"Rutherford?" she asked turning surprised to see the infamous collector.
"Dylan-love what did we agree upon? If I remember correctly it was that you would call me Neville," he said with his dark eyes sparkling. Dylan thought he looked extraordinarily well for someone who had been stabbed through the shoulder despite sitting in a wheelchair with his legs covered in a blanket. "Yes, but that was if you would call me Dylan and twice you've called me 'Dylan-love'".
He chuckled at her reply. "Ah but I could wish that you were my love couldn't I?" She gave him a gentle smile then peeked around the edge of the door to make sure no one was coming. "So Dylan, why are you here and who are you hiding from?"
"I was in an explosion and I'm trying to get out of here."
"Good God an explosion? Where?"
"The Chief's." She noticed the look on his face. "Do you know him?" Rutherford sighed. This is what he had wanted and dreaded at the same time. "I know him, too well actually. Dylan, please sit." She glanced nervously at the door. "Don't worry I have," he looked at the clock above the television, "another ten minutes before the nurse will come to take me back and I don't think that anyone will be here before that so sit. I have much to tell you."
She sat on the hard wooden chair that was across from him and waited for him to begin. "I'm sure Anthony told you that I am not a good man. That I would sell my own mother to get what I want, that human life unless it's that of an attractive woman means very little to me. Of course coming from him that I am a villain is sort of ironic knowing the people he has killed but am I right that he told you that? Of course I am," he said not waiting for her to respond. "I am Ruthless Rutherford scourge of the British aristocracy and all around criminal type. So I'm sure you won't find what I have to say surprising." She listened to him tell her about the woman he met name Chyna Dahl who just happened to turn out to be a sixteen year old run away. He explained as he told her he didn't realize she wasn't older until the unfortunate incident in the bedroom when she had a seizure and died. "I was shocked when I went through her purse and saw that she had a learner's permit license with her age. I didn't know what to do but the Chief did. Of course he did," Rutherford laughed, "he is the one who set me up with her, although I didn't know it at the time. It was just fortuitous for him that she literally dropped dead and in my bed." Then he explained his part in the Chief's revenge plot against her and Anthony.
"So you knew the first day we came to you that." she said but he cut her off. "That you weren't Lillian Blaine. Yes, I knew." "And Anthony?" she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"No Dylan, Anthony didn't have a clue that I knew, he didn't deceive you. Only I did. The Chief thought of everything including the fact that Anthony would take you to me, the best collector there is."
Part of her was relieved that Anthony didn't know. For a moment a wave of doubt swept over her about the silent assassin. "And when you showed up at my condo?" she asked.
"I was told to go there by the Chief." He watched the anger build up inside of her, "Yes Dylan, I am a bastard. The Chief wanted you both to hurt the way he did. He had been watching you and Anthony since your solo mission. The whole reason was Jorge. You knew Jorge?" he asked. Dylan nodded, she remembered the large man who had hit her over the head with a vase and seemed to be the Chief's right hand man. "He thought of everything. He even made sure that Kate was hired at the museum."
"And Kate was in on this from the beginning too. It figures."
"No, she was as in the dark in the beginning as you were." Dylan didn't say anything but Rutherford went on, "After the Chief stabbed me and Duarte attempted to pin it on Anthony I tried to tell you. I did really."
Dylan looked at the old man in front of her. He had seemed younger when she had met him now he just seemed old and tired but she knew he was right. He had tried to tell her. She remember Natalie telling her he wanted to talk to her and only her but she had to play games with Duarte on the way to the hospital. Still she realized he was asking in his own way for forgiveness and she wasn't sure she could give it to him. He glanced at his watch, "The nurse will be coming for me soon." Dylan started to leave the room, "Dylan?" She turned and looked at him. "I am sorry for everything. I didn't want to see you get hurt." She turned back around and walked out the door.
*-*-*-*-*
Dylan looked around; the bright California sunshine blinded her as she left the building. Realizing her purse had been left in the car when she had taken on Duarte she felt around in her pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. "Well it will get me to the agency," she said to herself as she walked back inside and asked the woman working admissions if she could call a cab for her.
Arriving at the agency cost her exactly five dollars and twelve cents. The driver was kind enough to accept the five and she promised to send him a tip plus the twelve cents later. He looked at her and drove off. He didn't believe her but she was a pretty girl who was apparently down on her luck. Dylan walked to the office door. It was open but when she went inside no one was there. Checking her watch she saw it was ten, someone especially Bosley should have been there. "Bos?" she called but there was no answer. She spotted her purse and car keys on a table near the couch. "Nat? Alex?" No response. She sat on the couch and placed her head between her hands and tried to figure the situation out.
"Good Morning Angel," said a quiet comforting voice from the white speaker box.
"Charlie?" she asked in disbelief.
"Dylan, you are supposed to be in the hospital resting."
"I couldn't stay there. I had to find Alex and Natalie and make sure they are okay," said Dylan. "And Anthony," she added silently. She knew she probably should have stayed at the hospital but couldn't.
"They are fine except for believing you are dead."
"Dead?"
"No one believed that you could have survived the fire. I believed the same thing until Neville Rutherford called me and let me know that you were alive and left the hospital." Dylan was surprised. Rutherford had called Charlie. She didn't think anyone knew how to reach Charlie besides the Bosleys. "Don't be so surprised Dylan, before Neville became who he is he and I were good friends. The other angels are at LAMA they have a meeting at noon with Kate. If you leave now you can just make it."
"Thanks Charlie." As she hopped up and started to grab her things Charlie said, "Try not to be too hard on Neville you have helped to change him back into the boy I knew. Consider forgiving him."
"I'll consider it, Charlie."
*-*-*-*-*-*
Alex, Natalie and John Bosley arrived at LAMA at Kate's request. She had phoned the agency in the morning and excitedly told Alex that the eggs were back. Walking into the exhibition hall they could hear the low voices of the museum patrons and the occasionally giggles of school children. "There she is," said Natalie spotting Kate and Mr. Hartman and Anthony standing near the display in the middle of the room. Kate was clinging to Anthony's arm. "Can't believe it," mumbled Alex in a low tone as they approached the egg display.
"Can't believe what?" asked Natalie.
"The Thin Man. What did he do? Screw her to forget about Dylan?" said Alex nastily. "And to think I was feeling sorry for him."
Natalie looked at the group waiting at the display and didn't think that was the case. Anthony wearing one of his traditional suits looked tired and not much better than when she had left him at his car the night before. She could see dark circles ringing his eyes making his irises seem even paler. He pulled a lock of Dylan's hair out of his pocket briefly ran it over his jaw line, and then tucked it back inside. She was about to mention her observation to Alex when Kate looked up from the eggs and spotted them. Waving them over, she enthusiastically introduced them to Mr. Hartman. "Sir, I'd like you to meet Natalie Cook, Mr. Bosley."
Mr Hartman looked confused a moment and said, "Wasn't Mr. Bosley a black fellow? And you, young lady aren't you a visiting lecturer here at LAMA?"
"Your thinking of my brother," replied Bosley. That seemed to make Mr. Hartman even more confused so Kate continued, "Alex Munday and Dy. Where is Dylan?" she asked innocently as though she really didn't have any idea what had happened to the third angel.
"Dylan wasn't able to be with us today," said Natalie quietly.
Mr. Hartman held out his hand and shook all around, "I am sorry to hear that but Ekaterina here tells me what a wonderful job you did finding the eggs. I have to say it was smart of her to withhold that they were missing from me. I would have just panicked but now we have the originals and neither the patrons nor anyone else knows they were ever gone." The balding pudgy man pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Well I just wanted to thank you personally. That is why I had Ekaterina call you down here today. I assume that you will pass my gratitude on to your friend who isn't here."
"I wish we could," said Alex as she burnt holes in Anthony with her angry eyes. "But our friend Dylan died last night in a fire. I'm surprised Anthony didn't tell you." Anthony didn't even seem to notice Alex's remark. He stood there and fixed his attention to a little girl with red-gold curls staring at the painting of the mustachioed woman. There was something about the way she carried herself that reminded him of Dylan and he thought "That is what our daughter could have looked like." What was he thinking? He had never thought about children before but he realized that he had loved Dylan that much. His heart grew heavier at the thought of what wasn't to be.
"Oh my how horrible," said Mr. Hartman. "I am so sorry for the loss of your friend."
*-*-*-*-*
Dylan had a hard time getting into the museum. The woman taking tickets didn't want to let her in with the way she looked and threatened to call the police to make her leave. "Good and while you are at it bring Mr. Hartman and Kate Dunayevskaya. I'd like to speak with them."
"They are in the gallery in a meeting," said the young woman sticking her nose in the air.
"That would be the one I am late for; if you'll excuse me." Dylan slapped the admission fee on the counter and started walking to the main exhibition hall where the "Treasures of the Czars'" display was. She could hear the ticket woman calling after her, "Miss, Miss, you can't go in there. You need to leave." The woman left the booth and reached for her arm but then realized she almost touched the dirty creature who was entering and wiped her hand on her skirt. "Guard," she called to the man in the olive uniform, "she isn't allowed in. She doesn't meet the dress code standards." The guard then approached her, blocking her path he tried to persuade her to leave. When that failed he grabbed her arm. "You have to leave," he said firmly.
"I advise you to let go of me. I had one hell of a night and I don't want to hurt you but I am late for a meeting with Mr. Hartman," hissed Dylan from between her clinched teeth.
There was something about the woman's determination that caused him to let go and let her enter. The ticket woman's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air in surprise. "It's okay Lois," the guard said, "I'll keep an eye on her." "Nice ass," he thought watching her as she strolled into the exhibition hall.
Her heart jumped when she saw her friends and Anthony. Just a few hours ago she was sure that they were killed in the explosion. They didn't see her approach the exhibit as they talked amongst themselves. "Hi, what did I miss?" she asked as though they were expecting her.
"We were just telling Mr. Hartman you are dead," said Natalie absently then she realized who she was talking to. "Dylan!" she yelled in excitement. Her voice echoing though the hall caused strangers to turn and look. Natalie grabbed her friend and hugged her as tightly as she could. Alex and Bosley then joined in the group hug but over their shoulders Dylan could see the expression of pure hate flicker across Kate's face but it was quickly gone.
Finally when they let her go, Alex said laughing, "You really need a bath."
"Tell me about it," said Dylan with a smile.
Anthony didn't know what to do. He wasn't one for huge public displays of affection. Dylan walked up to him and said softly, "Hi." He nodded at her and stroked her cheek and ran his hand through her tangled hair. He didn't have to sweep her into a huge embrace that one touch said everything that she needed to know.
"Uh isn't he Ekaterina's boyfriend?" Mr. Hartman turned to Natalie and asked noticing the attraction between the Thin Man and Dylan. Natalie smothered a laugh and felt sorry for the poor befuddled museum curator.
"Hello Kate," Dylan said coolly turning to face the Russian woman.
"Dylan, I'm so glad to see you aren't dead."
"Really?" asked Dylan sarcastically. "You see after you blasted me with a taser when I tried to escape from the Chief's I would think that seeing me dead would make you very happy."
Kate was flustered, "I don't know what you mean." She grabbed Anthony's hand tightly to try to keep him at her side.
"Last night did you keep your promise to me?" continued Dylan. Kate looked confused as did Anthony and the angels. "You know the one where you promised to tell Anthony how valiantly I fought, to tell him how you were sure my last thoughts were of him? Did you comfort him? Because If you did thank you. I'm sure he needed it but as for the living happily ever after that is what Anthony and I are going to do." She stepped closer to Kate until they were face to face. "How does it feel to have sold your soul to get the eggs back, bitch?"
Letting go of Anthony's hand Kate softly said, "No one talks to me that way," and threw a punch at her but Dylan ducked out of the way. "Not so easy without a weapon?" she asked Kate sweetly. Kate went to punch her again but Dylan kicked sending her falling to her rear and sliding across the floor, where she stopped under the painting the little girl had been looking at moments before. The Russian woman didn't stay down for long. Kate stood and said what Dylan determined to be a profanity in Russian but her Russian was a bit rusty. Then she attacked the angel again.
"Girls, Girls!" cried the director. "Please no fighting in the main hall." When it became obvious to him that they weren't listening he turned to the other angels, dabbing at the perspiration on his forehead with his handkerchief and whined, "Can't you make them stop?"
"I think this is something they need to work out on their own," said Natalie with a smile then leading Mr. Hartman to the side explained what she could about the missing eggs and Kate's possible role in getting them back. "Of course," she concluded, "Dylan will have to confirm that."
"Go Dylan, kick her ass," yelled Alex. Soon that got all the visitors in the act too. Bets were flying around about who was going to win. Kate managed to get in a good punch to Dylan's already battered ribs. She grabbed her side and fell to her knees. "Dylan?" asked Bosley concerned he rubbed her shoulders and encouraged her to get back up. "Like a prize fighter you need to keep your mind on the goal the belt, being champion."
"Got it Bos," she said slowly standing.
"Ready Kate?" she asked. Kate didn't respond just attacked again. Dylan had to admit the Russian woman was tougher than she looked but if she could take on five guys while tied to a chair this would be a piece of cake. Of course back then she didn't have three bruised ribs and spend an hour sleeping cramped up a chimney before hand. She was still feeling the effects of being in that tight position waiting for the fire to be extinguished such as the cramps wracking her lower back. "I won't feel it," she told herself and attacked with all the anger she felt for Kate from the moment she saw her with Anthony on the couch. Kicks and punches flew and were ducked and received by both parties. Dylan punched and Kate caught her hand and twisted her arm behind her back. She hissed in the angel's ear, "Anthony says I'm great in bed." Dylan flipped the Russian woman. Kate didn't stay down for long getting up she kicked and Dylan grabbed her ankle throwing her to the ground. As she lay there out of breath Dylan jumped on her and punched her across the face knocking her unconscious. It was at that moment the police Lois the ticket woman called, stepped in to break it up.
Dylan got up and stood there breathless watching as the police checked Kate's pulse to verify that she was only unconscious. She watched as Natalie and Alex gave statements to the police and explaining how the event that had taken place just then had to do with the explosion the night before then walked over to the clay blob statue. Kate's words were running through her head over and over, "Anthony says I'm great in bed."
He saw her standing off by herself and she had never looked lovelier to him despite her dirty hair and clothing. He walked towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. "Leave me alone," she said and walked back over to join her friends. He was slightly taken aback not understanding what had changed between them in the space of time before the fight and that moment.
"Dylan-love what did we agree upon? If I remember correctly it was that you would call me Neville," he said with his dark eyes sparkling. Dylan thought he looked extraordinarily well for someone who had been stabbed through the shoulder despite sitting in a wheelchair with his legs covered in a blanket. "Yes, but that was if you would call me Dylan and twice you've called me 'Dylan-love'".
He chuckled at her reply. "Ah but I could wish that you were my love couldn't I?" She gave him a gentle smile then peeked around the edge of the door to make sure no one was coming. "So Dylan, why are you here and who are you hiding from?"
"I was in an explosion and I'm trying to get out of here."
"Good God an explosion? Where?"
"The Chief's." She noticed the look on his face. "Do you know him?" Rutherford sighed. This is what he had wanted and dreaded at the same time. "I know him, too well actually. Dylan, please sit." She glanced nervously at the door. "Don't worry I have," he looked at the clock above the television, "another ten minutes before the nurse will come to take me back and I don't think that anyone will be here before that so sit. I have much to tell you."
She sat on the hard wooden chair that was across from him and waited for him to begin. "I'm sure Anthony told you that I am not a good man. That I would sell my own mother to get what I want, that human life unless it's that of an attractive woman means very little to me. Of course coming from him that I am a villain is sort of ironic knowing the people he has killed but am I right that he told you that? Of course I am," he said not waiting for her to respond. "I am Ruthless Rutherford scourge of the British aristocracy and all around criminal type. So I'm sure you won't find what I have to say surprising." She listened to him tell her about the woman he met name Chyna Dahl who just happened to turn out to be a sixteen year old run away. He explained as he told her he didn't realize she wasn't older until the unfortunate incident in the bedroom when she had a seizure and died. "I was shocked when I went through her purse and saw that she had a learner's permit license with her age. I didn't know what to do but the Chief did. Of course he did," Rutherford laughed, "he is the one who set me up with her, although I didn't know it at the time. It was just fortuitous for him that she literally dropped dead and in my bed." Then he explained his part in the Chief's revenge plot against her and Anthony.
"So you knew the first day we came to you that." she said but he cut her off. "That you weren't Lillian Blaine. Yes, I knew." "And Anthony?" she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
"No Dylan, Anthony didn't have a clue that I knew, he didn't deceive you. Only I did. The Chief thought of everything including the fact that Anthony would take you to me, the best collector there is."
Part of her was relieved that Anthony didn't know. For a moment a wave of doubt swept over her about the silent assassin. "And when you showed up at my condo?" she asked.
"I was told to go there by the Chief." He watched the anger build up inside of her, "Yes Dylan, I am a bastard. The Chief wanted you both to hurt the way he did. He had been watching you and Anthony since your solo mission. The whole reason was Jorge. You knew Jorge?" he asked. Dylan nodded, she remembered the large man who had hit her over the head with a vase and seemed to be the Chief's right hand man. "He thought of everything. He even made sure that Kate was hired at the museum."
"And Kate was in on this from the beginning too. It figures."
"No, she was as in the dark in the beginning as you were." Dylan didn't say anything but Rutherford went on, "After the Chief stabbed me and Duarte attempted to pin it on Anthony I tried to tell you. I did really."
Dylan looked at the old man in front of her. He had seemed younger when she had met him now he just seemed old and tired but she knew he was right. He had tried to tell her. She remember Natalie telling her he wanted to talk to her and only her but she had to play games with Duarte on the way to the hospital. Still she realized he was asking in his own way for forgiveness and she wasn't sure she could give it to him. He glanced at his watch, "The nurse will be coming for me soon." Dylan started to leave the room, "Dylan?" She turned and looked at him. "I am sorry for everything. I didn't want to see you get hurt." She turned back around and walked out the door.
*-*-*-*-*
Dylan looked around; the bright California sunshine blinded her as she left the building. Realizing her purse had been left in the car when she had taken on Duarte she felt around in her pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. "Well it will get me to the agency," she said to herself as she walked back inside and asked the woman working admissions if she could call a cab for her.
Arriving at the agency cost her exactly five dollars and twelve cents. The driver was kind enough to accept the five and she promised to send him a tip plus the twelve cents later. He looked at her and drove off. He didn't believe her but she was a pretty girl who was apparently down on her luck. Dylan walked to the office door. It was open but when she went inside no one was there. Checking her watch she saw it was ten, someone especially Bosley should have been there. "Bos?" she called but there was no answer. She spotted her purse and car keys on a table near the couch. "Nat? Alex?" No response. She sat on the couch and placed her head between her hands and tried to figure the situation out.
"Good Morning Angel," said a quiet comforting voice from the white speaker box.
"Charlie?" she asked in disbelief.
"Dylan, you are supposed to be in the hospital resting."
"I couldn't stay there. I had to find Alex and Natalie and make sure they are okay," said Dylan. "And Anthony," she added silently. She knew she probably should have stayed at the hospital but couldn't.
"They are fine except for believing you are dead."
"Dead?"
"No one believed that you could have survived the fire. I believed the same thing until Neville Rutherford called me and let me know that you were alive and left the hospital." Dylan was surprised. Rutherford had called Charlie. She didn't think anyone knew how to reach Charlie besides the Bosleys. "Don't be so surprised Dylan, before Neville became who he is he and I were good friends. The other angels are at LAMA they have a meeting at noon with Kate. If you leave now you can just make it."
"Thanks Charlie." As she hopped up and started to grab her things Charlie said, "Try not to be too hard on Neville you have helped to change him back into the boy I knew. Consider forgiving him."
"I'll consider it, Charlie."
*-*-*-*-*-*
Alex, Natalie and John Bosley arrived at LAMA at Kate's request. She had phoned the agency in the morning and excitedly told Alex that the eggs were back. Walking into the exhibition hall they could hear the low voices of the museum patrons and the occasionally giggles of school children. "There she is," said Natalie spotting Kate and Mr. Hartman and Anthony standing near the display in the middle of the room. Kate was clinging to Anthony's arm. "Can't believe it," mumbled Alex in a low tone as they approached the egg display.
"Can't believe what?" asked Natalie.
"The Thin Man. What did he do? Screw her to forget about Dylan?" said Alex nastily. "And to think I was feeling sorry for him."
Natalie looked at the group waiting at the display and didn't think that was the case. Anthony wearing one of his traditional suits looked tired and not much better than when she had left him at his car the night before. She could see dark circles ringing his eyes making his irises seem even paler. He pulled a lock of Dylan's hair out of his pocket briefly ran it over his jaw line, and then tucked it back inside. She was about to mention her observation to Alex when Kate looked up from the eggs and spotted them. Waving them over, she enthusiastically introduced them to Mr. Hartman. "Sir, I'd like you to meet Natalie Cook, Mr. Bosley."
Mr Hartman looked confused a moment and said, "Wasn't Mr. Bosley a black fellow? And you, young lady aren't you a visiting lecturer here at LAMA?"
"Your thinking of my brother," replied Bosley. That seemed to make Mr. Hartman even more confused so Kate continued, "Alex Munday and Dy. Where is Dylan?" she asked innocently as though she really didn't have any idea what had happened to the third angel.
"Dylan wasn't able to be with us today," said Natalie quietly.
Mr. Hartman held out his hand and shook all around, "I am sorry to hear that but Ekaterina here tells me what a wonderful job you did finding the eggs. I have to say it was smart of her to withhold that they were missing from me. I would have just panicked but now we have the originals and neither the patrons nor anyone else knows they were ever gone." The balding pudgy man pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Well I just wanted to thank you personally. That is why I had Ekaterina call you down here today. I assume that you will pass my gratitude on to your friend who isn't here."
"I wish we could," said Alex as she burnt holes in Anthony with her angry eyes. "But our friend Dylan died last night in a fire. I'm surprised Anthony didn't tell you." Anthony didn't even seem to notice Alex's remark. He stood there and fixed his attention to a little girl with red-gold curls staring at the painting of the mustachioed woman. There was something about the way she carried herself that reminded him of Dylan and he thought "That is what our daughter could have looked like." What was he thinking? He had never thought about children before but he realized that he had loved Dylan that much. His heart grew heavier at the thought of what wasn't to be.
"Oh my how horrible," said Mr. Hartman. "I am so sorry for the loss of your friend."
*-*-*-*-*
Dylan had a hard time getting into the museum. The woman taking tickets didn't want to let her in with the way she looked and threatened to call the police to make her leave. "Good and while you are at it bring Mr. Hartman and Kate Dunayevskaya. I'd like to speak with them."
"They are in the gallery in a meeting," said the young woman sticking her nose in the air.
"That would be the one I am late for; if you'll excuse me." Dylan slapped the admission fee on the counter and started walking to the main exhibition hall where the "Treasures of the Czars'" display was. She could hear the ticket woman calling after her, "Miss, Miss, you can't go in there. You need to leave." The woman left the booth and reached for her arm but then realized she almost touched the dirty creature who was entering and wiped her hand on her skirt. "Guard," she called to the man in the olive uniform, "she isn't allowed in. She doesn't meet the dress code standards." The guard then approached her, blocking her path he tried to persuade her to leave. When that failed he grabbed her arm. "You have to leave," he said firmly.
"I advise you to let go of me. I had one hell of a night and I don't want to hurt you but I am late for a meeting with Mr. Hartman," hissed Dylan from between her clinched teeth.
There was something about the woman's determination that caused him to let go and let her enter. The ticket woman's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air in surprise. "It's okay Lois," the guard said, "I'll keep an eye on her." "Nice ass," he thought watching her as she strolled into the exhibition hall.
Her heart jumped when she saw her friends and Anthony. Just a few hours ago she was sure that they were killed in the explosion. They didn't see her approach the exhibit as they talked amongst themselves. "Hi, what did I miss?" she asked as though they were expecting her.
"We were just telling Mr. Hartman you are dead," said Natalie absently then she realized who she was talking to. "Dylan!" she yelled in excitement. Her voice echoing though the hall caused strangers to turn and look. Natalie grabbed her friend and hugged her as tightly as she could. Alex and Bosley then joined in the group hug but over their shoulders Dylan could see the expression of pure hate flicker across Kate's face but it was quickly gone.
Finally when they let her go, Alex said laughing, "You really need a bath."
"Tell me about it," said Dylan with a smile.
Anthony didn't know what to do. He wasn't one for huge public displays of affection. Dylan walked up to him and said softly, "Hi." He nodded at her and stroked her cheek and ran his hand through her tangled hair. He didn't have to sweep her into a huge embrace that one touch said everything that she needed to know.
"Uh isn't he Ekaterina's boyfriend?" Mr. Hartman turned to Natalie and asked noticing the attraction between the Thin Man and Dylan. Natalie smothered a laugh and felt sorry for the poor befuddled museum curator.
"Hello Kate," Dylan said coolly turning to face the Russian woman.
"Dylan, I'm so glad to see you aren't dead."
"Really?" asked Dylan sarcastically. "You see after you blasted me with a taser when I tried to escape from the Chief's I would think that seeing me dead would make you very happy."
Kate was flustered, "I don't know what you mean." She grabbed Anthony's hand tightly to try to keep him at her side.
"Last night did you keep your promise to me?" continued Dylan. Kate looked confused as did Anthony and the angels. "You know the one where you promised to tell Anthony how valiantly I fought, to tell him how you were sure my last thoughts were of him? Did you comfort him? Because If you did thank you. I'm sure he needed it but as for the living happily ever after that is what Anthony and I are going to do." She stepped closer to Kate until they were face to face. "How does it feel to have sold your soul to get the eggs back, bitch?"
Letting go of Anthony's hand Kate softly said, "No one talks to me that way," and threw a punch at her but Dylan ducked out of the way. "Not so easy without a weapon?" she asked Kate sweetly. Kate went to punch her again but Dylan kicked sending her falling to her rear and sliding across the floor, where she stopped under the painting the little girl had been looking at moments before. The Russian woman didn't stay down for long. Kate stood and said what Dylan determined to be a profanity in Russian but her Russian was a bit rusty. Then she attacked the angel again.
"Girls, Girls!" cried the director. "Please no fighting in the main hall." When it became obvious to him that they weren't listening he turned to the other angels, dabbing at the perspiration on his forehead with his handkerchief and whined, "Can't you make them stop?"
"I think this is something they need to work out on their own," said Natalie with a smile then leading Mr. Hartman to the side explained what she could about the missing eggs and Kate's possible role in getting them back. "Of course," she concluded, "Dylan will have to confirm that."
"Go Dylan, kick her ass," yelled Alex. Soon that got all the visitors in the act too. Bets were flying around about who was going to win. Kate managed to get in a good punch to Dylan's already battered ribs. She grabbed her side and fell to her knees. "Dylan?" asked Bosley concerned he rubbed her shoulders and encouraged her to get back up. "Like a prize fighter you need to keep your mind on the goal the belt, being champion."
"Got it Bos," she said slowly standing.
"Ready Kate?" she asked. Kate didn't respond just attacked again. Dylan had to admit the Russian woman was tougher than she looked but if she could take on five guys while tied to a chair this would be a piece of cake. Of course back then she didn't have three bruised ribs and spend an hour sleeping cramped up a chimney before hand. She was still feeling the effects of being in that tight position waiting for the fire to be extinguished such as the cramps wracking her lower back. "I won't feel it," she told herself and attacked with all the anger she felt for Kate from the moment she saw her with Anthony on the couch. Kicks and punches flew and were ducked and received by both parties. Dylan punched and Kate caught her hand and twisted her arm behind her back. She hissed in the angel's ear, "Anthony says I'm great in bed." Dylan flipped the Russian woman. Kate didn't stay down for long getting up she kicked and Dylan grabbed her ankle throwing her to the ground. As she lay there out of breath Dylan jumped on her and punched her across the face knocking her unconscious. It was at that moment the police Lois the ticket woman called, stepped in to break it up.
Dylan got up and stood there breathless watching as the police checked Kate's pulse to verify that she was only unconscious. She watched as Natalie and Alex gave statements to the police and explaining how the event that had taken place just then had to do with the explosion the night before then walked over to the clay blob statue. Kate's words were running through her head over and over, "Anthony says I'm great in bed."
He saw her standing off by herself and she had never looked lovelier to him despite her dirty hair and clothing. He walked towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder and she shrugged it off. "Leave me alone," she said and walked back over to join her friends. He was slightly taken aback not understanding what had changed between them in the space of time before the fight and that moment.