Dru Faust and the Devil's Due

Part 13

After the three girls were quietly lead away, the band set up in one corner and it seemed the night was ready to begin.

George arrived, looking dapper in his pinstripe suit. "Are you ready to polish the dancefloor?" he asked with a grin, twirling me around.

"And how!"

We went to the registration table, paying our fifty cent fee and collecting a number. I pinned it to George's back.

"Have you seen Alex or Archie?" he asked, leading me out to the center of the room for one of the warm up numbers.

"No, I haven't seen them since our last outing. I talked to Alexandra yesterday, though. They should be here soon."

The trumpeter belted out a quick riff, and the piano player joined in, almost too fast for George and I to keep up, but we certainly did our best, grinning like idiots the entire time.

The room began to fill, spectators lining up at the door. I saw my parents arrive. Even though it was an official function of sorts, Mother traded her uniform for a peach dress that made her look years younger. I waved, but George whirled me around and I lost sight of them.

The song came to an end. A voice drew our attention to the front of the room. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining us tonight!" Mrs. Pope said, her voice carrying easily over the crowd. The dancers slowed to a halt, everyone turning to face her as head of the Women's Auxiliary, and head of the Widows and Orphans Association.

"As so many of us know, having a policeman in the family requires great sacrifice, as much as it brings honor and pride to a household. The missed dinners. The long hours. The abuse hurled at our men, sometimes verbal, sometimes physical.

"Tonight, we gather to honor those families who have given the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe, while celebrating the lives of those who have fallen in the line of duty, and those still in uniform."

Chief French stepped forward. Even though this was supposed to be a party, he still looked just as somber as always, despite his stiff smile. "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight. This evening, we're honoring the families of policeman James Watson, and Detective Mick O'Hannan.

"James Watson was with the Columbus Police for two years before he was hit by a car last year while directing traffic. His wife, Lydia, is here with us tonight." He gestured to a corner of the room, where a young woman stood, staring at the floor with tears in her eyes. There was a soft round of applause before the Chief continued. "Detective O'Hannan started as a beat cop in 1916, and was promoted to Detective in 1920. Last year, he was assigned to our Prohibition task force. Together, our four member team, with the support of the rest of the department and the federal government, has all but shut down the bootlegging industry in Columbus. Our streets are safer for their work, and criminals know better than to try to set up shop in our city, because men like Mick O'Hannan will drive them right out of business again, and lock them up where they belong!"

Enthusiastic applause punctuated this vehement statement. I clapped along with the others. George let out a cheer, joining a chorus of huzzahs.

Mrs. Pope raised her hands for silence. "Thank you. Thank you, Chief French. Now, if you will all give me your attention, we will begin the competition in a few moments. First, a few rules." She produced a card from her pocket and rested a pair of reading glasses on her nose. "First of all, while all are welcome to dance, only those registered and in possession of an entry number–" she looked around quickly and gestured to a nearby gentleman, his number pinned to his suit jacket "–will be considered. Second, there is to be new lewd or vulgar dancing." This, she directed to all of the young people with a stern glare.