"You were supposed to go with Orange and Corrie," Genie said softly.
"I couldn't leave you alone," Jenny replied simply.
The plan, already on the edge of collapse, had fallen completely apart when the guy with the gun arrived. The best martial arts moves Genie knew weren't much use against a ruthless gangster with a gun, especially one who was more than twenty feet away. Genie had had no choice but to surrender. She just hoped that she'd bought Orange and Corrie enough time to reach the subway entrance and make good their escape.
"OK, I have a plan," Jenny said with undeserved certainty.
"Please don't," Genie sighed. After the past week, she had come to very firm the conclusion that, if they got out of this, Jenny was never allowed to plan anything ever again.
"When the guard comes in to check on us, I'll flash my boobs. While he's distracted, you kick him in the head," Jenny continued, undeterred.
"Why does every single one of your plans basically come down to showing some guy your boobs?" Genie wondered aloud.
"They're my best feature," Jenny smiled.
"Jenny, you're a talented actress, a good friend and a caring person," Genie said. "You are a lot more than just a pair of boobs."
"That's what Miranda always says," Jenny said.
"Well, she's right," Genie said.
They sat together in silence for a long moment. Finally, Jenny said, "They are nice boobs though."
"You have lovely breasts," Genie said. "I'm sure, under other circumstances, like if I was more gay and less captured by gangsters, I would be all over your breasts."
"Thanks," Jenny smiled.
"We still need an escape plan," Genie sighed.
"You could flash the guard," Jenny suggested.
"Are you kidding? Did you see how high I was kicking... and in this skirt?!" Genie said emphatically. "That guy owes me dinner and a movie, or at least a few drinks."
"So true," Jenny laughed.
"Anyway, I'd rather we came up with an escape plan where we keep our clothes on," Genie pointed out.
They still hadn't come up with a plan (dressed or otherwise) when the door to the room clicked open. The guard Genie had fought came in followed by a man in a grey suit, the one who had had the gun.
The man in the grey suit gave them both a cold, considering look. It was a look that seemed to take them in completely, but at the same time, did not linger even for a moment on their bodies. Genie felt that they could have both been completely naked and the man would have looked at them with the same dispassionate consideration.
"Ms. Elderberry. Ms. Poole. I am Mr. Grey," the man said, his voice as coldly dispassionate as his eyes. "I do not wish to waste time. I know your associates have taken a certain ledger from Mr. Tenari's offices. You will tell me where they have taken it."
"Look, buddy, I'm Jenny Poole. I am the star of the Urbz," Jenny said with every ounce of a star's pride. "So, let's not pretend you're going to do anything to me or my friend here. I mean, if anything happens to me, millions of viewers are going to be following the police investigation."
"I am aware of your celebrity, Ms. Poole," Grey said scornfully. "Of course I am also aware, as are your millions of viewers, of your unsavory past associations and your struggles with addiction. I am sure, once people learn of your recent meetings with some of those same unsavory associates... like Mr. Stone and Mr. Tobar... they will be saddened, but hardly shocked, by your unfortunately fatal drug overdose."
"Oh," Jenny whimpered weakly.
"Leave her alone," Genie said curtly.
"Yes, you do represent more of a challenge, Ms. Elderberry," Mr. Grey smile grudgingly. "Despite your family drama, I have no doubt your mother would object to your sudden demise... at least without consulting her first. Still, there are ways around every challenge."
"I know she's here," Genie pointed out. "All I have to do is scream and she'll know I'm here... if she doesn't already."
"Perhaps," Mr. Grey mused. "Though, you may find it is difficult for even a mother to recognize a voice through a soundproofed wall."
"Do your worst," Genie snapped defiantly.
"Um, Genie..." Jenny said weakly.
"Little girl, you have no concept of what my worst is," Mr. Grey snarled. "Tell me where the ledger is."
"I said no interruptions, Candi," Mr. Grey snapped at the women who had come into the room.
"Sorry, Mr. Grey," Candi replied in what seemed to Genie to be a real version of Jenny's hooker voice.
"What. Do. You. Want," Mr. Grey snarled.
"Marco said you wanted to talk to Max and George as soon as they could leave the big meeting," Candi answered shyly. "And they're just leaving the meeting so..."
"I am surrounded by incompetence," Mr. Grey sighed. "You," he added pointed at the guard, "make sure they don't go anywhere."
Frustration plainly breaking through his cold facade, Mr. Grey stalked out of the room.
----------------
"Marco said you needed to talk to us," George T said.
"Is there a problem?" Max V added.
"Is there a problem?" Mr. Grey sighed. "Let me think. Is the arrival of your niece, an actress you once associated with, an unknown man and a third woman who sounds very much like George's most recent pet, a problem?"
"Corrie's here?" George replied, startled.
"Corrie was here," Mr. Grey said. "She is gone. So is the Alto ledger. So, all in all, yes... I think there is a problem."
"Genie and Corrie stole the ledger? With some actress and some guy?" Max asked, clearly feeling it was important to catch up quickly.
"Jenny Poole," George groaned, "and the guy was probably Orange Bailey-Moon."
"You seem remarkably well informed about this," Mr. Grey snarled.
"I just..." George started.
"I. Don't. Care," Mr. Grey cut him off. "You will find your little pet. You will recover the ledger. You will bring them both to me. Now."
"Right," George said.
"And you," Mr. Grey said, turning to Max, "will bring me Mariah Basso and Miranda Silveroak-Goth. No more stalling. No more games. Bring them to me or know that there will be no hole deep enough for you to hide in this time."
"Consider it done," Max said with false bravado.
"I will consider it done when it is done," Mr. Grey snarled.
----------------
"Dude, you sure about this?" Anthony asked.
"Absolutely," Orange lied. "You up for it?"
"We got the easy part, bro," Anthony said. "Here are the tickets you asked for."
"Thanks," Orange said. "I owe you... big time."
"Forget it, dude," Anthony said, fist bumping Orange. "UBrite Dragons forever."
"I still don't see them," Corrie said. "They should be here by now."
"Yeah, they should be," Orange agreed.
If Genie and Jenny had gotten out, they should be here by now. He was just as worried as Corrie... or maybe not. Corrie had a better idea what guys like George T were capable of. It was a thought that did not make Orange feel better.
"What are we going to do?" Corrie asked.
"We stick to the plan," Orange said, trying to sound confident. "They'll catch up... but we have to go. The last train's leaving any minute."
"Boss," Damien said. "I've got them. Central train station."
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