“Is that all you got?”He charged at her, taking her down, providing fast-fisted blows.Two women dragged him off the lady as Helen came down the stairs, Candace in tow, to the ruckus of Bad Apple on the floor, swinging at women.It looked so terrible and beautiful at the same time.
“Commander!”she shouted, and he bound to his feet, snapping to attention.
While in that position, the big woman was aiming to swing at him.Helen happily pulled her weapon, shooting the woman in the knee.The sound of the gunshot sent people scrambling as flashing red and blue lights appeared outside the door as a man with a camera came through, snapping photos.Screams and yells were heard as Helen grabbed the bag of cash she’d brought, alongside the pile next to the concierge stand.They made an exit to the door as police officers streamed in while Helen, Apple, and Candace slipped out.
On her way out the door, she looked back.In the corner, dressed like Norma Desmond waiting for her closeup, was whom she assumed to be Swallowtail.Helen provided a nod and exited quietly.
In the vehicle, she exited a different way from the front gate, having learned the layout of the property from earlier records during her research of the home.She drove, pressing the one on the phone.
“State your need,” the voice said.
“Package secured,” Helen replied.“Looking for the location of the sommelier.”
“Reynolds and Sixth, three blocks from you,” the voice said, “alive but unconscious.What is your plan?”
“Best you don’t know; plausible deniability,” Helen said, “Cranberry out.”
In the back seat, Candace buckled up, leaned forward and offered her hand to Apple.“I’m Candace.Are you Cranberry’s man?”
“No, I am The Bad Apple,” he said.
“The way you were fighting them mean women, you sure are,” she said.“That was impressive.I need to learn to fight.”
“We need to get that tracker out of you.Do you know where it is?”
“I’m thinking, my right arm,” she said.“I knew it felt weird, but they are always drugging us, so I didn’t know if it was a knot from the injections or what.”
Helen said no more, locating the van that had a sign which read, ‘Tip of the Tongue.’The van sat in a dark alley.The driver slumped behind the wheel, she opened the cargo door to find cases of good wine, high end liquors, and spirits.
Apple asked, “What are we doing?”
“Taking this shit home.My man used to own a winery, so he is going to love this,” Helen said.
“So, we’re stealing now?”Apple said.
“I can split that bag of cash with you, or I can keep it for myself,” Helen said.“I’m planning to take all that bitch’s money and possibly her life.This is just the start.I plan to give some of it to Pear and Candace to start her an account.You want part of the spoils?”
“Well, yeah, and that big heffah hit me in my mouth.She hits like a man, but I was about to break her in half,” Apple said, touching his mouth.
“You two act like brother and sister,” Candace said.She grew quiet and suddenly there were sniffles.“You came for me, Cranberry.You came for me.I thought I was going to be sold this time for running away.She beat me and made me spend time alone with her.Will you go back and shoot her for me, please?”
“Darling, I may go you one better,” Helen said, loading in the first case of liquor, then noticing movement across the street.From behind the safety of the rear door of the van, she spotted a sight she didn't expect to see.“Well, isn't that interesting?”
