Jenni woke up at around noon. She looked outside and shielded her eyes; the sun was out, and it was very bright. "I'll stay inside today. It's too bright outside." She took her shower, got dressed, combed her fur, and went downstairs to the lobby. The breakfast bar was closed, "Maltida Sea." Jenni cursed, rubbing her head. It hurt terribly, "Probably shouldn't have slept in so long." Jenni turned around to go back to the stairs when she heard a familiar voice, "Jen?" She turned around to see three pretty young ladies.

The first girl was a brown and black striped oncilla with bright green eyes. She wore what appeared to be a priest's outfit. The lady to her left was a light gray and black ragdoll cat wearing a beautiful blue and white skirt. The lady to her right was a tall black sphinx cat with bright amber eyes. She wore a yellow and gold Egyptian dress and headpiece. "Hey girls." Jen said moving swiftly over to them. She hugged her three friends who all looked awestruck at the building. "So this is Mirabel Hotel?" the sphinx said, fanning herself with a golden fan, "It's quite the eye opener isn't it?"

"It's one of the most beautiful hotels I've seen." the ragdoll stated. "It does have its charms." Jenni started, "But the management is a little...frivolous." "So, how did it go with...you know who?" the oncilla asked. Jenni sighed, "It's not safe to speak here about that. Follow me." Jenni led her three friends down the hall to Marigold room and sat them at a table far from the door. "Oh my goodness," the sphinx said, "Is this the Marigold room?" "Yes, just keep your voices down." Jenni hissed. "Of course." the oncilla whispered.

Jeremy the clerk came up to them and said, "Good afternoon Ms. Graves, ladies, is there anything I can get you?" "A nice cold glass of water would be a start." the sphinx said. "Just bring us a pitcher of water please." Jenni said, placing three gold coins on the table. "No need to pay Ms. Graves." Jeremy said. Jenni pushed the coins to him, "It's fine sweetie. I doubt you've gotten a raise in a while." Jeremy gulped and left with the coins. "You big ol' softie." the sphinx said. Jenni glared at her, "He's been very kind and helpful to me, Suzane. It would be rude to not return that gratitude."

"So, the meeting?" the oncilla said. "Well Bella, I got the job just not what I expected." Jenni stated, "This is going to be a tough one." "Nothing you can't handle I'm sure." the ragdoll said. Jenni looked uneasily at her, "I don't know Dolly. He's got me working as a protege to..." "To whom?" Bella asked. "Promise you won't freak out?" Jenni asked with a growl. "Promise." Bella whispered, shooting the sphinx a sharp glare. "Ms. Graves!" Wes cried hurrying over to their table. Fish on his tail. "I've been looking for you." He eyed the other three young ladies, "Well, well, who are these gems?"

Jen rolled her eyes as the sphinx giggled, "Mr. Clyde these are my friends; Suzane Egypt, Dolly Fisher, and Bella Vista. Ladies, this is Mr. Wes Clyde and Mr. Fish." "Pleasure ladies." Fish said tipping his hat to them. Dolly smiled warmly at him and nodded, "Your name is Fish? That's cute." "And your last name is Fisher. That's...cute...too." Fish cleared his throat. Wes and Jenni looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "So, did you need me for something?" Jenni asked. "Nah, Heller's just been nagging us about where you were. Hope he's not been too rough with you."

"I've worked with worse." Jenni said, "Ms. Vista here and I worked with Father Moore." "Hmm, you don't happen to know where that old skunk ran off to do you?" Clyde asked. "No. I'm not surprised he's missing though. He always leaves without telling people where he's going." Bella said. "Oh well, I'm sure he's kicking his lazy tail back under an umbrella somewhere." Clyde laughed, "Say, how associated were you with Moore, Ms. Vista?" "I beg your pardon." Bella said.

"He means what job did you have while working for him." Fish cleared up. "I was his assistant. A Pupil." Bella stated coldly. "What things did you assist him with?" "Wes! Fish!" cried a familiar voice. It was Sweet, "Thank God, There's a rough conversation going down outside. We could use some help." "We're on it sir." Wes stated, immediately heading towards the entry door. Fish nodded at Jenni before following. "You ladies looked like you could use some rest.

Wes is a good guy but he tends to be a bit...insane around the ladies." Sweet said. "Thank you sir." Jenni replied. "And it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Vista." Sweet bowed respectively. "You must be Mr. Asa Sweet." Bella said, "I've heard a lot about you from Father Moore. All good things...mostly." "Well good. I'm just glad I could help with...that." Sweet motioned his head to the door. "Is Mr. Heller around?" Jenni asked. "No. He's out with the Savoys. I'll tell him you said hi when he gets back.

Why do you ask? Worried?" Sweet asked, fiddling with his cigar. "No. I was hoping he could meet my friends." Jenni explained. "He can meet them at out dance tonight." Sweet suggested. "Good idea." Jenni said. She glanced at her friends; Dolly and Suzanne both looked excited but Bella looked anxious. "Well, see you then." Sweet said walking away. "He seemed nice." Dolly said. "Heller?" Bella added, "Mordecai Heller?" "Yes?" Jenni said, confused.

"Jen. You've got to get out of this one, now."

"Why?"

"Because, you're working with that guy."

"Who Heller?"

"Yes. Mordecai Heller is a dangerous guy. A very dangerous guy. I've seen him at Moore's church before."

"And you're telling me this now because..."

"I didn't want to scare you. Look, just be careful. He's a sociopath."

"I've dealt with sociopaths before."

"Not like Heller. He has intelligence, marksmanship, and wits. Hell, a thief friend of mine nearly got whacked by him and he was a lot bigger than him too."

"I'm sure your friend chose brawn over brains. Probably provoked him."

"The point is, he can't be trusted. I trust you Jen but watch yourself around that cat. He'll probably try to seduce you or something."

"Bella, look at me. If I can withstand waterboarding, I think I can withstand a little dark charm from a stiff. Besides he's not that kind of guy."

"I I hope you're right Jen, for your sake."

Jeremy came back with a pitcher of water, "Would you ladies care for some food?" "Chicken salad sounds delicious right now." Suzanne said. "Egg salad sandwich." Dolly said, licking her lips. "Veggie Omelet please." Bella asked. "I'll just have a fruit bowl." Jenni said. "Right away." Jeremy said. "So, where's Marley?" Suzanne asked, I want to talk to someone while you guys talk business." "She's busy at work." Jenni replied. "She got the job?" Bella asked. Jenni nodded,

"It seems she's taken with one of their guys." Jenni said. "Uh oh." Dolly said. Jenni sighed, "I told her no romantic advances. She didn't take it lightly." "Oh, come on Jen, let Mar have some fun. She deserves it. Maybe you could find a man here, my bet would be that Heller Feller." Suzanne joked. Both Jenni and Bella looked at her. "Absolutely not." Jenni said. "Would it be that bad?" Dolly asked. "Yes." Bella said.

"What's wrong with him?" Suzanne asked.

"Didn't you hear our conversation?" Jenni asked.

"Is he ugly?"

"No, he's fairly good looking."

"Does he have lice?"

"No, he's cleaner than our slates combined."

"Does he drink?"

"No. Nor does he smoke or use drugs."

"Give him a shot."

"He's not that guy. He doesn't like guys or girls."

"What does he look like?"

"You'll find out tonight. That is, unless you guys have plans."

"No." Bella said, "I want to look this guy in the eyes. I want to see if he's as frightening as my friend told me he was." Jeremy came back with the food. "Thank you." Jenni said. "Yes ma'am." Jeremy bowed and scurried away. "Hey Jen," Dolly said, "You want to come shopping with us?" "No thanks, too bright outside today." Jenni said, "Why don't you ask Marley and Sierra? I'm sure they'd appreciate it. Thanks anyway." "Aww come on Jen. Just for an hour?" Suzanne asked. Jenni looked down and at the door. "We can invite Marley and Sierra to come along too." Dolly said, "We'll even buy you a hat."

"I guess I could get a dress for tonight." Jenni muttered. "Excellent!" Suzanne exclaimed, "We'll walk in together like a group of princesses! No, Queens!" Jenni chuckled and glanced at Bella, who looked worried, "Bella, what's wrong?" "Just...thinking." Jenni looked concerned for her friend. She remembered that she too worked for Father Moore. She still hasn't gotten over the horrors he put her through...and Jenni knew it. She also knew that bringing several of her friends would draw suspicion. But she didn't care.