#wardlow Wednesday | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

deepdisireslonging · 5 months ago

Text

Choices Chapter 4: Bull Session

The day of the Bull Session arrives. Esther finally gets to meet the leading gangsters, and sees several unpleasant familiar faces. One in particular does his best to steal her away for himself.

Warnings/Promises: alcohol, guns and knives (seen and used), attempted assault

Word Count: 6800

Chapter 3: Learning and Healing

Friday, February 22, 1929

Bridgeport Township

The days quickly developed into a routine schedule. Breakfast in the kitchen by eight, checking in with Ricky by eight thirty. Despite her chagrin, he was up and about by Wednesday. Next, she would knock on Wardlow’s office door by nine. Esther wasn’t sure how early the boss came down, or even where his room was in the house, but he was already in his high back desk chair and deep into paperwork each morning. The circles under his eyes darkened, worrying her. Ares sat closer and closer to the desk during the notetaking sessions. But Wardlow promised to knock himself out by six in the evening Thursday night, so he’d be rested enough for the Bull Session. Until then, she did her best to memorize who was whom, and who ran what chunk of the Chicago blocks.

Joe finally had a chance to show her the safe in her room, and how to get into it. As part of his attempt to readjust to walking, Ricky wandered in to help too. When Esther could get in and out without help, he nodded.

“One of these days, I need to get one for Spears.”

Ricky pouted. “He’s got one.”

With a snap, Joe grinned. “That’s right.” He shrugged at Esther. “They switched rooms a few months ago, but I remember people with their combinations. Not the rooms. It’s easier for me.”

“That’s a lot to remember, either way.” She studied the numbered knob that would hide perfectly behind some paneling above her bed. “I could never remember so much.”

“Just worry about the safe you got, and you’ll be fine. Let me worry about the rest.”

That was the last calm moment Esther had all week.

Invitations went out. And replies were received.

Mr. Jim still had to kick Wardlow out of his office at ten on Thursday night.

Then, before she knew it, it was the morning of.

The meeting was set for noon.

An hour till, Esther shakily smoothed down her dress.

“If at any time you feel uncomfortable or unsafe,” Wardlow said, checking the knife strapped between his waistcoat buttons, “you come to Joe or I… or Ricky, and we’ll get you out of the room. Joe or Ricky would be better. As host, I won’t be able to leave so easily.” He gave Esther a warm smile. When the responding twitch of her lips was strained, he gently laid a hand on her shoulder and guided her to sit on the hall bench, kneeling next to her. “Nothing is going to happen. The heat gets checked at the door. And a knife fight needs more space than the dining room can provide.”

Esther shivered, though the sunlight was warm through the windows. “All I have to do is take notes. No one is going to notice me?”

With a nod, Wardlow did his best to comfort her. “You’re a new face. So, there might be a bit of conversation. But you’ll always have someone with you. Do you have other concerns?”

“I won’t really know anybody by eye. Except maybe Jericho. Or Friedman.”

“As the crews start arriving, we’ll make sure you at least know who is with whom.”

He was just placing a reassuring kiss to her knuckles when Ricky came down the stairs. The men shared a look too short for Esther to notice. “First car is here. Looks like Omega and company.”

“Alright.” Wardlow stood, raising Esther with a lingering grip on her hand. He was comforted it wasn’t shaking anymore. “I’ll head out front to start the greeting. Would you check the holding pen to make sure it’s stocked, and that Miss Garnier has everything she needs?”

Ricky nodded. “Sure thing. Right this way, Sweetheart.”

The boss went one way, and Ricky led her another. The ‘bull pen’ was the front parlor, but with the doors to the dining room wide open. A small drinking station had been set up in the corner with the swing-open stache hiding the refills. The couches and extra seats had either been removed or commandeered for the long dining room table. On one hand, no place to hide. On the other, if the other attendees were as alert as Esther, nobody would want to sit down when they could pace.

In the dining room, the window curtains had been pulled back, leaving only the thick shears to obstruct the view from the street. But it made the room brighter. The chair on the far end was reserved for the seller: Taz. The chair on its right was flanked by two more backless seats. One for Esther as she took notes on a lap-desk. And one for Joe. Though he would probably stand. Esther’s chair was close enough to the wall that she could reach the end table stocked with loose paper, pencils, and pens. The door on the other end towards the back hidden breezeway would be Spears’ post once everything got started. If a fight broke out, he and the crew could rush in at a moment’s notice. The chair at the other end, with its back to the double doors, was reserved for the buyer: Jericho.

Ricky closed the double doors after a glance.

“So,” Esther took out a small notebook from her pocket and a pencil from its holding spot behind her ear. “Remind me, which one’s are the Omega crew. They run Feathers, but which one is who-”

Ricky breathed a laugh at her preparedness. “The Omega crew is the trio-led group. Kenny Omega and his brother back-ups: Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. Their footmen have changed over the years, but they run Feathers on the Eastside.” He leaned close as the front alcove door opened and the men in question eventually walked into the parlor. “Despite looking like it, no, the Jacksons are not twins. But,” he raised his voice to they could hear him, “Feathers is the place to go for rejuvenation of the soul. Right, Omega? How have the blessings been this year?”

The taller men of the three, with greying curly hair nodded. Kenny Omega strode over to them with a confidence short of pretending to own the place. “We’ve been well.” He chuckled as he shook Ricky’s hand. “Though last month we got raided, and I actually got to lead a whole service to Chicago’s best before we could play again.”

Tapping his throat, Ricky pointed at Omega’s Adam’s apple. The guest reached up and removed the parson collar from his shirt.

“I guess I won’t need that here, will I, Miss-?”

Ricky answered for her. “Miss Garnier.”

Esther cocked her head to one side. “Are you… actually a, uh-”

“Heavens no. If you don’t mind the expression.” Omega slid the collar into his pocket. “It’s just for show. Unless the-”

“Hey, Starks!” One of the Jacksons waved. “Where’s the real hooch?” His brother rolled his eyes, nursing his own drink with lots of ice.

“It’s behind the ice.” Ricky winked at Esther. “Mr. Jackson claims not to drink. And usually doesn’t. Because he only drinks moonshine.”

With a hoot, he snagged a short green bottle, lightly punching his brother in the shoulder for hiding it. Omega’s eyes grew wide. He sighed.

“Use a glass this time. Matt- Nice to meet you, Miss Garnier. Excuse me.”

As Omega left to control the drinking habits of his partner, another group strolled it. A large heavy-set man with Joe’s build shed his jacket and hung it from a light fixture. His companion, a tall woman with silver hair and dressed in a well-tailored suit, surveyed the room with disgust. Both of them gave a slight nod to Ricky before taking control of a corner to converse.

“That’s Taz. The former devil of the streets. I used to work for him when I was in Louisiana. He was the one who recommended me to Wardlow after the job I did for him.”

“What kind of job?”

“Just a job. It didn’t tie up into as neat of a bow as I would have liked, but tied up well enough. It’s not a problem anymore. I mostly did the same job for him as I do here: an informant, runner and gatherer. He followed me up a few months later when things still didn’t pan out. Made new connections. Like Ms. Cargill. She’s his muscle. They weren’t happy to hear how many people were showing up to their private meeting. Especially Ms. Cargill.” Ricky lowered his voice as the woman looked over. “If Taz isn’t careful, he’s going to wake up to a Harlem Sunrise.”

“A what?”

“A knife in the back.”

Esther didn’t have time to be shocked before the front door was shoved open. Cargill slid a hand into her waistcoat and withdrew it before Esther could blink. The loud arrival of the broad shouldered man with a lion’s mane and large entourage set the Feathers crew on edge.

“Jericho,” Omega muttered with a nod.

“Nice to see you boys. Taz. Ms. Cargill.” Jericho turned his attention to Ricky. “How are ya, Starks? Already up and moving around. Glad to see it. And, ah, who’s the skirt?”

Ricky stepped in front of her as two of Jericho’s men, both with overly slicked-back hair and policemen’s shoes, stepped around their boss to stare. A third, the young man Esther recognized as Sammy Guevarra, slid his eyes over her like oil. “She’s the scribe for the day. If you fellas would like a drink,” he glanced over. The Jacksons were already pushing Omega away. “Please. Help yourselves.” He checked his watch. The meeting was getting closer, but not close enough.

“If they hate each other so much,” Esther whispered, “why did they set up Feathers and Jazzies only a block from one another?”

Ricky shrugged. “Win enough at one, then you can walk to lose it at the other, maybe? Jericho picked his place because it was close to the police station. Those two flat-foots walk out in the open with him.” Ricky sneered. “Usually uniforms and all. But nobody seems to care.” He continued to explain that the only reason why Jericho hadn’t paid to completely shut down Feathers was because of the swift retaliation from the other companies who had a penny in one group or another. Or both. It would start an all-out war between the groups, and the police. Not that everyone wasn’t on the edge to begin with.

The tension tightened in the room with the arrival of Britt Baker and her shoulder guards: Hayter and Rebel. They wore suits similar to the one Cargill wore. Esther wondered if wearing suit pants helped them move faster in a crisis. Or if they preferred the pockets to carrying around a handbag. Their suits had a finer pinstripe fabric than Cargil’s, displaying how well Baker’s trade was performing.

The Dentist, as Baker was known, had her own business besides watching over the remnants of her husband’s business. He had disappeared a while back. Ricky didn’t elaborate. Baker’s business was protection. If a citizen’s building was being encroached upon by a rival gang, she would step in and redefine the lines. Or, if someone wanted more territory, she and her team would ‘inform’ the tenants of their new ‘landlords.’

“They’re like citizen vigilantes. For a price,” Ricky noted.

Baker and Cargill kept the length of the room between them.

Ricky bristled as another arrival called his name. He turned slow. Shoulders tensed. Esther saw his hand twitch, like he wished he was armed to the teeth. She needed no explanation to who this man was.

He stepped in alone. But he took up more air than the rest of the room. “That’s quite a shiner, Starks. Where’d you pick that up?” He eyed Esther up and down. It made her skin crawl. “Well, aren’t you a doll. Can I make a drink for you?”

Wardlow’s arrival at the man’s shoulder set Esther and Ricky at ease. “She has no need for a mickey-finn. Though I can arrange one for you, if you’d like, Maxwell. For old time’s sake.”

With a sneer, Friedman continued into the room.

“Hmm. My least favorite former employer.” Wardlow rolled his shoulders back. “Starks, make a round of the house till you find the Torrios; warn them he’s here and to keep outta sight. And make sure no one got lost.” He dipped his head towards Esther. “Sometimes visitors like to take a chance and snoop.” Giving the room a once over, he added to Ricky in a whisper, “check the street too. Spears thought he saw Hagar across the way. Outta uniform. Report back if you see him.”

“Yes, sir.” With a pat to Esther’s arm, he was gone.

Esther considered herself small in a room full of powerful people. Who was she? A cigarette girl. Occasionally a waitress. This was way over her paygrade.

Wardlow took her arm before she could begin to shake. “Do you mind if I walk with you? I’m not the best at conversation, but it might be easier if you’re with me.”

“Of course.” She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow and followed him as he continued to greet the guests. To each other, they made gentle conversation that kept Esther at ease. At one point, they watched as Friedman tried to engage Baker in a battle of wits. He quickly lost the war. Despite the rebuff, he continued to talk, losing more and more ground according to Baker’s reaction. Esther had to hide her delight behind her hand.

“If those two ever teamed up, Lucifer would start selling snow cones.” Wardlow’s comment made Esther giggle. Beside them, Omega chuckled as he overhead. The pseudo-parson raised his glass in agreement.

When the front door opened again, Esther tensed. All the ease Wardlow had gradually built up in her evaporated. Three men walked in, dressed all in black, followed closely by a small blonde woman in a lady’s fedora. Her eyes, as they slid around the room and over Esther, chilled the air.

“The Coatmakers. Baker’s rivals in enforcing. They run a legitimate shop called the House of Black, dealing in funeral affects and attire. But they mostly deal in Chicago overcoats.”

Esther swallowed. “Extra thick against the snow?”

“I wish.” Ricky rejoined them. “They deal in coffins. Making them and putting people in them. Who Malakai Black can’t corrupt; he terrifies. Who he can’t terrify, he murders.* These days… his skills are in high demand.” He turned his back to the room and muttered, “Hagar’s outside. Doesn’t look like he’s got a car. Either rode with Jericho or walked.”

The tremors in Esther’s knees traveled up her legs to her torso. She wanted to run. She wanted to hide. Her grip tightened on Wardlow’s elbow. “Those are the men from the Valentine’s attack.”

Wardlow and Ricky boxed her in as she paled.

“Are you sure?”

Over Ricky’s shoulder, she made eye contact with the red-headed one. “I’m sure.”

The boss passed her to Ricky. “Joe’s out in the hallway. Get her some air.”

Esther couldn’t tell if it was the rush to get her out of the room, or if the Coatmakers had been watching her from the start, but she felt their eyes. Felt their glare. It cut into her spine like blunt scissors, stealing her breath and replacing it with a cold sweat. Joe took one look at her perspiration, and another at the four pairs of eyes on her back, and he knew. He had Ricky move the hall bench closer to the back breezeway so Esther could sit out of sight. A silver flask was passed into her hand. The contents burned down her throat and settled like an ember in her stomach. An odd relief for the ice that seemed to follow her around.

“I wondered if it was them.” Joe spread Esther’s hands and started to squeeze her fingers one by one in an unfollowable pattern. It forced her breathing to even out. “Friedman had too many people that day. Thought maybe the Blackpool Combaters were back in town. Doubted he’d found enough guys to hire for a job like that. But this makes more sense.” He shook out his handkerchief and dabbed her forehead.

She panted, taking another sip. “How do you live like this? Welcoming in the very people who murdered your team? My co-workers.” She tried to stand. “We can’t leave him in there alone with them-“

“Wardlow isn’t alone.” Joe tugged her back into her seat. “No one’s going to make any moves. And if they tried, the rest of the guests would help, or Spears and his boys would rush in and end the whole thing. You don’t have to worry about him.”

“I have to take notes-”

Joe tugged her down again.

“The boss can take his own notes,” Ricky muttered. He dug his right knuckles into his left palm. “Maybe Cargill-”

“She’s got a knife.” Esther handed back the flask before she could take a third sip. “She reached for it when Jericho came in. I don’t like the idea of her standing anywhere near him with anything sharper than a blunt pencil. And I just sharpened all the ones in there.”

A grin tugged at Joe’s mouth. He chuffed his finger under her chin. “That’s why I like you. You see the smallest details. That’s why I recommended that you did scribe for us today, instead of staying out of sight. If you want to keep Wardlow safe, you’ll sit with him. You’re not just there to take notes of who is buying up what. From that chair, you’ll be able to see everyone in the room and their reactions to any conversation. But,” he took her hands, “if you can’t do this, none of us will think any less of you. We’ve dragged you into this life too quickly. You are obliged to take your time.”

Silence lingered between them. Inside the room, a small round of laughter floated through the wood. Esther could hear Wardlow’s baritone. She took a breath.

“I can do it.”

With a nod, Joe helped her to her feet. “Change of plans, Starks. Don’t leave the dining room once everything starts. I want you standing by the back door to let in Spears if somebody decides to start trouble. For now, walk her in and make her a club soda. I’ll be in there soon after I check in with Spears.”

Wardlow was waiting by the door. He gave her hand a squeeze as he placed it on its former perch in his elbow. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” She swallowed, avoiding looking across the room towards her walking nightmares. “Just needed some air.”

“Good. We’re about to begin.” He walked her across the room to the dining room doors. “Will you pass out the agendas while I herd the cats in there?”

She waved Ricky away from the cart before he could make her anything. A task to focus on would be better than anything he could prepare. Or maybe that was the contents of the flask talking. “Of course.” She slipped into the dining room. The agendas and list of tasks for the meeting were stacked on her table of supplies. She passed them out to the chairs against the window-side first. Just as she rounded the corner with her back to the doors, they opened wide. She took a breath. And continued. Almost through, Esther didn’t register the hand on her hip until it squeezed. With a jerk, her elbow collided with a set of ribs. When she turned, she realized the hand that had been on her hip was the one that had ordered Bill’s murder. She gritted her teeth and focused on her breathing.

Friedman held his side. “Quite a defense you’ve got there, Miss Esther.” He pursed his lips. “A strong Jewish name. Wardlow shouldn’t be working you like this. You deserve to be relaxing with pearls and diamonds dripping off each of those delicate fingers like the queen you’re named for, if you ask me.” He took her hand in an iron grip before she could recoil. “How about you leave with me after the shindig? I’ll show you what feels like to be on the arm of a real man.”

“No, thank you. I like working where I am.” Quickly, she passed out the last three sheets, nearly sending flying across the table in her haste.

Still, Friedman followed. “Come on. My business is established and growing. And I’ve never been raided.”

“Then maybe you’re not doing as well as you think. I thought only the places considered worth going to get snitched on. You’re obviously not worth the effort.”

Friedman gripped her arm, making her gasp. He hissed, “Wardlow used to work for me. Did he tell you? Everything he has is because of me.”

“Then you should consider his accomplishments a- ow. A compliment.” As suddenly as he had harshly gripped her wrist, she was out of his grasp. With a nod, she thanked Ricky for shoving Friedman out of the way. “If the student surpasses the teacher, it’s a testament to both rising empires. And hopefully, Wardlow’s will rise far above yours sooner rather than later.” She stepped back until her shoulder blades were against Ricky’s chest and his arm was protectively around her waist.

“Why you-“

“Sit down, Friedman.” Baker motioned at the rest of the guests settling into their seats. “You’re holding things up.”

The only chair left was the one on the far side of the table from Esther. With a grumble, Friedman took his seat. As he did, Baker gave Esther a kind nod, who shuddered a breath and dipped her head in gratitude.

On his end of the table, Jericho piped up, “and the both of you used to work for me. I’ve never understood your hype.” He smiled as an argument began to rise between the attendees. They all flinched as a glass slammed down on the table.

“Excuse me.” Wardlow settled into his seat. “If it’s alright that we begin,” he exchanged his glare at Jericho for an amicable greeting to the room, “I’d like to thank you all for the honor of hosting. Mr. Taz has some territory to sell. It was going to be a private exchange, but a lot of you seemed interested in the land. Let’s begin going over what businesses are included in the blocks for sale.”

Esther readied her pen. On all sides, the guests leaned back in their seats with the agendas, appearing to relax into business. But, from the corner of her eye, Esther caught Ricky’s hands toying with his watch. Wardlow gripped the armrests below the table-line so tight his knuckles turned white. And Joe’s jaw clenched and unclenched, making his temples flex menacingly.

Before Taz could begin describing the details, Jericho stood.

“Here we go,” Ricky muttered.

“I must apologize to you, Taz, and to our host. The available territory is not why I’m here.” He took a moment to gather himself. Esther noted in her mind, and the notebook after she unfroze from his outburst, that he looked like he was about to lift something heavy. From his breast pocket, Jericho pulled out a stack of cards, throwing them across the table. He glared at his fellow guests. “Who would like to claim these? Or, should I say, confess?” Again, he had to pause, clearing his throat. “I lost two good men last night, and I would like to know who to send the funeral bill to.”

The room remained silent. Even the squeaks of the chairs were hushed.

With each passing second, Jericho’s face deepened another shade of red. “Well?” When no one was forthcoming, he stabbed a finger at Omega. “You’re the only other casino joint here. That church front is hiding a lot more sins than you like to let on.” One by one, he picked up a card, only to toss it down while he listed their arrivals.

Esther began furiously writing as he named each event.

“King of spades: I was almost shot in a midnight drive-by. A few weeks later, at ten in the morning: the ten of spades as my shop had its windows broken. Then the seven of spades: seven pm raid of Jazzies. Several of my patrons were injured. Five of spades: another raid, this time at my warehouse. One of my guys came away with broken ribs. And, got this one this morning, the two of spades. Two of my boys were killed last night before dawn.” His red face started to go purple in the specks of his cheeks. “Anybody want to talk?”

Reaching across the table, Esther picked up a card that had fluttered toward her. “So, yours have been related to time?” She had spoken in a whisper, more to herself than anything. But Jericho’s whipped towards her all the same.

“What do you mean by that?”

Esther gently laid the card down, sinking into her seat. She looked apologetically at Wardlow.

With a reassuring nod to her, Wardlow diverted Jericho’s rage. “We’ve been receiving these cards as well. The gunning down of my crew last week introduced the seven of hearts.” He looked around. “We also have a funeral bill to send. An expensive one.”

Across the table, Omega and the Jacksons shared a look. Matthew Jackson handed his co-boss a stack of cards from his pocket. Other lieutenants and leaders took out their stacks as well. Even the Thompson squads: the Coatmakers and Baker.

“You’ve all received cards?” Esther was baffled. How had so much been accomplished, so many lives destroyed and snuffed out, before the families talked to one another?

One by one, each leader described the hits in relation to the cards received. Esther tried to keep up. Raids, arrests, and injuries floated up like coal smoke. Everyone had received at least five cards except for Friedman. He made a show of scratching his nose, deep in thought.

“Duly noted. I’ll be ready.” He gave a pointed glance at Guevarra.

Esther made a note that their exchange didn’t read as really about the cards. More like he was ready to get caught in a lie. She wasn’t sure why her stomach twisted with that knowledge, but she wrote it down anyway.

“But if you all have cards,” Taz ran a trembling hand over his bald head, “then… I confess, as if it isn’t known already, I’m about to fold. But I would like at least to know who did this, and why?”

Britt Baker leaned over to Hayter and whispered loudly, “maybe he should look to the person at his left.”

“What are you implying, Baker?” Cargill bristled, her hand smoothing over her waistcoat. She glanced at Esther, directing her comment as a warning. “It’s not like we can trust a word you say. You only look out for yourself.”

“All I’m saying is, it’s not a new game.” Baker fiddled with one of her cards. “And it wouldn’t be the first, or the last time, that someone made a name for themselves by taking out their employer.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time someone came in by making waves. At any cost.” Julia Hart stood, bracing her hands on the table. “How’s your husband these days? Oh, wait. He’s dead.”

Baker was up in a second, gun drawn from her coat’s inner lining. She held it steady as the table bubbled with panicked retreats around her. Across the table, Hart stood still with a small, knowing smile on her face. Her boss and his right hand took position by her shoulders. Their other man, who could only be their muscle, Brody King, rolled his eyes as Jericho held him back as a human shield.

“One of these days,” Baker slid the gun back into its hidden pocket, “someone is going to drop by and kick your teeth out. One. By. One.” From her sleeve, she pulled out a stiletto knife the length of her forearm.

As Hart pulled a similar weapon from her boot, Joe’s soft touch on Esther’s elbow nearly made her jump out of her skin. He guided her away from the back door, pushing her towards the windows. Next to Cargill and Taz.

The two women climbed onto their chairs, and then stepped onto the table. Careful of the table’s edge, they circled so each side had plenty of wood behind them. Baker lunged first. Dodging the blade, Hart nearly bent in half backward, bracing her unarmed hand on the table. With the other, she sliced up, catching Baker’s arm. The woman stumbled back, clutching the wound. As the red seeped through her fingers, she grinned, impressed by the speed that she had lost first blood. After that, they stepped closer, slicing and stabbing. The women of the Thompson crews had lined their corsets with plating. Esther could hear it as the knives cut through the fabric, revealing the protection underneath.

The other guests pressed themselves to the walls. Jericho tried the double doors out to the parlor, but, as a precaution, Spears had locked them from the outside once everything got started. Trapped, Jericho headed for the back door. But the crew was just coming through, guns drawn. Joe shouldered him to one side, sending him nearly toppling into Taz.

“Alright, enough!” Spears aimed his gun at the women on the table. The men around him aimed at the guests. One of them handed Ricky a pistol, who aimed it at the cluster by the window.

Jericho didn’t appreciate this. He pulled out a small handgun from his back belt gap, aiming it in return. But Cargill knocked it out of his hand. It landed at Esther’s feet. Jericho reached for it, but she was quicker. Not enjoying the weight of it in her hand, she quickly popped open the window and chucked the piece outside. Jericho gaped at her as she closed it.

With a snap of his fingers, Joe calmly forced the women to relinquish their blades. He handed them to Spears, assuring that they’d get them back at the end of the meeting. The other weapons that made a showing in the scuffle were picked up by the crew under the same promise.

“What about my gun?” Jericho whined.

“Send your boy, Hagar, to pick it up for you.” Ricky took great pleasure in revealing they knew the big man was out there. Especially when Jericho’s cheek twitched with a sneer.

Joe sniffed. So much for checking the pieces at the door.

Wardlow sat down with a sigh, motioning for everyone else to do the same. At his nod, Joe snapped again, and the crew filed out, with Ricky closing the door behind them. He kept his pistol, sliding it into his jacket. The boss took a sip of his drink. “If we could leave bygones for settling on personal time, and mysteries unsolved for a few minutes, is anyone interested in buying Taz’s territory?”

Their answer was obvious before anyone said a word. Until this mystery was solved, nobody was going to expand in any direction. Otherwise, the entire community would point their fingers at them and wipe them out. Esther didn’t bother writing down the “no’s” that worked their way around the table. At their end of it, Wardlow gave a side-long glance at Joe, silently asking him. Joe shook his head.

With a sigh heavier than before, Wardlow turned to face Taz. “I’m sorry.”

Taz nodded.

To his credit, he didn’t make a fuss, or beg for anyone to buy it at less than it was worth. Even Cargill looked resolute, if a bit crestfallen. Esther wondered is the extra money would have been a welcome boost for when the tall woman took over.

“Thank you for hosting this, all the same.” Taz gathered his next several words. “All things considered and accounted for, I’m afraid that I must announce my retirement. Ms. Cargill will be taking over my seat in your next meeting. She is my legacy, and I know you all will respect her accordingly. As you all probably know by now,” he glanced at Ricky by the door, “my son is going into boxing. If I can ask a parting favor… I would like to watch his career grow. Whatever grief and grievances any of you may have against me, give me a little time before you- And please leave him out of it. My son has never worked in any capacity of my business. Please keep that in mind when… when you come to collect.” He stood. He made a show of removing his signet ring, a gold band set with a small garnet or ruby, and handed it to Cargill. “Ladies,” he nodded to Baker, Hart, and Cargill in turn. “Gentlemen,” he bowed to the room. He gave a singular bow to Wardlow, who rose to shake his hand. Without looking back, Taz left the room through the side door that Ricky held open for him.

The room remained silent. Across the table, Nick Jackson discreetly wiped away something from his eye. Esther realized that this would probably be the only time she saw someone leave the business so gracefully. Or so peacefully, at least for the defining moment.

Each member was steeped in their thoughts when Kenny Omega inhaled to speak. It instantly made the room’s occupants snap to look at him, suddenly making him shy. He cleared his throat. “Before this meeting moves on to another subject or is adjourned… I would like to say that, if any more cards appear, as I’m sure they will, Feathers is open to you all. This- this ‘card dealer’ is a threat to us all. And we can’t wait for another meeting or tragedy to pass around information. Until this matter is solved or fixed, my doors are open. No matter our past issues. Please, share any updates with me, and I will share updates with you all.”

“Thank you, Parson,” Friedman muttered. He flinched as he received more glares than expected.

Wardlow stood. He strictly avoided shifting to stand in front of Taz’s voided chair. “Thank you, Mr. Omega. I also extend the same deal. My secretary, Miss Garnier, has been taking notes of the cards received. We can have copies made,” he glanced at her, asking for confirmation, which she agreed to, “and sent out. We’ll get those to you as soon as we are able. Is there any other business anyone would like to discuss? Or any more information to share about the attacks?” When no one was forthcoming, he scooted in his chair. “In that case, I call this meeting adjourned.”

Watching everyone walk as if their shoes were filled with concrete kept Esther in her seat. Spears opened the doors, revealing an empty parlor, with no sight of Taz. When most of the room had voided, she began to collect the unused itineraries and land listings. In her mind, she started planning out how to format the information about the cards to send out. A gentle hand at her elbow made her stop. “Well, that was interesting-”

Instead of Ricky or Wardlow standing there, it was Friedman. He tightened his grip to keep her from running away.

“Yes, interesting.” He glanced at the doors; Esther followed his gaze just in time to see Guevarra closing them with a smile. The lock clicked. Friedman’s grin took on a sharp edge as she tried to wrench herself out of his grip. “I have to admit, I was wrong about you, Miss Garnier. You are a very capable young lady. Quick thinking with Jericho’s gun earlier. Saying that,” he caught her incoming hand before it could connect with his cheek, “I know you can see the signs.” He kept a grip so tight on her hand that Esther feared he would break her fingers.

Can’t take notes if I can’t write, she thought with a jolt. Though it made her shudder as he softly kissed her knuckles, she lessened her struggling.

“Wardlow is close to folding too, isn’t he? That’s why he didn’t make a bid for Taz’s land.”

“He was host. It wouldn’t have been proper for him to bid.”

Friedman laughed. “Is that how he explained it to you? Come on, Esther, you’re smarter than that, pretty face and all.”

A commotion in the parlor drew their attention. Friedman held her closer. They both knew what it would look like to anyone who might bust through the doors. Esther did her best to wriggle away, but he pinned her arms behind her, pressing his chest to hers.

“Why don’t you join my crew?” he continued. “Come on. Us visitors in a foreign land have to stick together. I can set you up with your own little flower shop on the Northside. Guaranteed Friday nights and Saturdays off. Did Wardlow give you such an assurance?”

“He did, actually. Didn’t even bat an eye.”

“Not bad. For a goy.” As the doors burst open, with Ricky wincing from the force, Friedman brought his face close to hers. “If Wardlow goes under-”

“He won’t. I’m his secretary, so I’ve seen the books. My position here is very secure.”

The statement made Friedman pause, loosening his grip. Esther took the opening. She finally managed to twist out of his hold; she was sure he had let her. Ricky held her close when she ran into his arms. She shivered there, feeling entirely safe even as Friedman glowered.

“You’re making a big mistake. No matter how well Wardlow thinks he’s doing.”

Ricky muttered low in Creole.

“What was that, crawfish breath?”

Esther answered before Ricky could inhale to shout. “He said you’re the one making the mistake. The only one here confused who is doing well and who isn’t… is you.” Her shivering stopped. Through Friedman’s eyes, she watched as he took stock of her position and assuredness in Ricky’s arms. She watched it settle into his mind. And, for all it's worth, she didn't care. Maybe the view was accurate, or at least beginning to be.

The cuff links glistened at his wrists as he spun them to a more favorable position. Friedman straightened his jacket collar. As he readied to leave the room, Ricky moved Esther to his other side, out of Friedman’s path.

“Alright, I hear ya’, Sweetheart. Lost cause. I can take a hint.” He stopped in front of Ricky. “Take care of yourself, Starks. Give those ribs time to heal before getting into more trouble, yeah?” He landed two heavy pats to Ricky’s side, making him grunt. With a smug grin that Esther would take great pleasure in watching it be removed, Friedman finally left the room. And, hopefully, eventually, the house.

Ricky breathed through the pain. “One of these days I’m gonna put one between his eyes.”

“One of what?”

“I’ll decide in the moment.” Carefully, Ricky straightened his torso. He attempted a light-hearted grin when she placed a steadying hand on his ribs. “I’m alright, ma cher; he didn’t hit me that hard.” But removed her hand all the same, hinting even her gentle touch was too much. “When did you see the books?”

“Spears showed me this week. There’s all these weird gaps that keep troubling him. And a lot of red. You guys- I mean, we have been hit pretty hard. Haven’t we?” She bit her lip. “Where’s Mr. Wardlow?”

“In his office.”

“Good. I want to go over the attacks with-”

Ricky caught her arm. “Esther- Yes. Do that. But- be gentle with your questioning. Despite what you said to Friedman just now, a good cover that will help later, I’m sure, you saw how we’re not doing well. Taz was a strong ally. Losing him…” he dropped his head. “Things are going to get harder from here on out. Especially if everyone is moving small and slow until this thing works out.”

When he let her go, Esther had to keep herself from rushing to the office. Everyone’s reactions to Taz’s fold had bruised her heart. Despite the animosity of the territories and deals and power, it had been obvious there was a certain level of respect shared among the families. She had assumed that because Taz’s business had been shrinking for a while, that Wardlow’s endeavors wouldn’t be majorly affected. Not anymore. This world she’d arrived in wasn’t just money and land. It was a number’s game. A game of who you knew and how those relationships would help both parties. With Taz gone, new connections would have to be made with his replacement and legacy: Ms. Cargill. In the meeting, the new boss kept most of her reactions, and most of her opinions, to herself. Beside that comment she made about Baker.

With each passing hour, Esther’s understanding of her dire placement grew in complexity.

She stopped outside the office doors. Taking a deep breath, she reserved herself for the difficult days ahead. In her hands, in her notes, were the clues to keeping her new sanctuary afloat.

She knocked.

\\***//

*“Who Malaki Black can’t corrupt; he terrifies. Who he can’t terrify, he murders.” – Blatant quoting from Key Largo (1948) and the description given for the gangster character of Rocco

***

Chapter 5: Meeting After the Meeting

#original series #1920s au #aew fanfiction #ricky starks #samoa joe #wardlow #kenny omega #young bucks #aew taz #jade cargill #chris jericho #maxwell jacob friedman #house of black #britt baker

2 notes · View notes

heartsoulrocknroll · 6 months ago

Text

AEW Collision 4/13/24

Claudio and Danielson promo. Danielson mentions Moxley winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and I gag. Danielson says Callis told Hobbs and Fletcher they don't even have to beat them, they just have to hurt them. That's funny, because it's easier to beat them than it is to hurt them. Claudio says they have been succeeding all around the world for 20 years. It isn't about what they do in front of the camera, it's about the work they put in behind the camera that allows them to make this look so easy. Danielson says violence is their specialty, and they will show that tonight, Wednesday, and next Sunday when he beats Ospreay.

House of Black vs. Dante Martin, Action Andretti, and Matt Sydal --Matthews powerbombs Sydal on Black's knees. Sydal lands a nasty poison rana on Matthews. Top Flight and Sydal try to chop HOB down with superkicks. King lays out Sydal with a huge lariat, but Dante breaks up the pin with a splash off the top. Black lands a nice moonsault off the top to the outside. Andretti with a somersault senton, Dante with a springboard 450, and Sydal off the top with double knees on King, but King catches Sydal. Corner cannonball senton from King and double sliding dropkicks from Matthews and Black on Sydal at the same time for the pinfall.

Good, fast-paced opening match. Nothing amazing. Rating: 3

Storm is backstage with Lexy. AZM wants Storm to kiss her bottom? That makes her and a thousand other perverts. I LOL'ed at her delivery of that line. Incredible. She is going to give AZM a beating so intense that it will be featured in a fetish periodical. Lmaooo. Go off, Toni.

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Lee Moriarty -- Great start on the mat. Shibata with a Figure Four. They roll outside, and Ogogo gets up from commentary and lands a cheap shot to Shibata's ribs. Moriarty lays in elbows to Shibata, who just walks into them, backing Moriarty across the ring. Shibata with hard strikes in the corner, then a butterfly suplex for two! Moriarty with an abdominal stretch, but Shibata reverses into one of his own. Shibata with a knee strike, a saito suplex, and a boot to the face. Moriarty with a boot of his own. They trade boots! Shibata gets the best of it with a big pump kick!Shibata blocks a Fang attempt, then lands the ripcord bitch slap and a PK FROM HELL!!!!! Cover! 1, 2, 3!!!

This rocked. Shibata looked so damn good here. I literally yelled out loud at that ripcord palm strike/PK from hell combo for the finish. What a wrestler, man. I feel so lucky every time I get to see him do his thing. Thank god for a singles win on AEW TV for Shibata. Moriarty held his own, looking very good as well. Rating: 3.5

Ogogo, Moriarty, and Taylor attack Shibata after the match. Hook comes out to make the save!

Athena and Billie Starkz are with Lexy backstage. Athena says she understands that Red Velvet is a threat, but Athena is the fallen goddess and the forever ROH champion, and tonight, she is going to make an example out of Velvet and show the world what they've been missing. Athena is a great, confident promo. Good stuff.

Undisputed Kingdom are with Lexy. Lexy asks if Wardlow has helped Roddy succeed. Roddy yells LEXY!!!!!! Lmao. Roddy asks how she could give credit to anybody but him. He is a fighting champion and a giving champion. Does she see the opportunities he's given to these people who don't even deserve it? He has been doing it on his own, just like his good friend Kyle O'Reilly, who has inspired him. Tonight, he is putting on a show. You know what that show is called? The beating of a lifetime. WOOHOO!!!! TELL 'EM, RODDY!!!!!! NICE!!!!!!!!!

Daniel Garcia vs. Angélico -- They trade some beautiful pinning combos to start. Garcia with a Figure Four, but Angélico turns it around, then they turn it around on each other repeatedly until they roll to the ropes to break. They trade kicks to the knees. Huge right to the face by Angélico!!! Garcia lands a beautiful neck breaker, then a big double underhook suplex. Garcia with big overhand chops, then a belly to back suplex, then locks a knee/leg lock in deep for the submission!

This was short, but I still enjoyed it very much. Garcia rocks. Rating: 3

Pac promo!!!!! Let's go!!! Believe it or not, he would like to thank Okada, not only for accepting his challenge, but for walloping him on the head with a big, dirty lump of steel. Now he has a perpetual headache that serves as motivation to remind everybody exactly who he is. He may not be tall and handsome, he does not own a Ferrari. Okada may think he's god's gift to professional wrestling, but he's not, he's crap. And what Pac is, is better than Okada. And in St. Louis, he will relish the opportunity to prove it in front of the entire world. HELL YEAH, PAC!!!!!! GO OFF!!!!!!!!

Toni Storm vs. AZM (AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator) -- Elbows by AZM, but Storm laughs them off. AZM fakes another elbow, but stomps on Storm's foot instead. Shoulder tackle by Storm takes AZM down. AZM with rapid kicks and a dropkick, then a boot to the side of Storm's head on the mat, then a double stomp to the midsection! AZM goes to the top, but Storm stops her with an overhand chop to take her down, then lands a hip attack to take her off the apron to the floor. AZM throws Storm into the steps, then lands a running kick to the face on the apron, then lands missile dropkick off the top inside. Storm with a big boot to take AZM down, then chops in the corner, then hurls her across ring, then stands on her head, then lands a back suplex for two. The trade strikes!!! Enziguri by AZM! Headbutt by Storm! Head scissors takedown by AZM!! Another big enziguri to the head by AZM with Storm on her knees!!!! Damn! Leg-trap German suplex by AZM! AZM lands a big dropkick off the top for two! Storm with a sit-out chokeslam/powerbomb for two! Storm goes for a German suplex, but AZM blocks it and catches Storm with a beautiful pinning combo for two! AZM goes for a kick, but Storm catches it and dumps AZM on her head with a German suplex, then lands a hip attack in the corner, then lands Storm Zero for the pinfall!!!

That kind of slapped?? AZM rocks, Storm was great. Awesome, hard-hitting, back and forth here. Loved it. Rating: 3.5

Storm and Mariah celebrate with champagne after the match.

Red Velvet is with Lexy. She says tonight she is laying Athena out. She is not a stranger to main events or high profile matches. She is going to show Athena and everyone else why it was a mistake for Athena to come into her house.

Mark Briscoe promo. He says he is starting to understand the MO of the HOB, how they try to strike fear in the hearts of men. But he fears no man. He, Kingston, and Copeland are violent men. And at Dynasty, they are bringing the violence.

Thunder Rosa is with Schiavone on the stage. She thanks the people for making her comeback so special. Rosa says she does not need Purrazzo's help to win her title back. She has done so much on her own. She thought Storm believed in the same principles of hard work. She says her body couldn't carry her as far as her passion, and she had to give up her title to heal. And a part of her died that day. She didn't leave here because she couldn't carry the weight of the title. At Dynasty, she will carry the title and the pride of her people and the support of her family. And if she has to break every bone in her body to uplift the women in the lockerroom, then she will. Storm made a big mistake in trying to erase the mask on her face, because Storm doesn't want to see what is underneath. She can't kill what is already dead. She is coming for the title and coming to drag Storm's soul to hell. Damn lol.

Purrazzo with a backstage promo. She says it's fine if Rosa doesn't want her help. She will help herself. When she went after the title, it wasn't personal. It was because Storm doesn't embody what it means to be champion, but she does. She challenges Mariah to match.

Fletcher and Hobbs are backstage. Fletcher says they are on a mission for the Don Callis Family to protect the golden goose. Hobbs says tonight, the Callis Family expects a hefty fine, and Danielson will not be able to walk out on his own.

Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kyle Fletcher and Powerhouse Hobbs -- Fletcher and Hobbs jump the BCC before the bell. Danielson with round kicks to Fletcher outside, then hurls Fletcher over the barricade into the crowd. Claudio and Hobbs trade shots in the ring. Claudio hangs Hobbs over the top rope, Danielson lands a knee to the back of Hobbs' neck off the top. Claudio with a running uppercut in the corner to Fletcher. Fletcher with a big running kick to take Claudio off the apron to the floor. Fletcher locks in a sleeper on Claudio, but Claudio gets to his feet and muscles Fletcher up for a gut-wrench suplex to escape!! Nice! Tag, and Danielson lands a shotgun dropkick off the top. Danielson lands a big running lariat that takes Fletcher down, then round kicks to the chest, but Fletcher ducks an attempted kick to the head. Fletcher shoves Danielson into the ropes, and Danielson swings on the middle rope into a dropkick on Hobbs outside, then comes back around to land the round kick to Fletcher's head inside!! Danielson goes for a topé, but Hobbs catches him and slams him back-first on the apron! Danielson sends Hobbs into the ring post, then lands a running knee off the apron on Hobbs.

Fletcher with a running boot to Danielson's face outside. Then Claudio lands a running uppercut out of nowhere on Fletcher! Claudio sends Hobbs over the barricade with a running uppercut. Danielson lands round kicks to Hobbs in the crowd. Danielson takes Fletcher back to the ring. Fletcher lands a vicious running kick in the corner and a brainbuster on Danielson for two! Fletcher with big chops to Danielson outside. Fletcher peels back the mats on the floor and goes for something, but Danielson reverses with a back drop on Fletcher on the floor! Hobbs gets Danielson on his shoulders for something inside, but Claudio stops it with an uppercut to the back of Hobbs' head! Hobbs lands a lariat to send Claudio outside. Danielson lands a belly to back suplex on Fletcher off the top for two! Danielson immediately grabs the LeBell lock, but Hobbs breaks it up.

Hobbs and Claudio tag in. Claudio with rapid-fire uppercuts to Hobbs, then alternating running uppercuts to Fletcher and Hobbs in opposite corners, then a lariat to send Fletcher over the ropes to thr outside, then does the Giant Swing on Hobbs, then locks in the Sharpshooter on Hobbs! Fletcher comes in with round kicks to Claudio to try to break the hold, but Claudio holds on!!! Ah!! Danielson comes off the top, but Fletcher catches him out of midair with a superkick! Claudio lands a pop-up uppercut on Fletcher! Hobbs lands a spinebuster on Claudio for two! They all trade shots in the middle of the ring! Fletcher with some huge chops to Danielson!!!

Danielson lands an aggressive topé to Fletcher outside!!! Claudio lands a DVD on Hobbs for two! Hobbs and Claudio trade lariats, Claudio lands an uppercut, then a huge running lariat for two! Hobbs with a backdrop, but Claudio lands on his feet and runs the ropes! Fletcher grabs Claudio's leg from outside, and Hobbs lands a World's Strongest Slam on Claudio, but Danielson breaks up the pin!

Hobbs grabs a chair, but the ref takes it. Danielson lands round kicks to Hobbs outside, but Fletcher comes flying out of the ring with a topé to Danielson!! Fletcher and Hobbs clear the announce table! Hobbs backdrops Danielson, but Claudio lands a huge running uppercut to Hobbs! Claudio lands a hurricanrana off the announce table on Fletcher, sending him into the apron!!!! Geez! Claudio then rolls Fletcher inside and lands the Neutralizer for the pinfall!!!

Oh my god, what a match!! Just crazy, chaotic goodness without stepping too far outside the rules of tag team wrestling. It felt like the violent match it was set up to be, with Fletcher and Hobbs acting as Callis' mercenaries. Fantastic, intense, crazy action from start to finish with all four guys looking incredible. I think it would have meant a lot more for Fletcher and Hobbs to get a win here. But I get it, and it is what it is. Rating: 4

Takeshita attacks Danielson after the match, and lands a nasty brainbuster on the ramp!!! Nice!!!!!!!!

2 notes · View notes