"Seem's like if a feller - or gal - is trustworthy enough to sign a blood pact with, they's probably not mafia. Iff'n they speak up, they might be perteckted by Badgerman, or at least the Chicken." Clara gives Geoffrey Jacks a little smile. "'Less he already done declared hisself."
"Not a bad point, though we'd have to take the man's word on it...." Dan rubs his chin. "Of course if someone lies about being blood brother, then t' true lad can come forward to rebutt it. For t' Gustav's friend could prove our most valuable asset."
"The Mafia have no reason to go for him.... but he could be a hub for information." Dan wonders.
"The Mafia are gaining a clear advantage here. If we don't think of a strategy quickly any of us innocents could be next."
"Nobody is safe."
"Aye, Danny, an' there's the spud... y'see, anyone o' us could claim ta be th' poor stiff's brother, an' there's no one could say 'im nay. So y'see, it doesn't do any o' us any good fer a body ta come forward... but oh, do it help them ta know."
"Do it matter who they is? Maybe dey be the ones who figure out who dey can trus'." Thadius muses as he wipes his nose again.
"Sure, an' how d'ye figure they'd do that?"
Thadius saunters over, leans toward Clarence's ear and mutters something short. He pats Clarence on the shoulder, then heads back toward the tissues.
"By trying t' stab each other in t' back." Dan cuts in, answering Clarences question. "Figur' the Mafia used t' that. But that'd give reason for one of the killers to come forward as a Blood-brother, maybe draw t' ire of t' tapped in t' head."
The Irishman eyes Thadius for a moment. "An' d'ye figure that makes a man trustworthy, hmm? Or a woman?" He looks over at Clara meaningfully.
"No, but it make it der judgemen' t' make, mon ami." Thadius looks back and forth between Clarence and Clara.
"You know I hear about this un'ertaker who just cremate a fella. He sit down wit' da widow an' he ask, "How old was you husban'?" she say, "He ninety eight, two year olda n' me." Un'ertaker say,"Really? Hardly worth goin' home, wouldn'cha say?" Thadius chuckles to himself.
Tina nods a bit at Dan's reassurance, the hug is really quite awkward, she it seems she's probably not used to this sort of thing, especially from a man. The effort to cheer her up is appreciated though "Umm.. thanks Mr. Dan. She nods towards Willard [b]"I'm sorry, it's not your fault. I... I guess I just overreacted I'm pretty overwhelmed by all this... I don't get out of the shop much, I don't really know about things that aren't fixing shoes."
When Getika puts her hand on Tina's shoulder the girl offers a sincere, but somewhat weak smile. "Thank you... I'll be ok, I guess I just panicked when I felt the thimble. I never had a sister before."
She listens to the others talking of blood brothers, and who's trustworthy and who isn't. She looks around at each person in turn, shrinking away a bit from Hamish when she does. Who could she trust? Dan and Clara were always really nice to her, Clara spoke highly of Clarence, Thadius didn't seem like he would hurt anybody and this new lady Getika, well new to Tina anyway, seemed very nice too. Would they really turn on her?
"All get overwhelmed. Even those seem underwhelmed lose it some time." Getika smiles as she sits down not looking unconcerned about her knives on the other table but she is keeping her attention partially on them, "I had two sisters."
Her eyes lift as she considers what the others have said, "Targeted we all are. Mafia included as we look for them. Clues here, are there? Mayhaps we all tell we are who?"
She stands and points to herself, "Getika Littlemoon. Arapahoo from north of here. In town trading mustangs and shop."
"You a long way from da reservation ain'tcha?" Thadius says to Getika as he blows his nose one last time, "Finally!" He tosses away his tissue and walks over to a window with his telescoping looking glass.
He gazes out, then begins to chuckle. "Eh, Clara, you know you got a flat tire?" Thadius says, "Weren't flat when you almos' hit me, cheri."
"What in the Sam Hill!?!?" Clara stomps over to the window and thumps a meaty fist into the windowframe, satisfying herself as to the veracity of the man's claim.
"What in tarnation is goin' on? That's the fourth flat on Bessie this week! I done fixed and patched all them tires now, and it's a different one each time!" She whirls and sweeps everyone with a glare. "Iff'n it's one a you, so help me, Imma slap you so hard that when you quit rollin' your clothes'll be outta style! Ain't nobody got time for this!"
"Is pretty funny, no? Huh, I think somebody mess wit' it. It leakin' oirl too. Looky der, underneat'." Thadius hands her is looking glass.
Clara takes the fancy gadget and sets it to her eye like Thadius did, starting back in surprise, then looking again. "Hooee! Swear I kin see the ticks on that there hound in the square and the hairs on Granny Murphy's chin! And... yeah, erl under pore Bessie. Clarence, if t'was you done this 'cause I'm tryin' ta git rid of horses, it ain't gonna work. Don't have to take no shovel to the garage, lemme tellya."
She hands the glass back to Thadius almost reluctlantly. "That's quite a doodad ya got there, Mister Thadius. Somethin' like that, well... you could see a long, long ways. Maybe see people doin' stuff they ain't s'posed to? You ever use it like that, huh?"
Clara shakes her head and strolls over to Tina, taking a chair nearby and murmuring something to the cobbler.
Clarence raises an eyebrow. "There ye be talkin' all violent again, lass."
"Nope, I keep dis from my daddy. He give it to me, hopin' I goin' to the arsenale like da General. I tell him I just wan' look at da stars. He tell me ain't no boy o his gon' ruin his life on science n' he take it away. I go' stealin' it back. It mine. He make me go to de arsenale, go join the militia. Dey tell me my eyes too bad. He make me go to church-school instead. I hidin' dis from him for so many years." Thadius looks at it, then goes and sits it on the table with the knives and such.
"Just a reminder of everything that no good." Thadius sighs.
"Violent? Mister Clarence, no offense, but you ain't from around here, is you? My grandmammy made more threats afore breakfast than a chicken's got feathers. Iffn she'da bin serious, I'da been flayed, skinned, tanned, and knocked inta next week every day. 'Sides, you feared of a woman's talk? Big strong man like you? That dog won't hunt, Mister Clarence, no it won't."
"An Mister Thadius? You a grown man now. You should be doin' what you want. Ain't never too late. Like ridin' a horse. Ya gotta take the reins, ya know?"
Thadius chuckles to himself, "If'n only you knew, cheri."
"Long way and was waiting on the cousins selling." Getika says quietly then listens to the talk amoung Clarence, Clara and Thadius. She watches Thadius set his instrument down and smirks.
"Violent woman's not so different from a violent man, except expectations." She looks to Thadius, "The far-seer may be a wish for future. Enjoy stars for you."
Dan looks to the carter; "Well at least they can't let tyres down on thee 'orse, Clara." There's a mischevious look in his eye; "And when it leaks, it ain't oil."
"Oh course, thee is." Dan says patting the Duke on the back. "Not that she'd let ol' codgers like us." the baker says with a wink to Getika.
Then a whisper to the Duke, he lets out a throaty chuckle. Before moving away to apologise to the native. "Sorry, didn't mean it like that. Just that you are aluring and could do some damage with that weapon of yours." he wonders.
"How's about custard to go with thee currant buns? In apology or thanks?" the baker looks to the Duke and Getika. "Or Ms. Baker, would you like some. There's a kitchen to side of hall." he motions to a nearby door.
Looking sadly towards Getika when she talks of her sisters "I'm sorry, Are they not with us anymore? I can be little sister if you like, Momma's the only family I've got."
Tina watches Clara's outburst, the threats were pretty typical kinds of things that the shoemaker supposed Clara would never actually carry through on. When the woman comes over and mutters to her she nods and says something back quietly.
She wonders about Dan, as he talks of Getika, and whispers to Duke Leto, then furrows her brow worriedly as he proceeds to invite Getika or Coraline to a room away from the others. A small hand, which calloused as it is must feel like it belongs to someone older than Tina, reaches out to touch Getika's arm, the young cobbler leans in to tell her something.
Getika laughs in delight of the two men joking around. This group could do with a little lightening up even while they try to figure out who was whom on the docket. She did enjoy a little flirting and if the white man wanted to flirt and be nice it couldn't be too bad. These men seemed nice enough to not create anything out of it.
"Depends on type of wrestling indian." She gives him a wink teasingly, "Meant it 'like that' you did. Offended I am not. Joking helps ease situations. But ... another room you wish us to go?"
The question from Tina makes Getika close her eyes and sigh, "Sisters caught in raider attack years ago. I was out training my skills. My tribe survived and few killed. Bad luck." She opens her eyes trying not to cry about the memory and failing as the tears came down her face. She wiped them off with the back of her arm and took a deep breath, "If little Wolfswift would like little sister to be ... I would like that." She puts a hand on Tina's shoulder then looks to Dan.
Clarence shakes his head at nobody in particular. "Too much whisperin'. Oughtta have it all out in th' open."
Clara nods. "Fine, then. I tol' Miz Tina I don't know who ta trust no more. Cause I don't. Badgerman an' Chikken, friends of the pore Detective, mafia men... all in this little room? An' all we done so far is kill off two good, God-fearin' folks."
"Aye, an' who was it wanted to kill th'one, hmm? If ye be askin' me, I don't find it hard ta see who's actin' like mafia."
Clarence looks meaningfully at Thadius, Clara, and the Duke, then shifts his gaze to look over the rest of the assembly.
Moveing over to the pair of ladies, Dan nods; "Apologies Miss Tina, I was only trying to make some custard. I can stay 'ere and talk to you Miss if you wish." Dan says softly, he reaches for his handkerchief and passes it to Getika.
"If ye be askin' me, I don't find it hard ta see who's actin' like mafia."
Clarence looks meaningfully at Thadius, Clara, and the Duke, then shifts his gaze to look over the rest of the assembly.
"I don't know which town hall you're locked in Mcfadden but I have it on good authority that the Duke is on our side. As for the southerners, they're only doing what is necessary. If anything I have respect for these people because of their ability to take action."
"As I've said before, indiscretion is the mafia's best weapon against us. Perhaps you'll favour us with a vote if you're steadfast in your convictions."
"Good authority? An' what authority might that be, hmm? As fer th'others, didn't they want ta kill one o' our own? An' didn't he die?"
Clarence looks into Hamish's eyes briefly after the man walks over to him. He listens for a moment, then responds, "If that be true..." he trails off, looking around at the group.
"Good authority, Mister Cunningham? Well... you was workin' with the Detective fer a long time. Mebbe you picked up a thing or two from him, huh? Hmmm...." Clara stands and walks to the window to look out at Bessie again, then turns back. "Mebbe I kin trust you, then. An' if you trust the Duke, well, that's three I kin count on."
She almost laughs when Hamish and Clarence put their heads together. "Wha hoppen ta out in the open, Mister Clarence?"
"Clarence, yo s'it getin' real ol'." Thadius rubs his face.
"Three?" he asks Clara.
Looking over at Thadius' comment, he frowns openly. "An' what d'ye propose ta do about it, lad? Would ye kill me like ye killed th' General?"
"I may not be edjikated, but Mister Cunningham, Mister Duke, an' me - thass three," Clara says, ticking each name off on her fingers.
"You 'cusin' me 'bout da general? S~#+, you the meanest ol' man this side da Mississip'. Yo' in action, how dat save da General? Huh? Watchu doin' to save anybody? Ol' fool, leas' some of us is tryin'. Now why don' you shut yo' mouf for' it get a fist in it?" Thadius balls his fists in anger, ready to strike the old man. "You been askin' for it, bud."
"D'ye know anyone who don't claim he can be trusted, lass?" asks Clarence, a bit playfully. He pointedly ignores Thadius and the man's threat.
"Yeah, dat right, ignore me now. Only dem mafia types tryin' to get chu riled up 'til they piss s'mbody off. You kill the General, Clarence?" Thadius straight out asks. "You a Mafiosi ain't you?"
The Irishman sighs longsuffringly, and turns to face Thadius. He speaks quietly, meeting the man's gaze without flinching. "Y'heard me right, lad. I'm accusin' ye. What more's there t'say?"
"Calm down fella's. No need for a ruck." Dan says from his position next to the pair of ladies. "Can we all agree we need to act, but act using our heads?"
"Fantastic! Can I ask you somethin'? Why?" Thadius snorts, "Or you too yella to answer dat?"
|
"You are right on that count, I been on the right side all along, never waivered once in my duty to God and country, prohibition is making the mafioso rich, without prohibition the mafia has much to lose."
"I too am interested in who would say such kind things about an old coot, though given our circumstances I can wait."
"I wish all the good citizens will get a chance to toast leagally a fine House of Atredies 1929, yes I know that is several years hence, but hoping we live."
"Good authority, Mister Cunningham? Well... you was workin' with the Detective fer a long time. Mebbe you picked up a thing or two from him, huh? Hmmm...."
"I'm not prepared to confirm or deny anything at the present time."
"Wait jes' a tick, Mister Clarence. Warn't you sayin' we shouldn't oughta be accusin' anyone and that we was wrong fer accusin' Gustav? But now yer accusin' Mister Thadius. So... you mus' know something. Else yer jes' a dam hypocrite. Well? Which be it, Mister Clarence?"
Clarence continues speaking softly, his gaze unwavering. He ignores Clara's outburst. "Ye didn't need a reason ta kill Gustav or th'General, but thankfully I'm not th'likes o' ye."
He pauses to let his words sink in, then continues. "Ye've done a number o' things ta make me wonder: ye've shown an unhealthy interest in who were Gustav's blood brother (a thing only one o' th' mafia would try ta find out), ye've tried ta find out who're the mystery citizens protectin' innocent men an' women, ye've shown a proclivity ta violence, an' ye were party t'the killin' o' an innocent man."
"Oh, dat real nice. 'Couse I show damn interest in who da blood bro is. I know who dat is, I know who I trus'. An o' course I wanna know who da mystery folk are, cause dey can maybe stop them mafiosi 'fore dey gettin' close, huh. And hell yeah I'm ready for a fight. You ain't, then you a damn fool."
Thadius snorts, "An' your moanin' din' save the General or Gustav did it? All you doin' is pushin' 'way people who you should trus', lest you a Mafia-Good-Ol' Boy. I figure it out, then you wanna kill me. It you. It absolutely you! It the only thing that make sense!"