Chapter 18: Unlikely Partners

James and Tommy were having a quiet morning when there was a sudden knock on the door. Tommy went to answer it and opened it only slightly before Rory kicked the door as hard as he could, knocking Tommy to the floor. Rory then proceeded to put Tommy in an arm lock with one arm pulled back and a gun to his head with the other.

“Morning gents,” he greeted, his face grim. Behind him Marlene entered, gun drawn, and shut the door behind him. James sighed in agitation as Tommy glared back at Rory, trying not to struggle.

“Rory and... Miss Eve’s assistant? To what do I owe the displeasure?” James asked in puzzlement.

“My sister’s missing and our assistant was assaulted. You got thirty seconds to tell me if you had anything to do with it or I blow this mate’s brain out in your own office.” he nodded at Tommy. He surveyed James' reaction and realized James not only looked surprised but concerned.

“She’s missing?” James' face went pale.

“Don’t be surprised, we found one of your lollipops at the crime scene,” Rory pushed further. Tommy winced as Rory’s grip tightened making Marlene speak up.

“Rory, I don’t think he knows,” Marlene whispered. She and Tommy exchanged glances and as she made an apologetic expression.

“Is she right to assume that?” Rory asked.

“Christ, yes! We didn’t know she got taken. We’ll help you find her!” James shouted in anger.

Rory took a few more seconds to look for suspicious behavior then shoved Tommy against the floor, still keeping his weapon drawn. Tommy stood and fought back every instinct to punch Rory square in the face. James called him back and he followed his boss’ orders.

“Now that we got greetings out of the way, you know the Licorice Gang?

“Yeah, why?” asked James.

“Multiple men were found dead where Penelope was taken. Uniforms suggest they were members of that particular gang.”

“Who killed the members?”

“My sister and her assistant are excellent marksmen. Don’t doubt them so soon,” Rory scoffed.

“Right. I have a partnership with that gang to destroy Miss Eve’s product.”

“You son of a-” Rory aimed at James but he interrupted.

“But, part of the deal is that Miss Eve would not be kidnapped or harmed in the process so they’ve already broken our agreement. And I will gladly help you skin them alive,” his voice tightened.

“Fine, you can come along. But if I find out you’re hiding anything, I’m taking your head off, gang war or not,” Rory threatened.

“Fair enough.” James agreed.

***

Marlene insisted on helping Tommy load the car with ammo while James and Rory took a smoke break. When the assistants finished their job, both winced in pain from their injuries. They leaned against the car and Marlene massaged her head wound.

“You alright?” asked Tommy.

“I have a splitting headache. I’m surprised Rory let me come on this mission. Speaking of, how’s your arm?” she pointed.

“It’s not that bad. I thought he was going to break it off,” Tommy gave a nervous chuckle.

“I did too. Don’t take it personally, he just cares about us a lot. We’re all he has left family-wise.”

“Yeah, I still want to punch his lights out. So did you kill a bunch of men?”

“I took out their feet and Miss Eve did the rest. Nothing we haven’t done before. If that asshole hadn’t slammed the back of my head, I would have gotten him too.”

“You remember what he looked like?” Tommy scowled.

“No, He got me when I wasn’t looking,” she shook her head.

“Pity, I could give him a smack while I’m there,”

“Awww you do care,” she laughed.

“I never said I cared. Just that he shouldn’t get away with hitting a woman.”

‘You do care,” she teased. Tommy tried to hide a smile as she laughed more. It wasn’t until Rory and James were ready to go that he cleared his throat, signaling to Marlene that she repose herself.

Rory eyed Tommy as they got into the car and glanced at Marlene who was keeping her eyes down. He then took his seat and the four were off.

***

“You sure you’re going to be alright going in there? We don’t tend to favor cops,” said James.

“Nothing I haven’t dealt with before. It normally takes a lot to provoke the Licorice Gang. Their boss is one of your more polite killers, versus my sister who hates a time waster. It’s why most of their men are kept inside versus outside. He wants to make it look like his home is welcoming so when his guests enter, he can encase them.” Rory insured.

“You seem to know a lot about them for a cop.” James raised a brow

“Commissioner,” Rory corrected, “Don’t even insult me.”

“Still. Most cops only have a sliver of the knowledge you seem to have.”

Marlene exchanged glances with Rory and Rory then turned his eyes to the window.

“Are you a boss Rory?” James asked.

“I was supposed to be. Believe it or not, some people like to do good in this world and I was one of them.”

“Ah, I get it. You have Miss Eve do your dirty work while you keep your hands clean. That’s evil.” James' face went from a sly grin to beaming.

“Try again. Penelope has full control of the business. Any money I make is from working as a commissioner and that is all,” Rory glowered.

“Hm. If what you say is true, then how hard do you think it will be to get out?”

“If Dexter follows the rules, pretty simple. Because they kidnapped her, that means they succeeded in snuffing out her product. So when the job is done, they will most likely let her go,” Rory shrugged.

“Most likely?”

“There’s the off chance that Dexter will enjoy her company a little too much and want her to stay.”

“Over my dead body,” James announced. All eyes were on him as he regained composure.

“You’ve already dug your grave, Brooks. What’s one more foot?” Rory smirked.