Jenni dawned her coat and went downstairs. 10:00pm. The streets were quiet. No cars or taxis were moving around. Only a few people were out. Jenni walked down the block, steering clear of the lamplights overhead. She walked for 30 minutes past the buildings and out of the downtown area. She walked another 20 minutes down a long stretch of narrow road to a small old church. "Egalitarian Church" read the sign. The church was small and was made of light gray rock. The small wooden cross sitting on the front was cracked.
There were no windows, no flowers, no people. Jenni pushed on the door a little. The door was heavy, but it creaked open loudly. Dust fell from the frame and Jenni coughed, waving her hand, "Hello?" No answer. "Hello? Is anyone home?" "Go away." cried a faint male voice. "Who's there?" Jenni asked, pulling out her gun. "We're closed! Go away!" the voice hollered. "Show yourself." Jenni called out, slipping inside the church. A loud clash echoed throughout the building. Jenni merely turned her head to a small can rolling towards her.
"Come out now!" Jenni ordered, "Don't try anything! I'm armed and ready to fire!" "There's nothing here for you! There's nothing here for anyone anymore!" the voice cried out. It sounded closer this time. " The voice sounded familiar. Jenni thought hard to herself then her eyes widened, "Mr. Rogers?" Silence. "Mr. Atticus Rogers? It's me, Jenni Graves. I don't suppose you remember me." A small white Persian emerged from a spiral staircase leading to the choir box. He was holding a Victorian style candle holder.
"Jenni Graves?" he said. The two stared at each other for a brief moment before Rogers said, "Ah! Jenni Penni! My dear girl! Oh, I thought you were a fed!" "Hello Father Rogers." Jenni said. 'Follow me child, we can't talk here." Rogers said leading Jenni through the church. "So, is Father Moore...no more?" Rogers asked. "You can say he's sleeping with the fishes." Jenni said, darkly. Atticus scoffed, "No less than he deserved. For a man of the church, he did very...unholy things." Rogers explained,
"Stealing from his patrons just to buy a couple swigs of Tennessee whiskey, charming young girls to his bed, using his church as an excuse to stay away from the badges. Then there was the incident regarding your father..." "I don't wish to go into detail about that right now." Jenni interrupted. "Sorry dear. So, what brings you to Mississippi? Another target I daresay?" Rogers asked, opening the basement door, leading to a well-lit bar. It wasn't fashionable as Marigold but it was simple. Wooden tables and chairs, steel bar stocked with bourbon, paper mâché flowers. "Your assumption is accurate Father. I'm working at Marigold." Jenni said, looking impressed with the speakeasy.
"Marigold?" Rogers looked shocked, while closing the door, "But, that's run by...Asa." Rogers looked uneasy at the thought of the mobster's name. He hobbled over to the bar with Jenni, "You're after Mr. Sweet?" he asked. "Yes. Do you know him?" Jenni asked. "He comes here occasionally. Mainly just to put a little scare into me. Nothing serious. Just playful banter. Never means me any harm...or at least I never thought he did." Rogers explained. "I'm working as a protégé for one of his guys." Jenni stated, coldly.
"Protege hm?" Rogers said, "Well it's not the worst job. You could have been hired as a coffee girl or a janitor or some other snooty duty. Hmph, at least he considered having you in the field." "Agreed, but my mentor doesn't seem too eager about me being on the team." Jenni said, rubbing her arm anxiously. "Really?" Rogers said, shocked, "The Graves charm has finally failed?" "He's not that type of guy." Jenny crossed her arms, "Bout time." "Who are you working with?" Rogers asked, pouring a glass of bourbon.
"His names Heller." Jenni replied. Atticus jumped and made a frightened face as if Jenni had said something vulgar. "Mordecai Heller? Your working with that spectacled son of Cerberus? Oh Jenni, sweetheart I'm so sorry." "Why? He's not the devil." Jenni stated. Rogers grumbled, "Close enough." Jenni glared at him. "Boy has got no heart in him. I don't know where he gets it from. His father wasn't nearly a pain in the tail." "You knew his father?" "Isaac Heller. Yes, I knew him. He worked with your father you know."
"Was he on the rails?" "No. He worked for a business that oversaw the railroads but the two did come to this church to mingle. They were good friends too. It's a shame; Isaac died three years after your father did. He had a stroke at work. Poor man. He was so hard working. Family man. A good man. His youngest daughter went not long after." Atticus downed a glass of bourbon in one gulp, "Bruce was a good man too. Such a caring father. How could anyone want him dead? I know Luna didn't. She loved him more than her own life."
"The universe works in mysterious ways Father Rogers." Jenni sighed. "Yes it does Ms. Graves." Atticus groaned, "Anyway, is there something I can help you with?" "I just wanted to get out of my hotel room. I hate being couped up somewhere for too long." Jenni stated. "Well, I'm glad you came here. Say, why don't you come by tomorrow night?" Rogers asked. "Sorry, Marksmanship test." "Can I drive you home at least dear?" Atticus asked. "No thanks Atticus. I'll just walk." "Are you sure? Calm nights bring predators."
"I'll be fine." Jenni showed the handle of her gun to Rogers. "Trust me." "I know I'm old Jen, but my driving skills have not followed me." Jenni sighed, "Alright."