I blushed, but Alice grinned at me as she produced a long black cloak that draped over my shoulders and covered my entire naked body. It had an oversized hood and this was pushed up from behind, nearly obscuring my face. I suppose I was grateful for it, but it also added to the strangeness everything so far. What a report I was going to have to write when I got out of this! Assuming I got out of this. With Cat. In one piece and breathing.
　
I was now led from the small, well lit room down the corridor a ways until we met up with Garifini who smiled at Alice. "Thank you, Sister Alice. You look quite lovely tonight. Perhaps I will look in on you later. 
　
"That would be joyous, Albert..." there was an excited catch of breath. "Sir Albert. Please forgive." There was an emphasis on the 'Sir' and then she bowed and back away. 
　
"Miss Manners ain't got nothing on you folks!" and I let out a long whistle. 
　
Garifini pressed a finger to his lips and spoke in a hushed tone. "Mr. Lorenzo prides himself on his courtesy and etiquette. He believes that the servants, when they perform well, should be told so and rewarded with kind words or other treats." He turned and started moving again down the corridor and I found myself speechless at Garifini's words. I shook it off and followed and found myself grateful no one had spoken to me so sweetly since I've been here. I certainly didn't want to be seen as a servant.