Aftermath

"Zib, help Ethan up. I need to see if I still have a bartender." Mitzi ordered before leaving.

"You good buddy?" Zib asks.

"Yeah… yeah, I am now. What the hell happened?"

A cry of pain and embarrassment then erupted from the stranger I hadn't noticed yet. He wasn't exactly a tall or intimidating fellow, but he dropped the Thompson he had been holding and made a break for the exit with Mitzi's errand boy following close behind calling him "Freckle". That was the cat who just killed three people?

"Looks like my violinist ticked off some pig farmers. Here kid, steady yourself and let's get up top. You too, Riley."

All I can do is nod as Riley and this new friend of ours gets me on my feet. My legs are still wobbly, I haven't had a memory come back to me that intensely in a while, and I suspect this won't be a very fruitful night of sleep. Part of my mind was still stuck in the Argonne. By the time we were at the top of the stairs, Zib halted and turned around.

"You aren't coming with us?" Riley asks.

"Sorry kiddo, I've had enough excitement for one night. Plus I need to make sure the rest of my crew are alright. Can't imagine how many will stick around after a night like this."

I was finally able to stand up straight without my knees buckling. While the pieces were starting to fit together, there were still enough unknowns that I didn't want to risk my sister getting caught up in another shoot out. "Riley, I want you to go upstairs and get yourself cleaned up. I'll be there soon, okay?"

"I don't want to leave you, Ethan."

"I know, but you'll be safer on the second floor. Go on up, I'll be there soon."

"No! I don't want you to freak out like that again. It's… scary. You were beating that man with his own gun."

So that's what I did… "Oh Riley, I'm so sorry you had to see that."

"You are still… you, right?"

"Hey, I'm me now, I promise. Your hard-working, protective brother. It's hard to explain but… for a minute I thought I was back in France."

"Like in the war?"

"Yeah. But I know where I am now. We're in St. Louis, and you are my sweet little sister, Riley, who I'd do anything to keep safe."

She then hugged me tight around the waist. "I'm not in trouble, right?"

"No, of course not. But Miss M. and Miss Pepper are going to hear it from me, that's for sure."

As we ascend the last couple of steps, we come out at the café, where Mitzi and a well-dressed gentleman are kissing. I open the door for Riley and give her a gentle shove into the back rooms before closing it. Turning around, I see the flick of a grey tail move from the window. Looking at the two lovebirds, I resolve to talk to Mitzi later. Right now I need to find Pepper and Viktor.

Walking into the garage, I move through the scene once again. Those memories threaten to return, but after a couple of deep breaths and I've got it under control once more. Outside the garage, Viktor is propped up against the wall with a doctor applying bandages to the big guy. Ivy is near him, and our eyes meet.

"Ivy, how are things here?"

She stands up and walks over to me. "Doctor Quackenbush says Viktor will be fine so long as he has his medicine, and his wound stays clean."

"Good, but Viktor isn't who I meant. How about you?"

Ivy gets up and looks down at her feet in shame. "I'm… fine. But Ethan, I'm just so sorry." Tears well up in her eyes. "I didn't think that something like this would happen. I've been in the Lackadaisy since I was a little girl, we've never been attacked like this before."

For the moment, I put my anger on the back burner and try to approach this calmly. I can tell the poor girl is terrified and shaken up. "I suppose it's just good practice to not tell people you just met about the speakeasy. But why did you leave Riley down there?"

"I-I didn't mean to! We all got pushed out of the door, but she slipped out of my grasp. I wanted to go back in and get Riley, but Miss M. locked the door. Please, Ethan…"

Now I've done it. I pull her in close and try to comfort her. "Shh, It's okay Ivy. We're fine now. Besides not telling me that you were taking my sister into a speakeasy, I guess you are blameless in this whole mess. Just don't lie to me again when she's involved, okay? Please, Riley is all I've got. I promise I won't rat anyone out to the cops about this mess."

Ivy looks up at me, wiping away a tear, nodding.

"Sorry for the water works…"

"That's alright, you've had a rough night. Hey, what happened to your date?"

"Well, last I saw Freckle he was driving off in a hurry. Rocky there is his cousin."

"How you managed to snag a date with a stone cold killer is beyond me, Miss Pepper. You must like the dangerous ones."

That prompts a chuckle from Ivy, tears finally fading away. "Why do you think that, Mr. Kelly?"

"Because that "Freckle" just iced three guys downstairs… as hard as it might be to believe. If he can do that with a Thompson, then I'd like to see what he can do with a proper rifle."

Leaving Ivy to keep helping the doc, I look around to see that the only other decent place to sit is currently occupied by that grey tabby I've been running into. I startle him slightly as I slide down the wall and onto my butt a couple feet away. I can tell he's feeling really low.

"So, Zib tells me those goons were after you?"

"I kind of set their barn on fire… and their house… and all their cars… and their alcohol. I really messed up, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did. But the only fatalities so far are the ones who came after you. Everyone else is going to be fine. Physically, that is. Mentally this whole night has been messed up." The moonlight illuminates his face just right and it suddenly clicks. "Hey… you were that guy standing on the railroad bridge the other day!"

"I was?"

"You were waxing poetic about the Mississippi. It's a beautiful river."

"Oh yeah, that was me. What did you think?"

"Well, the violin woke my sleep-deprived sister up, and I thought you were going to get hit by a train standing on a bridge in the middle of the river like that."

"So you didn't like it then?" The cat said, depressing himself even further.

"I wouldn't say that. Thought it rather nice, actually."

"Really? Well, it doesn't matter now. By the time Freckle tells Aunt Nina it will be game over for us all."

"And why would a guy who just gunned down three people in a speakeasy do that?"

"You don't know my cousin. He'd turn himself in for hurting a butterfly. Freckle was even trying to be a cop, but I guess the…" Rocky started making twisted faces at me before continuing, "must have gotten him kicked out."

"Well, that's too bad, because someone who can turn a fight around like that would have been useful in the trenches. At least until some German got lucky."

Just then I noticed Rocky's expression become far more optimistic. "Say, that gives me an idea."

Something about Rocky told me that not all of his ideas were good. "Should I be scared or happy?"

"Both. But that depends on whether you plan to stick around and help our ragtag crew with our operations."

I scoffed at the notion. "Stick around? I don't think I could be much use. Besides, I'm trying to be an upstanding citizen."

"Yes… well, being an 'upstanding citizen' is certainly a good place to be for most people. But tell me this, what has been an upstanding citizen gotten you in life? All it got me was nothing, and the one time in my life I chose to be honest, I was kicked out of the only home I knew."

He did have a point. Doing what I was told hasn't gotten me very far in life. But regardless, I had more than myself to think about.

Just then, Ivy came up to grab us. "Hey boys, it's time to take Viktor home."

"I don't suppose we have a working vehicle, do we?"

The tabby then turned around on cue, spying the pig truck that's been parked across the street the whole time. "Well, we seem to have recently acquired ourselves a new automobile courtesy of our wounded compatriot."

Five minutes later, we got the big guy loaded in the cleanest part of the truck we could make for him. It was a lot of groaning on Viktor's part and I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle lifting him in. Ivy and Rocky climbed into the cab.

"You two will have to take it from here. I've got to check in on my sister."

"Will do Mister…" Rocky struggled to recall my name.

"Just call me Ethan, Rocky."

"Will do Ethan! But please, think it over before leaving. With a man down, we could use another brawler."

"What makes you think I can do the part?"

"That hat you're wearing. It's a campaign hat from the war, right?"

"Good guess, what of it?"

"Then that means you were a soldier, right?"

"Yeah, nine years ago. Served in the Argonne."

"Well, so was our Slavic fellow in the bed." And with that, Rocky drove off into the night with their "acquired" ride. Viktor in the Great War? I wonder if he also has nightmares. Hell, he might just drink himself to sleep every night. More than a few people in the mines did the same, and it rarely ended well. Regardless, I had more pressing matters to tend to.

Ghosts of the Past

Climbing the stairs, I made my way down the hall. Mitzi had already turned out the lights. She could wait until morning then. Opening the apartment door, Riley was sitting on the couch in the far corner, staring out the window. She looked spent, and probably still freaked out by all that happened.

"Hey sis, can't help but notice you aren't in bed yet?"

"I… can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I hear the guns."

Well damn, that's a familiar feeling. Poor girl. "Mind if I sit next to you?" Riley scoots over to make some room on the couch. I half fall, half collapse into the cushions. Finally able to decompress. "Riley, I am so sorry for letting you get into the middle of this mess. I thought something might be up. Perhaps they were making some booze under the table. Most people do that in Butte, even the cops. But this kind of establishment, a speakeasy... Well, let's just say the competition is a bit more cutthroat."

"Does this mean we have to move again?"

"I don't want to keep looking for a place to stay, but I don't want us to be anywhere near danger. I could have lost you tonight Riley, or you could have lost me. That's not something I want to risk happening."

"Can I at least say goodbye to Ivy tomorrow? She treated me almost like a sister. Besides, she needs that dress back."

"Of course." Well shit, she's attached herself to someone here already. That would make things a bit more complicated.

"Are you still mad at Miss M.?"

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I'm trying to discuss this with a child. "It's a bit more complicated than that, kiddo. But in some sense, yes, I am angry. Don't fret over it though. Miss M. is an adult who is fully capable of facing the consequences of her actions."

"So are you going to go to the police? Is Miss M. going to jail?"

"In a perfect world Riley, I might, but this world is far from perfect. I suppose the earlier you figure that out, the better off you'll be. They are trying to survive, just like us. Now, how about we get you into bed and I'll finish getting the blood and dirt off me."

I can't seem to sleep in the dark apartment. Not only is my fur still a bit damp from the shower, but the events of the evening keep recycling in my head. I hated the feeling of losing control of myself like that, but at the same time there was part of me that felt… alive. It was just like those six days in 1918. Unable to get it out of my mind, I got up from bed and turned on the lamp nearby. Digging through my stuff under the bed I found what I was looking for. A small box with a symbol burned into the top. It was the symbol worn by a friend in the war, one of many who didn't make it. It was supposed to protect me. Though I'm not religious, the fact that I was alive despite everything that had happened counted for something.

Opening the box, the first thing that stared back at me was my father's handwriting. He had written it shortly before dying while I was in Europe. He was complicated, to put it lightly. Ah, screw it, he was abusive! And a drunk. This letter, I assumed, was a goodbye or a good riddance. Either way, I had kept it hidden, unable to open it and read the contents. Perhaps I would someday, but for now it was one part of my past that I wanted to keep out of the light.

A book was in there as well. A bunch of tales from the war, and also something I'd rather not remember. Finally, at the bottom, was the complete family portrait. I had pocket photographs, but this was the big print. It was taken shortly after Riley's birth. Mom, Dad, Liam, Sean, Michael, and cousin Fred. Riley and I were the last, the ones who made it out of that Hell. I felt guilty at losing all of them, except for my father anyway. But that was especially true for my little brothers. I was supposed to protect them, teach them, guide them. I failed. The accident wasn't my fault, I knew that, but it shouldn't have been them in that mine shaft.

The Unsinkable Mitzi May

The next day, I'm standing right outside Mitzi's office. The anger is starting to bubble up again, but a level head is far preferable. If she's in a mob or something, there's no telling what could happen if I said something stupid. With a bit of hesitation, I knock. "Mitzi? It's Ethan. Do you mind if we talk?"

It takes a second, but eventually the door opens. Mitzi is trying to force a smile, but it's an easy façade to see through. "Mr. Kelly, good morning. I hope last night's… activities weren't too much to handle."

I step across the threshold and close the door behind us. Mitzi then glances back as she slowly walks to a side table. "Well, now that I suppose you are in on the secret, I wouldn't suppose you'd like to share a drink? It's been watered down quite a bit, but still packs a punch for this girl."

"I'm fine, thank you. Look, Miss M., if you are getting the impression that I'm not happy…"

She looks at me whilst simultaneously sitting down.

"…then it's because I am. Not about the speakeasy—"

"It's called the 'Lackadaisy' dear."

"It's not about Lackadaisy. I don't judge people for how they make a living. Lord knows I've done dangerous work too. But last night my little sister could have died. I could have died and left her with no one. Keeping that secret from one of your employees, even a new one like myself, could have ended badly."

At least she was listening… or pretending too.

"So, in the interest of safety and good relations, I quit. You don't have to pay me, and I have no intention of telling anyone about what's happened. But I think it's for the best if I find a more suitable place to work."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that hon. Not that I blame you. In hindsight, I see why it was a mistake to not tell you. But please understand, getting your baby sister involved in last night's incident was not the plan."

"I know it wasn't, and that's why I'm not throwing a fit because while I've only known you a couple of days, you don't seem like the type who lets her employees get killed. But all the same…"

"If you don't mind hearing me out, Mr. Kelly, I have a different proposition in mind."

"Does it involve staying here?"

"Yes, it does."

I have to roll my eyes at this appeal. "Then you better have a good reason why I should stick around."

Ethan, it feels like a lifetime ago, but when I was a bit younger than you, I was traveling around the country with Zib and his band downstairs. Atlas, even though he ran an illegal establishment, lifted up many people who were in the same position you are in. Lackadaisy has fallen on hard times lately, but if you stay and help us rebuild, I promise that one day you'll have a better place in this world than where you just came from.

For the first time, I noticed the large portrait hanging over the very desk this Atlas May used to run his "businesses". The tiger is portrayed very well in a stately, dignified manner, and yet simultaneously looming over the crumbling ruins of his empire. Mitzi seems to take notice and spins the chair around to look up at her deceased husband.

"He was an impressive man, Ethan. That portrait shows him at his best, but I loved him even at his worst. To me, it's a reminder of happier days."

"Ma'am, I won't judge a man I've never met, but I also won't stand in his shadow. If I tried to preserve what my uncle built, I'd be just as dead as him. It's better to know when to move on and let the past die." I could tell Mitzi realized that tactic wasn't going to work.

"Ethan… If you won't stay for yourself, then how about Riley? Getting paid $40 or so a week is okay, but if you work for Lackadaisy, you could make much, much more than that."

"Yeah, and I can also get her killed. Sorry Mitzi, but no dice."

"Well, you can't blame me for trying…"

"I understand that you need help, Miss M, but my days of being a killer are behind me. I need them to be behind me."

The poor woman finally gave a sigh of defeat. "For what it's worth, Ethan, I'm sorry for what's happened, and I promise I can give you a good recommendation. After all, you fixed that stove. Even Viktor couldn't get that thing running right."

"Thank you for the recommendation. Let the others know it wasn't them that was the problem, just the nature of the business. I'll wait until Ivy shows up again so that Riley can say goodbye and give her that dress back."

"Alright, well, if that's that, then I need to make a phone call to inquire about how our guns ended up in the hands of some pig farmers."

"I'll see myself out…"

Decision Time

Closing the door, I remembered that Riley forgot her books down in the café last night after leaving with Ivy. Heading down stairs, I almost bump into Rocky with his cousin in tow.

"Ethan! Have you thought over your decision?"

"Sorry Rocky, there's just too much at stake and… hey, you got Freckle back!"

"Yep, the boy decided he wants to join the valiant ranks of the Lackadaisy Crew, living on the edge of the law, tipping his lance at windmills and such…"

"For what it's worth, I wish you both luck. Also, Freckle—"

The kid looked up the stairs at me as I try to pass. "Sir?"

"Thank you for keeping Riley safe last night. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her. But running a speakeasy is dangerous business, so I hope you've got someone to teach you."

"Actually, sir, I was hoping you could help me."

"Help you with what, Calvin?"

Rocky then felt the need to jump in as Freckle just looked down shyly. "I told him how you were in the Great War. Viktor isn't much of a talker, but you seem far more approachable. I was hoping you might be able to teach my cousin to not go…" Rocky then made those same faces and noises again, "the second he gets a gun in his hands. As great as it is having a murder machine on the crew, it would be better if he were focused."

"With training I suppose you could get better, Calvin. But my answer is still no. There are others out there who know how to handle a gun—"

"Hey, hey, wait a second. Please Ethan, just hear me out."

I sigh before turning around to entertain one more try from the manic cat. "Alright, fine, what is it?"

"If you stick with us, we'll protect you—"

Yeah right. "Okay, we're done here…" I put on my hat and make my way down the stairs a couple of steps.

"Or you could protect us?"

"Nope, not interested Rocky."

"Then how about a home? How about a family?" I pause and think about it.

"Please, Ethan. Mitzi told me that it was just you and your sister. Well, all I've got is my cousin. Viktor just has us—"

"Yeah, lucky him. He's doing just peachy—"

"And Miss May only has this place. If we all leave each other, then we'll all be alone. Do you really think it would be better to try and make it out there by yourself? Here at Lackadaisy there's hope, and that's something in short supply these days."

It was getting harder to walk out now. A couple of boys in it together, about the same age as my brothers would have been. They were going to be in over their heads, and they didn't even know it yet. But I must steel my resolve, Riley comes first. "Sorry boys, I can't. Stay safe."

I make it down the stairs and run into Riley who is studying in the café. She's tired, bored, and doesn't greet me like usual as I sit down across from her with a fresh cup of coffee.

"Couldn't sleep well last night?"

"No…"

"It's alright, you can take a nap. We'll go to a park or something and you can cuddle up in my lap like you used to. The stuff that happened last night will fade in time Riley, it gets easier."

"It's not that, Ethan. I don't want to go."

"What do you mean?"

"This is the first place in a long time that feels like home. Since before Liam and Sean died. Please, I don't want to leave. I like having a sister, and you want brothers, right?"

"But Riley, this place is dangerous. It would be one thing if this café was supporting everyone, but it isn't. The real money is made downstairs, and a lot of people want that money. It just isn't safe here."

"Yeah, but you can make it safe."

I sighed. As much as I wanted to call her naïve, Riley wasn't wrong. Those boys were going to get themselves and everyone else killed if someone didn't step in to help. Someone had to keep the wolves away, and that was something I had learned to do since Dad died. Maybe this time I wouldn't fail? No, it was too risky for us, and my priority was keeping Riley safe.

"Come on, kid, let's go rest for a while longer. You need sleep and I need to think."

"Miss M., you can imagine that can't you. Oh, please imagine!" Rocky plunked his head down on her desk, getting on his knees. This was his only chance at staying with the people who tolerated him.

She looked at him, then looked at Calvin.

"How would you boys like some lunch?"

As I sit upstairs weighing my options, I hear people going down the stairs. Looking out the alley, I spot Mitzi with Rocky and Freckle in tow. For a moment my mind plays a trick on me. The boys remind me a bit of my brothers. Riley was right, I wanted to build a new family for us. Closing the shades, I go to the next room and see that Riley is already asleep. She wants to stay as well. Feeling overwhelmed, I decide to go downstairs to the café and think there. As I do so, I notice a note on my door addressed to me.

"Ethan,

Again, I apologize for what happened last night. Freckle has decided to join the crew, but both of my boys need someone to watch out for them. If you decide to change your mind, we will be at the beer garden in Bevo. Get down to Gravois Ave then follow it south until you see a big windmill. Dress like you mean business.

Signed,

Mitzi May"

Looking back, my campaign hat stares back at me. It was the last big of my uniform and the only thing issued to me that I cared to keep. The hat band had been replaced several years ago and the cord was removed. While I didn't own pinstripes or a fedora, I did have my fathers coat and this hat. Digging in the register downstairs, I get the final thing I need. Money for a streetcar ride across town.