Chapter 15: Petty

Fact: The lollipop recipe has been in the Brooks family for generations.

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James was writing down more recipes in his office when Penelope knocked on his door. Tommy announced her presence and James swiftly told him to let her in. She took her seat and Tommy made her a cup of tea, before stepping out of the office.

“I’m surprised you came,” James smiled.

“You won’t stop bothering me,” she sipped her tea. Her expression was vacant of emotion, and he cleared his throat.

“I noticed you haven’t pulled any stunts in a few days.”

“Yes, well I thought I’d stop wasting my resources and just focus on the competition at hand.”

“Look, I was wondering if you'd be open to the idea of continuing our tea parties. I think we made some progress and I-”

“If this is another truce, I’m afraid I have to decline as you couldn’t hold up your end of the deal,” she stated bluntly.

“It was one meeting.”

“A meeting that was your idea, that you didn’t show up too. You have no right or even reason to ask me for a truce or even a damn tea party,” her hands tightened together in her lap.

“I know that you just seemed hurt and I wanted to make it up to you. Still want to make it up to you. How can I do that?”

“Give me your lollipop recipe,” she gave a sly grin.

“Fucking excuse me?” James felt his jaw tightened and his temper flare.

“You heard me. Give me your lollipop recipe and we have a truce. Simple as that.”

“It’s not that fucking simple and there’s no way in hell I would give you that recipe. And you think you can just waltz in and ask such a petulant question.”

“I didn’t think, I asked,” her expression was comical as his face got hot.

“Over my dead body,” he hissed.

“You’ve dug your grave this far, what’s one more foot?” she gave a malevolent grin as he stood.

“Get out,” he shouted.

“Thought you wanted a truce?”

“And now I’m telling you to get the hell out of my office. You know all about pushing people away. Do I set the city on fire or just refuse not to talk to you?” He gestured towards the door and Penelope stretched.

“Well, you’re already banging the blonde whore out of spite and loneliness, so I’d say you’re ahead of the game.”

“Out!” he shouted again. Penelope skipped out of the office and James threw her teacup against the wall, making it shatter. He apologized to Tommy as his assistant cleaned up the mess and made a call to Beatrice.

***

James arrived at Beatrice’s office still clinging to the anger he felt from earlier. Beatrice, delighted to see him, kissed him deeply and rested her arms around his neck.

“To what do I owe the pleasure handsome?” she gave a flirtatious grin.

“I just thought I’d visit since you were so kind to pop in the other day,” said James, pulling her waist closer to his. She gave him another kiss and surveyed his face.

“You seem irritated, did something happen?”

“Just had a not so nice chat today with Miss Eve. That’s all.” his tone was rigid.

“Anything I can do to make you feel more relaxed?” she asked, sticking her thumb on the inside of his tie.

“Not unless you can tell me how to take her down,” he muttered.

“Oh? I could maybe help with that,” her eyes brightened.

“How so?”

“That depends, what do you know about her?” she sat on the top of her desk.

“Not much I guess. She doesn’t eat sweets unless it’s something from my shop, she’s a marksman and a trained fighter, she likes to visit Swinton Port now and then-”

“What was that last one?” she interjected.

“Something about Swinton port. I’ve never heard of it and just thought she had a name wrong,” James shrugged.

“Yes, that does seem odd. Did she say where it was?”

“Near the countryside. Again, I’m sure she got the name confused.”

“Right,” Beatrice nodded slowly.

“I don’t want to hurt her. Just, after the amount of profit and men I lost, I’m fed up,” James pinched the bridge of his nose in agitation. Beatrice kissed him on the cheek and smiled.

“I’m sure you’ll think of something. I have to finish some work here, dinner tonight, and some stress relief later?”

“Oh, sure.” James' words came out slowly. “Sorry if I bothered you.”

“Not at all! It made my day to see you. Like I said, run along and I’ll see you tonight,” she said, giving him one more kiss. James savored the moment and left with a breathy goodbye. As soon as he was far enough she picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers.

“Black Candy Hall, how may I help you?” a woman on the phone spoke.

“I need to speak to Dexter Black immediately. This is Beatrice Wells.”

“Right away ma’am,” the voice faltered. A few seconds passed when Dexter answered the phone.

“Miss Wells, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Dexter soothed.

“James made a deal with you to help him in the sugar trials, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am although there may have been a conflict of interest.”

“What do you mean a conflict of interest?” her voice filled with venom.

“I mean that I was also hired by Miss Eve as well. And I can’t lie, she offered a much better deal than Mr. Brooks.”

“How much?”

“Three territories to Mr. Brooks’ one. She even offered to sell my product in her stores and advertise it as well.”

“I see,” Beatrice tried to hide her animosity.

“Indeed. Both of them hired me to seek and destroy the product and nothing more. Low to no casualties, no kidnapping, no harm. I was honestly shocked.”

“Three territories does sound like such a good deal. It’s a shame you won’t be taking it.”

“Yes. It is a shame,” Dexter complied.

“Well, hopefully, the territory you get will be worth all of your hard work. And one more thing. I need you to be on the lookout for older buildings residing in the countryside.”

“Any descriptions?”

Beatrice made a cruel smile. “Look for the word Swinton on them.”