Chapter 16 #2
“Who?” Jimmy asked.
“Lady Justice, Jimmy. You know, the statue of the woman with the blindfold and the scales.”
“Oh, is that her name?”
Again, Vinny wondered why his friend didn’t have tire tracks along his back.
Charles proceeded to explain the rules. “You shall be fed three times per day. You will have the opportunity to use the loo three times per day. You will have access to a shower every other day. And of course, you shall be escorted to the facilities one at a time. I strongly suggest neither of you try to make a break for it. I can assure you, you will not make it to the stairs.”
“What if I have to pee before we can go?” Jimmy asked, because he was in that very situation.
“We’ll provide a receptacle, which you will clean yourselves.” Fergus said.
Vinny took in an exceptionally long breath and exhaled. “What about my mother? She is going to worry.”
“We’ve got that sorted. She thinks you and your pal were comped for a hotel in Atlantic City.”
“But what about Christmas?” Vinny asked. He was fairly sure it was still a couple days away.
“Christmas?” Charles asked. He turned to Fergus, but did not address him by name. “Do you know about Christmas?”
“I do, indeed.” Fergus set the three-foot-high, pre-lit tree a few feet from the cells. “We’re not barbarians, after all.”
“Can someone take me to the bathroom?” Jimmy was whining at this point.
Charles looked at Fergus. “Right. We’re not barbarians.” He pulled out a huge ring containing over a dozen keys of various colors, shapes, and sizes. “I will remind you, do not attempt to do anything foolish.”
Charles unlocked his cell and motioned for Jimmy to walk forward. “Turn right. First door on the right.”
Jimmy followed the directions and came upon a rudimentary toilet area with a bowl, a sink, and a shower pan. He also noticed there was no door between the plumbing and the hallway. Not that he was modest. It clearly affirmed that this was a serious situation.
“Don’t forget to wash your hands,” Charles called out, and chuckled to himself.
He was actually enjoying this fly-in-the spiderweb situation.
Myra would be proud. The purpose wasn’t to torture them, but to teach them a lesson, and serve as a reminder to never do it again.
It was relatively light weight for the Sisterhood.
But it was the holidays, and the penalty was commensurate with the crime.
New York
Annie and Myra were back at Annie’s townhouse. They turned on the television to watch the evening news when they heard the announcer say:
According to police, there are no suspects at this time in the raucous disorderly event that took place this afternoon at Radio City Music Hall.
A few audience members were able to capture this episode on their phone’s video app, and one dancer mentioned a woman wearing white rhinestone cow girl boots; however, no one had been identified .
Annie looked down at her prized footwear. “I hope I don’t have to ditch these babies.”
“Just keep them on the down-low until this blows over,” Myra said. “We still have a couple of things to accomplish.”
“You’re right. Speaking of which, I shall call my contact, who will reach out to Bushwhacker.”
“You mean Buchwald Barflow?”
“Close enough!” Annie hooted. She pulled her phone from her purse and pressed one of her speed dial buttons. “Hey, Desie. Annie here. How are you doing?”
“Annie! I’m great. And you?” the woman replied.
“All good here. Listen, I need you to get me hooked up with Buchwald Barflow.”
“Really? That creep?” Desie asked.
“Yeah.”
“He’s a menace. He and his gang are ruining the neighborhood,” Desie said with despair.
“So, I’ve heard,” Annie agreed.
“Can you get rid of him? Please?” Desie asked, half-joking.
“That’s the plan.”
“Oh goodie! How can I help?” Desie asked.
She and Annie went way back to one of the first Sisters missions.
Desie owned a bottega, and her finger was on the pulse of the borough for many years.
Unfortunately, she had no clout, but people went to her if they needed information.
She was considered the “directory assistant” in town.
“I want to fence some of my diamonds.”
“Really?” Desie was shocked at the thought of this rich and powerful woman having to hock her jewels.
“Not really. Just paste. But good paste. Paste that only a serious expert could recognize. A jeweler’s piece isn’t going to do it. At least not by Buchwald standards.”
“Sounds intriguing,” Desie responded.
“I want to set up a meeting with him so I can show him one of the diamonds. Whet his appetite.”
“Okay. What do you want me to do?”
“Get word to him that the countess wants to meet. Tell him I have over a hundred-fifty-thousand dollars’ worth of diamonds that I want to get rid of, and I’m going to offer him a thirty percent commission, five percent higher than the street.
It has to be discreet. Not the pizzeria.
Maybe a coffee shop. Once he takes the bait, I’ll arrange for a drop. ”
“You got it!” Desie said with enthusiasm. “I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
The wheels were in motion. Annie was sure Buchwald would agree.
How could he turn down an opportunity to make thirty grand in a day?
Annie planned to tell him to meet her in the hangar where she kept her plane.
Alone. “I don’t want anyone to know anything about this,” she would explain.
The only thing he was allowed to bring with him was the cash.
Once he arrived and everyone was certain he’s alone, Annie would offer him a cocktail to toast their deal.
Within seconds, he’d be lying on the tarmac and shipped back to Belarus, never to return to the States, or possibly anywhere, for that matter.
Annie turned to Myra. “Now we wait.”
“Excellent. Let’s check in with Charles and Fergus and see how our houseguests are doing.”
Frankie hadn’t had a chance to talk with Nina since their afternoon adventure, but the text messages had been flying back and forth since the earlier edition of the local news. Frankie promised she would call Nina as soon as she got back to her apartment after their dinner at Keens.
The eleven o’clock news was on at Annie’s townhouse, Frankie’s apartment, and Nina’s parents’ place, where Nina was living.
It hadn’t hit the national media yet, but by morning it would certainly be one of the leading stories on the talk shows.
Frankie and Nina were on the phone watching it virtually together.
Annie and Myra were glued to the big screen TV in Annie’s townhouse.
The commentator began with grainy video footage in the background:
This afternoon, a group of wild Santas dashed across the stage and disrupted the famous Radio City Rockettes routine.
Six women wearing Santa caps were in hot pursuit of two men dressed as Santa.
The incident lasted only a few minutes but was captured in part by some members of the audience.
Randy Wheeler, one of the performers, was interviewed .
“They ran in and grabbed a bunch of hats that were sitting in a box backstage. They practically knocked me over.”
Apparently, the unknown intruders have not been identified, although one witness said she saw a pair of white rhinestone cowboy boots flash by. Police are asking if anyone has any information, they should contact the police hotline number seven-seven-seven .
Frankie’s phone began to blow up. First it was Randy, claiming he was not an accomplice, and he did not give them up to the police.
Then Rachael, who had gotten the news from Randy in the aftermath.
Myra and Annie were also fielding calls from Maggie and Kathryn, who’d caught it on their news feed.
Finally, Annie put everyone on a conference call, including Frankie and Nina.
“Do you think they’ll figure out who it was?” Maggie asked.
“Who is going to tell?” Annie asked.
“Randy had his two minutes of fame and didn’t rat us out,” Nina said.
“I think we’re good, but I also think Annie is going to have to retire those boots. At least for a while,” Myra reiterated her earlier comment.
Annie looked at her favorite bedazzled boots. “Sorry guys. Time to pack you up until the season is over.”
There was a few more minutes of chatter and Maggie asked, “Annie, do you want me to run a story about today’s holiday shenanigans?”
Myra jumped in, “Call it ‘Santa’s Holiday Spectacular!’”
“Great turn of a phrase,” Annie added. “And be sure you throw the light away from us.”
“But I report facts,” Maggie said proudly.
“Then keep them vague and simple,” Myra suggested.
“Roger that,” Maggie said gleefully. “No suspects have been named.”
“You got it!” Annie bellowed. Everyone laughed and applauded. “Okay, pals. Time we all got some rest. Sweet dreams, everyone!”
Once the call was over, Myra checked in with Charles. “How are our guests?”
“Hunky-dory. We fed them and gave them an opportunity to relieve themselves. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost. I think one day in our version of the pokey was enough. By the time we get them back, they’ll be altar boys.”
Myra whooped and said, “I seriously doubt that, but I do believe they will leave their life of petty thievery behind.”
“We’ll tell them we’ll be watching.” Charles chuckled. “Have you and Annie figured out part two of this caper?”
“Annie has a brilliant idea, but she has to check with someone first.”
“Do tell,” Charles coaxed her.
“No can do, darling.” She looked over at Annie. who mouthed the word tomorrow . “But I can bring you up to speed in the morning. How does that sound?”
“Splendid. Meanwhile, I’ll go tuck the boys in.”
Myra laughed out loud. “Do give them a fresh pair of pajamas. We don’t want them to think we’re terrible hosts.”
“Will do. Fergus has some clean jumpsuits for them,” Charles said. “And one of Pearl’s people will be here in the morning to take over our shift.”
“Perfect. Sleep well, dear.”
“You too, love. I am sure you can use some rest after today.”
“Yes, but I have to admit, it was rather fun!”
Giovanni watched the expressions on Frankie’s face. She was giddy. It made him smile. He absolutely loved this unpredictable woman. When she got off the phone, he swooped her up in his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.