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Sam Spade: Case of the Fallen Angel by Kaereni

I was working on a trace out of town when it all started. I was down in Reno trying to get a line on a Bob Troy. He had barrowed a hundred large from the mob and instead of paying back he had ran. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Why would I have anything to do with the mob?” Well, he was a friend of Frankie and had burned her. Now that Frankie was one of my porcelain sluts, I had an obligation to take care of her. Ether I had to find Bob or Frankie would end up having to pay the cash back herself. Thus, I found myself sitting in a rented car outside a fleabag on the outskirts of Reno at two am in the morning.

Just as I expected, the curtains of the room I was watching opened and a face looked out. Now that I knew he was there, I could move. Getting out of the car, I smoothed my slinky dress and checked my makeup. I do not know why I bothered, it was as perfect as the day Angela had permanently applied it. I walked up to the door and looking at a card in my hand I knocked.

The door opened a crack and he looked out, “Yea? Wadda want?”

Using my best bimbo voice I said, “Unicorn escorts sent me.” I licked my lips and looked what I could see of him up and down.

“I didn’t order no escort.” He replied curtly.

“Is’nt this 1581 west martin street room 219?” I asked with a pout.

“No this 2581 west martin”

“Ohh…” I pouted more and then put on a bright bimbo smile and said, “Want to party anyways?”

He looked me up and down and then opened the door, “Sure baby”

I strolled in and as he passed me, brought my hand down on the back of his neck. When he dropped to his knees, I moved around to the front and brought my knee up to his face breaking his nose. Grabbing him by the neck I hissed, “Where is it?” He tried playing dumb but a spike heel stomped into the back of a hand really loosens tongues. He pointed to a suitcase sitting off to the side. I hit him with my clutch purse that I had loaded with lead shot. Opening the suitcase I found underneath some clothes was the cash. Dumping the clothes out I closed the suitcase and as I passed him said, “Be glad I came and not someone from the mob.”

On the way back to the airport to catch the red eye back I called Frankie to let her know I recovered most if not all of her missing cash. While I was talking to her, I got a call from Angela. Angela was my receptionist and soul mate. I could not imagine how I have functioned before she came into my life. That she called while knowing I was out on a stakeout and in the middle of the night was surprising. But it was not as near as surprising as what I heard when I switched over.

“Hello love,” I said clicking over.

“Sam,” her voice was soft and sounded breathless. “Help I’ve fallen and can’t get up.”

I thought she was pulling a joke and laughed.

Her voice over road my laugh, “I really mean it... some...”

Her voice stopped and I heard a man’s voice, in the background, “Hey… what are you doing… Give me that! Hey Boss, she’s got a phone…” The phone disconnected and my heart stopped. Here I was half way across the country and my angel is in trouble.

I tried calling the house. When I had left, Angela and Cindy were still there together. Cindy was the one who had tried to frame me. Instead, Angela had turned the tables and now Cindy was part of the sisterhood, one of my porcelain sluts. When there was no answer, I knew that not only was my angel missing but Cindy also. There was no one I felt I could call on and with a sick and lost feeling, I flew home.

Waiting at the airport was a couple goons from the mob. “Da boss wants to see you Spade,” One said as they bracketed me.

As they were frog marching me to their car I said, “Look boys I don’t have time to play now. Tell Frankie everything is covered and I will get with her later today.” I could have caused a scene but I did not think the police would let me leave carrying a suitcase full of money without a few unconformable questions.

Pushing me into the backseat and getting in beside me one said, “Not Frankie, Don Brice.”

As the car pulled away I sat unmoving stunned and not a little worried. Don Brice was the head of the families for the whole east coast. There may have been men that are more powerful in the country but I could not think of one. Don Brice was said to have everyone in his pocket, from the president on down to the cop on the street. I wondered if this had something to do with Angela’s disappearance but no amount of prodding would get the goons to open up.

Driving along one of the men handed me a black cloth sack like hood and said, “Put it on Spade.”

Looking at it and them I replied, “And if I don’t?”

He just looked at me and replied, “We can toss yas in the trunk.”

“Good point,” I said pulling the hood on. The rest of the ride was made in silence. After what seemed like hours, the car stopped and I was told I could remove it. We were parked around the back of a large mansion. From the feel of the place, I would have guessed the Hamptons but it could have been anywhere. Still clutching the suitcase, I followed the men inside.

I was escorted through the kitchen and dining room to a small sitting room. There, before my eyes was the most powerful man in the United States. I stopped and stared at him. I had expected him to look like Marlon Brando from the movie “The Godfather.” Instead, he looked like the green grocer down the street, small, old and worn from a life of hard work. Sitting off to one side was Frankie. It only took a moment for me to recover my shock and setting the suitcase down I walked forward into the lions den.

Standing, Don Brice walked over to me and taking my hand in his, kissed it. “Ahh, Samantha Spade. We meet at last. I have heard so much about you.”

“Don Brice,” I said and looking at Frankie, “Frankie.”

Don Brice led me over to a chair near his and when I was seated, he sat. When we were all seated, Frankie poured tea and served us meekly. I watched her movements and manner to get a clue as to what was going on. “Miss Spade,” he said and then paused, “We seem to have a problem.”

I felt my heart stop, “problem?” I asked in a squeaking voice. The way the mob dealt with problems generally involved cement boots and a one-way trip to the harbor.

He looked at Frankie and when I looked at her, I saw that she had her head down and a single tear rolling down her cheek. Looking back at me, “It seems that Frankie misplaced some of our funds and failed to report it.” As I stated to speak, he made a small gesture with his hand, “I would guess that the missing funds are in the suitcase over there.” When I nodded, he continued, “But that is not the problem I speak of Miss Spade.”

“If there is any missing I would be more then glad to make up the difference.” I said. I really did not want to know what this problem he was alluding to was.

“The money is of no importance.” He replied. He sipped his tea and leaned back. “When god gave me a daughter instead of a son, I allowed her to follow in my footsteps. I set her up as a club owner when she asked, and even allowed her to have the plastic surgery when she begged.” He looked at me, his eyes old and tired, “When she started dancing after your visit I was surprised but like any father I could not say no to my baby.” He looked at Frankie as he continued, “When your receptionist took up with her, I figured it was a passing phase and she would settle down with a nice young man. I planned on passing my final years playing with my grandson. And now I find this out…”

I looked at Frankie and Don Brice. I had always wondered how she managed to make it into the mob. They were a male centered organization. Now I knew. I gulped hard and did not speak.

Not breaking eye contact with me, Don Brice said, “Pumpkin, what would you do if Miss Spade died?”

In a soft voice Frankie said, “No daddy no. I would kill myself.”

“Now Miss Spade, its time for some answers,” He said softly. “I want to know what you did to my baby girl.”

Instead of answering him, I looked at Frankie, “Frankie, it’s going to be ok. I want you to let Don Brice see your mask.”

“As you wish mistress.” She replied.

Don Brice watched in shock as Frankie’s mask seemed to form over her face. When he turned back to me, I told him how Cindy had set me up, mailed the masks to different people and changed them forever. At first, he did not believe me, but after a call to check on the mask’s he changed his mind. “You see, not only was Frankie caught in the trap, but I was also.” I said and felt my mask come to the surface. “I am sorry Don Brice, but Frankie will always be mine and I her mistress.” I said as Frankie fled into my arms.

His words shook with anger as he paced back and forth in the room, “Where is this Cindy now?”

“I don’t know…” I said. When he turned angrily towards me and raised his hand as if to slap, I added, “Angela has been kidnapped and she has disappeared.”

Frankie looked up at me and said, “Angela? My sister’s missing?” her voice filled with pain.

“Don’t worry sweet, I will find her. I will find both of them.” I said forgetting where I was as I held Frankie close and stroked her hair.

Don Brice sat down and stared at us, “It seems I underestimated you Miss Spade. I thought you were after control of the…” his voice failed him and he looked down, “Do you… love?”

I looked up and waited until he looked at me, “yes, as deeply and as strongly as you do.” I had to try to get him to understand. I do not know why it seemed important to me but it was. “Just as you are Frankie’s father, I am her mistress. She and all the others are my responsibility. If it takes me to lay down my life for her to be safe then I would do so.”

I looked down at Frankie and stroked her hair as I talked, “I could have sent myself up as a goddess, each woman working to support and worshiping me. But I did not. It would have not been right to do so.” Looking back at the tired old man and seeing the father not the head of a criminal ring, “She and her sisters are my daughters and I love them all very much.” Nuzzling my face against Frankie’s I said softly, “Especially you.” As I stroked her hair once more I said, “Time to hide the mask again baby.”

Looking up at Don Brice, “I am sorry Don Brice,” I said as both our masks flowed under the skin. “Kill me if you need but I can not change Frankie’s programming or my own. All I can do is make sure she is loved and not hurt.”

After a time he said, “Thank you Miss Spade, you may go.” As I started to leave with Frankie’s hand in mine he stopped us, “Pumpkin, I am sure Miss Spade can do better by herself.”

Frankie hugged me close and said into my ear, “please be careful mistress.” She then kissed me and walked back over to her father.

Don Brice looked at Frankie and then at me, “It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Spade. I am sure we will be talking again.” With a wave of his hand he added, “Oh, and keep the money.”

I looked at them and bowed slightly, “It was a pleasure to meet Frankie’s father, Don Brice. Thank you for the honor.” Glancing at the suitcase, I added, “No thank you, it is Frankie’s,” and walked out. The two bodyguards escorted me back to the car and after the hood was safely on, drove me back to the airport.

Chapter 2

It was after six in the evening and I had yet to make it home. Grabbing my bag from the luggage pickup, I got in my car and hurried home. The front door was closed and showed no signs of jimmying when I examined it. Entering the house, I found another thing all together. The house had been trashed. All of the drawers were emptied on the floor, the cushions on the couch and chairs ripped open, and every breakable had been shattered. I walked though the house in shock. I had never seen such a mess. Even the bedroom had been tossed.

On the floor I found my teddy bear, he had been gutted like a fish and tossed to the side. Up until then I had kept everything under control. However, the sight of teddy ripped up with his stuffing hanging out, broke the damn and I crumpled to the floor sobbing. I used to never cry, never let the pain and hurt out. That all changed when Angela came back into my life. Not only had Angela taught me to enjoy being a woman in love again, she had also opened up the emotional dam that I had erected to close off the world from my inner feelings.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and jerked as if I had been shot. “Spade? Are you ok?” I looked up and saw Fat Johnny kneeling beside me, a look of worry on his face. Behind him, I could see a couple of his gorillas looking around nervously with guns drawn.

Sitting up I set teddy on the bedside table and wiped my eyes before nodding. Fat Johnny was not what I would call a friend. In the past, we had helped one another out and he was an acquaintance of dad’s. The last time I had seen him I had trashed the lobby of his restaurant and damn near blew his head off. “What have you gotten yourself into this time?” he asked.

“Nothing, just redecorating the place Johnny,” I said looking at him. “That and it seems someone has kidnapped Angela.”

“Angela? Are we talking the same Angela… the android?” He asked. The two bodyguards looked at us in surprise. Fat Johnny looked at them and said, “Go watch the front door.” When they left, he turned to me and said softly, “Don’t worry about the boys, Samantha.”

“What the hell is going on?” I asked. “I go out of town for a few days on a skip trace and come back to find this.” He shook his head not meeting my eyes. “Come on Fats… You have your fingers in everyone’s pie. Talk to me please.” I added feeling the tears flowing again.

Fat Johnny looked at me and pulled the hanky from his suit breast pocket. Handing it to me, I wiped at my eyes as he talked. “I don’t know Sam. First, I hear someone named Jojo placed a price on your head for 10 grand. Then the mob places a price on JoJo head for 50 grand and another 10 for anyone who tries to collect on taking you down. So I ask you again what have you gotten into?”

Don Brice it seemed had decided that I was better off alive then dead. “I don’t know anyone named JoJo.” Looking at Fat Johnny I realized he was more worried then usual. He had never come to my house, and I damn sure never his bodyguards pull heat before. .” I felt I had to say something about the mob but did not desire to go too far, “I did a collection for Frankie Desalvo, I guess that’s why the mob’s interest in my tender body.” He looked dubious but did not press the issue, “So who the hell is JoJo?”

Before Fat Johnny could answer one of his gorilla’s burst into the room, “Boss, we got company. Two cars, each with three shooters and a driver it looks like.”

Fats looked at me and then at the man, “Take them out.” Turning back to me, “Damn! You’re hotter then a burnt bearing. We need to get you out of here.” For someone who weighed over four hundred pounds Fat Johnny can move fast. Grabbing my wrist in his hand, he pulled me to my feet. As we were hurrying out the back door, I could hear shots from inside the house. I tried to break his grip but it was as if an iron shackle held me.

As we ran though backyards he pulled out a cell and said into it, “pick up… fifth and maple, five minutes… be there” in short gasps. I could still hear the gun battle raging at my house. “Quit fighting damn it Spade.” He said stopping for a moment to get his breath, “The boys can’t hold them off long and we need to get clear.” The shooting stopped, “Shit!” he said and pulled me along once more.

“Are they?” I started to ask as we ran but could not bring myself to finish. His lack of an answer spoke volumes.

When we reached the corner there was a car waiting for us. After diving into the backseat, Fat Johnny took the handkerchief from my unresisting fingers and wiped his sweating brow. “To answer your question, I don’t know.” He looked at the driver, “just drive around and watch for tails.” Turning back to me, “I’m sorry Spade; you’re too hot for me. Where can I drop you?”

“Wait… what do you know about this JoJo?” I asked. I needed something more then just a name to work with.

“All I know is Jojo is a heavy hitter from the south.” Fat Johnny said, “Now I need to know where to drop you Spade.”

I thought quickly, I needed something to defend myself, and a change of clothes. I knew that if they had my house covered then there would be people at the office waiting also to punch my clock. “Hmmm, you know Jimmy’s Used Electronic Shop over on main?” I asked.

“Jimmy’s in the hospital. Someone roughed him up earlier today.”

“Take me to the hospital then.” When Fat Johnny opened his mouth I continued, “I need to see him Fats.”

“You heard the lady.” He said to the driver.

We stopped at employee’s entrance. I looked at him, said, “Thanks Johnny I owe you,” and kissed his cheek. Gulping, I opened the door and started to get out when I felt his ham like hand on my arm. I turned back and wordlessly he passed me a snub-nosed 38. Nodding I got out and lifting my dress slipped it into my right stocking. Before walking in, I tried to make myself look presentable even thought I was still wearing the slinky bimbo hooker dress from Reno the night before.

It seemed to take forever to find Jimmy’s room, but in reality, it could not have been more then 30 minutes. I spent most of the time dodging nurses while looking over charts. Entering Jimmy’s darkened room I called out to him softly as I walked forward. I needed help and he was my last chance. “Jimmy? Are you awake?”

A soft whispered voice answered me, “Sam?”

Moving up to the bedside, I found jimmy. He had IV’s running to his arms and was swathed in bandages. What little I could see of his face looked black and blue with one eye swollen shut. “Oh Jimmy…” I said rushing to his side. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

His one good eye looked up at me and he said hoarsely, “Someone doesn’t like you Samantha. When I wouldn’t tell them where you were…”

“I’m so sorry…” I said and rested my head on his belly crying softly. “I don’t understand any of this.” I said through the tears.

Jimmy put his hand on my head and stroked my hair gently. I remembered the times when he would not touch me or allow me to touch him. “It’s ok Samantha. I have good news though.”

I looked up at him sniffling back my tears. I needed good news badly, “What?”

“The docs say my little toe on my right foot was untouched and is fine.” He said with a little smile.

I could not help but smile back that was such an old joke. “Cute.” I paused a second and then said, “James, I need help. Angela has been kidnapped, my place shot up, and couple of Fat Johnny’s boys are lying dead there, not to mention god knows how many others there also. Can I use your place to lay low tonight?”

Jimmy sat up as I spoke. In the time we have known each other I had only called him James once before. “Angela? Taken? What the fuck are you into Sam?” He made like he trying to get out of bed and said, “get my pants.”

I had to push him back down, “No, you need to get well.” He shook his head no, “Please? I don’t want your death on my head.” I added my eyes brimming with tears.

He lay back down, “just for tonight.” Sighing he closed his eyes, “Ok Samantha, but I want to know everything first.”

I gave him a quick rundown not mentioning meeting Don Brice and added at the end, “If you could, call Fat Johnny and find out if his men made it out alive.”

Jimmy nodded and told me how to get into his apartment using his pass card and key. As I was leaving he added, “Samantha, thanks for dressing for your visit. I you look the cats meow.”

Blushing I left the room and made my way out of the hospital.

As long as I known Jimmy the Geek as he was known on the street, he had a paranoid streak a mile wide. He also had knowledge of esoteric weapons and systems. You take those two together and you can guess that his shop was set up like a fortress. That someone was able to get past them to rough him up worried me. Even so, I figured his apartment attached to the back of the shop would be safe for the night.

Reaching his shop, I snuck around the back. The lock of his apartment door was a perfect example of his paranoia. I had to insert the pass card, and then put the key in, turn it all the way to the left, all the way to the right, back all the way to the left. Then remove the card, before turning the key back to the right before opening the door. Shaking my head at the precautions I had to take to enter, I walked into Jimmy’s apartment with the feeling like a child about to open a Christmas present.

Somehow, I expected his apartment to be filled with junk and other stuff just like his shop. Instead, it was tidy and neat. You would think an interior decorator had been there and they were fixing to do a photo spread for house beautiful or one of those magazines. As I walked around the lights would brighten and dim behind me. Reaching the living room I heard my voice, “Welcome home James, how was your day?”

I froze expecting a clone to walk out but after a moment my voice came again, “Welcome home James, how was your day?” Looking up towards the sound, I saw a small speaker set in the ceiling.

“I’m sorry, James is not here. I am Miss Spade, who are you?” I asked looking for the camera.

“Good…” the voice paused, “Morning Miss Spade. Where is James?”

“James is in the hospital.” I replied. I still had not found the camera and listening to my voice, I concluded that it had a slight mechanical tone to it. Between that and the pause in good morning I realized I had to be talking to a house computer. Leave it to Jimmy to have every bell and whistle in his place.

“Thank you. Confirming now…” My voice said and a minute later added, “Confirmed, welcome home Miss Spade. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No thank you” I said as I searched for something to drink. As much as I tried, I could not find anything, “Where the hell is the booze?” I asked frustrated. I really needed a drink to calm my nerves.

“You will find bourbon in the cabinet over the refrigerator,” my voice answered.

It was a little unnerving to hear my voice, yet at the same time, I was flattered that of all the voices Jimmy could have picked he chooses mine, that of a true and long time friend. “Thank you,” I said as I went after the bottle.

Dragging it down I noticed right away the massive amount of dust on it. It seemed that Jimmy was not a drinking man. Pouring myself a highball, I wandered back to the bedroom. My plans were to see if he had any clothes I could wear. As everywhere else in the house the bedroom was immaculate, even the bed was made. Sliding the dress off my shoulders, I let it fall to the floor as I walked towards the closet. Stopping at the dresser I slipped the stub nosed 38 out of my stocking, placed it on the dresser, and after taking a sip of the bourbon, set it beside the pistol.

In the closet, I managed to find a pair of jeans and a dress shirt that seemed to fit well enough. Coming out I kicked of my shoes, removed my garter and stockings before heading to the shower. Jimmy’s bathroom was cleaner then mine. With a rueful grin, I thought to myself that I would have to find out who his house cleaner was and hire her away from him. When I came out, I found a surprise waiting for me. My dress and stockings were sitting folded on the corner of the bed. Looking around I called out, “Who else is here?” and dashed for the pistol.

After a moment my voice came back from the overhead speaker, “There is no one else in the premises Miss Spade.”

“Okay, if that’s the case. Who folded my clothes?” I asked gesturing with the pistol towards the dress and stockings.

“One of my remotes” my voice replied calmly.

“Ohh” I said. I could not think of anything else to say. Setting the pistol down I took the folded clothes and put them in the hamper before grabbing my drink. I laid in the bed resting the glass on my lap and thought. I was still no closer to finding my sweet angel or finding out who Jojo was. Turning I set the drink on the nightstand and noticed the picture he had there. Being a busybody I picked it up and looked closer, “Oh my god!” I said staring at it in shock. It was a picture of Jimmy and I, standing side by side at what looked like a prom.

Ever since the accident, I had lost great chunks of my memory of the time before it. Every now and then, something would come along and jar the memory back. Angela was a case in point, as was my teddy bear. Now, staring at the picture, more memories came flooding back.

Chapter 3

Jimmy and I met back in ninth grade. It was the first day of classes and I was shy and timid. A group of bullies was shaking down the freshmen as they entered the front doors. When I walked up, they turned their attention to me and started. Because I had no money, it escalated to them wanting sexual favors instead of money. They dragged me around to the side of the school and had me down on the ground, my mouth covered as they prepared to rape me.

That was when I first saw Jimmy. He was wearing thick glasses with tape holding the parts together, pants that missed the ground by 5 or 6 inches, and a white shirt with a pocket protector. I watched as he walked up behind each of the other boys and touched them on the back of the neck. It was something out of a science fiction show; at his touch, each fell lifeless to the ground. Jimmy managed to take three down before they noticed him. I remembered feeling bad that rescuer would end up being hurt because of me.

The fight was short and savage. In the end, my rescuer stood alone. Standing I hugged him, tears rolling down my face thanking him repeatedly. From that day, forward you never one of us without the other. He became my knight in shinning armor, always the gentleman.

Though I wanted more, James, as I called him, wanted to wait until we graduated from collage. Even though he was a year older then I was it made no difference. James was my best friend and I was in love with him head over heels. We would sit out on the porch swing at night and talk about our lives together and love for each other. The highlight was his senior prom. He looked so sweet in his tux. That night after the prom, we made love for the first time. I was in heaven. After that first time we made love almost nightly, each was more special then the last.

Then it all changed, James went to MIT and though we promised to write daily and see each other on breaks, he became wrapped up in his work and classes. I met Angela and found a kindred spirit. We fit together even better then James and I did. When he came back to see me graduate I broke the news to him, Angela and I were now a couple. Without a word, he nodded sadly and walked away.

Now I understood why Jimmy would never let me touch him, why he programmed his house computer with my voice. He was still in love with me. To think that he helped in creating Angela when he could have refused and rekindled our love for each other speaks volumes. It then hit me like a ton of bricks, he knew that by letting me in his apartment I would find out.

“Computer…. Can you place a call to the hospital and get Jimmy on the phone for me.” I had to talk to him.

My voice replied, “It is 3:25 am. Is this an emergency?”

I thought for a moment, “No, cancel request.” I would get a few hours sleep and call him in the morning. We had to talk, and I needed his help finding Angela. Putting the picture back on the nightstand, I crawled under the covers, turned off the light, and tried to find sleep.

I dreamt of Jimmy and I healing old wounds, making love just as we had back in high school. Tender passion, is what he loved to call it. When I woke from that wonderful dream, I found him beside me in bed, my head on his chest and him running his fingers through my hair. “Good afternoon sleepyhead” he said softly.

I guess I should have felt guilty but in fact, I felt grand. Kissing him I said softly, “good morning James.” Stroking his face tenderly as I looked into his one good eye, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“That’s ok Red; it was a long time ago.” He replied with a lopsided grin. Jimmy kissed me and then said, “I was hurt that you left me for a woman. I realized when I met Angela that she was in love with you as much as I was. That made it better.” He stroked my hair once more as I rested my head on his chest. “All I ever wanted for you was for you to be happy Samantha.” He paused a long time, “You never knew that Angela and I used to sit up nights talking about you. I needed to understand her to get over you. Instead, I found that with the exception of our sex, Angela and I could be mirror images of each other. We came to love each other, just as strongly as we loved you. The difference was that our love was that of a brother and sister. When she died…” His voice trailed off.

I looked up and saw the tears rolling from his eyes. I had never seen Jimmy cry before, not like this. Scrunching up I pulled him into my arms and rocked him as he sobbed. “You were a mess Red; I can still see you lying in the hospital. Angela had died but you, you were not so lucky.” He clung to me sobbing like a baby, “We saved you, but you were broken inside. Hell we all were. I stayed, opened the second hand shop, so I could be close, keep an eye on you, loving and protecting you.”

I was floored; Jimmy had quit school, came here to watch over me, knowing I did not remember us together. “I’m glad you did,” I had to say something but could not find the right words.

He looked up at me biting his lip and said, “Samantha, I was with Angela when they took her.”

“What? What happened?” I asked.

He explained about how he and Angela would sit and talk when I was busy on a case. He knew about the mask she wore, “She showed me it to me and placed it on my face so I could find peace.” He looked down and said, “We were consummating my joining your sisterhood when they broke in. Though we three fought them, they still managed to overpower us. They left me for dead and took Angela and Cindy. I woke up in the hospital just before you came in.”

“I’m glad you didn’t die.” I said. I was floored that Angela had added Jimmy to our merry band. But as I thought about it, I would have done the same. Kissing him, I smiled and said softly, “Welcome home.” I paused for a moment, “Does this mean you are a porcelain slut now? My porcelain slut?” I felt his manhood stirring and rise to attention as Jimmy’s breath came in short gasps.

Pushing him onto his back, I mounted him and fucked him. This was pure animal rutting. It was if a switch clicked on for both of us and there was no turning back until we had orgasmed. A tongue is a wonderful thing, as is a strap on. But nothing beats the real thing. We made passionate love, rough and randy for what seemed an eternity. We calmed down by licking each other clean in a 69 position. As Jimmy sucked and licked his cum from my cunt I told him to cum again. I had become the porcelain mistress once more, and Jimmy, my slut.

Afterwards I smiled and said, “You know you will have to move in with me now James. But first, I need to find Angela, and Cindy.”

Jimmy winked, “Finding Angela will be a cake walk. I can track her for you.”

Getting up I dressed and then looked at the peashooter Fat Johnny had given me. “Jimmy you have anything better then this piece of crap?” I said gesturing to the pistol.

He looked up from a keyboard, “yea.” He came over and led me to the bathroom. Turning on the hot water and closing the door he locked it and then turned off the hot and turned the cold on. When he did that, I heard a soft click behind me. Turning around I saw a small door open up. “Take what you need,” he said as he unlocked the bathroom door and left.

Shrugging, I entered the small room, the lights coming up automatically. “Damn!” I said looking around. There were more types of odd-looking weapons here then I had ever imagined existed. I recognized like 1 in 5 of them. Over at one side I saw a small hand unit sitting in a glass case. It was the palm tazer he had made and used on the boys who tried to rape me.

I selected a pair of colt 45’s just like mine back at the house and a simple pump shotgun. I was afraid of using any of the other toys he had. Coming out I found Jimmy hard at work at a computer terminal. “Any luck?” I said coming up behind him.

Not looking up Jimmy replied, “She’s at the old fish packing plant on 43 rd and Pine.” He stood up, “Give me a minute and I will be ready.”

“No Jimmy,” I said resting my hand on his shoulder. “It’s safer if I go alone.” He looked so much like a whipped puppy I added, “If you don’t hear from me in two hours call Frankie Desalvo. I do not care what you have to do to get her on the phone. But once she on the phone, tell her where I am and that I need help.”

“You mean he,” Jimmy said.

“No, he is a she. Not only that, she is your sister now, your porcelain sister,” I said. Slipping on a pea jacket I found in the closet I made my way out of his house. It was not hard to get a robotic cab to drop me off about a block away from the fish packing plant. This part of town was filled with old factories that had once been the life’s blood of the city. Now they were nothing more then a blighted area.

Even though I was loaded for bear, I was scared down to my toenails. I talked a good game but never had to kill someone before. Generally, waving a 45 around did the job, if not; a warning shot did the trick. This time I knew I would not be so lucky. I managed to make it to the plant unseen and inside through one of the back windows. The stench was horrendous, it smelled of rotting fish heads.

Working my way up into one of the overhead conveyor belts I found the source of the stench. The conveyer had a thick layer of rotting fish slime covering it. Keeping to one side of it I worked my through the building towards the office in the back. Below me, I could see men patrolling the machinery. Just as I almost reached the office, there was a ruckus at the front doors. ‘Had they discovered me?’ I wondered.

No, I had entered through a window not the doors. Using the distraction to my advantage, I scurried like a mouse closer to the office. Inside I could see Angela tied to a chair. I do not know how she knew I was there, but she looked right at me and slowly shook her head. She then pointedly looked across to a door. A moment later Cindy walked in clinging to a man’s arm.

I knew him. He was the man she worked for in New Orleans. This must be Jojo from down south. That bitch sold me out, I decided to save a bullet for her. Once I had Angela free, Cindy was dead. Any qualms I had about killing died with the sight of her turning to Angela and slapping her. The man left leaving Cindy and Angela alone. I decided this was my chance and moved forward.

Chapter 4

However, it was not to be. The disturbance was someone coming to meet Jojo, I was shocked to see Don Brice walking up and shaking Jojo’s hand. Damnit, not only was Cindy in on this, but also Don Brice. Helplessly I watched as they went in and stood over Angela. I could not hear what they were saying but her reply seemed to upset them more. When Jojo lifted his hand and hit Angela something inside me snapped.

Cocking the shotgun, I charged the office, firing my first shot as I entered. The pointblank blast took Jojo in the back of the head blowing his brains all over Don Brice. The head of the families turned to me, his face a mask of gore and shock. Angela’s screamed, “No!” Instead of shooting him, I reversed the shotgun and slammed the butt of it against his head.

I could hear the sounds of running footsteps getting louder. As I turned towards Cindy, I saw Don Brice fall to the ground like a sack of cement. If he had not been Frankie’s father or Angela’s warning I would have blown his head off. I saw Cindy, mouth open, eyes as big as saucers, looking in horror at her lover’s corpse. Reversing the shotgun, I pushed it into her mouth, “YOU BACK STABBING BITCH!” I screamed at her.

Just as I started to pull the trigger, Angela jerked the shotgun upwards. “No Samantha!” She had broken free of the restraints and saved Cindy. I should have known that she could break free anytime she wanted. However, my mind was not working well as we struggled for control of it.

Shots rang out and the windows shattered. Letting go of the shotgun I drew both of my pistols and made my way to the door. The bullets were flying thick, whizzing by like angry bees. A pair of figures reached the door and went down as my 45’s roared. Screaming, my mind on automatic and seeing everything though the red haze of rage, I charged through the door. Behind me, I could hear Cindy’s wails of fear and Angela screaming “No Samantha stop!” at me.

I was a force of nature, no one could stop me. Unlike the cop shows where the gun battles are done behind boxes I charged down the middle of the main isle. As a figure would pop up, I would pull the triggers. I felt a stinging in my side and at one point; then my left arm would not work anymore. I did not slow even as I felt shot in my shoulder. Like a tornado, I ran through the factory firing. The only thing that stopped me was taking one in the leg. I reloaded my remaining 45 and waited for them to come to me. I was going to kill every man in the building or die trying. I could only hope that Angela made it clear.

There was a lull in the shooting. As best I could figure there were two or three more of them out there still gunning for me. “Come and get me if you dare!” I yelled out taunting them. I could hear hurried footsteps but could not tell where they were coming from. The shotgun thundered and I saw a body flying backwards about 20 feet to the left of me. Cindy followed the path the body took, the shotgun in her hand sweeping left and right like a crazed bloodhound. As she passed by, she glanced in my direction but did not stop. Again, the shotgun roared, this time in tandem with a pistol and I heard her scream of pain.

I was looking towards the sounds of Cindy’s moans and did not realize someone was beside me until I heard the voice, “Damnit Spade” I turned and brought up the 45. There was Angela holding Don Brice up. It was his voice I heard, “You broke my nose!” Angela helped him to the floor beside me as I lowered the pistol. I noticed she had the other 45, the one I had dropped, in her hand as she left us there. “I was securing peace between you and mob down south, so they would leave you alone.” I heard the sharp report of Angela firing off to my left punctuate his words.

A few minutes later I watched as Angela carried Cindy in her arms. She had been shot in the chest and I could see the red foam forming at her lips as she breathed. Angela set her down beside me and sat down. I leaned over her and stroked Cindy’s face. In a broken voice she said, “Mistress…”

“It’s ok. Just rest and we’ll get you fixed up as good as new.” I said trying to calm her. I looked at Angela and saw her shake her head slowly no.

“Kiss me?”

I leaned down to kiss Cindy not caring about her bloody lips and felt her last breath against my face. “Rest in peace,” I said as I closed her eyelids. I looked up at Angela and saw tears in her eyes. “She will never betray anyone again.” I said my voice and heart cold.

“No Samantha, your wrong!” Angela said as she slapped me.

Don Brice said in a soft voice, “She was a brave woman.”

“She was play acting to help get Jojo off his guard. Can you imagine how hard it was for her to slap me or show affection to him? And you came along and ruined everything!” I had never seen Angela mad, not like this. “Not only ruined everything but caused the death of someone who loved you with all her heart.” Angela got up and stormed off.

“Spade, everything I ever heard about you said you were fair, painfully fair in your dealings. If it were not for that and my daughter’s devotion for you I would have stood back and let them have you.” Don Brice struggled to his feet and looked down at me, “I have never struck a woman no matter how much she deserved it.” He paused and shaking his head added, “I wish now I had not made that rule.”

I was left there alone with Cindy’s corpse. I had misjudged her badly and there was nothing I could do to make up for it. Though I reeked of the rotting fish slime, I didn’t feel unclean until Angela’s and the Don’s words. All my life I had tried to do the right thing. Yes, I had stumbled in the past but never as bad as this. The tears started to flow as I tried to hold Cindy close to my chest one armed. “I’m sorry,” I said to her spirit as I sobbed. Feeling a movement on her face, I thought at first she was coming back alive. However, it was the mask reveling it’s self. After a minute it turned into dust and I knew in my heart Cindy was dead and not coming back.

Angela came back with Don Brice beside her. He said in a sad voice, “Spade, the only way to fix this now is for you to die.”

I looked up into his eyes not understanding and watched as Angela raised the 45 and said, “I’m sorry love, its the only way to save the others,” as she pulled the trigger. While the other bullets had stung, this one felt like someone had hit me with a sledgehammer. I looked at her and then down at Cindy’s body in my arm. “Just as well…” I said as my vision faded away.

Chapter 5

I laid in the darkness waiting for the final call to take me thinking, “Well this is boring. Where are the trumpets? Where are the angels?” when I realized I was taking a long time to die. Then it struck me, Alvin had said they transplanted my brain into a carbon fiber skull after the accident. I wanted to scream, let them know I was alive as the visions of being buried alive filled me. I became aware of Angela and Don Brice arguing over me. I wanted to tell her I was still here but I was so much dead meat to them.

“Do you know what you just did? You signed the death warrant on Frankie!” Don Brice thundered.

“You said she had to die for everyone to be safe.” Angela said her voice uneven. I heard the sound of the pistol clatter to the floor.

“Yes but I meant that we had to FAKE her death.”

“Oh my god!” Angela said in a broken voice and I could hear her crying. Her sobs got closer and though I could not feel it, I imagined that she was now holding me close.

The sounds of running feet accosted my ears. It sounded as if a football team were charging the line and coming right at me. The sounds of the shotgun being cocked and scrapping of the pistol lifted from the ground filled me. I could see it in my mind. Angela grabbing the pistol, Don Brice readied the shotgun, one kneeling and the other standing. “Was it Jojo’s reinforcements? Or had Jimmy gotten though to Frankie?” I wondered.

“Boss! We got company coming!” a man’s voice calls out.

“Damnit… Get her out of here.” Don Brice’s voice replies in a horse tone.

I can hear Angela’s voice protesting, as she was lead away. I had thought they were talking about me, but that did not make any sense. As far as anyone knew, I was laying on the floor dead as a doornail. The sound of footsteps enter from somewhere towards the front. Unlike the hurried ones before, these are moving at a slow steady pace.

“Don Lugini.” Brice said as I listen to his footstep and voice move to greet the newcomer. “How was the flight?”

“Don Brice… It was tolerable my friend. Thank you for supplying the jet.” I could picture the pair hugging each other. “But what is this? Have you decided to become a shooter like the old days?”

My so-called rescuer gave a small laugh. “No my friend, it seems one of your crews decided to make a name for themselves.” He paused a moment and then said, his voice hard and lifeless, “Or did you order the hit?” All around I can hear men shifting, my mind forming the vision of them lining up on two sides like the gunfight at the OK corral.

“No my friend… If I had, I would not be standing here talking to you. One of my lieutenants did come up here on a collection, Jojo is his name.” the voice paused, “Where is he? He was supposed to meet me at the airport.”

“He is up in the office, and on my suit.... I don’t expect him to get up anytime soon. Why did you send a crew up here without notifying me?” His voice sounded angry.

“Ummm well, Jojo was supposed to pay his respects to you first and enlist your aid in retrieving a…” the voice paused, “Young lady who was in his employ.”

“You sent a crew up here to pick up a runaway whore? What could she do? Build a ship in a bottle with her tongue?”

“I don’t know for sure… I never met her.” Don Lugini’s voice sounded soft and almost child like. “It’s like this. Jojo had been searching for her for years and finally tracked her down to this city. He was supposed to come to you, get her location and your blessing and then come back home. Nothing more, on my life I swear it.” As he talked, his voice became more confident. “What’s the deal with these two?” His voice got louder.

“Ohhh, just a pair of dikes who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Don Brice said off handedly. I could hear him moving forward, “Let us adjourn to my villa. I know a wonderful restaurant whose cook is from the old country. The boys will clean up and take care of the bodies.” He paused a moment, “Unless you would like Jojo and crew shipped home.”

“No, dump him in the harbor…” the voice replied cold heartedly.

I could hear them walk away together, talking about dinner. As I pondered my fate of becoming fish food, I heard Angela’s footsteps coming back. “I’ll take care of these two,” She said softly. Her footsteps got softer and faded. After a time they came back and I could hear grunt as she walked. She must have picked me up and was carrying me out, the only words she said as we walked was, “Please don’t be gone Sam.”

“So Angela did remember,” my mind sang out. Of course, she would remember, she was an android after all and remembered everything. I could hear a car start and then the sounds of passing scenery, at one point I heard the sounds of a number being speed dialed.

“Meeting, 30 minutes, call everyone else, no excuses” her voice was emotionless.

The car stopped and I heard the car door open and close. I had no idea what was going on. I tried to listen to the outside sounds and determine where I was but with the windows closed, I had no idea. Time had no meaning for me, I could have been there for five seconds alone or five hours.

When a door opened I heard Jimmy’s voice, “oh my god, Samantha” and the sounds of him throwing up.

“Move out of the way.” Angela’s voice said. I could hear her grunt and the sounds of footsteps again. They must be taking me to his shop. After a minute, she stopped and said, “I have to go… they will be waiting. But first, is she still in there?”

“How long has she been like this?” Jimmy’s voice said quavering.

“A little under an hour.” Angela replied.

“I don’t know angel. I don’t know…” I could hear the sounds of Jimmy sobbing though his words.

“James, you brought her back once. I know you can do it again. I will be back when I can. If you need anything call me and I will get it for you.” Angela said. I heard them kiss passionately before her footsteps faded.

“Damn Red, I knew sooner or later you would get in over your head.” Jimmy said softly. “Okay, let’s see what we see.” He grunted as if lifting something and then continued, “Hmmm open the skull and isolate while fix?”

I imagined him standing there pulling on his lower lip while he thought. I had seen him do that a million times in the past. Jimmy was one of those who liked to work everything out in his head before making a move. A memory floated up from the prom. We were going to dance and he stood there on the dance floor with me a good 2 minutes thinking before he pulled me into his arms. By the time we started to sway to the music the song ended. The sound of a saw starting jogged me back to the present. I could not feel what he was doing but my mind played tricks imagining the worst.

A short time later after listening to various tool sounds Jimmy said, “Thank god the backup pump is working. I know you can’t hear me Samantha, but I will make it right.” His voice got reverent and he added, “Just like I did in high school. Ok enough idle chit chat... do it… she will be fine.” He said talking to himself.

I wanted to ask, “Do what?” but not being able to talk or move made it impossible. He grunted as if pulling at something hard and disconnected my hearing. I was alone with only my thoughts and memories.

In the mid 20 th century, they first started working with sensory deprivation tanks. Over time, they found that a one or two hour exposure made people calm and relaxed. However, longer then that tended to drive the subjects insane. The mind would free associate with memories, some subjects would also experience hallucinations. In every case though, the mental state would dictate how the session went.

I tried to stay calm telling myself that it would be a few short minutes or an hour at most before Jimmy would reconnect me. As time passed, I could not but help thinking back on the evening’s events, wanting to kill a woman who was devoted to me, damning her after she died. Angela shooting me, then kissing Jimmy, before abandoning me all led my mind to a dark place. Over and over the events played out in my mind, each time becoming more graphic and surreal.

I distracted myself by thinking about my childhood. Mother holding and loving me, dad helping me with my math homework each day of my life came back to me. Clear and calm I lived my life as it unfolded. But like before, the dark times came, mothers death, Jimmy abandoning me while in high school, and the fight with dad over Angela. “Oh god!” my mind screamed as I lived the fight, the driving crazy with Angela telling me to slow down. The accident, hearing her screams as the fire burned us. “She didn’t die instantly, she burned up,” I wailed into the darkness that was my mind.

The more I tried to suppress the memories the more they haunted me. I could see Angela, her skin burnt and pealing off staring at me with accusing eyes. When I turned away, I saw Cindy, the hole in her chest, her eyes dead and cloudy looking at me with a frown. Again I turned, Daddy, his head at an angle, rope dangling like a necktie, giving me the, “you have failed me pumpkin,” look he had. Again I turned, Jimmy standing there, an engagement ring in his hand looking like someone just shot his puppy. Everywhere I turned, I saw someone who I had failed. I could not hide as they moved forward and pilled on top me, my screams echoing in my mind.

“NO wonder I had built a wall and made myself forget everything.” I thought as the guilt consumed me. All because of my actions, others suffered. If I could have willed myself to die, I would have. I could not, all I could do was build a wall, a stronger wall, one unbreakable, and forget everything.

Chapter 6

I woke lying in a bed. I could feel the cool satin sheets caressing my breasts and nipple with each breath. For a moment, I just laid there no moving, cherishing each touch and the smell in the air. The gentle scent of jasmine and something else caught my attention. I knew that smell but I could not place where I had smelt it before. I heard a voice I knew but not where say, “James… the patient is awake.” Feeling a weight on one side of the bed, I opened my eyes and looked at a young man.

“Welcome back Sam, how do you feel?” he said.

I knew him but not from where. It took time for me to figure out he was talking to me and then find my voice, “I feel fine thank you.” Just as the words came out of my mouth I realized the voice I had heard was my own. “Where am I?” I wanted to know. After a moment I added, “Who am I? Who are you?”

I heard a woman’s voice say, “Oh my god she lost her memory.” A woman, blond haired and looking as if she walked off a fashion show came into view. It was her scent, her perfume I recognized mixed with the jasmine. She moved forward and reached towards me, “Samantha, it’s me, Angela. Try to remember love.”

In an eye blink, I remembered who she was. Before my eyes, her skin blackened, cracked opened, and red ooze leaked from them. Screaming I rolled off the bed, “Your dead, I saw you burn…” I scurried into the corner of the room, curled into a ball and retreated into myself. My carefully built walls crumbled and everything came back to me. Not responding I felt them lift me and place me back on the bed.

I had to escape, find a way to lose myself, end the pain. I knew that now, I had to end it all. In a flash, I understood what I must do, get away from these two, get to the house, daddy’s lovely house that now was a shattered ruin like my life, and place a bullet in my brain. Only that would end it.

“Samantha, listen to me… feel the mask love, feel it and be at peace.” I could feel Angela’s tender hand stroking my face. With my eyes closed, I could not feel the cracked or burnt flesh.

I could feel the mask attacking her mind trying to works its way back in and corrupting me once more. With all my strength I pushed it from my body and once it formed on my face ripped it away and threw it. I could hear it shatter as it struck the wall. A feeling of peace filled me for a moment to be free of that damned controlling mask. However, the feeling passed quickly and I felt the longing and need for it once more.

“Oh Samantha, no…” I heard Angela wail, as I broke free of it.

No matter how hard they both tried, I would not react to them or come from my shell. I was there but would bide my time to make my escape. I heard their voices trail off as they discussed calling Alvin back from his conference in England. Once they were clear, I opened my eyes and slowly looked around. I was lying back in Jimmy’s bed, which meant I would have to sneak past them to make it to the door.

Watching I saw them move into the kitchen. Rolling off the bed, I broke for the door and past them before they knew what happened. I had not counted on the alarm system and set it off as I sprinted through it and out onto the street. Looking around Quickly I spotted Angela’s car. I was in luck; I knew where she kept the spare key. Starting it, I drove off, tires squealing like stuck pigs, just as they burst through the door behind me. I was free, free to do what I had to do. It didn’t matter that I was not wearing any clothes, I didn’t need any, not for what I planned to do.

I arrived home expecting to see it dark, forlorn, and crisscrossed with police tape like an child’s attempt at bandaging a wound. Instead, the house was brightly lit and I could hear the soft sounds of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring playing. I sat in the driveway staring at it wondering what was going on. How long had I been disconnected? I wondered. There was no way anyone could clean up this mess in one night.

I braved opening the car door and made my way up to the house. Entering, I saw eleven nude and masked women kneeling on the floor in the living room. As if pulled by one string they all turned and looked at me. You could heart a pin drop, so silent they were. Looking around I saw the house was clean, of the gun battle that raged there was no sign at first glance.

Then I noticed my chair, it was an old brown easy boy with the vinyl cracked and stuffing sticking out here and there. It did have a few new holes that it did not have before. Walking over to it, I caressed it and the holes. Of the women, none spoke, they just turned their heads to follow my movements. Without a backwards glance, I went into the bedroom. Again all signs of the battle that raged had been removed. My teddy was sitting on the head of the bed as if to welcome me home.

Opening the dresser, I pulled out dad’s old colt. He had used it in the war with honor and I had failed him, failed everyone. Going into the corner beside the dresser I slid down the wall to the floor. Closing my eyes I put the pistol under my chin and whispered, “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Damnit, I had forgotten to cock it. Pulling back the slide, I cocked the weapon and again placed it under my chin.

“Samantha, wait please.” I heard a voice say softly and I felt a hand sliding the gun from under my chin.

Opening my eyes, I saw one of the women kneeling in front of me. She reached up and removed the mask, setting it on the floor beside her. I should have recognized her by her voice and body alone but I was distracted. It was Frankie Desalvo.

“Please listen to me, there is nothing for you to be sorry about. You didn’t know and if it were me in your place I would have damned her instead of showing kindness as she lay dieing in my arms.” Frankie’s eyes were bright with tears, “I love you, you helped me be brave and follow my heart.”

“No, I seduced you, made you worship my scent, become my slut...” my voice broke.

“No Samantha. I knew about the capture scent before you made it into my office. I...” she looked down, “I used you as an excuse to do what I wanted to.” Frankie looked back up; I watched at the tears flowed down her face, “I am the one who should beg your forgiveness. You gave me my love, and helped me stand up to daddy. When the mask came, I knew what I wanted before I put it on. I wanted to be yours, loving and worshiping my mistress. It was just an excuse to give me what I wanted.”

“No dear Frankie,” I said as I wiped the tears away. “That is the programming speaking, not you.”

“There is the mask,” She said pointing and caressing it, “Angela found the release codes and cleared the programming. I speak to you as one woman to another, not as a mindless fuck bunny.” She looked down, “Please Samantha, don’t cheapen my heart felt words to you.” The old Frankie, the proud woman I knew showed through in those words.

“And the others,” I asked, “why sit here wearing a mask when you are free of my corruption?”

“Because it binds us together, before this I was alone, Samantha. Now I have 10 sisters who love me unconditionally, no matter what I do for a living, or who I am. I wear this,” she caressed the mask again. “Because it is my link to them, and you.”

Frankie got up and moved back she knelt down further away and placed the mask on her lap no longer speaking. Another woman moved up, knelt down in her place, and removed her mask. It was Janet, my old receptionist. Like Frankie before she begged forgiveness of her sins. Not believing that I had been the one who done her wrong.

Each woman came up and spoke to me, unmasked, their words and feelings plainly on their faces. Tears rolled down the others as they listened to the hurt, the guilt that each shared. Each in their own way they had been alone until I had come into their lives. They confessed that they had used me for their own gains and control but found joy in submissiveness to me, their mistress and mother. I knew in my heart they were trying to save me and help me into their sisterhood. Nevertheless, it was too late for me, I could not live with the sins I had committed.

When the last had finished, the bedroom was filled with silent kneeling women with masks on their laps. As one, they all turned their heads to the door and I was Jimmy walk in. Like the others, he sat before me. Unlike the others he was still dressed and looked at me with his dopy grin, “I knew you would be here red.” He looked down at the pistol in my hand and then up at me, “Don’t tell me you plan on ruining all our hard work are you?”

“I cannot live with the knowledge James. It’s tearing me apart.” I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“You don’t know the whole story Sam.” Jimmy said resting his hand on top of mine.

“I do... I abandoned you, burned my lover to death, and killed daddy though my heartlessness.” I said brokenly. “If anyone deserves to die... it is me. I can’t take the memories knowing I killed or ruined everything I loved. Even them,” I nodded my head in the direction of the women kneeling behind him, “they don’t see it, but I tainted each woman here with my touch.”

Jimmy shook his head, “No Samantha… Listen to me,” he took the pistol gently out of my hand and placed it beside us, then took my hands in his as he talked. “When I went off to collage, I found another. That’s why I didn’t come back to you. It was not you Sam, it was me.” His eyes looked through me, “She was smart, beautiful, and she was everything I could ask for. I didn’t know how to tell you, so I just abandoned you. When Suzi left me, I realized what I had lost in you. But by then it was too late, you had found another.”

Jimmy paused so long I thought he was done. He had not said anything I knew now, no great revelations. “At the hospital, after the accident… I… we could have saved both of you. But I told Alvin and your father that there was no chance with Angela.” His eyes focused back on mine and I saw his pain, “I made the choice to bring you back alone Samantha…” looking down he said softly, “I thought we could be together like the old days once more. But I was wrong, please forgive me…”

I looked at Jimmy, the tears rolling down his cheeks and dripping off his chin like slow raindrops. He believed that he had killed Angela. But I knew better, I saw her die, there would have been no way he could have brought her back. I know he is a genius, but he is not god. Removing one of his hands from mine, I lifted his chin, “I forgive you James.” I said softly.

He started to speak once more but stopped himself. When he stood, he looked down at me, “Will you talk to her?”

Closing my eyes, I nodded once as my fingers caressed daddy’s pistol. Nothing anyone had said had changed my mind and I did not expect Angela to. I watched as she walked in her face masked and without any clothes on.

Flowing into a sitting position Angela removed the mask and looked at me a long while not speaking. Finally, when she did speak her words shook me to the core, “I forgive you.” That was it, nothing more. She did not touch me, reach out, or move in any way.

I sat there dumfounded. What could I say? Thank you? Those words sounded so hollow and petty. “I love you.” I said softly as my fingers reached out to her face.

Like a cat, she moved into my touch. She took my hand from her face and turned her head towards the others. “I speak for everyone here when I say,” she turned her head back and locked eye contact with me, “We forgive you Samantha.” I glanced beyond her and saw the others nodding in agreement for once not in time with each other. When I made eye contact with Angela once more she continued, “If you feel you need to be punished then allow us, those you hurt to pick the punishment.”

My hand had moved back to pick up the pistol as she talked. I had my closure, the ones that could, forgave my sin. I could not forgive myself though. What do you do when you know in your heart that there is no forgiveness to be found big enough to fill the darkness? I nodded, “Yes I agree,” I said without looking up from the pistol in my hand.

Angela took the pistol from my hand and said, “We have reached a verdict.”

I looked up at her and then the others. Behind her, they were nodding. I don’t know how but she had set this up I realized. “We, the ones you hurt, condom you to life.” She paused and then added, “We condemn you to the knowledge of your deeds, and actions. We condemn you to be our fallen angel, and our mistress for the rest of your life.” As if one person everyone in the room, James included, raised the masks to their faces and said, “You are my mistress, I am yours to care for and protect for life.” Angela then said softly through the mask, “For better or worse, welcome home mistress, my love.”

I looked at them and sighed. I could not forgive myself, but for now, I could not abandon those who needed me. “It’s good to be home.” I replied softly.