Chapter 10 – a deadly dance
A couple of nights later Simon was slowly tying his bow tie. Sitting behind him in a chair Bill was watching. The feds chose to overlook them being here together but Bill could sense this may change soon if the real poisoner was not located. Simon found it harder to finish dressing than he'd thought, all he could think about tonight was Patty. Finding his hand shaking a little too much he moved away from the mirror and slipped outside. Bill found him staring up at the starring sky. "Patty loved the stars", Simon softly stated without turning to look at Bill, "sometimes she'd sit quietly just looking at them. Bill heard Simon sigh softly, "I wish she was here Bill, sometimes at night I swear I can still smell her hair and feel her touch". "I'm not sure that I want to go out there tonight and look like I'm having a good time.", he concluded in a voice edging on unshed tears. Bill honestly didn't know what to say ,so just moved closer and put his hand on Simon's arm. Simon looked over at him, "I guess I'll just have to pretend", he stated. Bill gripped his arm, "I just don't know what to say to make you feel better", Bill told him truthfully. "Simon sighed, "you can't make me feel better but I'll not upset Marjory by looking like I'd rather be anywhere else"'
Bill too had been rather surprised by Simon's choice of date but wisely said nothing.
Simon looked up at the sky one more time then turned as he heard a car arrive.
Bill stared at the car. He'd been sure Simon would be going by limousine and the waiting car was a lot different than he'd expected. "Wow, shes lovely", Bill stepped forward to touch the shiny surface of the classic rolls Royce. "She belongs to the my friend Jay Morgan who is the baseball team coach", Simon told Bill. "He feels like he still owes me for this favour I did for him years ago".
The chauffeur stepped out of the car and looked toward Simon, "are you ready sir", he asked.
"Yes", Simon replied slipping into the seat, "I'll see you later Bill", Simon called out the window as the car pulled away
The chauffeur took a look in his rear vision mirror. Saunders hadn't really changed all that much over the years, he was still too good looking. The man tried hard not to smirk after tonight the coach would be considerably less good looking.
He looked at his gloved hands making sure the gloves covered the only identifying mark he was sure Saunders would remember ,his snake tattoo. While he drove he studied the coach silently evaluating his danger level. Yes, he looked like he might put up some resistance but Snake doubted he'd fight for too long. Not of his previous victims had ever seriously challenged him with him managing to swiftly kill all of them. He felt his concealed knife and smiled while he made a private bet with himself about just how long it'd take him to deal with Saunders
Soon he was pulling up the car outside a farmhouse and watching Saunders leave.
Simon was warmly welcomed by the Belden's Peter shook his hand heartily while Helen seemed just to stare at him and blush. "The boys are all upstairs getting ready together. They said they'd rather not be around the girly preparations up at the manor house", Peter told Simon with a smile.
Simon laughed, "one day they'll love those girly preparations', he told Peter.
Peter called out Dan's name and Simon watched as he came down stairs, "you look wonderful", Simon complemented Dan. Helen handed Dan a bunch of flowers for Trixie. "Make sure you look after my girl", Peter told Dan. "Of course I will", Dan remarked firmly.
Dan waved to Mart , Brian and Jim who would await the wheeler limousine and exited the farmhouse. He practically drooled over the car before settling himself in the back.
The chauffeur pulled his hat down further, there was just a slightest chance Mangan would recognize him. But seeing no reaction he relaxed of course the teen would not suspect that the smooth shaven, smart suited chauffeur was the same unshaven man who was once the overseer of the cowhands.
He looked over at Dan assessing him, he'd grown a little soft and of course would have to be re broken in to gang life. He suspected that Mangan would not want to return to them but he had a way to effectively counter any resistance. Something that the boss had told him was better than any threat could be. Snake had been given information about Saunders many reports against his dead friend Tim Mangan to the police. His young cowhand colleagues were going to use the information to manipulate Mangan into returning willingly to the gang. Snake frowned as he wondered again exactly why his former friend had disliked Saunders that intently. It had seemed to go beyond his normal dislike. He had even suffered a beating himself many years ago by suggesting to Tim that Patricia Regan was not worth fighting over. Tim after all could have had his pick of many women, so why choose that one. He guessed perhaps he'd never really know the answer as Tim no longer gave him orders. The boss was far more scary and powerful than Tim had ever been and snake was going to carry out his commands very carefully.
Soon he was pulling the car up outside the manor house and opening the doors to let out his passengers. He watched them alight and vanish inside knowing soon he'd see them again.
Trixie looked at herself one final time in the mirror. "You look lovely Trix", Honey reassured her friend. Trix had to admit to herself that the dress was flattering and for the first time in ages she began to feel more confident.
The door to Honey's room opened a few seconds later and an attractive ball gown woman entered. Trixie was about to ask who she was when after another glance at the face she realized the woman's identity, Marjory Trask. Gone was the stark business suited woman with her hair in a tight bun. The girls stared in awe. "Miss Trask you look amazing", Di complemented. Marjory blushed, 'why thank you Diana". She handed out some flowers for all of them. Marjory's hair spilled down her back in soft waves, with little flowers intertwined around the front, she now looked just over 30 and not the over 40 Honey and the others had believed her to be.
When Miss Trask has departed Honey turned to her friends, "she's really beautiful", she exclaimed. "So why does she go around dressed like a stark businesswoman in clothes that are actually way too old for her", Trixie asked. Honey shrugged, "she's been like that as long as we've known her". Trixies eyes glittered, "well she makes a lovely Cinderella", she stated.
Minutes later a soft knock sounded at their door. "That's our cue to go meet our own prince charmings", Di remarked with a smile.
Each girl then walked sedately down the main staircase to meet their partners. Dan stared at Trixie in awe for a few seconds before taking her hand and kissing its back softly. Trixie blushed again, she was quite charmed by Dan's gentlemanly persona.
Simon smiled a genuine smile on seeing Miss Trask and actually dared to lean forward and kiss the side of her cheek. Marjory blushed and began to feel rather hot.
Slipping her arm through Simon's she walked side by side with him aware of the admiring stares of the people around her.
Outside Fiona Lester sighed heavily. Jason shook his head, "you actually didn't think you could go with him, did you," he asked softly. Fiona shrugged, "it would have been nice Jace, but I guess we have to attend to duty".
Jace patted her shoulder as they continued checking the grounds.
Hidden silently in the shrubbery just a few metres away the two cowhands known as TNT and Meathead watched silently. "They have this place well guarded", they commented to Snake. "Yes but don't worry our person on the inside will see we are given access", he grinned. "Surely they must suspect that someone inside the arena helped poison that coach", Thomas Nathan Timmins commented. "They probably do, but we are using someone with a good background, no criminal record or anything nasty, until now that is", snake replied. "Okay so all we have to do is get Mangan alone in that location and tell him this stuff, then he'll come willingly", Thomas sounded skeptical. "He'll come", snake assured him. "He won't have his precious coach around to talk him out of it", he fingered his knife lovingly.
"You're really going to kill him, right here", Meathead asked wide eyed. "Nobodys going to interfere", snake stated firmly and I will make sure the uncle gets the blame.
"He'll get life in prison for murder and so can't interfere with what we are going to do with Mangan", Snake smiled. Thomas looked puzzled, "why do we want him back. He was nothing but trouble". Snake slapped Thomas hard causing the teen to flinch, "we just do as we are told", he growled firmly. "Now go and wait in view of the back side door. Our inside person will unlock it soon."
Snake scowled at both boys for awhile until he was sure they were sufficiently scared of what he'd do to them if they failed. He then took up his own position where he waited for his own moment to act.
Simon took up the position at the microphone ready to welcome everyone to the ball.
The special guest of honour Jonathan Harris would only arrive in time to give a banquet speech so that left Simon to officially open the night proceeding. "welcome everyone to the skaters ball", he told them all. 'Tonight is our last chance to relax and enjoy ourselves before the rigors of the competition begin". So I guess you don't want me standing up here to long giving you a speech, so I'll keep it down to 1 hour", Simon grinned at the groans that comment elicited. "Just kiddin"g, he told them, "have fun everyone". He signaled to the musicians then stepping forward he took Marjorie's arm.
She looked nervous noting that they were the only couple on the dance floor. "it is tradition for the coach and his partner to dance the first dance", he told Majory.
He then led her in a waltz while trying valiantly to shake another womans image from his mind.
Every one cheered when they finished and other skaters and partners hurried to join in the fun.
Over in New York city, Jonathan Harris pout the finishing touched on his suit. "I don't think you should really be doing this", a stern voice behind him warned. Jonathan turned looking at the man behind him. "I said I'd go and it'd look suspicious if I didn't attend", Jonathan replied. "It might to Saunders but it won't to our people, they know you work for the bureau", the voice stated. Jonathan sighed heavily, "this was never my choice", he reminded the other man. The listening man came closer and put his hands on his hips, "you were never supposed to interfere", he stated firmly. "You expect me to just stand back and watch while Daniel loses the rest of his family", Jonathan shook his head.
The man looked at him, "yes", he remarked harshly. "You know what is at stake and exactly who we are dealing with, let us find a solution"
Jonathan turned his back on the man. "I can have you taken into custody right now, if you prefer", the other man warned.
"I promise I want compromise myself ,I'll just give a speech then leave", Jonathan swore. The man looked at him levelly, "your helicopter, suffered an accident", he stated firmly, "I don't think it will be flying tonight". The man cast him almost a smirk then left. "Dammit", Jonathan hit the desk in front of him hard. It made him feel only slightly better. He then took his personal elevator to the top floor where his helicopter was located. "Sorry Sir, but something appears to be wrong with her", the pilot apologized. "It's not your fault", Jonathan stated sadly. The pilot studied him for a few seconds then stated, "I should be able to fix her for you." Jonathan found himself smiling, "do you think you could get her going tonight", he asked. The pilot nodded, "oh yes sir", he offered. "Good they'll be a bonus for you if you can fix her quickly. Make sure you don't tell anyone though, I want it to be a surprise", Jonathan remarked. "Of course sir", the pilot remarked. Jonathan tried hard not to grin knowing he was probably going to get in serious trouble for this. "Let me know when we are ready to leave", he told the pilot.
Simon had danced three dances with Marjory Trask and found himself almost relaxing. The next dance involved swapping partners and Simon found himself with Madeleine Wheeler snr in his arms. The millionaires wife danced very demurely until near the end of the dance when Madeleine pinched his bottom firmly and then winked at him as she left. Simon hoped Mr Wheeler hadn't seen any of that display. He was about to offer to dance with his sister when Dennis tapped him on the shoulder and told him he had a phone call. Feeling rather curious Simon answered the phone.
"This is Mr Livingstone calling on behalf of Mr Jonathan Harris. His helicopter has suffered major mechanical damage and thus he cannot attend your function", the phone was hung up quickly before Simon could even think of asking another question. Simon stared at the phone for a few seconds then sighed, now he'd have to ask someone else to give a speech at dinner.
Fiona checked the doors leading from the manor house, all doors were still firmly locked from the inside. She began to relax slightly feeling that the night was going to go by without any problems. In her imagination she was in the manor house dancing with Saunders. Luckily she thought Jason could not read her mind. With the fantasy of holding Simon firmly in her head Fiona continued her patrol unaware of what was about to happen.
Just minutes after shed moved from the door Snake, meatheat and TNT approached.
The older man turned the handle and click the door opened. Snake stared at the person on the other side, "this partly makes up for not killing Saunders when you had the chance but you're not in the clear yet", snake warned.
"Do you have to kill him", the person asked. Snake sneered at the question, "its not your concern, just act normally". He grabbed the person in front of him, "stuffing up can be fatal", he growled, "as can ratting on us". Now go back to what you were doing . Call us when you see the coach and Daniel leave the main room".
The other person looked like they would rather be any where else but after one long hard look at snake reluctantly departed. "Can we trust them", meathead queried uncertainly. "Of course not, but the price of betrayal is high. Like most others fear will keep that person in line", snake concluded.
The threesome split up after that each going to a different location and waiting.