TWENTY-ONE

.

Mike Axford stood up behind his desk, his hands out in silent approval as Sean waved a flash drive at him. "This is it? The originals of everything I cleared for the front page and the articles? I haven't seen the whole thing for myself yet."

"It's good stuff," Sean grinned. "No sound, but we have some exclusive, brilliant footage of everything. Our junior fact-checking journalist is right there - she moves out of shot when the car comes through the wall but we have clear and positive IDs on Sapphire, her right-hand man Charlie, and about three of the armed accomplices."

"And the Green Hornet? Do we have his face?"

Sean sighed. "Not really. He was wearing a mask over his eyes, and this time a small gas mask too. I think their car was firing gas at the room. The best we got is when the masked accomplice took his gas mask off to fight Charlie."

"He what?"

"Oh it is compelling viewing - the viewers are going to go nuts. We have a regular Bruce Lee on our hands, boss."

Mike put his hand out for the drive. "Well now we've got a real story out of this, it wouldn't hurt to please the masses and grab some ratings from the other papers."

"Just what I said," Sean said proudly. He handed him the drive. "Oh - Amy's not in today. She's kind of exhausted from last night - or maybe a bit too jittery to sit still for a while."

Mike nodded. "She's got the beginnings of a good journalist, that one."

"I'll tell her you said that, sir."

"Well get back to your desk, Sean. Great work - you and Amy. Tell her you've both done really well." He sat down.

"Oh I will. Thanks, Mr Axford." He nodded and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Mike looked at the drive in his fingers. He set it down on the desk, leant back in his large chair, and allowed himself a wide smile.

Then he sighed and reached for the desk phone. He picked it up and pressed a button, listening to the line ring. "Hi - June? Yeah, it's Mike. Ok, let's do this - bring in Linda and your HR team. Inform the police so they can pick her up when we're done." He paused, listening. "No - we'll go down to the conference room on the bottom floor. I don't want her paraded through the building, no matter what she's done. Ok. Thanks." He put the phone down, stood up slowly, and pulled his shirt straight. "Here we go."

.


.

Lenore unfurled the newspaper, snapping it flat and grinning. "This is great."

"Yeah but look at the pictures!" Britt gushed, handing her a coffee. "I mean I look totally cool! I'm punching that guy in that one, and elbowing some dude in the next - I look like an action hero!"

She chuckled, accepting the mug and setting it on the table. The morning sun cast welcome warmth on the outside tables and chairs, the sounds of happy birds providing a relaxed soundtrack to breakfast. "It's really good. And of course Kato looks fantastic. Look at this one!" She turned the paper round and Britt peered at it.

"Yeah, he's ok," he shrugged. Then he grinned. "Man it was like epic. And the best bit was, the gas worked - a couple of the guys were down before we even swung into action. And he got that Charlie guy good, man. He was a total dick - and Kato was just better."

"Where is he, anyway? Have you checked on him?"

"Well we got back here last night - you guys were already gone."

"We had a great party in your place, thank you," she grinned. "Everyone really appreciated it and they think I'm now the person who can get them an awesome party place when the owner wants someone to baby-sit."

"I'm glad you had a good time," he said.

"So anyway - last night?"

"Yeah - we had Amy with us, gassed. We went through her phone and got rid of everything she shot. We didn't even know they had like secret cameras filming us but I guess we should have checked." He shook his head. "I should have checked. I failed."

"Hey - it's fine," she said. "After all, now it looks like the Green Hornet is taking out his competition so you're top of the wanted list again. And these are epic shots. Any other gang is going to know what they're up against now."

He grinned. "Yeah - yeah, you're right."

"So did you get her home?"

"We kept her gassed the whole time - we sneaked back to her place and left her on her couch. Not a mark on her, I swear. I mean a coupla dudes cornered her but Kato took them out, so…" He shrugged. "I think we're good."

"And she still has no idea who you two really are?"

"Oh get this," Britt grinned, leaning toward her across the table, "she said the masked man was cute - but not as cute as her boyfriend."

Lenore giggled, waving him back. "So… what's the next challenge for the Green Hornet and his amazing unnamed partner?"

"A goddamn drink and a week off," he said firmly. His phone buzzed on the table repeatedly. "I mean we deserve it, right?" he asked as he picked it up. "I'm serious." He tapped a thumb at the phone. "Hey partner - what's up, man? You feeling awesome? Cos you should - you were totally awesome and everyone on the west coast thinks you're fantastic." He pulled the phone away from his ear suddenly, frowning. Lenore's smile faded. "Dude!" Britt called irritably. "Wait - Lenore's here; I'm putting you on speaker." He set the phone down, tapping the requisite button.

"—And now everyone will know who we are!" Kato snapped.

"Hey Kato," Lenore said. "Calm down - is this about the newspapers this morning? Because no-one can see your faces," she said.

"Oh. Hi Lenore."

"Hi," she grinned. "I'm reading the Sentinel now - honestly, Britt's face is all mask and then gas mask. And you were moving too fast for the camera - if these are the best shots they've got of you taking out Charlie then you're ok. They can't seem to get your face in focus - just some terrific shots of you beating Charlie to a pulp."

"Oh. Well…"

"Yeah so just chill, dude," Britt said gruffly.

"Sorry," Kato managed. "Amy has already called me - she's ok. We got all her phone stuff but I didn't know about the extra cameras they had."

"Yeah neither did we until we saw this morning's paper," Lenore said. "It's cool, Kato, don't worry."

"Oh. Ok. …Sorry."

"You want breakfast?" Britt asked. "We're outside man - come over."

"There's something I need to do today. But…" He paused. "I know a good bar for tonight. We should go."

"Yes!" Britt hissed in victory. "Lenore - you up for a secret underground bar experience?"

"Uh - yeah," she blinked in surprise. "And Peony?"

"The more the merrier," Britt said. "Can we do that, Kato? Is there room?"

"I make room - I'm a member," he said proudly.

Britt chuckled. "Cool. And Amy's coming, right?"

"Yes. I will tell you where to meet later, ok?"

"Ok," Britt grinned. His phone buzzed again. "Oh - got another call. Have fun, dude. Text us the plan."

"I will." He cut the call.

Britt peered at the phone screen, choosing carefully to get the new call through and put it back on speaker. "This is Britt Reid."

"Good morning. This is the office of District Attorney Jennifer Park - are you available to take her call?" said a voice.

Lenore slapped a hand over her mouth. She nodded furiously. Britt cleared his throat. "Yes I am."

"Thank you - please hold."

He looked at Lenore, pulling a face of clueless surprise. She pointed at the phone.

"Good morning Mr Reid," said a familiar voice.

"Ah ah ah - Britt," he said suavely. "How you doing, DA? We all thought you were dead," he said, winking theatrically at Lenore.

"Well I'm happy to report that your paper got that wrong."

"Me too, dude," Britt nodded. "And honestly, I feel really bad about is getting it so wrong. I mean, we're a paper, right?"

"No harm done, I don't think," Jennifer said. "If anything it seems to have made people appreciate that I'm at least in office."

"Good. So… what can I do for you?"

"I've seen the newspapers this morning - I wanted to congratulate your Sentinel for a fine job of reporting facts without sensationalising crime - and for turning over critical evidence to the police regarding this Sapphire and her corruption ring."

"Well it's kind of what we do," he grinned. Lenore waved a hand, making him look at her. She pressed her palms together quickly. "But thanks, of course. I mean we're just helping the public good where we can."

"Hmm," she replied. "I wonder if you would consider doing more?"

"Like what?" he asked cautiously.

"Would you have any footage that identifies this Green Hornet?"

"Well… I'd have to check with the editors," he said, looking at Lenore. She put her two palms together as if shaking hands. "But anything we can do to help you unmask this guy? We're definitely on your side," he added. Lenore nodded.

"I would appreciate that, Mr Reid," Jennifer replied.

"Ah ah ah - Britt," he grinned. "Hey - you ok after your whole not-dead-just-kidnapped ordeal? I mean that must have been rough, right? I can't imagine how crappy that must have been."

"I'm back at work."

"That's not a 'yes'," he pointed out. He snapped his fingers. "You know, you need to unwind more. Me and my friends are going to a bar tonight to let off steam - you should totally come with us!"

Lenore leant back in her chair, her hand over her mouth as she grinned.

"Me?" Jennifer asked.

"Yeah, man!" Britt grinned. "It's just for fun. No work, no pressure, no deadlines or stress or anything like that - what do you say? Honestly, it'll totally add five years to your life."

They heard a quiet chuckling. "Ok. I'll consider it. I'll see if I can switch some things around."

"That sounds like a yes," Britt grinned. "I'll pick you up around eight."

"That sounds fine, Mr Reid."

"Ah ah ah—"

"Ok - then that sounds fine, Britt."

He punched the air in silent triumph. "Then I'll see you later, DA Park."

"Ah ah ah," she grinned. "Jennifer."

The call ended. Britt gave a woo-hoo and held his palm up. Lenore high-fived him and giggled.

.


.

The doorbell rang and Amy raced through the house, stopping only to look through the spyhole. She grinned and unlocked it, removed the safety chain, and pulled the door wide open. "Hi."

Kato waved awkwardly, his helmet still on and what looked like a shoebox in his left hand. "Hi."

"Well come in then," she teased, standing back.

He carried the box in, hearing her close the door behind him. "So I brought—"

She turned him to face her and threw her arms round him, squeezing. He blinked, surprised, then just put his free hand to her back. "It's so good to see you," she breathed.

"Uh… ok."

She eased him back, her fingers squeezing his jacket. "Sorry. I'm a bit of a whirlwind this morning. I just… I've been thinking about all the things that could have gone wrong last night, how I could have lost… things. People."

"What people?"

She smiled, undoing his helmet strap and lifting it off his head. "People I care about."

"Like your brother?"

"Like my brother. And maybe other people, too." She put a hand up, flicking his hair straight. He winced and hissed, tilting his head away from her hand. Then he froze, his face a picture of alarm. "Sorry - what is it?" she asked, surprised.

"Uh - nothing," he said, forcing nonchalance where there was underlying panic.

She ruffled his hair back from his temple, finding the white strips still there. "What's this now? How did you hurt yourself this time?" she sighed.

"Something hit me. While I was working."

"You need to be more careful," she said, letting his hair go. "How are your stitches now?"

"I broke one or two. Last night. Got them fixed up though."

"What were you doing?" she gasped, surprised.

"…Working?" he hazarded.

"Honestly - men," she chided, taking his helmet and hanging it on the back of the door. She gestured to his jacket and he pulled it off, revealing a simple t-shirt. She hung the jacket on the door too. "You need to look after yourself, or what's the point of going to the gym?"

He smiled. "Ok."

"Don't you 'ok' me, mister," she said sternly. She walked off toward the kitchen. "You want coffee?"

He grinned, following her, carrying his box. "Yes please."

"You're lucky - I went out and bought a machine this morning," she smiled. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"Well at least you can do that right." She opened up a cupboard, looking in for mugs.

"So this thing… last night," he said gingerly.

She paused and turned, watching him. "Yeah?"

"You were there? You saw everything?"

"I did," she grinned. "I'm kind of over it, but… still not, if you know what I mean."

"Yes," he allowed. He put the box on the counter, then both hands in the back pockets of his black jeans. "Uh… Do you do it a lot?"

"What?"

"The journalist thing in dangerous places?"

She studied his face, noticing all humour had drained away. Coming round the counter, she stopped in front of him, her arms folded. "Sometimes."

"Can you… not?" he dared, a nervous pinch to his face.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Uh - well. It's dangerous. So… something could happen to you," he said, looking past her casually.

She fought a smile. "Are you worried about me?"

He looked at his feet. "Yes."

"Thank you," she said quietly. He didn't look up. "But I'm more worried about you. Every time I see you, you have a new wound of some kind. Honestly - you should get danger money for working for Britt Reid. I mean out of the two of us, who's needed stitches and patching up?"

"Well… I guess the police did keep you safe."

"It wasn't the police," she said with a private smile.

"What does that mean?"

"I think that black mask guy might have a thing for me."

He frowned. "Oh really," he said, his voice flat.

She giggled and put a hand to his chest, watching it slide a few inches side to side. "Relax. He's a wanted criminal and totally not my type."

"Not at all?"

She looked up at him. "Nope."

"Then why did you smile when you said he liked you?"

She giggled. "Listen - I'll do you a deal. I'll be more careful if you will."

His eyes flicked up and down her face for a long moment. "Ok."

"Ok then." She patted at his chest, then went back round to the cupboard. "What's in the box?"

"I got you something. We can try it."

"Kinky." She forgot the cupboard and came back over, putting her hands out for the box.

He whisked it up quickly, backing away. "You get the coffee and I will set up the table."

"The table?"

"Coffee," he said, turning and disappearing.

She grinned and resisted the temptation to follow him. Instead she switched on her Nespresso machine, making sure it had water before feeding it the first disc.

Finally done with two full mugs of coffee, she carried them out to find he was not in the front room. She heard a sound and went through to the small dining room, finding he had cleared the table, carefully stacking her books and magazines at one end. He had moved the chairs so that two were next to each other down one side.

"Where do you want these?" she asked, lifting the mugs for show.

He turned to see her, then looked around, pointing at the chairs. "Uh… we will sit here, so…"

She nodded and put down one mug to grab two coasters from the far end of the table. She put them down within reach of the chairs, setting the coffee down carefully. She sat on the left chair, waiting for him to pick up the box and sit on the other one. She leant over to watch as he opened the lid.

He raised it slowly, then flicked it up and away. "Da na!"

She looked in. Rows and rows of white blocks on a green background were piled inside. She picked one up, looking it over. "Mahjong tiles."

"Yes," he said proudly. "These are for you - I can teach you how to play so you will win your online game."

"You are so thoughtful," she marvelled, putting the tile down.

"Now I am thoughtful. But in five minutes I will be your teacher and you will hate me."

She giggled. "I don't think that's possible."

"Ask Lenore."

"Do you teach her Mahjong as well?"

He lifted his hands to wiggle all of his fingers at her. "Piano."

She laughed. "There is no limit to your talents, is there?"

"Uh… I cannot swim. And my bowling and English is bad."

She shook her head. "I didn't mean…" She looked at his hands as he emptied the box.

"It's ok," he shrugged. Then he sat more upright, his left hand going out as if displaying something in his palm. His right went to his chest, ready to recite a speech. He lifted his chin. "If I am good at everything, everyone will hate me," he blustered.

She giggled, slapping his hand down. "Set up the game, Teacher."

He grinned and tipped all the tiles out on the table. But she got up suddenly, waving him back from the table. He slid his chair back a tiny way and she poked at his knee. Clueless, he just moved it wider, watching as she sat down on his chair right in front of him. He shuffled back on the seat to give her more room, and she got comfortable.

"That's better," she said, feeling him lean into her back to reach for the tiles, his arms having to come round her sides. His chin came over her shoulder to see better and she grinned. "I think I'm going to like this game."

.


.

Britt stepped out of the cab, turning and offering an elbow back inside. "M'lady," he grinned.

Jennifer Park wrapped her fingers round his elbow, using it as leverage to help get out of the car. She straightened up and smiled at him, closing the door behind her. "You know," she said as they put a safe distance between them and the kerb, "I'm beginning to understand what you mean about needing down-time."

"Give it a week and you'll actually relax when you're not DA'ing people all day," he teased.

They heard a car behind them and turned to see another cab pull up. Amy climbed out of the back first, then Kato.

"Right on time," Britt announced.

Amy turned and grinned, waving and bouncing over. "Hi!"

"Ah - we've met, haven't we?" Jennifer smiled. "Amy, wasn't it?"

"Yes, DA Park," she said, as Kato caught her up and nodded to the DA.

"And Mr Kato. And as I'm off the clock and learning to leave the office behind me, it's Jennifer," she smiled.

"Well then, Jennifer - this sounds like it's going to be a good evening," Amy said.

"And… here's the rest of our party," Britt said, watching another cab pull up at the kerb. The door opened and Lenore and Peony emerged, straightening their dresses and grinning madly at each other before they realised they had an audience. They came over and Lenore put a hand out.

"DA Park - hello again - hi Amy," she grinned. "This is my niece, Peony. She's a med student," she said.

"A good one. —Um - from what I hear," Britt nodded. "This city needs more med students like her."

"Thanks," Peony said with a smile. "Maybe DA Park can help us change some funding rules, and then it might actually happen."

Lenore elbowed her but Jennifer grinned. "Well it's not my department, but I do have to have lunch with several hospital administrators next week, so who knows what we might discuss off the record," she said.

"So dude," Britt said, looking at Kato. "Where's this secret place?"

"If you could find it, it would not be a secret," Kato winked. He went to turn and Amy reached over and took his hand, waving to Lenore and Peony as they began talking to Jennifer.

Kato led Amy in front, and Lenore and Peony fell into step behind them, Jennifer keeping a hold on Britt's arm as they made their way down the street.

After just a minute Kato was slowing down, turning Amy to look at a very nondescript building set some ten feet back from the pavement where iron railings stopped the casual passer-by from reaching the wooden door. A tall, angular woman of Chinese descent was watching them, her long dark purple coat giving nothing away.

"Hey, Louise," Kato said, opening the gate and guiding Amy in first. The others queued up behind him as he paused Amy in front of the woman.

"K Ger," she smiled, putting a fist out. "好久不見."

"我很忙." He bumped her fist. She opened it and they slapped palms, before reversing the manoeuvre to slap the backs of their fingers together. They snapped their fingers at the same time and she chuckled.

"Six, is it?" She picked up a mic from her coat collar, speaking into it.

"Six," he nodded.

"Whoa - even a secret handshake," Britt breathed. Jennifer chuckled as Lenore and Peony rolled their eyes. He caught their reaction from the corner of his eye. "Hey - I can be enthusiastic, ok?" he said defensively.

"He can - he really can," Kato said ruefully.

Louise stepped back and swung the wooden door inwards. "You can go in. Specials are on the board."

"謝謝." He put a hand to Amy's back, urging her in front of him. She stepped through the door and the rest of them followed. Inside was a dull, metal corridor affair with a door at the end. Kato went up to the door and knocked. They heard bolts and movement, and then it swung back.

"Hey - K Ger," a short woman said, looking him up and down. "And who is this? Girlfriend?" she teased.

Kato glanced at Amy. "Yes."

"Really?" the woman chuckled. "Well now I've seen everything," she added, ignoring the way his face went bright red. "Come on in, kid - bring your friends. First round on the house - I'll tell the bar, ok?" She pressed a mic at her t-shirt collar, speaking into it at speed and definitely not English.

Amy lent closer to whisper at him. "How does everyone know you?"

"I come here a lot, when I can," he shrugged.

"And he fixed the brakes on my Vespa," the woman nodded.

Amy blinked. "It's like you have this secret double life at night."

Kato cleared his throat.

The woman on the door moved to one side, her hand out. "Come on, in you go. Mind your step, miss."

Amy smiled and let herself be led through the doorway, then found it turned left. Everyone filed after her, nodding to the woman, who waited and then closed the door behind them all.

The party made it about ten feet before they had to stop and stare around.

The place appeared to be huge - a rectangle with a low ceiling and every single wall completely covered in what looked like album covers or film posters - all in Chinese. A few glass frames stood out, showcasing 1950s and 60s beer brands from China or Thailand. The only source of light was the collection of neons, spelling out either famous brand names of American beers or Chinese street names. The air was warm but clear, smelling faintly of clean, fresh watermelon in a way that made Amy's shoulders relax.

A horseshoe bar was in the middle with two traps to let employees in and out. Bottles were clamped upside down around the inside edge, full of varying colours of spirits, not a single one sporting a label. Other parts of the bar had miniature triangles made up of beer cans, the labels all in Chinese with intriguing pictures on.

Music was playing over the steady hum of voices talking, bottles clinking, stools scraping and people laughing. Amy tilted her head to listen, still staring round and falling in love with the slightly pink glow of the room, caused by the neons.

"What's that music?" she asked, close to Kato's ear.

He listened for a moment, his head falling into the beat. "Dwagie," he said. "Taiwan rap."

"It's awesome," she breathed, patting his arm. "Do we sit?"

He turned and looked behind him. "I take you to my favourite table," he grinned, waving them all to follow.

Lenore managed to close her mouth, nudging Peony to do the same, and they grinned before following him through the busy bar to a long table at the back, one of its ends against the wall. It appeared empty, and Kato went around the back to squeeze behind the surface, seating himself on the long comfy cushion against another wall. Amy pushed herself in next to him, Peony taking up the last place. Lenore took the top end of the table imperiously, and Britt waited for Jennifer to sit herself down before he got in after her.

"Dude this place is awesome," Britt grinned across the table. "I can't believe I've never been here!"

"It's beautiful," Peony said, looking up at the ceiling and seeing it was entirely wallpapered with advertisements from the 1950s onwards in Chinese. "I mean… It's just amazing."

"This is my favourite of the secret bars," Kato said.

"You mean there are more?" Britt gasped. "Well then we have to visit every one."

"Not all in one night," Lenore said quickly. "Some of us have to work tomorrow."

"Yes we do," Jennifer grinned. "So… what are your drink recommendations?"

Kato thought for a moment. "You like beer or spirits?"

"Yes," Jennifer said, deadpan.

"Aaah - see?" Britt grinned, waving a finger at her. "I knew you'd loosen up sooner or later."

"Well being around you certainly makes it easier to eschew all professional etiquette."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he chuckled.

"So - Lenore? Peony? Amy?" Kato asked. "Preferences?"

"Liquor," Peony nodded. "The stronger the better. I've done two sixteen-hour shifts in two days and I need liquid soothers."

Lenore nodded. "Well then I'll have the same."

"Amy?" he asked.

"Uh… I'll try anything," she shrugged. "The same."

"Britt?"

He grinned. "Whatever you think is best, dude."

Kato raised a hand to snap his fingers in the air, then cupped it round his mouth and shouted something in Chinese. A voice floated back over the music and he called back. He sat back, his hands out to indicate the room. "You like?"

"Me likey," Britt chuckled. "Come on, be honest - anyone not loving this place right now?"

Jennifer grinned, patting his arm. "Just wait until we've tried the drinks, ok?"

He nodded. "Now - I have one work question for you - which you can refuse to answer if you like - and then we don't talk any more shop."

"What's that?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well… we all know you arrested tonnes of people in the wee hours of this morning," he said slowly. "And you know that we know that some of that evidence came from the Daily Sentinel, so… Come on, give. Who was the police informant that Sapphire had, tipping her off when things were going to go south?"

Jennifer hissed, shaking her head. "You know I can't tell you that."

"But have they been arrested too?" Lenore asked.

Jennifer nodded very deliberately. "You know I can't tell you that, either."

Lenore giggled, waving a hand at her. "Then I'm sure we'll all just imagine the answer to that one."

"So I have one question for you newspaper people - sorry Peony," Jennifer said. "Apparently there was a mole at the paper, passing information to Sapphire, too. Have you found who it is?"

Britt sighed, his face turning sad. "That is a very serious allegation, DA Park, and we at the Sentinel are not even going to respond to the accusation that someone in our organisation may have had the opportunity to possibly have had access to stuff, and that they might have thought about giving that information - illegally - to a criminal element of the city."

Jennifer just raised her eyebrows at him.

Britt grinned. "Mainly because Mike Axford found her and canned her this morning - after he called the police on her."

She laughed and Peony put her hands up for quiet. "Wait - you guys have like incredible lives. I just sew idiots up for a living."

"The idiots you sew up are very glad that you do," Kato said, eyeing her. "—I mean, they must be. You are a very important person to them."

She smiled shyly, and Lenore covered her grin. "If you say so," Peony managed.

"We all do," Jennifer said. "You provide essential services and we're indebted to you for your hard work."

"Just like you're indebted to your college loan," Britt chuckled. "Oh hey - screw it. I'll get that paid off for you in the morning."

"What?" Peony gasped. "Really?"

"Yeah. I've just this second opened the James Reid Scholarship Fund for Awesome Med Students," he announced. "Dad would be proud, right?" he asked Kato.

He nodded with a smile. "Yes - I think he would."

"You… really?" Peony asked, her eyes goggling at Britt.

"Lenore - make me do it first thing tomorrow when I get in the office. Put it on the list," Britt said.

"Done," Lenore smiled.

Peony gaped at him. "Just… like that?"

"Hey everyone!" came a voice from behind Britt and Jennifer.

They turned to see a woman with a large round metal tray, already lifting a beer can that was frosted up on the outside. The top had been sliced clean off, the edges folded in safely. Inside was a third of a can of crushed ice, a green-cum-turquoise drink, and a slice of lemon on the edge. A paper straw was stuck right down the middle of the ice. "Here we go - Green Hornets for everyone."

"Green Hornet? Whaaaat?" Britt grinned in excitement.

"It's our best seller this week. Just don't ask what's in it," she winked, placing one in front of everyone. "All good here? You want snacks?"

"Not yet," Jennifer said, looking around. "Shall we order later?" She got nods all round and turned to look up at the woman. "Thanks."

"Well there's no rush - kitchen is open till three a.m. Enjoy," she smiled. She turned, carrying the tray back to the bar.

Britt picked up his can, grinning like a small boy. "Green Hornets. Man this is cool."

Everyone picked up their drinks. "What do we drink to?" Lenore asked.

"A night off," Peony chuckled. Jennifer nodded, raising her glass.

"Sapphire getting arrested," Lenore said firmly.

Kato snapped his fingers, then looked at Britt. "The Green Hornet."

"Why?" Amy grinned.

"Because… otherwise we would not be in this bar," Kato said.

"How do you figure?" Jennifer asked, interested.

"He had a war with Sapphire - that made Jennifer start a new team to catch him - and ask for Britt's help. So he invited you here tonight," he said. "Amy got the footage to help the newspaper get evidence on him. Lenore arranged the party where he kidnapped Jennifer."

"And me?" Peony asked.

"Well you—." Kato stopped, his face a picture of speechlessness.

"You must have dealt with all the injuries from party guests, and the cops, at every one of his bust-ups," Britt said casually. "So yeah, we're all here because of the Green Hornet."

"And the man in the black mask," Amy put in. "Don't forget him. He's pretty cool, you know."

"How cool?" Kato asked, turning round in his seat to face her.

She elbowed him with a grin. "Not like you're cool. I just think… he doesn't seem to be all bad. I mean he stopped me from getting hurt last night, loads of times."

"Doesn't mean he's on your side," Jennifer warned. "Those two men are armed - and even when they're not they're still very dangerous. —Especially your favourite in the black mask."

Amy giggled. "Well then." She lifted her can and everyone else did too. "To the Green Hornet and the man in black. I hope they keep taking down rival drug runners."

"I can't argue with that," Jennifer said. "Although one day - and one day soon - we will arrest them both. Then we unmask them and put them away for criminal damage and murder."

"Sounds fair," Britt said with a grin. He looked at Kato.

He shrugged and lifted his can higher. "To the Green Hornet."

They touched their cans together and then sipped through straws.

—And then they coughed and laughed, finding it packed more of a punch than they had expected.

"Oh my - that's really good - and strong!" Amy croaked, waving air at her face.

"If you think that's strong," the waitress called over, "you should try the Black Mask. That will absolutely kick your ass."

Kato burst out laughing.

And after barely a second, so did everyone else.

.

FIN