Rent Continued: Part 2

The long, dark, Cadillac sedan pulled up in front of the huge skyscraper. The two men hopped out, tipped the driver, and went inside.

The marble lobby was dripping with businesslike indifference. The footsteps of the men's paten leather shoes echoed. Everything about the place would send chills through any Bohemian's soul.

When the two men reached the twenty-first floor, they got off and walked into the big, windowed conference room. They took their place at the table with the others.

"How did it go?" asked a silver-haired man with an Italian accent.

"Very well," said Michael. "She's dead. Finally my brother will get vengeance."

The mob boss folded his hands and smiled. "Oh, really? Because I just received a call from St. Lucas Peace Hospital. They said that they had just admitted a woman named Joanne Jefferson. Multiple gunshot wounds, apparently.

Michael froze. "Sir, that can't be right. I—I killed her…"

The man pulled out a large, black handgun. "I give you one chance, and you fuck me. Well, you've had your last chance my friend." He pointed the gun at Michael and fired into his forehead. He dropped dead.

The boss stood up. "Send someone to that hospital to finish her off."

Once again, the gang stood outside the window of the emergency room, peering in as doctors removed the three bullets from Joanne's naval.

"Oh, Jesus, Jo…" whispered Maureen.

"She'll be okay," said Mark, rubbing her shoulder.

Just then, a short, attractive, redheaded woman ran up. "How is she? Is she okay?" She looked very concerned.

Maureen couldn't stop herself. "Who the hell are you?"

The woman stood a little taller. "I'm Monica. I found her in the alley. She got shot by some gangster. But the ambulance driver said that there was probably no internal damage, but they would have to do surgery."

Maureen looked a little jealous that she wasn't the one to save Joanne. "Yeah, well…thanks…I guess."

"No problem. I'm going to the cafeteria. Anyone want anything?"

"I'll take a coffee," said Maureen.

"You got it." She walked off with a swish of her flowing red skirt.

Pablo sat at the table of the hospital cafeteria, sipping his carton of skim milk. When he saw 'Monica' approach, he stood and pulled out a chair for her.

"So tell me, Danielle? What did you find out about our friend?"

"Well," she said, slightly smiling, "she's still in surgery. And apparently, she has a lot of friends."

"Will you have any trouble getting her alone?"

"The only one that will be a problem is that bitch lover of hers. I thought you were getting rid of her?"

"We lost her. Is there anyway you can get past her?"

"No problem. I'm putting a sleeper in her coffee." She took out the pill bottle and shook it, rattling the capsules.

"Perfect. You're a lifesaver Danni." He reached across the table and held her hand.

"Hey, I want her dead just as much as you do."

Tony woke up about ten minutes after Joanne came out of surgery. Since they couldn't go in to see her just yet, they went back to Tony's room.

Collins ran into the room and kissed him. "Are you okay? How do feel?"

"I'm fine, babe. They told me it wasn't even really a stroke, just a small attack." Collins looked at him suspiciously. Tony sighed. "He also said it wasn't AIDS-related."

"Okay, okay." He kissed him again. "I just worry because of--"

"I know. But I'll be fine. I'm going home in the morning."

'Monica' walked in, coffee in hand. "Here you are, Maureen."

"Thanks." She took the coffee, but stopped when it came to her lips. "How did you know my name? I never told you my name."

'Monica' panicked. "Oh, well… the hospital pulled up Joanne's medical information, and you were listed as her emergency contact." Damn, that was good, she thought.

"Oh," said Maureen. "I see."

"Yeah, well the doctor said we can go in and see her now. I'll stay a little while, if you want. At least until you fall asleep."

"Oh, that's so nice," said Maureen, taking a gulp of her coffee. "Come on, guys. Let's go see Joanne."