KenoN started to relax after the couple of drinks he had.  He’s anticipation had eased once Roxie told him it was a wonderful idea they should work together.  She was smart just like her mother, but her mother wasn’t as sassy. He picked up the file she had handed him on Pearl Lanney. He was with them when they first had the conversation regarding what had happened.  He remember his dad telling Roxie’s mother:

That one of his informants, a lady of the night, was beaten up by one of her big wheel Johns, taken to the hospital and is in pretty bad shape. That he had gone there to the hospital and tried talking to her, but she was traumatized. He knew that Roxie’s mother might be able to make the lady feel comfortable with an old-fashioned woman-to-woman talk.

Just as he thought she was very responsive to the situation and willing to help. 

Your mother told him he was the best non-pimp she knew. That he really watch out for the ladies and respect them as well as their profession.  That his relationship with them had been a great advantage to her. The ladies have provided some very valuable information. They didn’t deserve to be mistreated.  She had heard of these abusive Johns and they need to stop.

She asked the lady’s name and what hospital and he told her Pearl Lanney and she was in St. Vincent Hospital. 

She wanted to go see her right away so I drove them to the hospital.  St. Vincent Hospital wasn’t good enough for her so she had Pearl transferred to a clinic under the care of her good doctor friend @Ilaria_Santoro.

When we got to the clinic Pearl was in a special section in and private room and well taken care of.  She looked so much better.

We walked around the corner to a gift and flower shop.  We had some flowers and "Get Well Soon" balloons delivered to the clinic, then while your mother talked to Pearl. 

"What you got around here to eat Roxie?  I need to soak up this alcohol with something."

Let’s go upstairs to the apartment Roxie told @KenoN, Bentley is preparing dinner.   When they arrived upstairs she introduced him to Bentley.  Of course, Bentley was his charming self as he continued preparing dinner.  Roxie ran back downstairs to get something.

When she returned she had a tape recorder in her hands. 

My mother taped the conversation she had with Pearl to keep all the details together. She never had the chance for any of us to listen to it.  I think it’s best we listen to it so we don’t have to worry Pearl about telling us everything again. 

Both Bentley and KenoN agreed so they sat at the dining room table to listen.

Pearl Lanney

Some men are just mean Rosaleen. They think because of what we do and the fact they pay us they can do whatever they want.  Frankie Halton is one of the worse. Most of the girls don’t like him and are very afraid of him. He’s a very powerful man.

A nurse or someone must have entered the room because the tape was cut off then turned back on.

I had a bad vibe about that night. When I got the called I started to tell him I couldn’t make it, that I had another appointment.  I really didn’t want to be bothered with Frankie’s shit that night but needed the money.  In the past he has been a little abusive but nothing like that night.

I should have followed my gut feelings, Rosaleen.  I’ve always met Frankie at the hotel.  I didn’t realize where we were going until his car arrived.  The driver informed me we were going to Frankie’s home.   Garrus has told us many times never to leave The Strip but I thought I was safe and impressed with the fact he invited me to his home.

When we arrived people were partying and Frankie was very polite. He offered me a drink.  We had a few laughs. He took my hand and walked me to his bedroom.  Everything was fine until he started to get a little too rough.  It was like all of a sudden he was mad and upset with me.  I told him to stop being so rough and when I started to resist he got even angrier, threw me off the bed and called Max in.  I hate Max.  He’s a lowlife SOB. Frankie told Max to come to join us.  I told Frankie "NO" I wasn’t having that and he knew better.

Rosaleen, I was still on the floor where he had thrown me.  He went into the night table and pulled out a gun.  He then dragged me to my knees and placed the gun to my head.   He told me to go down on him and it better be nice and slow.  In the meantime, Max had undressed and was trying to enter me from the rear.  I wanted them to stop so I took his penis in my mouth and bit down as hard as I could.

Max turned me around and hit me in the face as hard as he would while Frankie fell back on the bed screaming in agony.  I fought with Max, trying to kick him away from me. When Frankie gained his composure they just started beating me and beating me.  I thought they were going to kill me. 

You could hear Pearl sobbing and Rosaleen trying to comfort her. Then you heard Pearl gain her composure.

Some others in the house must have heard the commotion and came to the room.  I must have blacked out or something because I don’t remember much more.  They bought me back to the apartment and the girls help me out the car and took me to the hospital.

I don’t know why they would do this to me.

There was a little pause.

Pearl listen to me.  You didn’t deserve this.  You nor any of the other ladies will have to worry about being abused anymore.  Frankie and Max will pay for this I promised.

I think I have enough information.  You just concentrate on getting better. 

You could hear a knock at the door and the delivery of the flowers and the balloons. 

Garrus should see your face now how happy you look.  They are beautiful. 

It feels so good to see a smile, Pearl.  You are a strong woman and you will recover.  Don’t you ever blame yourself, for what happened,  no one deserves to be mistreated.

Well, I better get going, find Garrus.  I know he is going crazy. He’s probably smoked a whole pack of cigarettes already.

I just want you to relax knowing you are safe and Frankie and Max won’t get away with this.  Again I promise you to have nothing to worry about.

As the tape ended it seemed that Rain, @KenoN, and Bentley had lost their appetite.  They just sat there for a few seconds.  Finally, Roxie spoke up.

Well, Frankie and Max need to be taught a lesson.  I don't think we should kill them.  Maybe cut their private parts off or something.  Both KenoN and Bentley cringed at that idea. Well, maybe not that, they all laughed.

Their laughter broke the ice and they were ready to eat. They enjoyed the dinner Bentley had prepared and had a drink.

KenoN I want you to take care of Max and I will get with @Casinova and have him take care of Frankie

Frankie Halton

Listening to @Roxie's voice on the other end of the telephone, @Casinova could feel his jaw tighten.  Not only could he hear the emotion in his partner's voice, but this wasn't the first time he had heard Frankie Halton's name come up with some type of savagery.  The last time was a story of a girl that had been permanently disfigured when this man had decided to use a knife on her face after she demanded payment for her services.  

As @Roxie finished explaining, he simply stated "I'll take care of it....but I'm not going to kill him.  That will be too easy on him."  Hanging up the phone, he began packing his overnight bag and headed to the airport for his flight to Las Vegas.

Hailing a cab after arriving at the airport on a late night flight, @Casinova gave directions to his office in Las Vegas.  In need of a shower and change of clothes, the thought of walking in the office filled him with dread as everything reminded him of @Rosaleen.

As he expected, he walked into a dark office and headed up the stairs to his apartment.  It still pained him severely to think about the untimely death of his partner, but he quickly put that thought behind him.  He had business that needed to be completed. 

Flipping on his light, he smiled when he saw freshly copied files lying on the desk, organized and most likely packed with detailed information regarding Frankie Halton.  @Roxie had proven to be quite the surprise.  @Rosaleen never talked about this daughter and he was intrigued to start learning more about her.  But for now, it was business.

After a quick shower, @Casinova sat at his desk and reviewed the files.  Finding the information he was looking for and nodding his head in acknowledgement of a plan coming together, he picked up the phone and placed a call to one of his contacts.

"Round up a total of four, including yourself and bring the delivery truck.  Snatch and grab this morning at the warehouse off 3rd Avenue.  Pick me up at the office at 5am".

As @Casinova sat back and watched the delivery truck back into position, one of his men climbed out of the cab, walked over and knocked on the door at the back of the warehouse.  After a few minutes, Frankie Halton opened the door and could be seen asking about the delivery.  The delivery man handed Frankie a clipboard and shrugged his shoulders.  Impatiently, Frankie glances at the clipboard as the delivery man opens the back door.  Just as the door opens, two men jump from the truck and the delivery man slips a dark bag over Frankie's head.  Frankie tries to fight back, but the three men quickly overwhelm him and pull him into the back of the truck before the delivery driver shuts the door.  @Casinova smiles at the efficiency of his crew and makes a mental note to give them a bonus.

An hour later, the truck is sitting just down the street from the Hospital.  Carrying a bag of ice, @Casinova walks to the back and knocks in a sequence that let's them know he's coming inside.  With an insulated interior, the beating that Frankie had taken could not be heard outside those closed doors.  Stepping inside, Frankie is laying on his side, bag still over his head, with his arms tied behind his back and ankles tied together.

@Casinova hears Frankie's muffled cries and pleading "Please..please stop.  I'll pay you.  What ever you want.  You want a girl, I can make that happen.  Just please stop". Clenching his jaw and shaking his head, @Casinova closes the door and the only light in the cargo container is from a small kerosene lantern.  Without taking his eyes off Frankie, he says "Pull his pants down."  Frankie starts to scream, but no one outside can hear as one of the crew begins kicking him in the back.  When Frankie begins to sob and plead, two thugs pull down his pants and his underwear that had been soiled during the beating.  

@Casinova leans down and says "You've hurt your last woman.  This is payback for the pain you've inflicted to the girls."  Setting the ice on the ground and reaching in his pocket, he pulls out a pair of pliers and from the back of his belt, pulls out a long hunting knife.  Frankie had no idea what was happening as his face was covered.  Then he began to scream as the pliers crushed down on the tip of his penis and in one quick motion, it was pulled taught and cut free with the knife.  Frankie'd whole body began to shake in reaction to losing his manhood.  Before he could recover or react to the first attack, a second slice removed both of his testicles.  @Casinova reached back and grabbed the ice and shoved the bag between Frankies legs while saying "Don't want you to bleed to death, now do we?"  Rapping the side of the truck with the pommel of his knife, the truck moved forward.

Seconds later, the door opened and Frankie was thrown from the back of the truck with a bag of ice between his legs and his pants pulled back up part way to hold it in position.  The truck was moving even before he hit the ground and the door closed.  A medical tech runs out to care for the screaming man as the truck turns a corner to leave the scene.

Max

KenoN had some unfinished business, his father GarrusSykes was going to teach a man named Max a lesson for beating up one of the informers. Sadly, Garrus was a victim of many in the Las Vegas massacre, so the job was passed to him,  his firstborn.

The task in front of him was to find Max in his home and teach him a lesson.  @Roxie and @Casinova decided we didn’t need the extra heat in killing them, but would scare the shit out of him. Max was known to be a coward, so it would be an easy job for him.

 He already pictured what would transpire in his mind before heading to Max's place.  Either he was going to nearly drown him in his pool, beat him up and cut off his testicles. Yes, he is sick enough to do this, but the stupid fucker would probably bleed out and die, so he stopped contemplating that idea.

He could always count on good information from his female informants and just as he was told. When he arrived Max was throwing one of his wild parties but it seemed that most of his guests hadn’t arrived yet.

He walked up to the front door. It was locked, so he casually walked to the back, checking out things through the windows, passing a side door.  He made his way to the high wooden fence.  

He sees Max near the pool talking with a small, bald man.  He went back to the side door but it was also locked,  He pulled out his gun and hides it in his jacket. He knocks on the door. A woman opens up, she looked really sleazy. "Hello lady, I’m here to cause some trouble." He shows his revolver. "This guy treats you girls like shit.  They hurt one of mine, so I’m here to teach him a lesson." 

The girl nods and says: "Max is disgusting, he mistreats all of us. Can I help you in any way?" That caught him by surprise. The woman is brave, but he doesn’t’ want to put the girls in harm’s way, so he tells her: "Look, lady, just get your friends out of there, if things go south I can't promise you won't get hurt. Talk to the rest of the girls, tell them to leave.  I'll wait 5 minutes here when I see you leave I’m going in."

Only a few minutes had passed when he saw the girls leaving in a hurry. Behind them were 2 tall men chasing after them.  He threw his cigarette to the ground and charged at both man with his revolver in hand screaming: "HEY! HEY! STOP!” pointing the revolver at their heads like he was the fucking cops.  "On your fucking knees. If you guys behave, I won't have to kill both of you." The men stopped chasing the girls and got on their knees. He got closer to them and delivered a strong punch to both of their heads, knocking them out. There was a  long garden hose nearby so he uses that to tied both men and stashes their unconscious body in the tall grass. The girls were already gone and from what he saw Max and the small, bald guy he saw earlier had returned to the house and are the only ones in there.  He went to his car, got some rope, rolled some over his shoulders. He pulled his gun again and went inside.

He enters, hearing the voices coming from the pool area.  Max is asking the bald guy why the others are taking so much time to get back. He gets closer silently, to not be heard. As he gets close enough, he says: "Hiya folks! Time to start partying hard!". The moment he says that, he shoots Max in the leg and charges at the other man, delivering him a punch to the nose, nearly knocking his lights out. Max is trying to flee but he can't stand, so he walks in the direction of Max and kicks him in the stomach. "Stay, dog.". He says in a menacing way, giving his attention to the other guy. He gets the rope and ties the bald man into the pool ladder, leaving him there and giving his full attention to Max.

"Who the fuck... Are you?"  Max asked sitting on the ground in pain while he is being tied up, suffer from the bullet he just received.

"Yeah, sorry but I got no time for introductions, my name is not of your interest, but I’m sure you recall Pearl Lanney. She worked for my father."  as he tests the rope strength making sure it’s nice and tight. "Well, you can't beat up women and get away with it. I'm not here to kill you, but if you misbehave. Hmm..."

He gets up and kicks Max in the face several times, then a good blow to his balls, when he finished tying him up. " Let's go for a swim? Yay!". He picks Max up and carries him to the pool. "Geronimo!!" he screamed as he jumped in the pool with Max.

He laughs as Max just started sinking to the bottom.  He closes in, brought Max back up then forces Max’s head back underwater a few times for seconds at a time. "Say that you're sorry about what you've done to Pearl." Max spits in his face.  He wipes his face and laughs again.  He then delivers a crushing headbutt to Max, forces his head underwater again, this time he waited until he was almost tired and struggling.  

He drags Max out of the pool and threw him to the ground. "If you don't say that you're sorry, things are going to get worse for you buddy." He picks up Max again and leaned him to a wall. "Say it." Max refuses again, he delivers three punch to his jaw, breaking it. "Oops. Can you say sorry with a broken jaw?" He kicks Max legs, making him fall down. He moves his arm in a position that in only one stomp would make the bone snap in two. He stomps and breaks Max's arm. Max screamed so loudly that makes him want to finish this quickly before the neighbors call the cops.

He pulls out his gun and points at Max’s balls. "Well, it was the fun pal. Now since you're not going to apologize, I’m going to kill you, mmm'kay?"

Max tries to talk with the broken jaw. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry...". KenoN looks at the beaten up man and says: "Good, never put your fucking hands on women again.  Those are my ladies.  You touch them again and I’ll return to finish the job. Now... do you have some towels?" Max points to where some towels were with the good arm, KenoN smiles, grabs one, dry off a bit and leaves the house.

As he gets in his car he says to himself.  "Fuck I had no intentions on getting this wet, but it was fun."

KenoN opens the door of his apartment and goes for the phone. He dials @Roxie 's number and waits.  "She is probably sleeping. But I'm calling anyway. No one answers. Let me wash off this blood." He says to himself as he heads to the bathroom to take a shower.
 
After he got cleaned up, he stepped out the shower,  grabbed a towel, wrapped it around him and headed to the fridge. Nothing like a cold beer after scaring the shit out of someone.  He popped it open and headed for the phone. He dials her number again, this time she answered.
 
"Hey @Roxie, sorry calling you at this time but it is done." KenoN takes a sip of his beer. "Now I'm going to hit the bed, I'm exhausted."
 
He heads to the bed, takes another sip from the beer and lays it on the night table.  He takes off his towel and falls on his bed to his well-deserved slumber.

Roxie was setting on the fire escape talking with Bentley when the phone rang.  The fire escape was a place where she would go just to get away and think, even with the hustle and bustle noise on the streets.  By the time she made it to the phone, it had stopped ringing.   She knew it had to be either @KenoN or @Casinova.  Just as she was about to pick up the phone it started ringing. 

Hey Keno.  No, I wasn't asleep, Bentley and I were outside talking. By the time I got to the phone, it stopped ringing.

That's good to hear.  Glad that's over with and all that happened to you was getting a little wet.  she c

I think we need to meet early tomorrow,  go pick up Pearl and let her know it's all good.  No one will bother her anymore.

I will probably be returning to Chicago late tomorrow night.

OK.  You get some rest and we will hook up tomorrow.

Roxie hangs up the phone feeling a sigh of relief.  Now she just needed to hear from Casi.

Walking through the front room of @Roxie's apartment after being let in by Bentley, @Casinova carried a brown paper bag.  Bentley had directed him toward the fire escape, saying that Roxie was "destressing".  As he approached the window, he could see her sitting with her back to the window, legs hanging off the landing, staring off into the night.  Clearing his throat to avoid startling her, he said "Coming out!"  Stepping through the window onto the fire escape, he took a seat next to her as she continued to stare straight ahead.

"It's done.  He won't hurt another woman" he said coldly.  Continuing, "This one's on the house.  That was not the first time Frankie has caught my attention, but I bet it will be the last.  But more importantly, I know how personal you take these matters...."  He let the last sentence trail off and he also stared off into the night, knowing that he probably struck a nerve with that last comment.

Then @Casinova remembered the brown paper bag that contained a sealed jar and Frankie's manhood.  With a sly grin on his face, he handed the bag to @Roxie and said "A trophy for your office in Chicago!"

Roxie opens the bag, looks at the jar, jumped in shock and almost threw the jar and bag back to @Casinova. 

You are a sick man Casi.  You can keep it.   Casinova just laughed.

Come to sit down let's talk.  As Casi sat down next to her.  Tomorrow is a big day for us.   In the morning @KenoN and I are going to pick up Pearl, let her know everything is alright.

My flight to Chicago is at 6:45.  The furniture has already been shipped to storage in Chicago.  It' looks so bear downstairs.  The SEA office probably looks the same way as the furniture in the SEA is being shipped to LA.

I know you are just a couple of hours away but I am missing you already.  I sure hope when I find an office you will like it. We are going to have to get known in both LA and CH.  Let people know we can be trusted to handle any troubles they might have.   It's been a long hard couple of weeks for us.  I am so looking forward to moving on.  Two new cities,  new people is just the thing I need.

She placed her hand on Casi's knee.

I am so glad we are working together as partners. 

"I trust your instincts @Roxie and I have no doubt that you will find the perfect location....." responded @Casinova.  When she placed her hand on his knee, it caught him off guard.  This poor girl had been through alot and he knew she didn't trust men in general.  So, this small gesture really surprised him.  Her past was was a mystery to him in many ways and she had been so guarded most of the time.

Continuing, "I've got a few places in mind in LA and have a meeting tomorrow with a realtor.  I should be back in Chicago later on this week and you can show me around the new office".

@Casinova heard a noise behind him and turned to see Bentley setting a tray down on the window sill.  On the tray sat two glasses, filled with ice, and a bottle of his favorite scotch.  With a nod of his head, Bentley left the two of them to relax and talk.  Opening the bottle of scotch, he looks at his partner and says "Would you like a drink?"

Now that's the gentleman I know,sure.   Roxie held her glass while @Casinova poured the scotch into her glass.  She watched as he tossed his ice to the street and poured his drink.   She lifted her glass to his.

To good days ahead.

KenoN and @Roxie arrived at the hospital where Pearl Lanney is recovering. The job was done, both man who physically harmed her has been dealt with. They went to the hospital to take her home and make sure she feels safe. He would like to talk to her in private as well.
 
They entered Pearl's room, she was looking much better than the last time he saw her. She was putting her things in a bag and getting ready to get home. He said: "Hey, glad to see you are feeling better, those men will not harm you again, and I made sure that the word is out in the streets to not mess with you or any of the other girls.".
 
Pearl hugs both him and @Roxie and thanks them for everything. "There is no need to thank us, Pearl. Let's get you home."
 
When we arrived at Pearl's apartment he I walked her to the entrance.

He turns to her takes her head in his hands.

"Look, I would like that we worked together as you did with my father. I swear to protect you and the girls, as he did.

Pearl agrees, they say their goodbyes. 

He kisses her on both cheeks and watched as she went into the apartment building. 

He drove Roxie back to the office as he didn't want her late for her flight to Chicago.

He parks the car then goes to the passenger side and opens the door for Roxie.

"I don't think I will go in.   This seems like goodbye but I know it's not. You have a safe trip Roxie and we will talk soon."

He gives her a huge hug, then watches as she enters the office.

Roxie takes one more look around the almost bear office.  Just a few things were left that the local charity would be picking up.   She made her way upstairs to the apartment where @Casinova and Bentley were waiting for her to go to the airport.

They loaded up their luggage in the car and Casi drove them to the airport.

She shared a long hug with Casi and he assured her he would see her soon.  

They all said their "see you later" as she and Bentley made their way to the gate.

As the plane was making it's way to Chicago she thought to herself.

I think my Mother would be proud.