If She Doesn't Scare You

Chapter 12- 1953- The Thieves

She recognised him. He knew it. It was the way she was gazing on him so intently, as if her mind had suddenly detached from her. He hadn't moved his gaze from Rodger, but could see out of the corner of his eye that she knew him. He almost wished she would break down again, lie crying in the cove of blood of her once breathing pet. He hadn't enjoyed doing it- he never did. The sight never really left him. He'd do a double take sometimes in the office; sure there was a trail of bloody footprints following him. But it was all worth it. She got her coats and he got his money. She was still staring. She blinked rapidly, gathering courage and then she spoke. Loudly.

"I know you don't I?" Cruella was still speaking, but Anita's sudden speech startled her and she fell silent. Horace edged up closer to him, wondering what to make of this new development. He wished he had locked the front of the house when he could. Jasper didn't want to risk speaking; maybe she had mistaken him for someone else? Even as he thought it, he knew his plea was helpless. "You're the Detective. Detective Millard." There was an icy glare from Cruella, likely directed at him. He'd always thought of women as less intelligent, well, until meeting his current boss. This one was different though. Startlingly alert and cunning-despite what Cruella had called her. He didn't know what to do. He knew he couldn't keep silent for forever though so with reluctance, he took off his hat which was obstructing his face and with a slight air of annoyance- tossed it into the fire. There was a sudden burst of flame as he did so and in that moment, he knew their plan would take a new turn.

"Yes, that's me Anita" he could tell she was startled when he said her name. Maybe she'd thought he didn't have enough empathy to obtain it. He moved backwards so that now both the man and woman were in his line of firing. Unfortunately, so was Cruella, but he would try and avoid shooting her if he could. He wanted his cash.

Horace didn't know what to do. He could see there was no point in keeping up his image now, but maybe the couple wouldn't do anything if they knew... his thoughts trailed off. It was a pointless effort. He took off his headgear too and dropped it at his feet. There was a shocked sound from the man. Huh. Maybe he had made a better thief than Constable. He didn't have a weapon on him now, considering the one he did was buried under blood and innards. He didn't fancy rootling around on his hands and knees for that so instead, he stood beside his friend and jerked his head at the boss, intending for her to come over towards them. She caught what he meant, but seemed weary.

"They'll be safe miss. Jasper will keep 'em in firing range." He smiled at the end of his sentence at the woman. She didn't react at face value, but his years on the force meant he knew inside, she would be fearful of her life. Cruella took one last look at her prey and then let go of the hair and neck and picked her way over to the two men. Once there, she resumed a low voice when talking to them; her eyesight never leaving the couple. They all three kept their voices low, not that it mattered if they heard them. They had no choices now. It took about 5 minutes of conferring, Jasper wanting desperately to do away with the guy whereas Horace thought the woman would be fairly... obliging, given the right talking too but it was Cruella who's decision topped them all. They gave a final head nod before she stepped forward to give her speech to the prisoners.

"I am going to offer a choice to you" she said. Anita hung her head. This was it, she thought. This is when we're both going to have our lives ended. Jasper looked over at Horace. He seemed just as thrilled with nerves as he was. They couldn't wait to see the reaction of them both. They just hoped it all went according to plan. "To you Anita."