6
Almost without thought James West quickly shifted his position next to the headless mannequin, lashing out with a roundhouse kick that smashed into the machete-wielding goon's face. Gash dropped his weapon as his body spun around and crashed into the counter along the wall, Slice did not fair any better; his charge was abruptly cut short as he ran into West's right cross, demolishing his freshly set nose that had been broken just that morning. Slice had let out a muffled whimper as his legs gave way and he hit the floor, Jim had taken a defensive stance between Gash and the mannequin, unsure which one was the greater threat.
On one side was the giant assassin, on the other was Loveless; oddly trapped under a sea of fabric, attempting to climb from under the dressmaker's dummy, he was red and wide-eyed. The goliath took a step toward Jim; a cautious West inched just out of reach, but kept close enough to be able to launch an effective counter-attack. Jim's mind was racing in a million different directions; this encounter was not making sense, causing the panic light in his head to flash a resounding red.
Fumbling through the dress Loveless addressed West, "We need to talk, you and I." Jim could read the urgency of the veiled request in the little man's voice.
With an amazing burst of speed the big man rushed West, who fired an uppercut that only grazed the thug's jaw. Hack drove West hard into the counter at the back of the store, several humidors flew from the table, covering the carpet with cigars, adding to the already rich aroma of the store. Hoisting West on his shoulder, Hack reared back and the walls of the shop shook as he slammed Jim into the wall. It felt as if his lungs had exploded, West coughed, fighting to regain his breath and his freedom, the big man then swung Jim around and charged for the front of the store.
**********
Artie had excused himself from the revelry of the Robin's Roost, concern for his friend had overtaken him and he decided to check up on Jim. An accident involving a vendor's pushcart and a delivery wagon down the way had slowed traffic to a dismal crawl. Gordon could make out the tobacco shop across the street as he fought through the various carriages and carts bunged in the road. Artie thought that another Civil War was beginning by the way everybody was yelling at each other, disgruntled and disgusted, stuck within their current limbo, tempers had started to flare between the drivers, causing the atmosphere to buzz with tension. It reminded him almost of the way it was before the opening curtain; last minute changes, set failures, and forgotten lines triggered tetchy electricity backstage between everyone. He returned to the present realizing that he had to consistently watch his step because of the horse droppings that mined the area.
The sound of approaching police whistles gave Gordon grounds for concern and he picked up his pace. He finally made it past the last wagon and onto the sidewalk when from the storefront window, in an explosion of glass came flying West, landing with a thump, only yards away from Artie.
In a flash, Gordon retrieved his derringer from his vest pocket and checked on his fallen partner. Jim's landing on the stone pavement did not help in recapturing his breath or in briefing his partner out loud, he hurriedly began to gesture a message for Artie. The urgency behind James' animated communications was quite clear and Gordon quickly, but cautiously entered the store.
**********
Loveless was in shock and panic flooded his being as he witnessed his last hope fade from the shattered window, out of view, only to be replaced with the mad giant and his two bloodthirsty brothers, who was rapidly recovering from West's blows. His panic skyrocketed as he distraughtly battled to free his leg from the frilly undergrowth of the dress; Gash had reached the machete, shaking off the last remnants of Jim's kick; Slice was getting to his feet via a nearby banister, and Hack, having recently discarded West, was now making his way to the rear of the shop.
Suddenly, Gash, with blade in hand, made a lurch for the trapped little man, his face twisted in anger, "This is for knockin' me with that brick," he snapped as he swung the machete. It lodged deep into the tailor's dummy and when he made another attempt to lash out with his blade it inadvertently freed the terrified Loveless who ran back through the storage rooms amidst the bottom half of the dress.
Hack lifted his brother and roughly pinned him to the wall, "What're you doin' with that weapon boy?!' 'You don't want what I got from the Doctor earlier," Slice darted passed them in fevered pursuit, Hack set his brother down, "so get rid of the knife."
Remembering the punishment that his big brother received and how it had even inadvertently affected him, made Gash discard the machete stuck in the mangled mannequin's back and both thug's resumed the chase.
Loveless' foot caught the lip of the doorframe causing him to stumble into the alley, a group of stray dogs nearby, jumped in surprise as the little man spilled from the shop's exit and onto the dirty ground.
Slice hadn't reached the open door in time; the old door latched shut and he began to fiddle with the doorknob knowing that Gash was coming fast from behind, with Hack following. For Slice it became more of a necessity to not be crushed by his brothers than it was to get to Loveless, when the old door popped open and they poured out. Gash was the first brother to make it to the frenzied mess in the dress and he quickly wrapped it up, giving the struggling lump inside a couple of swift punches, "I can't kill ya but I kin sure hit ya." The package suddenly went limp and Hack snatched it from the ground and away from his furious brother, putting his ear to it, "I swear you'd better not of killt him, Gash," and after a brief moment let his brother off the hook, "You must of knocked him out, 'cause he's still breathin'."
"That's good," Artemus appeared at the door, the barrels of his derringer glinted from the light of the surrounding windows, "now you can set him down gently."
From the shadows just out of Artie's sight came a two by four that connected with the side of his head, sending him tumbling back into the shop. Slice stood over him, addressing the dazed agent, "Now ya know what it feels like!"
"Quit yer playin' around," Hack grumbled, "West and the police ain't gonna be too far behind…" he slung the unconscious package over his shoulder, "Let's get outta here."
Luckily for Gordon, Slice's blow was far from a killing one and was only going to give Artie a few days worth of headaches; he made it to his feet to see the three goons, with their package vanish around the bend.
West arrived a few seconds later with two police officers in tow, Artie pointed out which direction that the trio had fled and the officer's followed in pursuit.
"Just what did they take with them," Artie asked Jim while massaging the pain from his temple.
"I'm afraid it was Loveless, Artie," West answered dumbfounded.
"You would be wrong gentlemen," a familiar voice sprang from behind them.
West and Gordon turned to find Dr. Loveless, battered and worn, climbing from a nearby trashcan.