(the event timing may be a bit off but I think it works out ok anyway. Let
me know if its too bad and if so ill go and swap a few paragraphs around.)
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie scratched her head. She had gone over everything and Alantra the one named actress was exactly who she said she was. She had no criminal record and apparently didn't even know Dylan Sanders. Natalie had even gone over information about the woman's boyfriend, Jeff. Jeff King was apparently even a better citizen than Alantra. Another dead end and she was running out of ideas. She laid her head on the desk when she heard the office door open. "Dylan?" She asked excitedly jumping to her feet.
"No, it's just me," said Max strolling in and plopping down on the couch. "There's a game tonight between the Yankees and Angels." He grabbed the remote and turned on the T.V.
"Oh," said Natalie disappointedly sitting back down and looking over her information.
"What's wrong," asked Max muting the TV and joining the blonde angel at the desk.
"Dylan is missing. Charlie said she quit but Alex and I can't believe that. That isn't Dylan at all."
"What do you mean she quit? She was talking to Bosley just today," said the boy as he reached into his backpack and produced a can of cola. "Want one," he offered.
Natalie looked at him and he continued, "Bosley was talking to her today. She didn't sound happy but he seemed to cheer her up. Don't tell Bosley okay. I was going to call my friend Jamal and picked up the extension and heard the call."
"What did she say," asked Natalie encouraging Max to go on.
"Well it was weird. He was calling her Lucy and she was talking about a case that she was on. She didn't say much just that she was nervous." Max walked back over to the couch and sat down.
"Did she say what the case was? Where she was," she said standing up.
"Nope. Can I watch the game now?" He asked trying to look around her.
"Yeah sure," she said moving back to the desk. She picked up the phone and called Alex.
*-*-*-*-*
Jason was surprised that Alex wanted to go club hopping but they hadn't had anytime together in ages. It seemed that he was always working on a movie or TV guest role and she was always on a case. He was also surprised at her choice of clubs. It was ten o'clock and they had already been to some of the biggest S&M and Goth clubs in LA. They would go in and as soon as he would start enjoying himself Alex would pull him out. It was getting annoying. "Can't we just stop and have a drink at the next place," he whined. "I'm thirsty."
Alex looked at him and was about to answer when her cell phone rang. "Alex," she said.
"Hi it's me," said Natalie on the other end her voice bubbly as usual. "I found something."
"What?"
"We need to go to Bosley's."
"Bosley's," she asked confused. "He knows what is going on doesn't he."
"I think so. Max said." she started but Alex cut her off.
"Max?"
"Yeah Max, he's here at the office watching a baseball game. He told me that he overheard Bosley talking to her an hour or so ago," said Natalie.
"Is he sure," she asked watching Jason sign an autograph for a passerby.
"That's what I asked and he said he was. Meet me at Bosley's and I'll fill you in," said Natalie hanging up. Grabbing her purse and keys she headed out the door.
Alex looked at Jason, "I guess we are going to have to call the night short; unless you want to come to Bosley's with me." She got her answer when he climbed into the car and buckled up and said, "Off to save the world."
*-*-*-*-*
The black FBI issue van parked down the street from the warehouse. They could see the building but couldn't be seen themselves. Mitchum sat in the driver's seat, Daniels was in the passenger seat and Dylan, once the van stopped knelt peering out the windshield between them.
A large decked out Harley Davidson motorcycle roared past them. "Identify," said Mitchum to Dylan. She thought a second, "Ted 'the bear' Boggs, hired gun from San Antonio." Mitchum didn't say anything but Daniels said, "She's pretty good. Sorry," he blushed and corrected himself, "You're pretty good."
"Thanks." Just then a dark Lincoln town car drove by and let a man out. He was well dressed in a white suit with a black shirt, a white fedora and long scarf. "Bruno Minnelli," she said identifying the man. "Mercenary from Rome and he usually works for that shady Italian politician," she snapped her fingers trying to remember his name. "Bertolli," she yelled remembering.
"So you did read the papers in the folder," said Mitchum surprised.
Dylan didn't justify that with an answer she just watched the next two candidates arrive and identified each for the agents in the van. "Him I don't know," she said a man arrived in a battered old Ford Festiva. Then she saw his profile. "He must be your guy."
"How did you know that," asked Daniel surprised.
"The nose. Once he turned to the side I could see.," Dylan broke off as a man climbed out of the black BMW Z-4 that parked near the gates to the compound. "It couldn't be," she said to herself as she watched the finely dressed man in a dark suit with a cane enter the warehouse.
"And who was he," asked Mitchum concerned to his partner. Daniels checked the list. Daniels shook his head, and flipped through the file, "I have no idea."
"What do you mean you have no idea," he demanded. Mitchum glanced at his watch, "Shit Dylan you need to go. The Chief won't let you in if you are late. We'll work on who that guy is and try to get word to both you and our agent." Dylan slid open the back door and jumped out. "Be careful," called Daniels to the angel. She just smiled and gave him as wave as she darted across the street.
"You like her," said Mitchum in a matter-of -fact voice.
"I do not," denied his partner.
"You do."
"Do not." Then men continued arguing well after Dylan went inside the building.
*-*-*-*-* Once across the street she sauntered up to the doorman. He looked her over with skepticism, "Name he demanded." She rolled her eyes, reached into her top and handed him the piece of paper that served as the invitation. He took it from her and sniffed it. She was repulsed but she figured his actions were meant to intimidate her and after the guys she saw showing up tonight, the man at the door would be nothing more than a puppy dog. The doorman checked over the paper. "Miss Darness," he said stepping aside. Once she was in he entered as well and closed the door behind her.
Dylan looked around the large empty room. There were a few boxes stacked in the corners. Perched on top of the crates were other men who must have been the ones Mitchum referred to as the Chief's "stable". The middle of the room was made into a boxing ring. On one side of the ring stood four men, on the other three, and the door man directed her to the three person side. She felt so tiny next to the other competitors. To her left was Jack 'the ripper' Patterson, a man of six foot four inches and in her approximation weighed minimally two hundred twenty pounds. She looked out of the corner of her eye to the man to her right and her heart stopped. It was him, the Thin Man, Anthony. He like the others stood facing straight ahead and not moving.
A small, petite, she would even call him effeminate man stepped into the ring. He was dressed to the nines and made the Italian and Anthony look shabby. The man didn't say a word he just looked over the assembled group. They all waited in the silence. Dylan could hear her heart beat echoing in her ears. "I want to apologize," the man said in an almost female voice breaking the silence. "I heard that several of my personal killers attacked you last night. The ones that did have been taken care of." The man who stood in the middle of the ring like a small king was the Chief.
"I can only hope that you will accept my sincerest apologies," the Chief said. As Dylan looked at him and didn't think he was as sincere as he claimed. "But now that is in the past and I would like to begin tonight's festivities." The men on the boxes and crates cheered. "The rules are simple. It's elimination. Each person will fight the person directly opposite the ring from them. Weapons are okay but no killing each other please. Blood makes me woozy. No going easy on your opponent," Patterson turned his head looked at Dylan and snickered as did several of the others. "Is there a problem Mr. Patterson," the Chief asked like a teacher to a naughty student.
"No sir," replied Patterson.
"Good. If I do see you going easy on an opponent you will both be eliminated." Another snicker arose from the group around the ring. "Yes, we have a woman with us this evening. If that is a problem for anyone please, leave now," the Chief said coldly his eyes scanning the group in front of him. No one moved and once again silence reigned. "Everyone has five minutes to warm up. The warm up time is over when the bell rings" Chief took a deep breath and then yelled, "Begin!"
Dylan looked over her opponents as the warm up began. She watched several shadow-box, some did stretches, and some just stood looking bored. The she saw Anthony standing by himself away from the others watching in the same way she was. He pulled out a cigarette and leaned against a crate, the white smoke swirling around his head. When he was done he tossed the cigarette to the floor, grasped his cane at each end and jumped it a few times.
"See you find our smoking friend interesting." Dylan startled and turned almost slugging the man only to find Boggs staring at her. She gave him a small smile and said, "People who kill themselves slowly always fascinate me." Boggs gave a hearty belly laugh. "That's a good one little lady, "he drew in his thick Texan accent.
*-*-*-*-* Anthony watched the group of assassins as they warmed up. "So that is Lucrezia Danress," he thought as he eyed the young woman as he smoked his cigarette. She looked lithe and graceful compared to the clumsiness the men applying for the job displayed. He caught her watching him as well. She also looked a slightly familiar something about the small smile she gave Boggs when he spoke to her. He was sure he had seen it somewhere before. He had to admit so far he admired her for showing up; a woman working her way in a man's world. She even seemed to be at ease with Boggs who seemed more interested in her than in the competition. If nothing else maybe Boggs would get both of them eliminated. He grabbed his cane and jumped it a couple times and then the bell rang.
"First in the ring," announced the Chief, "The Thin Man and The Vulture." The bell rang for the second time as the Chief sat in his throne high above the ring.
Dylan watched as Anthony and the FBI Agent entered the ring. They were completely different in everyway. The FBI Agent was built a lot like Seamus O'Grady, she noticed and as they began fighting she noticed the difference in their styles as well. The agent or the Vulture as he was called here relied on street brawling technique while Anthony used his usual combination of sword and tae kwon do. The round didn't take long. Mitchum had been so concerned about her being taken out he hadn't considered the fact that his own agent wouldn't last two minutes in the ring. Two minutes into the round the Vulture was unconscious and Anthony was proclaimed the winner.
The next two that fought, Minnelli and a man who was just known as John Doe and it was over just as quickly. Doe hitting the mat in a sudden thirty seconds after the round had begun. Dylan was surprised the well dressed Italian man was so fast. She had barely seen him move. Two of the Chief's henchmen entered the ring to remove the body. They looked at each other then one of them went over and spoke to the Chief. The Chief nodded solemnly, stood and said, his voice echoing through the large room, "I regret to say it appears as though Mr. Doe has a broken neck. We should all take the time to say a small prayer for his recovery." Dylan glanced around and noticed that everyone had their eyes closed and heads bowed. She noticed Anthony crossing himself and closed her eyes and crossed herself as well.
She was up next against Boggs of all people. As they entered the ring he leered at her and the friendly disposition he had earlier when he had spoken to her left. His eyes seemed to glow with fire. She knew from reading the file Mitchum gave her that he wasn't called "the bear" for nothing. He was big and hairy, but his nickname came from the fact he was very strong and killed by crushing his victims in his bear like arms. She knew if he managed to grab a hold of her she was done for.
They circled each other and he would lunge and she would step away. Tired of the dance she attacked and knocked him on his ass. He let out a terrible roar and a string of not so nice explicatives about her gender. She flew at him again and he rolled out of the way. She landed in a roll and stood back up but she wasn't fast enough. He wrapped his arms around her. "Want to give up," he said his hot breath blowing in her ear and assaulting her nose. He gave her a little squeeze.
"Never," she grunted and with every ounce of strength she had she grasped one of his big beefy arms and turned throwing him over onto his back. With the air knocked out of his he lay there on the mat stunned. She walked over and placed the sharp heel of her boot into the indentation where his collarbones came together. Looking down at the man she smiled sweetly, "Want to give up?" He lay there defiantly so she put some more pressure on the hollow. "Do you want to give up or do I need to impale you on my boots? I borrowed these and I don't think my friend would like blood all over the black suede but I will if I have to."
Boggs looked at her and saw the seriousness in her eyes. "Give," he said in barely a whisper. "They didn't hear you," said Dylan loudly.
"I give up," he said louder the second time. She looked up at the Chief and he nodded.
"This round goes to our young lady, Lucrezia Darness!"
Dylan removed her foot from the man's throat and held out her hand, "No hard feelings." Boggs turned as the henchmen led him away and spat at her.
*-*-*-*-* Alex and Jason pulled up behind Natalie's car. Natalie walked over and waited for them to get out. "Hey Nat, how you doing?"
"Hi Jason," she said in her usual perky way, and gave him a quick hug.
"Where's Dylan," he asked looking around for the red haired angel.
"That," said Alex, "is what we are here to find out." With that she started up the walk, her boyfriend and Natalie in tow. "I love it when she acts tough," said Jason looking at Natalie. They reached the Bosley house and knocked on the door. They could hear Mama Bosley inside, "Jimmy will you get that? And tell who ever it is it's too late for visitors."
"Will do Mama," said Bosley as he opened the door.
"Evening Bosley," said Natalie, "Can we come in?"
He opened the screen and let them inside. He was surprised to see them. It wasn't often that they came to his Mama's house. "We have a few questions," said Alex as she stepped inside. Bosley looked at Jason who shrugged his shoulders, "I'm just along for the ride."
"The first one," continued Alex, "Is where is Dylan?"
Bosely looked at both girls and said, "I don't know," but instead of a statement it came out as a question.
"Max said you were in contact with her earlier tonight," said Alex
Natalie then picked up where her friend had left off. "And he said that you were talking to her about a case and called her Lucy. Lucy like your sister who is having marital problems."
Just then Mama Bosley stepped out of the bedroom wearing a blue mu-mu with hibiscus flowers on it and said, "I never had any girls what are you up to Jimmy?"
"Go back to bed Mama."
"Don't you 'go back to bed Mama' me young man. But I am going just because I'm tired and you kids have obviously something to talk about."
Bosley sat in an arm chair. "Charlie is gonna kill me."
"What is up Bosley?"
"I don't know all the details. I just know that Dylan is on a dangerous assignment. She is working with some FBI guys. I really can't tell you any more except that Lucy is her code name and Charlie is worried. We both are, but you can't say anything. You just have to let her do her job."
*-*-*-*-*
The trials were just about over. Patterson had beaten his opponent and was starting his fight against Minnelli. Dylan looked over knowing that in a few minutes she would be in the ring against Anthony. He had lit another cigarette and was watching her. She could feel his eyes burning into her back. She tried to relax. She had fought him before she could fight him again. The key was to forget the kiss on the roof top. Of course he didn't have that memory distracting him but she knew that he had a weakness, the place where the sword penetrated his body.
Once again Minnelli took his opponent down in an amazingly short amount of time. The crowd of the Chief's associates cheered. The man stood announced that Minnelli was again the winner and that she and the Thin Man would be fighting.
She climbed through the ropes in her corner. He climbed through in his. They both walked to the center of the ring. Anthony looked at the young woman who was his opponent. There had been something about her that had bothered him the whole evening. Something about the smile, something about her way of fighting; then he saw it hanging around her neck. It was the medallion; his medallion. He held out his cane and lifted it from off her chest with the tip. Her green eyes met his icy blue ones and he knew that standing in front of him wasn't Lucrezia Danress but Dylan Sanders, the red- haired Angel.
Once he noticed the medallion she knew she was in trouble. She should have listened to Agent Matthews but no, she had to be slightly rebellious. Hell her rebellious streak is what got her into this to begin with. She and Anthony couldn't stand there all night just looking at each other so she threw a punch. He ducked then retaliated. They had fought so often before that they anticipated the others moves.
"Beautiful," the Chief said to his right-hand man. "Watching these two is like watching a ballet or synchronized swimming. Look at how they play off the other."
"Are both out," asked the Chief's assistant.
"No, let them go. They are both obviously trying. They just seem to be the same caliber. I like them. I just wonder if the client will, she is very picky."
"Then you don't want Minnelli?"
"I want to watch these two. I think I want these two against Minnelli at the same time. Yes let them go a few more minutes and then send Minnelli in the ring."
"Okay Chief," said the man and went back down onto the floor.
"This will be very interesting." The bell rang. Dylan and Anthony stopped and looked up at the platform where the Chief reigned over the proceedings below. Anthony's slicked back hair was no longer in place; he took one hand and moved it out of his eyes. "Minnelli," said the Chief's voice echoing. Minnelli looked up. "Into the ring, which ever one gets knocked down first is out. The last two standing are my champions."
Dylan took a step backwards and watched Minnelli climb into the ring. She could hear Mitchum out in the van through her mike saying, "Shit she's done for now." She was tired but she wasn't done for, not yet anyway.
Anthony looked at Dylan. She looked exhausted, her eye make up had run from her perspiration, and reminded him of a raccoon but a beautiful one. He wanted to know her story, why she was here. No doubt to stop what ever the job was they were trying for. He also wondered where her friends were. As he was thinking Minnelli attacked him. He stumbled but didn't fall. He fought back.
Dylan watching the two men knew she should let them battle it out but she felt left out. She attacked the Italian who tried to retaliate but the Thin Man attacked him again. Even his speed which is what he prided himself on was not enough.
"Perfect," chirped the Chief. "My champions are the Thin Man and the woman. Ring the bell Leon," he said to his right hand man. "Wonderful, just wonderful."
*-*-*-*-*
Natalie scratched her head. She had gone over everything and Alantra the one named actress was exactly who she said she was. She had no criminal record and apparently didn't even know Dylan Sanders. Natalie had even gone over information about the woman's boyfriend, Jeff. Jeff King was apparently even a better citizen than Alantra. Another dead end and she was running out of ideas. She laid her head on the desk when she heard the office door open. "Dylan?" She asked excitedly jumping to her feet.
"No, it's just me," said Max strolling in and plopping down on the couch. "There's a game tonight between the Yankees and Angels." He grabbed the remote and turned on the T.V.
"Oh," said Natalie disappointedly sitting back down and looking over her information.
"What's wrong," asked Max muting the TV and joining the blonde angel at the desk.
"Dylan is missing. Charlie said she quit but Alex and I can't believe that. That isn't Dylan at all."
"What do you mean she quit? She was talking to Bosley just today," said the boy as he reached into his backpack and produced a can of cola. "Want one," he offered.
Natalie looked at him and he continued, "Bosley was talking to her today. She didn't sound happy but he seemed to cheer her up. Don't tell Bosley okay. I was going to call my friend Jamal and picked up the extension and heard the call."
"What did she say," asked Natalie encouraging Max to go on.
"Well it was weird. He was calling her Lucy and she was talking about a case that she was on. She didn't say much just that she was nervous." Max walked back over to the couch and sat down.
"Did she say what the case was? Where she was," she said standing up.
"Nope. Can I watch the game now?" He asked trying to look around her.
"Yeah sure," she said moving back to the desk. She picked up the phone and called Alex.
*-*-*-*-*
Jason was surprised that Alex wanted to go club hopping but they hadn't had anytime together in ages. It seemed that he was always working on a movie or TV guest role and she was always on a case. He was also surprised at her choice of clubs. It was ten o'clock and they had already been to some of the biggest S&M and Goth clubs in LA. They would go in and as soon as he would start enjoying himself Alex would pull him out. It was getting annoying. "Can't we just stop and have a drink at the next place," he whined. "I'm thirsty."
Alex looked at him and was about to answer when her cell phone rang. "Alex," she said.
"Hi it's me," said Natalie on the other end her voice bubbly as usual. "I found something."
"What?"
"We need to go to Bosley's."
"Bosley's," she asked confused. "He knows what is going on doesn't he."
"I think so. Max said." she started but Alex cut her off.
"Max?"
"Yeah Max, he's here at the office watching a baseball game. He told me that he overheard Bosley talking to her an hour or so ago," said Natalie.
"Is he sure," she asked watching Jason sign an autograph for a passerby.
"That's what I asked and he said he was. Meet me at Bosley's and I'll fill you in," said Natalie hanging up. Grabbing her purse and keys she headed out the door.
Alex looked at Jason, "I guess we are going to have to call the night short; unless you want to come to Bosley's with me." She got her answer when he climbed into the car and buckled up and said, "Off to save the world."
*-*-*-*-*
The black FBI issue van parked down the street from the warehouse. They could see the building but couldn't be seen themselves. Mitchum sat in the driver's seat, Daniels was in the passenger seat and Dylan, once the van stopped knelt peering out the windshield between them.
A large decked out Harley Davidson motorcycle roared past them. "Identify," said Mitchum to Dylan. She thought a second, "Ted 'the bear' Boggs, hired gun from San Antonio." Mitchum didn't say anything but Daniels said, "She's pretty good. Sorry," he blushed and corrected himself, "You're pretty good."
"Thanks." Just then a dark Lincoln town car drove by and let a man out. He was well dressed in a white suit with a black shirt, a white fedora and long scarf. "Bruno Minnelli," she said identifying the man. "Mercenary from Rome and he usually works for that shady Italian politician," she snapped her fingers trying to remember his name. "Bertolli," she yelled remembering.
"So you did read the papers in the folder," said Mitchum surprised.
Dylan didn't justify that with an answer she just watched the next two candidates arrive and identified each for the agents in the van. "Him I don't know," she said a man arrived in a battered old Ford Festiva. Then she saw his profile. "He must be your guy."
"How did you know that," asked Daniel surprised.
"The nose. Once he turned to the side I could see.," Dylan broke off as a man climbed out of the black BMW Z-4 that parked near the gates to the compound. "It couldn't be," she said to herself as she watched the finely dressed man in a dark suit with a cane enter the warehouse.
"And who was he," asked Mitchum concerned to his partner. Daniels checked the list. Daniels shook his head, and flipped through the file, "I have no idea."
"What do you mean you have no idea," he demanded. Mitchum glanced at his watch, "Shit Dylan you need to go. The Chief won't let you in if you are late. We'll work on who that guy is and try to get word to both you and our agent." Dylan slid open the back door and jumped out. "Be careful," called Daniels to the angel. She just smiled and gave him as wave as she darted across the street.
"You like her," said Mitchum in a matter-of -fact voice.
"I do not," denied his partner.
"You do."
"Do not." Then men continued arguing well after Dylan went inside the building.
*-*-*-*-* Once across the street she sauntered up to the doorman. He looked her over with skepticism, "Name he demanded." She rolled her eyes, reached into her top and handed him the piece of paper that served as the invitation. He took it from her and sniffed it. She was repulsed but she figured his actions were meant to intimidate her and after the guys she saw showing up tonight, the man at the door would be nothing more than a puppy dog. The doorman checked over the paper. "Miss Darness," he said stepping aside. Once she was in he entered as well and closed the door behind her.
Dylan looked around the large empty room. There were a few boxes stacked in the corners. Perched on top of the crates were other men who must have been the ones Mitchum referred to as the Chief's "stable". The middle of the room was made into a boxing ring. On one side of the ring stood four men, on the other three, and the door man directed her to the three person side. She felt so tiny next to the other competitors. To her left was Jack 'the ripper' Patterson, a man of six foot four inches and in her approximation weighed minimally two hundred twenty pounds. She looked out of the corner of her eye to the man to her right and her heart stopped. It was him, the Thin Man, Anthony. He like the others stood facing straight ahead and not moving.
A small, petite, she would even call him effeminate man stepped into the ring. He was dressed to the nines and made the Italian and Anthony look shabby. The man didn't say a word he just looked over the assembled group. They all waited in the silence. Dylan could hear her heart beat echoing in her ears. "I want to apologize," the man said in an almost female voice breaking the silence. "I heard that several of my personal killers attacked you last night. The ones that did have been taken care of." The man who stood in the middle of the ring like a small king was the Chief.
"I can only hope that you will accept my sincerest apologies," the Chief said. As Dylan looked at him and didn't think he was as sincere as he claimed. "But now that is in the past and I would like to begin tonight's festivities." The men on the boxes and crates cheered. "The rules are simple. It's elimination. Each person will fight the person directly opposite the ring from them. Weapons are okay but no killing each other please. Blood makes me woozy. No going easy on your opponent," Patterson turned his head looked at Dylan and snickered as did several of the others. "Is there a problem Mr. Patterson," the Chief asked like a teacher to a naughty student.
"No sir," replied Patterson.
"Good. If I do see you going easy on an opponent you will both be eliminated." Another snicker arose from the group around the ring. "Yes, we have a woman with us this evening. If that is a problem for anyone please, leave now," the Chief said coldly his eyes scanning the group in front of him. No one moved and once again silence reigned. "Everyone has five minutes to warm up. The warm up time is over when the bell rings" Chief took a deep breath and then yelled, "Begin!"
Dylan looked over her opponents as the warm up began. She watched several shadow-box, some did stretches, and some just stood looking bored. The she saw Anthony standing by himself away from the others watching in the same way she was. He pulled out a cigarette and leaned against a crate, the white smoke swirling around his head. When he was done he tossed the cigarette to the floor, grasped his cane at each end and jumped it a few times.
"See you find our smoking friend interesting." Dylan startled and turned almost slugging the man only to find Boggs staring at her. She gave him a small smile and said, "People who kill themselves slowly always fascinate me." Boggs gave a hearty belly laugh. "That's a good one little lady, "he drew in his thick Texan accent.
*-*-*-*-* Anthony watched the group of assassins as they warmed up. "So that is Lucrezia Danress," he thought as he eyed the young woman as he smoked his cigarette. She looked lithe and graceful compared to the clumsiness the men applying for the job displayed. He caught her watching him as well. She also looked a slightly familiar something about the small smile she gave Boggs when he spoke to her. He was sure he had seen it somewhere before. He had to admit so far he admired her for showing up; a woman working her way in a man's world. She even seemed to be at ease with Boggs who seemed more interested in her than in the competition. If nothing else maybe Boggs would get both of them eliminated. He grabbed his cane and jumped it a couple times and then the bell rang.
"First in the ring," announced the Chief, "The Thin Man and The Vulture." The bell rang for the second time as the Chief sat in his throne high above the ring.
Dylan watched as Anthony and the FBI Agent entered the ring. They were completely different in everyway. The FBI Agent was built a lot like Seamus O'Grady, she noticed and as they began fighting she noticed the difference in their styles as well. The agent or the Vulture as he was called here relied on street brawling technique while Anthony used his usual combination of sword and tae kwon do. The round didn't take long. Mitchum had been so concerned about her being taken out he hadn't considered the fact that his own agent wouldn't last two minutes in the ring. Two minutes into the round the Vulture was unconscious and Anthony was proclaimed the winner.
The next two that fought, Minnelli and a man who was just known as John Doe and it was over just as quickly. Doe hitting the mat in a sudden thirty seconds after the round had begun. Dylan was surprised the well dressed Italian man was so fast. She had barely seen him move. Two of the Chief's henchmen entered the ring to remove the body. They looked at each other then one of them went over and spoke to the Chief. The Chief nodded solemnly, stood and said, his voice echoing through the large room, "I regret to say it appears as though Mr. Doe has a broken neck. We should all take the time to say a small prayer for his recovery." Dylan glanced around and noticed that everyone had their eyes closed and heads bowed. She noticed Anthony crossing himself and closed her eyes and crossed herself as well.
She was up next against Boggs of all people. As they entered the ring he leered at her and the friendly disposition he had earlier when he had spoken to her left. His eyes seemed to glow with fire. She knew from reading the file Mitchum gave her that he wasn't called "the bear" for nothing. He was big and hairy, but his nickname came from the fact he was very strong and killed by crushing his victims in his bear like arms. She knew if he managed to grab a hold of her she was done for.
They circled each other and he would lunge and she would step away. Tired of the dance she attacked and knocked him on his ass. He let out a terrible roar and a string of not so nice explicatives about her gender. She flew at him again and he rolled out of the way. She landed in a roll and stood back up but she wasn't fast enough. He wrapped his arms around her. "Want to give up," he said his hot breath blowing in her ear and assaulting her nose. He gave her a little squeeze.
"Never," she grunted and with every ounce of strength she had she grasped one of his big beefy arms and turned throwing him over onto his back. With the air knocked out of his he lay there on the mat stunned. She walked over and placed the sharp heel of her boot into the indentation where his collarbones came together. Looking down at the man she smiled sweetly, "Want to give up?" He lay there defiantly so she put some more pressure on the hollow. "Do you want to give up or do I need to impale you on my boots? I borrowed these and I don't think my friend would like blood all over the black suede but I will if I have to."
Boggs looked at her and saw the seriousness in her eyes. "Give," he said in barely a whisper. "They didn't hear you," said Dylan loudly.
"I give up," he said louder the second time. She looked up at the Chief and he nodded.
"This round goes to our young lady, Lucrezia Darness!"
Dylan removed her foot from the man's throat and held out her hand, "No hard feelings." Boggs turned as the henchmen led him away and spat at her.
*-*-*-*-* Alex and Jason pulled up behind Natalie's car. Natalie walked over and waited for them to get out. "Hey Nat, how you doing?"
"Hi Jason," she said in her usual perky way, and gave him a quick hug.
"Where's Dylan," he asked looking around for the red haired angel.
"That," said Alex, "is what we are here to find out." With that she started up the walk, her boyfriend and Natalie in tow. "I love it when she acts tough," said Jason looking at Natalie. They reached the Bosley house and knocked on the door. They could hear Mama Bosley inside, "Jimmy will you get that? And tell who ever it is it's too late for visitors."
"Will do Mama," said Bosley as he opened the door.
"Evening Bosley," said Natalie, "Can we come in?"
He opened the screen and let them inside. He was surprised to see them. It wasn't often that they came to his Mama's house. "We have a few questions," said Alex as she stepped inside. Bosley looked at Jason who shrugged his shoulders, "I'm just along for the ride."
"The first one," continued Alex, "Is where is Dylan?"
Bosely looked at both girls and said, "I don't know," but instead of a statement it came out as a question.
"Max said you were in contact with her earlier tonight," said Alex
Natalie then picked up where her friend had left off. "And he said that you were talking to her about a case and called her Lucy. Lucy like your sister who is having marital problems."
Just then Mama Bosley stepped out of the bedroom wearing a blue mu-mu with hibiscus flowers on it and said, "I never had any girls what are you up to Jimmy?"
"Go back to bed Mama."
"Don't you 'go back to bed Mama' me young man. But I am going just because I'm tired and you kids have obviously something to talk about."
Bosley sat in an arm chair. "Charlie is gonna kill me."
"What is up Bosley?"
"I don't know all the details. I just know that Dylan is on a dangerous assignment. She is working with some FBI guys. I really can't tell you any more except that Lucy is her code name and Charlie is worried. We both are, but you can't say anything. You just have to let her do her job."
*-*-*-*-*
The trials were just about over. Patterson had beaten his opponent and was starting his fight against Minnelli. Dylan looked over knowing that in a few minutes she would be in the ring against Anthony. He had lit another cigarette and was watching her. She could feel his eyes burning into her back. She tried to relax. She had fought him before she could fight him again. The key was to forget the kiss on the roof top. Of course he didn't have that memory distracting him but she knew that he had a weakness, the place where the sword penetrated his body.
Once again Minnelli took his opponent down in an amazingly short amount of time. The crowd of the Chief's associates cheered. The man stood announced that Minnelli was again the winner and that she and the Thin Man would be fighting.
She climbed through the ropes in her corner. He climbed through in his. They both walked to the center of the ring. Anthony looked at the young woman who was his opponent. There had been something about her that had bothered him the whole evening. Something about the smile, something about her way of fighting; then he saw it hanging around her neck. It was the medallion; his medallion. He held out his cane and lifted it from off her chest with the tip. Her green eyes met his icy blue ones and he knew that standing in front of him wasn't Lucrezia Danress but Dylan Sanders, the red- haired Angel.
Once he noticed the medallion she knew she was in trouble. She should have listened to Agent Matthews but no, she had to be slightly rebellious. Hell her rebellious streak is what got her into this to begin with. She and Anthony couldn't stand there all night just looking at each other so she threw a punch. He ducked then retaliated. They had fought so often before that they anticipated the others moves.
"Beautiful," the Chief said to his right-hand man. "Watching these two is like watching a ballet or synchronized swimming. Look at how they play off the other."
"Are both out," asked the Chief's assistant.
"No, let them go. They are both obviously trying. They just seem to be the same caliber. I like them. I just wonder if the client will, she is very picky."
"Then you don't want Minnelli?"
"I want to watch these two. I think I want these two against Minnelli at the same time. Yes let them go a few more minutes and then send Minnelli in the ring."
"Okay Chief," said the man and went back down onto the floor.
"This will be very interesting." The bell rang. Dylan and Anthony stopped and looked up at the platform where the Chief reigned over the proceedings below. Anthony's slicked back hair was no longer in place; he took one hand and moved it out of his eyes. "Minnelli," said the Chief's voice echoing. Minnelli looked up. "Into the ring, which ever one gets knocked down first is out. The last two standing are my champions."
Dylan took a step backwards and watched Minnelli climb into the ring. She could hear Mitchum out in the van through her mike saying, "Shit she's done for now." She was tired but she wasn't done for, not yet anyway.
Anthony looked at Dylan. She looked exhausted, her eye make up had run from her perspiration, and reminded him of a raccoon but a beautiful one. He wanted to know her story, why she was here. No doubt to stop what ever the job was they were trying for. He also wondered where her friends were. As he was thinking Minnelli attacked him. He stumbled but didn't fall. He fought back.
Dylan watching the two men knew she should let them battle it out but she felt left out. She attacked the Italian who tried to retaliate but the Thin Man attacked him again. Even his speed which is what he prided himself on was not enough.
"Perfect," chirped the Chief. "My champions are the Thin Man and the woman. Ring the bell Leon," he said to his right hand man. "Wonderful, just wonderful."