Author's Note:
If this gets a bit dragging towards the end, I sincerely apologize for that.
--
Chapter Five: Heavy Sugar
The rust bucket sped down the city streets far above the speed limit but Ben didn't really care. He was more than steamed over the whole matter between him and his cousin. He was worried about her, it was only natural. She was family and she was his responsibility, even if she was a grown woman who, despite his better judgment, was capable of fending for herself.
It wouldn't have been so bad if Gwendolyn just hadn't gotten herself mixed up with the likes of Charmcaster. Ben never trusted the platinum-haired woman ever since she arrived from wherever it was she came from. There was something shifty about her and those skulls and bones she kept in her shop. Coupled with the rumors that she had an uncle who practiced dark arts, not that Ben believed in any of that nonsense.
What really worried Ben was that in working for Charmcaster she would inevitably run into Kevin. While he would be the first person to admit he didn't know his cousin very well, he knew Kevin Levin spelled big trouble. He only hoped Gwen would have the sense to stay away from him if they even crossed paths.
After several minutes of brooding, Benjamin arrived at his destination. It was an old one-story mansion that had fallen into disrepair over the years. The Pride family decided to purchase it shortly after the prohibition law was passed. Under Edwin's supervision, the mansion had been renovated into one of the city's most upscale restaurants. At least it was in the daytime.
Parking the car in his reserved spot, Ben easily strode in the main entrance. Passing by several dining guests, Ben quickly made his way to the kitchen where a portly man stood guard. A friendly wave greeted him before he was allowed access.
In the evening, the restaurant became the Speak Easy the Tricks ran: The Usual.
Beyond the dining area was a large ballroom where polished tiles spanned the floor. The walls were painted an elegant gold to match the chandeliers and light fixtures that brightened the entire room.
Ben could see that things had already begun to go into full swing. Cigars and cigarettes were lit, glasses were drained of their alcoholic content, and chips and cards were strewn all over tables. Several individuals were certainly enjoying themselves as the band played the music for the Charleston.
A bald, petite man with beady dark eyes approached Ben, "About time you arrived, Tennyson."
"Sorry for the hold up, Ike." Ben apologized. "Ran into a bit of trouble."
"I was informed you would be accompanied by a young lady?" Ike quirked a brow as he scanned the surroundings.
"That would be the trouble."
"Oh my, come this way." Ike gestured as he led Ben towards a private booth at the far end of the ballroom.
"Ben, so glad you decided to show up." Edwin greeted, raising a glass of scotch to the young police officer. "I thought your cousin would be with you?"
"See, that's sorta why it took a while to get here." And Ben quickly explained the situation as he sat down beside a tall, stoic, muscular blonde. "So you gotta help me get Gwen outta there."
"I wouldn't worry too much. Charmcaster won't let anything happen to your cousin. I happen to know that the Madame takes very good care of her girls." Edwin explained.
Ben didn't look too reassured, "It's not Charmcaster or the people who go to her joint that worries me."
"Levin." The blonde man nodded.
"Unless Kevin discovers you're related to Gwen he shouldn't be too interested in her." He shrugged. "Now why don't you just calm down and have a drink?"
"Calm down? Calm down?! How can I calm down knowing that Gwen could be two feet from Kevin?"
"The boss made sure Julie's available for a dance or two." The blonde man added absently.
Ben felt heat sneak across his face along with a sheepish smile at the mention of the girl's name. "Then again, Gwen's a smart dame. I suppose cutting a rug with Julie for a while wouldn't hurt."
"Quick thinking, Casey." Edwin chuckled as the young police officer hurried away to dance with the dark haired flapper. As the song for the Lindy Hop began to play, Ike discreetly walked up to the gray-eyed gentleman.
Whispers were exchanged and Edwin's fist clenched in suppressed rage. Wordlessly, he exited the booth and headed for the garage where Ace waited, the car at the ready. Casey was quick to shadow his employer and sat at the passenger's seat while Ike was left behind to watch over things.
"Are you certain it's Twinkles?" Edwin asked; eyes narrowed darkly as the vehicle roared down the street.
"Po-so-lute-ly boss." Ace nodded vehemently, "I mean at first I didn't think it was him what him being dead and all. And then we got a closer look and wouldn't you know it, it was Twinkles. Funny name, Twinkles I mean. It ain't like he's got sparkly eyes or nothin'. I still say Slick would have been a better name for him but he insisted we call him Twi-"
The young driver's chatter was muffled as the blonde clamped a gloved hand over Ace's mouth.
"Thank you, Casey." Edwin rubbed his temples to ward off the beginning of a headache.
They continued to drive in silence, before eventually swerving off road and deep into the brush. After a few more minutes of driving across uneven terrain, they came to an abandoned vehicle smashed a tree.
The three stepped out of the car to inspect the wreck. The door to the driver's seat was splayed open, creaking softly with each stray breeze. Dried blood matted the steering wheel and gas pedals, and if it weren't for the day-old footprints leading away from the abandoned car they would have assumed the driver had been dumped into the backseat. Where they found a pool of blood had caked and stained the upholstery. Atop this crusty surface was the corpse of the one they called Twinkles.
"Someone sure did a number on him." Ace whistled; eyeing the small well-placed gashes in the deceased's neck and stomach.
"Pocket knife or switch blade maybe?" the blonde offered.
"You'd think he'd be able to handle the blade's equivalent of a pea shooter." Edwin murmured, "Did you check the trunk when you found it, Ace?"
"Sure did, boss. And like with Joey's, no sign of the hooch."
"Who was supposed to be driving with him?"
Ace looked nervous before stammering "N-no one."
"That idiot!" Edwin snarled in a rare display of emotion. "I gave strict instructions that no one was to work alone when picking up a delivery!"
"Twinkles liked to go solo, usually 'cuz he was trying to cozy up to one of Charmcaster's girls." Ace explained. "Says a partner just gets in the way."
"Casey when we get back I want you and Ike to remind everyone that I do not tolerate disobedience in my gang." Edwin's voice was so dangerously cold that Ace shivered despite the warm, summer evening.
Casey nodded in understanding.
"Did you check where the footprints led?" Edwin eyed the faint trail.
Ace nodded, "Middle of nowhere but there was the box where our stuff should have been in. Figured it'd be better to burn it even if it don't got our names on it or nothing."
"Alright, let's skedaddle before anyone notices we're missing." Edwin ordered as the three quickly left the wreck to head back.
--
On the other side of the city, Gwendolyn felt like the proverbial fish out of water. All the women who had entered were done up in glamorous clothing or had their faces heavily painted, or both. They didn't even deign to acknowledge her; instead simply tossing their coats or fur stoles (gifts from the affluently dressed gentlemen they escorted, Gwen assumed) at her without a second glance. She supposed this indifference was much better than the openly mocking giggles and once-overs the other women made. And she most certainly preferred the looks of disdain over the lecherous glances and wolfish stares some of the men gave her.
Thankfully, Kevin would suddenly appear beside her to ward off any attempts at chatting her up. Gwen was grateful for his company and even if she would never admit it she actually enjoyed his attention. He held himself with a confidence that was borderline arrogance. Normally Gwen found men who possessed that quality an irritant, but in the environment of the Speak Easy he was almost regal.
Gwen never thought herself capable of holding the focus of a man like Kevin. She was always one of the wallflowers in social gatherings, flocking to the group of women who preferred intellectually stimulating conversations over necking. Men like Kevin usually just breezed past her and for as long as she could remember, Gwen preferred it that way.
So it was only natural that she found it disconcerting that she didn't mind having his intense eyes resting on her. And that she actually liked talking to him about little things she never noticed before like how the thicker a gal painted her face, the less likely she was married to the man she was seen with.
Perhaps what really intrigued and slightly frightened Gwen was his intentions. "You do realize I'm not like the other girls."
"You could have fooled me." He quirked a brow as his eyes took in her body.
"I mean," she blushed, feeling her heart skip a beat at the hunger in his gaze "That unless a ring is on my finger this is as much of me as you'll ever get to see."
"Never said I wanted to see the rest of you." He shrugged.
"Good, because I'm serious." She folded her arms across her chest, jutting her hip in a manner that was equally defiant as it was enticing.
Did she do that on purpose? Kevin couldn't even begin to understand how Gwen wasn't aware of how appealing a challenge was to a guy like him. And what a conquest that would be. Her being Ben's cousin was simply the cherry on top. Eventually, Charmcaster managed to persuade Kevin to mingle with the crowd before their special guests arrive.
The other working girls were busy doing their jobs, offering drinks and flashing their most seductive come-hither smiles at the patrons. Rojo in particularly was giving it her all, sashaying into men or "accidentally" brushing her breasts against an arm or shoulder. Gwen noted that Rojo stayed far away from Kevin during his brief time on the floor. It was difficult for Gwen to believe the fearsome woman could be this much of a vamp and she had to admit it, the seasoned flapper was quite good at what she does.
Whether that in itself was something to be proud of, Gwen wasn't certain.
She would have little time to ponder on this subject as a trio of men suddenly appeared through the curtains. The oldest of the three was someone who, with the right lab coat, would be the quintessential image of a mad scientist. The graying hair, the wary gaze, all he needed was a crazed laugh to complete the look. The second man was a less imposing figure due to his diminutive size, barely reaching Gwen's hips. His wiry blonde hair had receded to the very back of his head. Thick, rimmed and very unflattering glasses indicated his lack of vanity, and thankfully gave him no desire to don a toupee.
The third man was the youngest of the group. He had an air of sophistication about him and carried himself in an almost regal manner. Sleek, flaxen hair, perfectly styled to flatter his strong features and deep blue eyes.
It was this young man that Charmcaster fawned over sweetly.
"Mike Morningstar! I was about to think you weren't going to show up, hun." The Madame purred, tiptoeing to place a quick peck on the blonde man's cheek.
"This may not even begin to apologize for my tardiness." Morningstar flashed a charming smile at the platinum-haired woman and presented her with a slender package and a bouquet of roses. "But rest assured we intend to spend quite a long time here tonight."
The grin on Charmcaster's face widened, money tins ringing in her head.
"Maybe a young whelp like you can afford to stay out all the hours of the evening, but I have a strict schedule to maintain." The elderly gentleman grumbled, obviously unhappy about his present situation.
"I'm pleased as punch to see you here as well, Doctor Animo." The Madame gestured to Gwen and the other attendants to assist with relieving their guests of their coats. Wordlessly, she handed the gifts Morningstar had given her to one of the attendants and continued to focus her attention on the trio.
"The Usual was getting a mite crowded." Animo sniffed imperiously. "And all those hooligans doing that dang fangled Linder Hop give me headaches something fierce."
"I believe it's the Lindy Hop," The smaller gentleman corrected in a squeaky if not raspy voice. "You should really keep up with the times, Animo. Wouldn't want people to know what an old fossil you really are."
"Better a fossil than the poor man's Houdini." The doctor retorted.
"So you're the famous entertainer Sublimino?" Charmcaster cooed as she ushered the bespectacled blonde towards the set of plush seats cordoned off in the middle of the room.
"Famous entertainer. What a load of codswallop. He's nothing but a two-bit hack." Animo grumbled before following after them.
Mike just chuckled before resting his eyes on the red-haired flapper. "This is actually them getting along."
"You don't say?" Gwen replied in amusement, "Interesting company, you keep."
"They're more my business associates rather than friends." He explained, before introducing himself. "I'm Michael Morningstar, but feel free to call me Mike."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I'm Gwendolyn and feel free to call me Gwen." She smiled and offered her hand. Her cheeks blossomed red as Morningstar lifted her hand to his lips, in a manner reminiscent of those scenes in books about the golden age of chivalry. It was nice to know that even in these modern times, there were people she could aptly describe as a gentleman.
And suddenly there was a flash of rusty hair and glittering fabric. Rojo had sauntered up to the blonde gentleman and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Mike, baby, are you gonna keep me waiting all night?" She batted her lids coyly.
"Of course not, Rojo." Morningstar assured her before turning to Gwen, who he found had quickly retreated back to her post.
The flapper giggled, pressing herself tight against Morningstar, "Now are you gonna buy me drink? Or do I have to get rough with you?"
"It wouldn't be gentlemanly to keep a lady thirsty." He smiled, allowing his arm to wind around Rojo's hips. Together they walked towards the cordoned area, where he would come to find Charmcaster busy schmoozing his business associates.
"So you're saying I'd be reaching a wider audience if you and I were to team up?" Sublimino mused, before his mouth broadened into a manic grin. "Brilliant!"
"No, that would be basic business principles." Animo scoffed, "Why compete when you can simply team up and become stronger in the process? Though that would also mean having to cut the profit with your partners."
"It's not about the profit, it's about the fame!" Sublimino declared with excessive pomp and a flurry of hand gestures.
"Now gentlemen, I brought us here so that we could relax and not think about business." Mike laughed as he sat down on an armchair with Rojo sidling up to him on the armrest.
"Relaxing is for old fossils." Sublimino spat and ignored the glower from Animo, "I crave excitement! Attention! Why do you think I'm in show business?"
"If it's excitement you want, hun, why not a game of cards?" Charmcaster suggested. "Rojo, be a dear and see if there's an available table for us."
The flapper opened her mouth to protest but the stern glare of the Madame quickly sent her scurrying off.
"You seem to have found a new girl since the last time I dropped by." Mike absently noted, his eyes wandering towards the red-haired girl.
"New is right, she's not quite ready to be broken in yet."
"She's probably just like all the others. Women these days don't know their place in the world anymore." Animo shook his head in regret.
Charmcaster opted to ignore the barbs in the elderly man's words. "Of course, so you can understand why I've kept her out of the way."
"I'm pretty keen for someone different. Nothing against Miss Rojo, but she strikes me as too much of a gold digger." Mike admitted.
"Aren't all women gold diggers deep down?" Sublimino snickered.
The platinum-haired woman didn't so much as bat an eye at the misogynistic turn of conversation. "Oh you slay me," she giggled, "But since we're on the subject of gold, hun, how much is it worth to you to have the greenhorn's company?"
"Would half a dozen bottles from your most expensive selection be enough?"
"Make it an even dozen, and I'll actually let you win one round of cards."
"A victory isn't much unless..." Mike trailed off, and his deep blue eyes suddenly shone in challenge, "Unless one Mister Levin joins us."
--
"No." Kevin growled over his glass of bourbon.
"It's just one game of cards, hun." Charmcaster reasoned.
"And I'm supposed to fold in one of the rounds? To Morningstar?"
"No, hun, you don't. I told him I'd let him win one round. Never said you would." Exploiting loopholes was one of the many skills Charmcaster had often made use of.
"The answer's still the same. Nothin' doing." He narrowed his eyes darkly at the Madame. "Now scram."
Charmcaster shrugged as she started to saunter out of the private room, "It's just as well since the new girl would be too much of a distraction for you."
"Back up a bit." He barked. "I thought you ain't gonna use Tennyson's cousin."
"What's one greenhorn compared to the wads of cash Morningstar'll be forking over, hun?" She grinned. "Besides with Mike having the chance to break her in, he might even drop by more often."
"Eleventh room." Kevin declared sourly before downing his bourbon. "Make sure no one's in my seat when I get there."
"Sure thing, hun." She winked. Charmcaster did so love getting her way and she headed straight for the young woman idly chatting with the other attendants.
"How you holding up, hun?" The Madame asked, hands resting firmly on the younger woman's bare shoulders.
"Fine, peachy even."
"Good to hear, good to hear. Listen, how does doubling what I was going to pay you sound?"
"It sounds nifty, but what's the catch?" Gwen didn't like the predatory smile on Charmcaster's face. The red-head's look of apprehension widened as she was led from the entrance to one of the private rooms where the number Eleven had been etched above the door. The moment the doors swung open, Gwen was assaulted by the strong odor of tobacco. She coughed, waving the thick tendrils of smoke away.
Once her vision cleared, she saw a round, felt-covered table where stacks of chips and a deck of card waited. Eight seats circled the table, and four were occupied. Sublimino sat on several cushions, enabling him to actually see the tabletop while his legs dangled midair. He was raving about his outstanding performance to a young girl, glassy-eyed from boredom but maintaining a polite if not fake smile. Thankfully, the bespectacled man liked hearing the sound of his own voice too much to care whether his audience was really listening or not.
"All you need to do is keep Morningstar happy." Charmcaster explained, giving the young woman a reassuring pat.
"H-happy how?"
"Normally, I'd tell you to let him be all hands. But I think it'd be best if you just be yourself." Charmcaster glanced at the sulking Rojo who had been relegated to be the equally surly Animo's companion for the rest of the evening. Rojo didn't care much for Animo's aversion to spending and the Doctor would have preferred a girl who was sweeter, and less capable of bumping him off should he press his luck.
Before Gwen could say anything else, she was seated beside the debonair young man. A dazzling display of pearly teeth, and Gwen fought to keep her composure.
"Looks like you got saddled with me." She sheepishly smiled.
"Saddled wouldn't be the word I'd use." His eyes radiated an easy charm and Gwen appreciated how he made no move to touch her unlike the other patrons had with the other girls. He kept his hands folded neatly on the table and engaged in a conversation with her. They spoke of the changing times and debated whether or not the prohibition law was doing any good for the country.
"You don't strike me as the typical flapper girl." Morningstar admitted.
"R-really? Why would you say that?"
"I could say that it's because your dress isn't as short as the other girls' or that your visage lacks any trace of paint. But I believe it's how you carry yourself."
"Just means she's got class." Kevin's voice sneered in open contempt.
"Ah, Mister Levin. How kind of you to grace us with your presence. I've been frequenting Madame Charmcaster's Speakeasy for a while now and I haven't had the opportunity of meeting you in person. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I intimidated you into hiding." The sudden snide tone Morningstar spoke with was jarring for Gwen. The ease of the switch from the calm, civil gentleman to this sardonic, hostile individual was all too many shades of Jekyll and Hyde. The red head was beginning to rethink her perception on Morningstar.
"Intimidate? Nah. Blinded by your choppers maybe." He shrugged, "Though I gotta apologize to you. I'm not usually seen with the small fry."
"Gentlemen!" Charmcaster interrupted, "Shall we get the game started?"
"Finally," Animo grumbled, "I was beginning to think you were all wasting my time."
"Good to see your mug in my joint again, Doc." Kevin nodded as he sat at the empty seat directly across Morningstar's.
"What branch of medicine do you practice?" Gwen asked Animo.
"I'm a horse doctor. But I've been known to dabble with other life forms on occasion." He grinned at her in a manner Gwen could only describe as macabre. She shivered, regretting she had even asked.
The cards were dealt and the game began. Charmcaster played the dealer and as promised, Morningstar won one round. Eventually, Animo and Sublimino folded out of the game, deciding that they could no longer afford to lose anymore than what they already have.
"I have work in the morning, but it's nothing any of you would know." Animo muttered as he stalked off. Rojo took this opportunity to situate herself beside Morningstar.
"Rojo's back to take care of you, baby." She purred, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
"That's rather nice of you." Mike smiled.
The older flapper glared daggers at Gwen. Scram! They declared.
Recalling her earlier tussle with the fierce woman, Gwen looked to Charmcaster for help. The Madame seemed oblivious to Gwen's plight, but the dark-haired man wasn't.
"Why don't you sit beside me, Gwen? I'm sure Mikey's got his hands full." Kevin suggested, motioning to the empty seat beside him.
"Wait a moment, here! I had a deal with Charmcaster that Gwen would keep me company for the evening." Morningstar frowned and silenced the protest Rojo was about to make with a sharp glare.
Gwen gave the Madame a look of disbelief before glancing at the blonde man.
"Oh yeah? Last I remember I own the place." Kevin wasn't about to back down.
"Why don't we play for her company?" Morningstar proposed.
"Don't I get a say in this?" Gwen demanded, rising from her seat indignant.
"You're right, that was rude of me. Miss Gwendolyn, would you be so kind as to grace the winner of the next game with your presence?" Morningstar got to one knee in apology.
Gwen just stared down at Mike in a mixture of contempt and shock. No matter how sugar-coated the words were, he still spoke of her as a prize. She would have been less offended if it had been Kevin who offered the idea as the dark-haired man never made himself out to be this polished, chivalrous man. It was obvious to Gwen that Morningstar was nothing more than a hypocrite who preyed on naïve, inexperienced and less-read women.
Taking a deep breath, she agreed. "On two conditions. The first being that regardless who wins, the rest of the deal is to be honored."
Charmcaster brightened, pleased that Gwen was thinking of the Speak Easy's finances.
"And the second condition is that I be the dealer."
While it struck everyone in the room as odd, no one saw any reason to object. Gwen was careful in the way she shuffled the cards. She had to make it appear she was just an ordinary girl who in no way could fix the way the cards were dealt.
It was a simple enough task for Gwen to dole out a Royal Flush to Kevin and a measly pair of three's to Mike.
"Looks like I win." Kevin grinned as Gwen turned up the last card to reveal an Ace of hearts.
Morningstar's jaw clenched, he couldn't declare foul play for not only was Gwen new, but it also that meant he hadn't been able to properly charm the red-head. And his pride wouldn't allow him that luxury of admitting he wasn't as suave and debonair as he believed himself.
"I've grown tired of playing cards." Mike declared and pulled Rojo to him as he left the room. "Enjoy the rest of the evening, Miss Gwendolyn. Hopefully you'll still be around the next time I decide to grace this establishment with my money."
Charmcaster, who had been doing her best to keep herself from laughing, finally let loose a loud guffaw as the doors closed after the blonde. "Good Lord, when you flipped open that Queen I was half-expecting him to pitch a fit."
"Lady Luck must have been on Kevin's side." Gwen shrugged, carefully keeping a smile from cracking across her face.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were Lady Luck herself." Kevin eyed the young woman in keen interest.
"You could say that." The first-time flapper allowed herself a triumphant grin as she started to perform the one-hand card cut with practiced ease.
"Hun, you just landed yourself a new gig as a dealer." Charmcaster nodded before groaning, "Oh damn that means I'm going to need to find more girls."
There came a knock and Fingers peeked in, "The lapdog's back."
Gwen cocked her head in confusion before feeling Kevin's hand rest on her shoulders. "I believe Fingers here means your ride has arrived."
"Ben's back? Does this mean I'm getting paid now?" She asked.
"Come back tomorrow for your share, hun. I've gotta recount how much I owe you since your promotion." Charmcaster chuckled.
"Wait, didn't I win you for the rest of the evening?" Kevin frowned.
Strangely, Gwen found this endearing. She had cheated to get Kevin to win so it was only fair she upheld her end of the deal, "Um, maybe you could show me around the city tomorrow instead?"
Kevin could actually let Ben see them together in broad daylight. Lady Luck truly was on his side tonight. "Copacetic! Lemme know where you live and I'll pick you up around noon?"
"Nifty," Gwen beamed and allowed the dark-haired man to escort her outside.
Ben was not happy with the sight of his cousin with Kevin's arm draped around her shoulders.
"Get in the car, Gwen. Now." He barked.
"You sure that thing ain't gonna break down before you get home?" Kevin snickered.
"Yuck it up, Kevin. But tonight's the last night you'll ever get to see my cousin because she's not coming back here tomorrow."
"Um, Ben, I hate to break this to you but..." Gwen began.
"Car. Now."
The young woman gave Kevin an apologetic look as she got into the rust bucket. Ben quickly followed suit but before they left, Kevin rested his elbow atop the roof.
He spoke low enough to only have the young officer hear. "Listen Tennyson, I just wanted to remind you about the age-old tradition we have. Whenever you take one of our boys, or in this case girls, we make sure to take one from yours. Just to even the score."
"Is that a threat?" Ben growled.
"Call it friendly advice. I wouldn't want to have to explain to Edwin why The Usual is suddenly one girl short." Kevin grinned before righting himself, "Goodnight, Gwen. See you tomorrow at noon."
Ben drove off in a hurry and the first thing he asked was "What did he mean by seeing you tomorrow at noon?"
Gwen sighed. This was certainly going to be a long drive home.