A.N Hello to any readers hope you're well. If you followed my other fic Cause and Effect you perhaps realised I deleted it. It hadn't turned out how I wanted it and so I scrapped it, some elements of it will appear in here hopefully but I hope you enjoy this new story as much as I hope to enjoy writing it. Please review if you can, it's good to know what people think about the characters and the way the story is unfolding.

Prologue

It had been three months and he had nowhere to go. Of course he had that horrible little room at the top of the boarding house with its small window and fading walls but he couldn't go back there anymore. He couldn't stand it. Richard had long felt those walls come ever closer to him in the times he spent alone in there, since the loss of his friends part of him had become more desperate than ever. There was no place to venture to escape, he could not discuss his humble appreciation of art with Angela nor could he follow the traces of Jimmy's shadow nor hear his friends reassuring words. It was all gone and so was his ability to stay another minute in that room.

Richard had money enough now, the game they were in was dangerous and he had saved a little from the short lived success of Jimmy's title as 'Prince'. He was nothing but a fallen Prince now, dead and cold in the ground, murdered along with his wife. Yet to many people Jimmy's end was justice for trying to defeat a King. But to his scarred friend left behind however it wasn't justice, it was only pain. A pain that would never leave him.

Richard had searched for a few weeks for a new place to hide from the world, a place where he could hide until 'business' forced him to raise his head. He was still wanted for his skills, he still worked though now with Jimmy gone it didn't to mean anything at all. Yet one day of miserable business had thrown him a life line in the form of a man named Hobbs. In a passing comment about needing somewhere to stay Hobbs had told Richard of an opportunity of a backroom at a neighbour of his. Richard was rather reluctant to become a lodger but somewhere deep inside the thought at least being in the same atmosphere as another human being, whoever they would be preferable. He couldn't be alone anymore, better to pass a day in silence with a stranger than pass it alone.

He arrived with Hobbs one steely Tuesday afternoon, the grey sky forced back the sun and everything seemed to have a more ashen colour than normal. Richard didn't hold out hope, he imagined the owner would take one look at him and find him too perturbing to have as a lodger. Physically he was hardly an ideal candidate. Hobbs had barely told Richard anything about the owner and as they walked up the street Richard finally took the time to ask.

"Oh, it belongs to a young lady, Lucy Proctor. Do you know her?"

"Hmm. No."

"You've not heard of her?"

"Hmm. No. I have. Not."

"She's a good girl, or she has been in the past. She came to Atlantic City and bought this place when she got some money from a guy named Sorrell. He was in hot water a bit in Boston and she gave him an alibi. He was a friend… but not that kind of friend and she helped. I don't think she expected what she got, though she knows the right side of a dollar alright."

"Hmm. I don't. Think. A young. Woman. Will find. Me. The best. Person. To have. As a lodger." Richard said quietly, Hobbs laughed a little and patted Richard's back as they reached the door.

"Oh she ain't scared of nothing like that, like I said, she knows the right side of a dollar and you're the kind of man that can be trusted. She'll take to you."

Part of Richard was pleased with this statement though he did not like the undertone of why he was 'the kind of man that can be trusted', he was still a normal person despite his injuries. But now was not the time to take offence. Strangely rather than knocking Hobbs took out a key and opened the front door to a fairly newly painted house. The porch was swept and tidy and the neighbourhood was quite nice. This was far and away from what Richard had been used to since moving to Atlantic City.

The hallway was narrow and low ceilinged and the light was poor, Richard observed a coat stand not far in front but Hobbs did not stop to divest himself of his thick coat. Instead they kept walking until they reached the door at the end. Here Hobbs stopped and called out.

"Luc? Are you up?"

For a second there was no sound until a voice replied from within, somewhat faintly.

"I look a fright but come on in!"

You don't know what a fright is. Richard thought to himself.

As the door pushed open a stream of daylight penetrated the dark hallway and Richard saw pale blue paper walls and a fresh white ceiling above him. It took on a different look than it had a second ago. Now he was nervous for he had to make a good impression. It seemed he was not the only one for as they stepped into the open living space he noticed Hobbs looking around almost in disbelief, yet the young woman was not in sight at the moment.

"You tidied?" Hobbs called out.

"I can use a dustpan and brush, Edson!" the voice replied, jovial and firm in equal measure. Here Lucy Proctor appeared from an adjoining room, her black hair in rag rolls and her make up fixed. She was dressed in a well cut yet simple blue dress and she wore thick cotton gloves that ran halfway up her arms. She was small, very small in fact, Richard imagined she must be a least a foot shorter than him. Hobbs stepped forward and took her hand in the old fashioned way to kiss it but he stopped and looked at the gloves. Lucy observed his confusion.

"I have cream on, gotta keep them soft…" She said amiably and Richard detected a faded New York drawl. "Especially as I have been cleaning."

Lucy's eyes now fell on Richard and she made no secret of her scrutiny, she looked at him from head to foot her expression not changing. She stepped away from Hobbs and came directly to Richard.

"You're Mr Harrow?"

"Hmm. Yes ma'am."

Richard didn't know why he called her ma'am, he barely ever used that word but there was something about her that he felt he had to defer to. Her eyebrows raised somewhat in surprise though not in judgement.

"It's very kind of you to be that way but unnecessary. What is your first name, please?"

"Hmm. Richard."

"Well I'm Lucy as you know."

Lucy put out her hand and Richard shook it wondering if she could feel the nervous quiver of his skin. He never felt like he came across well under scrutiny.

"How old are you Richard?"

"Hmm. I'm twenty six."

"And you were a soldier?"

"Hmm. Yes. A marksmen."

"You'll maybe have to explain to me one day what that is if you don't mind, I mean if it's not too painful for you. I have no idea what a marksmen does."

"Hmm. I am. Happy. To explain."

"Does that mean you have a gun?"

Richard deliberated for a moment and sensing his uncertainty Hobbs stepped forward, but he was determined to answer for himself.

"I. Hmm. Have several."

"Thanks God, I can sleep safe at night." She said with a laugh that relaxed him a bit. Lucy pointed to some chairs and they sat down, she offered round cigarettes before lighting up herself. Richard looked around the mint green room, it was done in a simple yet elegant style which spoke more of comfort than fashion. As she blew a thin stream of smoke into the air she addressed Richard again. "I'm going to ask you something personal, do you mind?"

"Hmm. No. I understand. You will. Want to. Be sure. Of me."

"No it's not that…. Do you have a lady friend?" Richard shook his head. "That surprises me, war heroes are usually pretty popular even ones with injuries such as yourself. The thing is I do have a friend who visits often and I just want to check that you don't object on any moral grounds. I am not married and we ain't engaged but Mr Guy does often stay the night. I hope this won't inconvenience you?"

Richard looked at her, her dark brown eyes never leaving his face. He shook his head and she smiled at him, he noted her teeth were all perfect except one incisor that was slightly angled sideways.

"You will be welcome to bring back a lady friend here should you have one, only please make sure she ain't thief first." She laughed again, it was light but sincere and Hobbs joined her. Richard smiled slightly but he knew that women were never going to come into the equation, he'd learnt that by now.

After talking a little more, the conversation being mostly between Hobbs and Lucy about people Richard didn't know, he was shown the room. It was right at the back of the house and was nearest the washroom which he was pleased about for it meant he could ready himself for the world without being observed. The room was a little bigger than his previous residence and the larger window meant the white walls illuminated the room rather than appearing drab. It was plainly done but Lucy explained she would buy in a few bits and pieces for when he arrived. The day after tomorrow was the date set for him to move in and the financial arrangements were satisfactory to both.

As Richard and Hobbs walked away from what was to be his new home his friend remarked.

"She's a ringer that girl, a real ringer."

"Hmm. She seems. Very nice."

"You'll find her friend Guy and interesting fella and perhaps a few others besides."

"Hmm. What. Do you. Mean?"

Hobbs looked at him and after a moment he laughed a little in surprise.

"Oh Richard, can't you tell? That girl in there is a part time whore."