Another Fine Mess Chapter Two

In the wee hours of the morning, the coffee was brewing and lights were on in the main conference room of Celtic Van Lines and Shipping. Lauren sat at the head of the table, her eyes fluttering slightly from the long night and the wine with Hao Chin. Still she was able to rouse herself to full awareness as she surveyed her gaggle of girl gangsters like a queen with her courtiers. Though each member of Lauren's inner circle held an undying, unflinching loyalty to the boss, each of them also possessed at least one highly destructive skill or mindset beneficial to the organization.

Yukiko sat next to Lauren, and opened the meeting. The slim Japanese woman spoke softly, and with perfect diction and control. Her body was perfectly chiseled, almost sculpted, and bespoke both beauty and power. As she stroked her dark hair away from her ear, Lauren noticed the ending of the Dragon tattoo; Yukiko's family crest.

Lauren had saved Yukiko's life when a rival Yakuza clan tried to destroy Yukiko's family. The rival clan had been destroyed by Lauren and Yukiko; but now the young woman considered herself bound to Lauren for as long as the red headed gangster lived. It was a matter of honor.

Bethany stood up and handed out thick manila folders as Suzy Q started a power point projector. Lauren's eyes followed the comely Bethany for a moment, watching the cute little wiggle the Jersey girl put into her walk. But Lauren was eyes forward as Suzy Q began her presentation.

""Hi y'all" began Suzy Q; her accent placing her somewhere well below the Mason Dixon line. She had a dancer's grace, poise and a body to match; suggesting a familiarity with the carnal side of life. Her blonde hair and good looks disguised the fact that she had graduated with advanced degrees from both Tulane and MIT with advanced degrees before the age of twenty. Suzy Q discovered though, that even with the credentials, men would judge her by her looks, rather than her talents. She was appalled and disappointed; and quite ready when Lauren recruited her from a dance bar just outside Mobile.

Suzy Q cleared her throat and began the presentation. "The challenge before us is to stop White Owl. Now any time we've captured her before, she's defeated us through sheer brute strength, some advanced healing factor in her metabolism or some combination of both." Suzy Q nodded her platinum locks across the table to her colleague.

"So Felicia and I have developed a two pronged attack that will allow us to both capture her, and contain her for delivery to Hao Chin."

"An' how long will it take t' put all of it together?" asked Lauren, leaning forward, hands on her chin.

"That depends on White Owl," said Felicia with an upperclass British lilt in her voice. Felicia possessed an angelic appearance and a heart that would frighten Satan himself. She had been a pre-med student at St Matthews College in Oxford, but her specialty had been vivisection. Felicia had been asked to leave after the unexplained disappearances of four lab partners. "We need to take a biometric reading, so we can calibrate the missiles to her unique physiology."

"MISSILES!! JAYZUS CHRIST!" swore Lauren. "As much as it pains me to say it, Felicia, we want the Blue Parakeet ALIVE, and not dead, savvy?" The pretty blonde nodded prettily.

"Oh don't worry, sweetie," said Suzy Q, coming to her partner's defense. "These are SPECIAL missiles. And if they work out as planned, well then, we'll have lots of buyers lining up. More money, sugah!" Lauren smiled at that and looked around the table.

Freya was looking up from her Wacom. Her dark hair was severely short and framed her face in a utilitarian way. "Owl vill be at park this afternoon. Is beeg revealink."

"You mean the Grand Unveiling?" corrected Yukiko gently. Freya bobbed her here head vigorously.

"Da, Grand Unweilink at Wictory Park. Is big statuary of Qveen City Heros?"

"I think she means the new police memorial in Victory Park, Lauren," said Yukiko. "They're unveiling the new names today, and White Owl is the guest of honor."

Lauren stifled a yawn and looked at her science team. "Will that be enough time?" she asked.

"Oh sure sugah," said Suzy Q with a giggle in her voice. " I already have the bio scanner in a li'l ol' camera. The Ol' Buzzard won't know we're even there. An' once we have her li'l ol' bio signature, then Felicia here takes ovah!"

"And we'll be able to find her no matter who she is!" quipped Felicia.

"What do ye mean, no matter who she is?" asked Lauren.

Bethany laughed. "You don't think she's White Owl all the time do ya boss? I mean she's gotta have a real life, somethin' normal?"

"Then why does she dress in a skimpy leotard an' bother me so much," said Lauren, finally drooping over and falling asleep at the table. Yukiko looked over and sighed.

"This meeting is over. We will meet again at noon to put the first phase of the operation into action. Daliyah, will you and Freya stay with me? I will need your assistance." With gentle motions, borne of long practice, the three women gently carried their unconscious leader into her bed. They spent the night in the room with Lauren, taking turns keeping watch over her until the rosy dawn crept high into the sky.
*****

Statuary Glen at Victory Park was decorated with red white and blue bunting for the newest dedication at the city's police memorial. In the parking lot, well away from the main stands, a Celtic Van Lines truck was parked. But instead of a cargo of risers or seats, it held the cramped control room for Suzy Q's audacious scheme. Lauren was wide awake, and fidgeted nervously, while Suzy Q and Felicia tinkered with the settings on the control panel. As her eyes focused on a monitor, Lauren asked, "Are you sure this will work?" for the fifteenth time.

"Yes, all we need is the White Duck and her goose is cooked," said Felicia.

"Actually, it won't be all that simple sugah," said Suzy Q. But as long as the Radah, is working we'll be able to track her an' lead her into our trap."

Not to be outdone, Felicia said, "The biometric scanner will also enable us to work out effective countermeasures for overcoming the Grey Turkey's powers--keeping the bird dormant for as long as it takes."

On the monitor, Lauren spotted the white streak against the pale blue sky just seconds before Bethan shouted, "Thar she blows!" White Owl slowed to a gentle glide, then landed gracefully on the stage, shaking hands with both Mayor Pettingill and Police Commissioner Linseed.

"Look at her, struttin' like a prize pullet" humphed Suzy Q.

"That she may be, but I'm countin' on ye to pluck her and dress her too," replied Lauren.

"Don't worry," said Felicia. "I like boning birds." The van pealed with laughter as Felicia's confusion grew. When understanding broke across her face, the deep red of embarrassment burned in her fair cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, that was most unladylike," she stammered.

"Not to worry lass, I've been known to do it too," said Lauren with a sly wink.

The ceremony went off without any further difficulties and was winding down when Lauren asked, "Did we get enough?"

"And then some," said Felicia. "I should be able to have this ready within the next week. And after that, no more White Owl."

"Then why are we sittin' here?" asked Lauren. "With the finest in front o' us an' White Owl there too, I'd say the city is open to a crime wave right about now. How 'bout it ladies?"

A resounding cheer rocked the van as it pulled from the parking lot.

to be continued