Chapter 7

The friends took their breakfasts together, and tried to make the best of things. But, they all knew---but were most reluctant to discuss---the situation concerning poor Svetlana and Maria. Therefore, it was a mostly cheery and warm discussion that went on, just something to distract them all from the more somber developments confronting them now. However, as pleasant as all this might have been, the clock soon chimed noon.

"Come," Yuri Sing announced, getting to her feet after the clock had finished its chiming. "It is twelve o'clock, and we all have work to do this day, nes pas?"

"Of course, Madame," Naomi replied, getting to her feet too. "I will bring the Lamborghini to the door."

"Must we go, Madame?" Svetlana asked, nearly pleaded.

"Svetlana," Maria softly chided her…though, she couldn't of agreed more. "C'est Sing's budgets will not do themselves, da?"

Svetlana closed her big eyes a moment, then nodded. "Da, you are right…as is usually the case, my friend," Svetlana agreed. Perhaps, she thought, doing something that required deep thought and concentration would prove just the distraction she needed to rid her stomach of their butterflies.

"That is the spirit, cheris!" Yuri declared cheerfully…though she had to force it slightly. "While you two keep my poor business solvent a while longer…I shall be putting my creativity to work to generate future income, oui?" She smiled, more to encourage her poor girls than anything else.

"Yeah, well," Kitty then announced. "Ling and I have something we've got to finish too…"

"What?" Carmelita yelped, jumping quickly to conclusions.

"Relax, Carmelita," Kitty quickly pointed out. "Ling and I planned on heading out on the street and checking with our sources. I mean…it's not like we can just while away the day when there are two psychopaths on the run out there…and that have a vendetta against two of our friends. You know?"

Maria blinked, then looked quickly over to Svetlana, who looked back. Before Kitty knew what was happening, both her and Ling were being hugged thankfully by the two Russian gals.

"Enough already, you two," Kitty groused, but smiled. "You're welcome." She then turned to Yuri, which startled the lovely snow leopard woman. "Hey, Yuri…I've a favor to ask of you," she commented.

"Hmm? Of course, cheri. What is it?" Yuri asked, a kindly smile on her lovely face.

"You be extra careful out there today, okay?" Kitty told her, leaving her frowning.

"Hmm? Whatever for?" Yuri asked, surprised.

Kitty grinned at first, but then smiled warmly over at Carmelita. "If there's one thing I learned from Carmelita, it's that a good cop is one that can think like a criminal does." Kitty paused then moved over to just before Yuri. "You see, Ldumilla and Arkady have only just escaped custody, right? So, unless we receive reports of a clothier being burglarized, we'll have to expect that all they have on their backs is the orange prison jumpsuit, and maybe one of the cloaks that were stolen during the breakout."

Yuri thought a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense. Do go on, cheri," she coaxed.

"See, that's exactly how the others got themselves caught. As they were trying to make off with those cloaks, they inadvertently sat off an silent alarm. Ludmilla and Arkady both know this…so they'll not try to steal any more clothes just yet. They know that would only give away their location," Kitty explained, her blue eyes never leaving Yuri's green-gold ones.

Kitty blinked, then turned away, thinking. "Now, just in case none of you've noticed yet…winter isn't all that far off. I know because it was darn cold out there last night. So, we know that those two are going to have to get some warm clothes real soon, or they're going to freeze to death, right?"

"You make a very valid point, Kitty," Naomi chimed in, having only returned inside a moment ago.

Kitty grinned. "Thanks. Now, here's where I'm trying to go with this, okay? Now, we know one of these criminals, Ludmilla, is female. And that probably means she most likely knows all about Yuri Sing and the business you do on both sides of the law, right? So, ask yourself this…where would you go if you were these two?"

Yuri nodded, impressed. "Ah, very good, cheri. I do see what you alluding to. I will be careful, I promise you," she vowed. She then turned toward both Maria and Svetlana. "Cheris? I do hate to ask you this, but please do try not to show your lovely faces in public today, no? It is hard, true…but it is for the best." Yuri tried not to show it, but she was dreadfully afraid for those two dears.

"Da, of course, Madame," Maria promised, nodding pointedly to Svetlana, who nodded too. "Remember that we two used to be criminals ourselves…and as such, we do know how to keep a low profile." Svetlana nodded again, giving her agreement.

"Come, cheris…it is time," Naomi reminded them all rather solemnly. There were some nearly tearful goodbyes just then, as they all bade Carmelita and Sly, as well as Kitty and Ling, farewell.

It was a quiet ride back to C'est Sing in the Murcielago Roadster, with only poor Naomi trying again and again to generate some cheerful conversation, but with very little success. That only changed once the Roadster rolled slowly to the curbside of C'est Sing.

"Madame?" Naomi piped up, noticing something had changed. "Look! It appears someone finally has bought the Soulliere's Travel Agency across the street, no?"

Stepping out, Yuri looked up and over to where her Naomi pointed, showing interest in the old building. "Why, they have indeed, Naomi!" Yuri agreed, noting workmen outside the stately but modest size building. "That is a relief, no? I thought they would never lease that quaint old place again."

Maria and Svetlana stepped daintily out of the sleek Italian sports car, careful to have their full hoods up over their lovely heads. "Is there something special about that building, Naomi?" Maria asked.

"Oui!" Naomi affirmed a moment later, even as they began to walk toward C'est Sing's front door. "You see, cheris, that building has been vacant for years now. Madame has been afraid that vagrants might take up residence there, or heaven forbid, some one might torch the place for insurance money. So, it is with glad hearts that we finally see it being used again."

Svetlana moved close to Naomi, listening intently. "Tell us its history, oui, Naomi?" she asked, glad for the diversion.

Naomi understood, and linked arms with the small yet lovely tigress. "Certainly I shall. Now…let me see. Ah, yes. You see, some ten years back, a woman of the name Yvette Soulliere---a plucky little lemur woman with the loveliest striking red hair---and perhaps too much ambition, built that place, opening her own travel agency. It was called Soulliere's Travel, and was an immediate success. Which was good for Madame, of course." Naomi stopped as the four women moved inside and shut the front door behind them. Once away from the windows, Naomi tried to continue the tale, but Yuri took over then.

She looked over to the building, where they all could see workmen busy hanging a sign upon the building facade. "Yvette had grand plans---oh, I can only tell you this because we shared coffee each morning, my dears---of offering cruises, and trips all about Europe. However, she realized that she'd have to start smaller, and work her way up to her dreams, oui? Oui! So, she began by offering tours in and about the sites of Paris, as well as school trips to points of interest, as well the occasional trip or two out of town."

"It sounds lovely," Svetlana said, liking the idea of taking a lovely trip to see the sights and sounds of Paris, and Europe.

"Ah, it was indeed, cheri," Yuri agreed, then frowned. "Unfortunately, my friend Yvette began making some…shall we say…unwise decisions. She upped her prices in an effort to attract the rich, but then did not offer trips the affluent would like. Then, the economy…it turned sour. And, on top of all that, poor Yvette had no employees…so she had to do all the work herself, poor dear."

"Poor Madame Soulliere," opined Maria, shaking her head at this tale of woe.

"Indeed!" Yuri said in sympathy. "All that was just too much for her, and despite her best attempts, she was forced to close and declare bankruptcy."

"When was that, Madame?" Svetlana wanted to know, her interest hooked now.

"Hmm?" Yuri replied, having to struggle back from her remembrances. "Why, I think that would be back six years ago. Hmm, oui…that would be accurate, I think."

Naomi was gazing out the window across the street then. Yuri moved up behind her, saying, "However, my dears, now it seems that someone has bought or leased the Soulliere building again," she ventured. She then put her hands fondly on Naomi's shoulders. "Now, can you read the sign, my Naomi?"

Naomi, whose cheetah eyes were very good, squinted and read the sign aloud for them all. "It says, Madame…'Mallory and Turner Security Services, Limited. Why risk burglary, when what you need is Security!"

Svetlana and Maria giggled at the proprietors' ingenious and clever sign. "I like that…it is to the point, yet still amusing, da?" Svetlana offered to them all, looking to them for their opinion.

"Oui, it is," Yuri replied, liking it as well. "Perhaps, my Naomi and I shall go over and say hello later today," Yuri suggested.

"Aw!" both Maria and Svetlana grumbled, but very softly…knowing it was for their own safety that they had to be excluded.

"Patience, cheris," Yuri counseled, understanding their disappointment. "Naomi and I will recount our observations upon our return, never fear."

Svetlana nodded, "Thank you, Madame," she said courteously…knowing something was infinitely better than nothing.

"Ah, but before we can even think about doing that, we all have much work to do!" Yuri observed, turning to gaze pointedly at both Maria and Svetlana. They nodded, though reluctantly.

Maria and Svetlana made their way to their high-walled cubicles, and began work on the next month's budget.

Yuri moved into her office to continue thinking over new designs for this year's upcoming Winter line. She had always loved the winter, for some reason. Now, perhaps it was due to the fact that she was a snow leopard…and that she had an almost childlike delight in snow. But, from a business perspective at least, the end of the Fall meant snow. And, snow meant December. Logically then, December meant Christmas, and Christmas meant presents. And, that was very good for C'est Sing! For presents meant men and woman spending their hard-earned money on their wives, daughters and girlfriends.

Yuri had begun working, idly sketching out new designs for what seemed like only a few moments, when the door to her office opened again. A very troubled Naomi padded soundlessly inside, making certain to shut the door before she approached her friend.

Yuri noticed the concern in Naomi's big, amber eyes, as well as the ghostly expression on her face. "Mon Dieu! What is it, Naomi cheri?" Yuri asked in concern, dreading that which she almost already knew was the answer.

"Oh, Madame! It is that Ludmilla Tetrakova woman and Arkady Rezneykov wretch! They came in when I was not looking…and now want your help," she explained, her cheeks flushing in her embarrassment.

"Peace, Naomi. You could do nothing, cheri," Yuri told her, nodding. "Hmm, perhaps this unpleasantness will end much sooner than we think, no?"

"Madame, you cannot!" Naomi protested, her face paling. "At least not until I fetch my baby to protect you!"

"Naomi, non!" Yuri replied emphatically. "They are desperate people, and I do not want to risk you being harmed, if I can at all help it." Yuri thought a moment, then began to issue her instructions. "Naomi, you are to bring those two here…to my office. Now, while I entertain them both, and their inevitable needs, you are to leave and call Kitty immediately!"

"Oui, Madame!" Naomi responded, nodding her head, her platinum blond hair tossing slightly. She also made a mental note to secure her trusty Uzi…with or without Madame's blessing. She would feel much better knowing someone defended Madame Sing…and who better than herself?

"Merci," Yuri told her, nodding her thanks. "Now, on your way, please instruct our Desiree to inform our Svetlana and Maria of these developments, and to have them both stay put in their cubicles and out of sight."

Naomi didn't obey, instead she moved to Yuri's intercom, and pushed the red button on it. A moment later, Yuri's phone rang, and Naomi quickly picked it up. "Oui, Desiree. Merci. Very discretely now, cheri…notify Svetlana and Maria---via email in fact---that their 'friends' have arrived, and that they are to stay put and out of sight. Do you understand? Oui, do that. Adieu!"

Yuri grinned, knowing that Naomi had a mind of her own, and was not afraid to do what she felt was best. "Nicely done, cheri. Very well, then…should this Ludmilla and Arkady attempt to get away from here before Kitty can manage to get here, we at least know that our friends are safe and undetected."

"Oui, Yuri. I will call you with news," Naomi replied, then promptly disappeared from the office for several minutes time.

Naomi then returned, opening the door to Yuri's office, ushering a cloak shrouded Ludmilla and Arkady inside. Naomi gave Yuri a wink and a nod when the two were gaping around…indicating that she had placed a call to Kitty and Ling. The two ex-mobsters continued to look about in awe at the grandeur and beauty of C'est Sing and Yuri's office. Yuri stood up to greet them then, and gave them the benefit of her best business smile. "Ah, bonjour Madame and Moniseur! Just how may C'est Sing be of assistance to you?" she said sweetly, the consummate professional.