On the Hook

Charlton and Sabot would cause most to double take. In a jarring change the Dandy speaks with the tone and diction of a gentleman.

         “We know you and your big friend deliver throughout L’Olympia.

         You know the girl and the Den’s business.

         You are not a tough, so this is how this is going to go.

         I am going to ask you a question and you will answer.

         You have two things going for you. You have your looks and you have information. You are only going to leave with one. One or both are mine.”

The Dandy gently slaps Henri’s cheek smiling widely.

         “Let’s start easy, what’s your name?”

         “Henri, Henri Poisson. Who are you?” Henri touches the tips of his toes to relive the pressure on his wrists. 

         “Well Henri,” he slaps his cheek gently again chuckling, “you are a funny one. Who is your employer?”

         “Le Grande Hotel, my family owns it. I am a courier for the hotel.” Henri answers quickly and honestly.

The Dandy sucks a breath of air over his teeth as he loosens his neck. He opens and closes his hands into fists before restating the question.

         “Come now Henri, who do you work for?”

         “I am a courier for Le Grande Hotel, I am expected to do all the jobs throughout the hotel before I can move into management.” Henri says again.

At this the Dandy hits Henri hard with a left in the diaphragm knocking all the breath from the young man. He is racked with coughs as his wrists strain against the meat hook. His toes barely touch the floor.

         “You work for the Canal Rats.” The Dandy states calmly.

         “No, I don’t work for them.” He answers through his coughs and attempts to regain his breath.

Unsatisfied the Dandy lands a hard right into Henri’s kidney causing the young man to hack and finally vomit into the drain below.

         “You work for the Canal Rats.”

         “I know who they are, but I stay out of their business.” Henri says through ragged and strained breath.

         “I work for Le Grande Hotel. I do odd jobs around L’Olympia.” Henri gasps.

         “Next one is to your pretty face. You work for the Rats. You move their product through L’Olympia.”

         “I move crates and boxes… no idea what is in them.”

A heavy fist smashes across his cheek sending bright sharp stars and light through his head and vision. His fear overtakes him and he pisses himself in front of the men. 

         “Anything delivered is for the hotel or Ashcrow.” Henri is slack, his feet now drag on the floor.

         “Ashcrow? Now we are getting somewhere. Who is Ashcrow?” The Dandy asks smiling at Sabot.

         “He runs L’Olympia,” Henri braces for the next blow, “none cross Ashcrow.” Dropping his head.

         “The Rats work for Ashcrow?” The Dandy asks pulling Henri’s head up by his hair. His eye already closing from the blow to his broken cheek.

         “Everyone works for Ashcrow.” Henri says coughing up blood. 

There is a scream from the pantry and a groan of pain followed by a stream of curses. Charlton moves quickly followed by the click and drag of Sabot’s gate to see Rika unconscious in a pool of blood. Épervier’s holds his hand to the side of his head and another over his eye.

         “What the fuck did you do?” Charlton demands.

         “Whatchu mean, what d’I do? The bitch stabbed me with a fuckin’ hat pin.” Blood pours between pigeon-face’s fingers. 

Looking closer his hand is pinned to the carved ivory hilt. Épervier’s eye is destroyed leaking through his fingers. There is a gaping tear in his upper cheek.

         “I hit her and she smacked her head on the shelf.” He dissembles.

         “Why’d the fuck did ya hit her? Did you touch her? I told you not to touch her.” Sabot rages with anger.

Cignogne kneels and leans over the girl. First, he puts his hand over her mouth, then leans further putting his ear over her lips.

         “I don’t hear nuthin’” he says.

         “Move you idiot.” Charlton moves over to her feeling her carotid artery for a pulse.

         “She is alive.” Charlton says crouched low considering what the next move should be. 

         “Saule! I need you in here!” He calls out.

Saule enters the pantry first annoyed, then distraught coming to the girl’s side.  She looks at her brother knowing this was not the plan.

         “She isn’t dead, but I need to know how bad a way she is. Please.” Charlton whispers knowing he needs his sister’s help. 

He stands and looks at her and commands for those in earshot to hear.

         “Clean her up. Let me know when she can be moved.” Saule nods.