The Queen and The Viper

by Adam C Mitchell

  That explained why every attempt to bring the House down, always failed. The deputy Mayor just used his post to kill it before it had chance to gain momentum. She thought angrily as her hand subconsciously moved wrapping her palm around the butt of the Kiss. Maybe I can bring him in? She wondered before Jack let out a muffled cough. No Henley could wait but she’d see him soon she thought.

  “You’ll obey my orders God damn you, or suffer the consequence’s! I’m in charge of this chapter and don’t you forget it, one more move like that and you’ll get what that waster Malone got earlier.” His outburst was cut down short as he spun on a heel and left. Leaving Peggy and Jack in the dark again,

  Peggy let out a noticeably relieved sigh that, made Jack looking with a curious eye as if he knew something then turned away, so not to make it obvious. “Phew! That was close, a tad to close honey. Lets get you out of here” she breathed as she helped Jack to his feet. It was at that moment she noticed him cradling a badly broken wrist, looking at him like that, with his wrist broken brought a spring of anger bubbling to the surface, and a vengeful angel knocking at the door to be let lose. But this was no time to let anger get the better of her.

  Her angels could play later, and she was going to let them riot in some way given the chance. She took a deep breath stealing back a moment of calm and resolve.

  “I thought for a moment we were sunk.”

  “You can say that again, doll!”

  Lieutenant Jack Malone staggered to his feet and would have fallen but for a steadying arm, so cramped were his tired beaten limbs, from long hours beneath the bindings. It took Peggy around five minutes to guide her rescue towards the sill and window that she got in by and joined him outside a moment later. Outside she quickly noticed a small gathering of sirens over by the next building. All like carrion birds over by the next building, all hunting for whatever the cause they been beckoned to. So she quickly stepped back into the shadows, the crime fighter in her wondered what had gone down over there. Was it something to do with the House, or something else.

  Either way she told herself it didn’t matter. Not right now, despite stepping back into the shadows, some of the red light beaming from the squad cars drifted her way. Just enough to make things visible. She leaned close to him as much as she dared. As he caught the first glimpse of her costume and iconic domino mask.

  “The Queen Of Spades!” he exclaimed wonderingly.

  “At your service1” she replied making sure to temper her voice to a lazy disguising drawl for Jack’s benefit “...and taking on the House, and its unscrupulous political backers. I did my best to help you Jack Malone, now will you help me in return?

  “Name it darling” was his reply, earnestly “and I’ll go back into hell and risk it all if I have to, for you doll”

  She laughed softly behind a gloved hand, Jack was a fool, an honest but brave fool.

  “Lets put it this way handsome if you help me and we pull it off like I think we can, The House Of Games is done! Finished not to mention the higher-ups who really pull the strings will be sent up-state for a very long time. So Jack, come we must move fast!” Without saying a word The Queen Of Spades set out in the direction of the road and her borrowed car, with loyal lap dog Jack Malone following without question.

  As the rear door of the sedan Peggy ‘borrowed’ swung open, Peggy took out her pencil flash and Kiss and shot him twice just to make sure he was out for a little longer, the shot not bothering Jack either way, especially seeing how there was no blood just little clouds of blue smoke from where the rounds hit.

  She sprayed the cars trunk with a narrow beam of light. Jacks lips curved in a cruel pleasing grin. As he stood over the unconscious bound figure, without a hint of compassion in his grey eyes. Then for some strange reason even he couldn’t explain he shot a questioning glance at the Queen.

  “The House Of Games is nothing without this man Lieutenant” Peggy answered by way of an explanation “You know who he is, you suspected Dunham for ages and well, handsome you were bang on the money.”

  Morgan was brooding over the solemn realization, that they could be to late. But there may still be time, his gut told him they could. If luck was with them, they might just be able to get their before it was too late. Ben hadn’t realized he was thinking aloud, when Louise replied.

  “It might. Station Master didn’t say to the Commissioner, what time the train left this A.M. Plus those trains up North move slowly, slower than a beat cop facing overtime. Plus she may have had a connection midway...”

  Louise picked up the phone and called transit information. But not to her surprise it was busy. The female police officer slammed her fist on the desk, repeating the action as if doing so, speeded up the connection. Before Parish hung up, Morgan asked more for himself than to her “Can we stop her?”

  “Only train that arrives here with connections from Horizon Falls, arrives at MacArthur Station at eight forty. Which gives us about fifteen minutes to find dear Miss Handley.”

  He caught her arm “Hell it does. We’ll have to burn more than just rubber to make it. Way I see it doll, we can’t wait till, she gets off the train. We’ll have to find her convince her we’re on the level. Then tip her off of what she’s to do. Our chances are Bell or whoever he is will be waiting for her. We’d scare him off before we could clock and catch him.”

  She was streaking down the corridor towards the elevator Ben Morgan had to admit she was a real fire cracker, was then and was more so now, he had to admit he was struggled to keep up.

  “Ben we can catch the train at a hundred and twenty-fifth, and come in with her?”

  “If she’s on it. If w can locate it, and if of course she’ll listen to reason. After all she’s a dame, no offence they don’t really like to listen much.” he replied bitterly.

  The not quite regulation undercover P.W.B Ford Tacoma roadster, zoomed over to Park and Thirty -Fourth, went through four red-lights with sirens screeching. They didn’t stop to park at a hundred and Twenty-fifth instead breached the curb driving through a sea of side walk pedestrians, finally stopping at the foot of the station stairs. The pair leapt from the car and sprinted up the stairs Louise dodging tourists with ease while Morgan ploughed through them, doing his best to avoid the steady stream of people but missing each time. They finally got to platform U as the conductor gave the “All a boa-r-r-r-d!” the pair hoping onto the train.

  Louise saw the flowers first, there stems of a dozen white roses peaking over a gathering of alighting passengers from a nearby train. “Look Ben, that sweet-faced one, in the dark blue coat and gaudy hat.”

  “Finally. Louise go break the ice. She’ll be suspicious of a man, badge or not!” Agreeing with Ben she straightened herself up and calmly walked towards the horrid hat wearer. As she walked down the carriage she pinched a newspaper from an absent minded businessman, and went on to sit calmly next to the woman. Using the ruse of reading the paper to go talk to her. Morgan had followed staying a few feet back, stopping at the dining car nearby to watch over proceedings.

  “Miss Handley?” the female police officer asked softly. “Your Miss Maggie Handley of Horizon Falls aren’t you?” the woman believed to be Handley smiled, opening her back producing a few seconds later a small pad and pencil.

  Swiftly she wrote. Sorry I am deaf. Despite being a few feet away Morgan could see the notepad and kicked himself. If Peggy was here it wouldn't have mattered if she’d been crippled or in this case apparently deaf. She would have been able to find away, somehow. He wondered if Louise could be as amazing as her partner. Either way time would have been against Peggy or Louise in this matter, neither could have given proper instruction for the woman to handle, the man she was going to fatefully meet. Longhand was out of the question too, not without arousing Bell or whoever’s suspicion’s. Especially of our possible Bell had an accomplice, as both he and Jack thought, let alone the amazing feminine brains at the P.W.B. This poor woman wouldn't have been able to hear Bell
and his possible pal talk about her, and that would shoot down any possible evidence that would have sunk them. Louise wrote away on the pad, as Morgan carefully moved closer to see the pad, but at the same time still keeping a cautious distance. I am Louise Parish, a detective with Liberty Cities Police Woman's Bureau. Are you Miss Maggie Handley?

  The woman shrank back into her seat, slowly writing her reply Yes, why do you want me? Her written voice said as her hand trembled, and again the pencil raced in Louise Parish’s hand.

  Only to save your life! You plan to meet a man named Edward Henderson.

  Yes is anything wrong? she wrote in reply Parish wrote in reply. Please try and stay calm but we believe he’s a killer, whose murdered several woman who became known to him by the Herald Of Commitment Agency. Do you have a picture of him?

  Miss Handley fumbled nervously in her bag, producing a minute later a small glossy snap-shot. Morgan from his vantage was able to see the picture and it wasn’t Henderson or Bell. It was a new player, Great that’s all we need he cursed inwardly. Round faced and fat cheeked. He had a neatly trimmed goatee from what Morgan could tell, with a bald head and rather noticeable high forehead. Louise then wrote How will Henderson recognise you? The terrified woman then wrote back We’ve exchanged photograph’s. I sent it to him a week back. She began to cry, a single tear falling onto the pad of paper smudging the grease pencil’s etchings. But she did her best to fight back any more tears, I’m afraid it wasn’t a great picture of me, the camera doesn’t like me. Never has. Yet I’m exactly what I wore in the photograph by his request of course. Maggie couldn't hold it any more as she began to break down. You must be mistaken about Edward she wrote His letters were so sweet and kind. I can’t imagine his...hurting anybody.

  The tell tale screech of the train’s whistle signalling they were slowing for the station, as it began to pull into the stations upper yards and track intersections. Louise had no time for the soft approach, she forced the notepad to say If he’s the Joe were after. He won’t put a ring on your finger or sing you a happily ever after. He’ll drain you fore every cent and dime and then — Wait did he mention to you anything about money?

  The words came out between hard fought sobs Only that he had a small business that was doing very well. With a partner was more...crooked than straight. If Edward and I… got along… he said I might want to buy this other man’s interests. So me and my...new husband I hope...could be more than just matrimonial partners.

  “Just what is your idea doll?” whispered Jack curiously, Peggy couldn’t help but let out a small liquid like laugh, that peaked the man’s interest, it was a laugh that Jack was familiar with, it was safe and more than just familiar it touched him at his core. Could it be..? No…? Surely. He could deal with that later though. Right now she whoever he thought she maybe, needed him. So for now that would have to do.

  “Mr Malone have you ever noticed the almost striking similarity in size and colouring between you and this sack of crap?” the detective stared “You’re right!” he exclaimed, slightly take back “though I'd never noticed it before—Just what—”

  “They were going to torture you further and worse Lieutenant, I’d wager honey” she said interrupting evenly, “and this scoundrel would give each and every one of them low life’s total immunity from the law! So I’m thinking of pulling a little Mary, you know a switch. Switch of clothing more to the point and send that waste back in, bound and in your place, and let his organization's brutes do as they please with him. Poor D.A Dunham will get a solid dose of his own poison then.” The police Lieutenant wouldn’t usually condone those kind of games, he was a buy the book man through and through but the House Of Games had played him and then beaten him. So instead of protest he just grinned “All the way!” he cried softly “and then some! Let’s get busy doll before I change my mind” he said as he began to take off his coat and jacket. Forcing a wanting Peggy to turn away, as not to give the game away of who she was under that mask, despite wanting to embrace him there and then and more. So instead of letting her base desires take over, she took to busying herself with the bulky briefcase she had taken along with the man and his car. By the dash light, she let trained figures flick and sort through it’s contents, giving it all the proper attention it deserved, after all she had gold in her hands. Taking out a small leather bound ledger she opened it, shocked at what she held in her gloved palms. It was the Houses bible, a list with full detail about every person and organization this criminal enterprise had bribed and kept in there employ and through her dealing with the P.W.B she recognized at least a dozen names of fellow police women on the take and about the same again in Homicide and Burglary. She was astounded by the scope and lists of names. What she had was the final nail that would topple this house of cards. From the bible she soon learned that whoever was the real ring leader of the House, had put Dunham up as the front man and voice for it’s inner circle, and a charter member of this cities House. He was the one who organised the funds and man power from the Detroit base to Liberty. He was the one that seemed to start this plague on the city. His damaging paperwork went into more than just detail. It was the sword that slew the dragon, and this dragon had several heads, all prominent members and political powers.

  Peggy turned at the sound of her man’s voice, to find him garbed in the D. D. Al's natty tweeds and his own rumpled clothing gracing the bound figure out cold in the trunk. The latter was now conscious, his eyes rolled in fear from one of his captors to the other. While the D.A was out, Jack had re-bound him fast. The tape preventing him from speaking, yet he still squirmed frantically trying to brake his bonds. Until Jack planted a fist into his captors face. A blow that settled him down. Painfully! The police Lieutenant then bent over, and placed the handkerchief mask over his captors eyes. Now nobody would know the difference between the two men. Especially since the House Of Games usually bound and taped a masked prisoner before dealing with them. It looked like the D.A was in for a lot of pain, much to the delight of the Lieutenant and the cape.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It wasn’t that hard to man handle the bound up figure and Jack’s small but wiry frame had spring steel running through him as most men who survived Central City did. Jack had no difficulty what so ever in lifting the flabby D.A. onto his shoulders guided by the masked Peggy he moved his shoulders. Guided by the masked Peggy he moved noiselessly toward the factory with his helpless cargo. The pair could hear the badly warped musical thongs of the men inside murdering Bing Crosby number much to the annoyance of Jack who was a die hard Bing fan. The twisted vocals came from the poorly lighted room as with assistance Jack hefted the figure over the sill, not caring as he let him fall in a heap in the makeshift interior prison, he’d been rescued from earlier. It was obvious to Peggy that the heavy drinking warden, of this would be cell, had reached a state where warbled tones alone could explain his feelings. Which he did aloud, Peggy though was glad Martin’s racket masked her and Jacks movements perfectly. Jack placed the unconscious body in the exact spot and position he had laid in earlier, of course not before giving him a swift kick in the groin for good measure. The Queen then gave Jack a knowing nod, and he made his way back outside making sure no one saw him leave, Peggy however would join in a minute or two. For she had one more thing to do. This man hadn’t started this but if she hadn’t saved Jack this scum would have without a second thought, helped the House get away with the murder of one of this cities finest. He’s just as bad as the rest of them bastards she thought despite knowing full well, she now had the ammunition to bankrupt the House once and for all.

  But right now the district attorney was the sacrificial lamb and he paid those who hurt her love and that was beyond unforgivable. This right now was personal. She didn’t even notice her hand stay to the Queen’s Kiss, let alone notice her thumb pulling back the hammer. She took a small vial of smelling salts from her wrist bag, and slowly brought around the dazed panicked D.A. Jamming the barrel of her gun right unde
r his chin, as her free hand then took Dunham’s left wrist snapping it with one forceful motion, the sound of the wrist braking, brought a cruel grin to her perfect face. She then plugged his muffled wails with a sleeper round from her gun.

  “That’s for Jack you Bastard!” she whispered in his ear before he fell back into his unconscious state. Then taking a quick glance at her handy work left the way she came in. Five minutes later she was back outside and by Jacks side. The Queen quickly sinking back into the shadows to avoid attention from the police who still seemed to linger for some unknown reason, on the other side of the industrial estate. Quickly the pair got into the borrowed Sedan. Peggy had to admit she would have liked to have been a fly on the wall, for what would be install for Dunham, not to mention the reactions of that lout Martin when he realised he’d just pummelled the man who pays him. But with the police milling about escape as more pressing than personal gratification, mores the pity she thought dryly. All this, the rescue, Dunham. Everything would be for nothing if the crime fighting pair didn't get to the centre of the city fast. They had to get back, not to mention dispose of the car and the handing over the evidence to the ‘right’ powers. This was no pleasurable drive, they had to move, now and fast! Peggy expertly glided the car on little more than fumes out past the police and a safe distance from the pier until she gunned the engine into a mile-eating pace, heading like an arrow straight to the city. There was not a word spoken between the pair as the y hurled along through the outskirts of Liberty on that cold night. She knew her man better than anyone, and now had a strong hunch why her love Jack Malone was so quiet and noticeably on edge. Her man like her was a proud police office of the city of liberty, and apart from that Jack was one of the best, by the book and honest as the day was long. But the Queen Of Spades was reputedly and most often correct in that assumption acting outside the bounds of the law. She had saved his life and if it was anyone else injured or not, Jack would have cuffed them and hauled them in. But now Jack couldn't even question her, let alone try to establish her true identity. So instead Jack just looked out the small car window, away from her. His long battered fingers testing he toughness if a two day old growth of dark beard on his lean cheeks.