Tear It Down

Chapter Thirteen

Tommy stood next to Penny as she slowly stroked the neck of the horse that laid on the ground before her, the animals breathing heavy and slow as she gave it a few comforting words. Though Tommy knew the animal couldn't understand her he knew from past experience not to question the way Penny tended to the horses under her care.

Tommy removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair, looking at the other two horses that had collapsed. "This bastard has gone too far." He ground his teeth and looked around for Arthur. He was able to find him quickly as he was racing towards him, his face screwed up in anger and his teeth clenched.

"You had best come quick Tommy." Arthur said as he he breathed heavily, the fury in his eyes enough to make a weak man cower. "John claims he caught the bastard who did this."

"He caught him, just like that? This happened not even an hour ago Arthur."

"I haven't seen the man yet but we had better hurry before he gives John the slip." He said in disgust. But Tommy was glad it was John who caught the man, knowing the poor fool wouldn't be alive now had Arthur caught him.

Turning to Penny he saw that she had frozen in place, silent at Arthur's words. "I want to see him." She said softly.

"This doesn't concern you." He snapped at her and she scrambled to her feet, Tommy's grip on her arm being the only thing to keep her from advancing on Arthur.

"Anything that happens to these horses, to this business, concerns me Arthur. And for the last time you thick headed shit, I don't answer to you."

"You had best mind your tongue if you want to keep it." Arthur growled.

"Enough of this." Tommy snapped. "You two will not start this here." He looked to Arthur. "Show us where he is."

* * *

The figure was slumped forward in the chair, his hands bound behind his back as his ankles were tied to the chair legs, a sack over his hanging head. John stood before them, knife in one hand and cigarette in the other. When he heard them enter his straightened up, taking a drag of his cigarette. "About damn time."

"You say this is him?" Tommy said as he stood before the man. His breathing was even, but his white shirt was bloodied and ripped, same with his pants.

John snorted behind him. "I thought it was him." John said.

"If it isn't -"

"That's not what I meant Tommy." John stepped forward and gripped the the mans shirt before yanking it down, revealing bandaging.

"What-" and he watched as John took his knife and cut the bandage enough to reveal the tops of breasts. Tommy's eyes grew wide as he stared at the laughing figure. He ripped the bag from her head to reveal a brown haired woman with a split lip, a blackened eye nearly closed, and discoloration that wasn't due mainly to coal. But his teeth ground together in recognition of the man who disrespected him. Well, the woman who disrespected him.

"You mean to tell me that the one messing everything up is some bitch?" Arthur growled, glaring at the woman.

"Careful Arthur," She said, her voice now clear, laughing in tone with her upturned lips, her green eyes giving nothing away. "This bitch can start to ruin things for you."

"I'll put you in the damn grave before I let that happen."

"Don't tease me Arthur, women can be very excitable."

Tommy placed a hand on Arthur's chest, stopping him from going after her. "Not now Arthur." he said.

"It had better be soon. We've seen what she can do."

"Did you like that then, what i can do? I do admit i have a certain... knack for it."

Tommy wasn't able to stop the slap to the woman's face that had her split lip reopening and blood wetting her lips. "Penny, step back." he barked.

"What did you do to those horses?" Penny demanded, ignoring Tommy.

"Wouldn't you like to know." the woman spat blood from her mouth before leaning back, running the tip of her tongue along her top teeth. "We're missing one here Thomas." When she saw him stiffen she shook her head. "John had that same reaction. As you can see," she gave a nod to herself. "the surprise wore of quickly. But not nearly as quickly as Arthur here. Did you even notice? What am I saying, of course you didn't."

"Why you-" but Arthur stopped when the door to the dimly lit room opened.

They turned and saw Polly in the doorway, her hair pinned up above her shoulders and lips pursed. "I was told you found him, John." she said as she entered, closing the door behind her.

"In a way." he said around his cigarette.

Nearing, she understood. Polly walked up to the woman and gripped her chin, tilting her head back and looking her face over, studying what John did to her. "I wish I could say I've had worse, but it seems-"the woman began.

"It seems you could do with shutting your mouth."

"Now Polly, a woman has very few weapons, don't make me give up my best one."

"I've seen what you can do, your tongue is farthest from being your best weapon."

The woman chuckled. "Ah, but you haven't seen all of my work."

"Enough talk, let's be done with her." Arthur pulled out his gun and cocked it, pointing it between the woman's eyes.

The woman suddenly laughed, a full, hearty laugh, her eyes becoming damp and her lip splitting again and blood trickling down her chin. "You damn fool! No wonder Thomas is in charge. You're too much of an imbecile to realize what you have."

"All I have is a problem."

She shook her head, shoulders shaking, laughing for another moment before she took a deep breath, still smiling, and said, "Be done with me then. Go on," She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to the tip of the gun, her eyes daring, "Kill me."

Tommy's voice spoke up. "She can be used Arthur. Step back."

"Dammit Tommy." Arthur spat, putting his gun away. He ran his hand down his mouth before saying, "When the time comes, I will kill you."

"I hope you don't disappoint. "

As Tommy came to stand before her she grinned at him, green eyes nearly black in the dim light. "My hero."

"I'm far from that."