The Muffin Man ✓

The Mysterious A.

In the cool of the evening Harry and Emma were on their way to A's limousine to make their usual contribution.

This time time they were going on foot through the woods to avoid nosy ass cops.

"God my feet are killing me." Emma complained.

"Well who the hell told you to wear your Manolos?" Harry huffed as he carried the large bag. "I told you we were walking."

"This sucks."

"Tell me."

"My shoes are ruined."

"Oh shut up and keep walking."

"We were better off driving."

"We can thank Dumb and Dumbass for that."

Unbeknownst to them, somebody else was trailing them on foot. They kept themselves several feet away so as not to arouse suspicion.

Harry and Emma approached the limo. As usual they went through the pat down by the two goons.

"Watch the hands, boys," Emma said. "My own husband doesn't go that far."

"Damn straight," Harry said. "You're worse than a damn TSA agent. You'd better put a ring on it if you touch that."

They sat in the car, the goons on either side as they all faced A.

"Good evening," A. said, face halfway hidden in the shadows.

"Hey," Emma said.

"Sup." said Harry.

"How are you folks this fine evening?" A. smiled.

"Just lovely, thank you." Emma said.

"Peachy," Harry said in a dull tone. "Absolutely charming, a laugh a minute."

"How can we help you?" Emma said.

"H'm, you can start by giving me what I asked for."

"Yeah, that's what we need to talk about," Emma said. "We don't have it."

In the shadows they could see A's face twist in anger. "Why the hell not?"

"We have the cops on our ass," Harry said. "They been stalking us."

"Not my problem."

"How are we going to move the product," Emma spoke slowly. "when we're practically being watched twenty four seven?"

"Again, not my problem," A. said. "If you get caught, oh well."

"Then you can kiss your triple goodbye," Harry said. "Payne and Malik are making it impossible for us to sell anything."

A. studied them. "See, that's where you're wrong."

"Excuse me?"

"Your detectives aren't the only ones that are following you."

Harry and Emma took each other's hands. They could actually feel a chill run down their spines.

"My boys have also been tailing you. And they've been following those morons you call partners."

The Styles groaned.

"Not the sharpest knives in the drawer, are they?" A. went on. "They practically spoon fed us all the doings."

"Like what?" Emma asked innocently.

"Like your little side business in the basement."

The Styles froze. Oh crap.

"Yeah," A. said. "Thought you could get away with making your own product, selling it for a high profit and leaving me out? Really?"

Harry squirmed. "Uhhh, it's not what you think."

"Oh don't you wish you knew what I was thinking." A. said. "You plan on cutting the Horans out too?"

"What the hell?"

No one in the car spoke those words. They came from outside of the limousine.

A. nodded at the goons. Quickly and quietly they stepped out of the limo. There was the sound of a struggle, then the men returned with the Horans. Niall and Arie were held by the scruff of their neck.

"Help!" Niall screeched. "Assault!"

"Murderers!" Arie yelled. "Let us go!"

"Shut up, punks!" The men slammed them onto the floor of the limo.

"Ow!" Arie wailed. "I'm delicate!"

"Lawsuit!" Niall hollered. "Ima sue your asses smooth off! I know Louis Tomlinson, he'll get us a lot of money!"

"Damn straight!"

"Shut up!" a voice boomed.

The Horans looked toward the voice that came from A. They did a double take and gasped in awe.

"You? You?" Niall stammered. "You're. . .you're. . ."

"You are A?" Arie said. "You? But, but. . ."

"That's right, guys." A. replied.

"We see you on TV all the time," Niall said. "All the time."

"I gotta keep a clean image," A. said. "Plus I need a day job."

The Horans just stared with their mouths hanging open.

"Now, because you've all been so naughty," A. said. "Here's your punishment. I want all the product you have moved in a week. That's one week. Uno, un, one. And all profits earned goes to me. Me, moi. All mine. That means nothing for you. Nada, zilch, jack squat. Comprende?

The couples nodded dully.

"Good. My boys here will be watching your every move." A. said. "To make sure there's no funny business. Now, what did I just say?"

"We move the product." Harry said.

"You keep the profits." said Emma.

"Very good, gold stars for the two of you." A. turned to the Horans. "If you two brain challenged nitwits tell anyone who I am, your butts won't be worth toilet paper. Do we understand each other?"

The Horans nodded, too scared to speak.

"Excellent. I just love doing business. I should be a CEO, or maybe a governor." A. giggled. "You're all dismissed. Remember what I said."

As the couples filed out, Emma turned back. "What about the bakery? Did you want the profits from that?"

"Of course not," A. said. "That's all yours, you keep that. We working girls have to stick together, right Mrs. Styles?"

"Right, Madame Governor."

"Good." said Governor Swift/A. watched as Emma left the limo. Then her secret service men/goons climbed back in.

"Where to, ma'am?" One of them asked.

"Back to the governor's mansion. And take the back way."