Jenni went back into the hotel where Jeremy motioned for her, "Ms. Graves? Mr. Sweet would like to see you in his office...now." Jenni glared at the floor. "Heller." she growled. She looked back to Jeremy and smiled, "Thank you Jeremy." Jen went up the long staircase up to the top floor. The secretary said, "Good evening Ms. Graves. You're here to see Mr. Sweet, right?" "Is he in?" "Yes, you can go right in. Oh, and Mr. Heller came by earlier. He told me to tell you Good Luck." The secretary smiled and blushed a little.

"I see. Thank you for the message." Jen said, rolling her eyes. Jen went into Sweet's office and saw the large orange cat sitting at his desk, "Ah Ms. Graves, come in. Have a seat." Jen did as she was instructed, "You wanted to see me sir?" "I did. Just wanted to see how you were enjoying your time here at Marigold." Sweet stated. "It's had its ups and downs. Mostly regarding myself and my mentor." Jen grumbled. Sweet chuckled, "So, Mr. Heller hasn't made any...romantic advances towards you?"

"Is that the only reason you put me with him? So you and everyone can have a laugh about Heller mentoring a female?" Jenni asked, annoyed. "No! No! No...ok well..." Sweet started. Jenni sighed heavily, "Sorry to disappoint you but no. We haven't done anything romantic, and I intend to keep it that way. I must warn out of respect and loyalty that everyone must hold the same obligations regarding that. It's not a threat, it's what I prefer to feel comfortable."

Asa laughed, "You know, you sound just like your mentor. He said the same thing when he first started here and no offense, you're amazing but Heller is 10 times more terrifying than you." "I'm glad you feel that way Mr. Sweet." Jenni said, darkly. "Right then, the real reason I brought you here is because, It's performance review time." Sweet chuckled. "Oh joy" Jenni said sarcastically, "Let's start off with the complaints about me from Mr. Heller, shall we?" "Complaints? What complaints?" Sweet asked, puffing smoke out of his cigar.

He pulled out a cream-colored file, "Mr. Heller hasn't filed any complaints towards you. Which is weird because he always has a complaint for everything. And when I say everything, I mean...Everything." Jenni nodded to herself, "I'm sure. He does seem that type of person." "You can say that again." Sweet grumbled. He looked into the file. "Have to admit, I'm a little flabbergasted. Mordecai only had the best things to say about you. Well, give or take."

"How's that?" Jenni asked. "Well, he told me about last night. About your...great escape!" Sweet busted out laughing,

"Mordecai Heller, the best hatchet man in the business, is outsmarted by a girl!"

"It wasn't easy."

"Sure sounded like it. You got to tell me how you did it."

"Simple, I undid the restraints on my legs with my tail. Writhed and wriggled my wrists free from their restraints. And..."

"No. How you were able to beat Heller!"

"I didn't beat him. I was just careful, quick, and watched his every move, waiting to make mine until it was safe."

"I like you Jen, I really do. You're smart. You're gorgeous. You've got skill. You seem more like a qualified second in command than Heller."

"I wouldn't say that."

"Why?"

"Despite outsmarting him, I think Mr. Heller and I are equals regarding talent, skill, and appearance."

"If only everyone was as modest as you Jenni."

"Then there would be no need for me...or any of this."

"True. Now there is something slightly concerning that your mentor told me about you."

"I'm photophobic?"

"No. You told him you killed Rhadamanthus Stone."

"Out of self-defense."

"I know. I know. I just thought it would've been wise to reveal that information when we first met. Also, you seem to know a lot about the demises of other mob bosses that have passed over this year. One's that you've worked with..."

"I only know how and when they died. As I recall, those were all unfortunate accidents."

"Or that's what the authorities want the public to think. Just like you said, authorities tend to overlook a case and go with the first logical explanation. No justice ever gets served to the truly guilty."

"That's why you've got people like me."

"True. Now, I'm not accusing you of anything. Actually, I don't care if you killed Stone. He was a supplier for Lackadaisy, so if anything, you've helped us. As a matter of fact, I don't care if you killed all those people. Less competition. Just remember who you're working for...and with."

"I'll keep that in mind sir. Rest assure, as long as I'm in this town, everyone here will be safe."

"Well, that does give me some relief."

"I'm glad."

Sweet flipped turned a page in the file. "He also told me your marksmanship skills are exemplary and your agility is flawless." "Did he really say that or are you just flattering?" Jenni asked. "No really! I've never seen him take such an interest in a newcomer before. I know you're probably tired of hearing this but...maybe Mordecai does genuinely like you. Maybe he's in like with you." Sweet explained. "In like? You mean..." Jenni's eyes widened with shock, "No. No, he's not."

"Are you sure? You're the first person he's ever actually liked!"

"Like as in a professional level. Maybe like as in a friend. But not love-like."

"Do you like him?"

"As a friend and associate."

"No, I mean...you know what I mean."

"Well...I guess we are a lot alike...and he is the only one who's helping me around here besides Jeremy...No. I'm not in love with him."

"I asked if you liked him. Not if you were in love him." Sweet smiled, cunningly. Jenni shrunk back and her eyes darted from side to side. Her heart raced rapidly. She did her best to keep calm and Sweet did his best to keep himself from laughing.

"You want him, don't you?"

"No! I don't! It would be unprofessional!"

"This is off the record. Just admit you love him."

"I...ok fine. I do have a certain fondness for him. But I won't act on those feelings because it's wrong. Mixing work and romance is a terrible idea. The last thing we need is a distraction."

"So, you do like him?"

"Yes...I like him. But he doesn't like me back and that's fine."

"Oh, I'd beg to differ."

"What do you mean?"

"He does like you. Just give him time. You'll see."

Jenni looked sadly at the hard candies on the desk. "Anyways, that's all I wanted to discuss. Thank for coming in." Sweet said. "Please don't speak of what we talked about to anyone. Please." Jenni said.

"Don't worry, I won't. One more thing, you have a final exam tomorrow night at the quarry. You must prove all of your skills to see if you have what it takes to become a true member of Marigold. Mr. Heller, Mr. Clyde, Mr. Fish, and the Savoies will meet at the quarry at around 9:00pm. All you have to do is take them out." Asa explained.

"You want me to kill them?"

"What?!"

"Kidding! You want me to disarm and outsmart them."

"Phew, yes. Had me worried there for a second."

"I'll try not to humiliate them too much."

"Ms. Graves, I'm sure you'll do just fine."