Badass Ch. 04

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copy written by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This is the continuing adventures of Hannah Todd. I would strongly recommend if you have not done so, you stop reading this and go back and read at least some of "The Bridge" which provides the back story for most of the characters in this story. I know... it's 30 chapters and lots and lots of pages, but I and a small handful of folks think it's pretty good. I have tried to provide some of the history of the characters within Badass so that you can feel like you are getting the full story.

This is in the Non-Erotic Category and there is no sex in this episode. None.

Badass - Part Four

I hate to drag the team together on a Sunday, but these are desperate times. Someone is after us and we have to get them first. We had collected a bunch of intel since we planted the mic'd up drones at the jeweler's and the art dealer's, and there would be plenty to discuss.

Everyone was in attendance, including our four newest members, Juan, Ali, Rapper, and Juicy. Things were getting a bit crowded at the greenhouse, but it was still our go-to place for meetings and would continue to be.

The other new members notwithstanding, word of Juicy's heroics had spread through the ranks of my team, and our newest pilot was receiving a warm welcome from all the team members. Duane broke up the mutual admiration society with a word. "Meeting."

All the rumbling and mumbling fell silent as Duane addressed his first team. My first team. My very own Delta Force.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's bring this thing to order and see if we can find us some direction with regard to our latest conundrum. We're expecting a call from Aurelia Spanner any time now. Her people are investigating this Deacon Peacock, and we are in limbo right now until we have more on this dude. Our little drones have given us a lot of intel on his minions down here in Philly, but we are also finding that all things go through Peacock. These local people don't seem to make a move without his say-so. Alec and Danny have been going through the footage from the jeweler and the art dealer. What have you guys found so far? What kind of troop strength do they seem to have?"

Danny spoke up first after being given the sign from Alec.

"Well, Duane, it's a mixed bag. From what we are seeing, we had at least eight unique operators reporting to Greta Goldheimer at her office downtown. She has also interviewed at least half a dozen potential new troops in her office over the past week and a half and it looks like she is looking for more. She has doubled her guard contingency prophylactically, and we expect she wants a permanent contingent of at least two dozen men and women ready to go to war for her."

"And the jeweler?" Duane asked.

Alec stepped up as this was his assignment.

"Well, Duane, I've been reviewing the footage, and it looks like the same thing is happening with Brumby. His rotation at the shop reveals no fewer than a dozen bodyguards reporting to his business and home in shifts, and he is also interviewing more at the shop. Not as diligently as Goldheimer, but he is adding people. Something is definitely going on."

Hoagie spoke up and asked if I had planned any more trips to visit these two.

"I'd like to get downtown and maybe stir the pot a little. Maybe Gloria and I could do another shopping trip. Time to be Greta Goldheimer's best customers. As well as we have penetrated the operations locally, we are still woefully shy of information about Peacock." That's when my supercell rang in and it was Rhee Spanner. I put her on the screen so everyone could join in.

"Rhee. So, do you have anything for us on Peacock? I'm putting you on the screen here in the greenhouse. The team is here and will be joining in."

"Proud. Darius Proud. And he's got an interesting record and a more interesting history. There is no sheet on Deacon Peacock, but Proud has a record a mile long, including prison time. And there is a reason law enforcement has stopped seeking out this man."

"And what is that, my friend?"

"Because he's dead. Proud was declared dead in 2050 in a plane explosion. It was brutal and few bodies were found due to the incineration caused by a plane filled with fuel and an explosion that just tore everything apart. But DNA evidence was found of him and several of his lieutenants and the book on Proud was closed. That's when Deacon Peacock was born. Or should I say, Deke Sparrow, his first alias. It's said that this man can be identified by a missing little finger on his right hand. He's a lefty and the little finger, or what was left of it, is what they used to identify him as deceased."

"Sounds like someone planned this plane crash."

"Count on it, Hannah. This guy was running from a record, and whoever his handler was at the time did a fine job of disappearing him."

"Yeah. Ya can't beat dead for an alibi. What do we have on this guy, Rhee? It's time for us to crack the whip on him, and my guys are chafing at the bit here."

"Lucky you to have such a team. And I heard about your little dustup the other day in a helicopter."

"Yep. I've got a new pilot, and she saved my ass."

"She? I like the sound of that. Not the Jurgensen woman?"

"One and the same. She's more than a damned fine pilot. She's a flying miracle. She beat out a modern drone with a relic of a helicopter from the last century. And she did it unarmed. Pure wits and guts. I'd fly with her anytime, anywhere."

"Not without any guns!" Juicy called out.

You could see the surprise on Rhee's face. "She did it without guns and missiles?"

"Nothing but sheer instinct and guts. She was Caroline's call."

"Well, I hope you gave the big girl a bonus."

"Done and done. She has been fairly compensated for her recruiting effort."

"Speaking of recruiting, it looks like your Mr. Peacock, who I have located, is doing a little of that himself. It might be an opportunity to get someone into his ranks and get a handle on what he has in mind. Especially with regard to you, Hannah."

"Location? Where is he first and foremost?"

"We have him at a location in Alpine, a rich suburban town by the Delaware River. We've done some drone surveillance and are covering the roads in his area to monitor the comings and goings from that house."

"I expect he is well protected, and the property is well defended."

"Count on it. It's more than a mansion; it's an estate and is just intermingled with several other estates in the area. This place is rich on rich. More money and power than most small cities. This is where he is hiding, virtually in plain sight. But don't let your guard down because it sounds like easy pickins. There are guards at the gate and at least a dozen in and around the property, all armed and ready to take on all comers. They patrol the place with drones and autonomous robots as well as those hand-picked mercenaries."

"Well, Rhee, when we come, they won't be prepared for the action we bring."

"Don't get cocky, Queen Bee; these are not just a bunch of street punks. They are all trained ex-military and have been on the merc circuit for a while."

"The merc circuit?"

"It's a place on the dark web where soldiers of fortune go to find work. There, they can fly under the radar and land high-paying positions with some of the bad actors like Deiter Rose and this guy Peacock. There are several openings for an outfit out of Paramus and my team believes that is Peacock. Do you want me to handle infiltration, or will you be sending some of yours?"

"Actually, I think I have a couple of fellows who would be perfect for the job. Mean, tough and unknown to anyone but us. They are both ex-military and one has worked as a mercenary in the past. His specialty is languages, but his real specialty is with his fists. The other is Anthony, an ex-SEAL, who does a lot of our intel work. He's a brilliant guy and knows his way out of a situation like nobody's business. He's a Jersey guy, too."

"Well, if you can get one of the two in, it will serve you well. Duane, how do you feel about this?"

"I think the Queen Bee has picked well. Send us the info and I will get them lined up for an interview. Do you know where they will be interviewing?"

"Somewhere in New Jersey. Around Paramus, I believe."

"Excellent. Anthony is from around those parts, right Ant?"

"Prospect Park, Hannah, right in the neighborhood. And I know Paramus like the back of my hand."

"Alright then. Both of you gentlemen will apply for these positions separately, but work together if you both get hired. Surreptitiously, of course."

"Yes, ma'am." They said together. "It will be nice to get home a bit." Anthony said.

Lizzie collected the pertinent information from Rhee, and then our top investigator clicked off. It was now up to the group to determine who did what next.

"Duane," I asked. "Who is taking the lead in this matter?"

"That would be me," he said. "The responsibility should be mine as the top operator. Queen Bee, you're off the hook."

"Who are you trying to kid? I'm never off the hook. Just second in line on the scale of responsibility. Lizzie, are you going to get documentation and create fictional histories on our two guys? I don't want RFS's fingerprints on them anywhere. Make them both ex-military, with mercenary backgrounds. Create a false bio with the paperwork to back it up. Rhee can integrate that stuff into the system, so when they get vetted, they will pass muster."

"Aye, aye, Queen Bee."

At that, the meeting broke up. Anthony and Ali were given instructions to make contact with Peacock's people on the dark web, but to space out their inquiries at least a day apart to create a separation between them. To have two of my men making application at the same time might tip our hand. And I'll have none of that.

"Duane," I asked. "Can I have Dom and Caroline this afternoon? I want to visit Mr. Rose and see what he might have to add about Deacon Peacock." We also wanted to inform him that they had put a bounty on his head. Even more reason for him to cooperate with us.

"Absolutely. In fact, I'm coming with."

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Rose was asleep when we arrived at the safe house; Duane, Caroline, Dom and me. The outside was being guarded by two RFS agents, specially vetted for this sort of thing. But they stayed outside the house. Only Rose was inside, chained to a heavy chair in the middle of a small bedroom. He was hanging off the chair, but he was asleep, alright. He took the breaks we gave him and we gave him damned few.

A slap on the face or a good shake would have awakened him just fine, but the smelling salts are so much more dramatic, and he woke with a start. He bolted up as if he was taking off like a rocket. We watched and giggled, nestled in our black balaclavas; our last vestiges of disguise.

"Good day, Mr. Rose. I hope you had a pleasant sleep."

"No you don't, lady. You're hoping I had a miserable sleep filled with nightmares. But, it seems, the only nightmares occur when I am awake."

"Happy to hear you have a grasp of the situation. Tell me about Peacock. What should I know?"

"That I could use a good stiff drink about now."

A drink, eh? This guy must be hungry, too. Time to indulge our guest. There's more than one way to strip the petals off a rose. Time for the carrot. Put the stick away for a bit.

"What kind of pizza do you like, Mr. Rose?"

"Pepperoni, if you could ever get the stuff."

I excused myself and called Bertha.

"Berth, can you put me together a pepperoni pizza on the quick?"

"You know we're having pizza for dinner tonight. The pizza oven is all heated up. I can have one for you in fifteen minutes. Dough is all rolled out and ready to go. Whatchu need?"

"Let's make it half plain and half pep, easy on the pepperoni."

"Nothin to it. Pickup or delivery?"

"Who's around?"

"After your meeting this morning, a lot of them hung around. Juicy is here playing with the kids, and Alec is here with his little boy and Danny is upstairs. I think there are a couple of guys riding around in a car. Oh, here they come up the driveway."

"Good. Stop them and have them deliver the pizza to the safe house. They'll know which one."

"Yes, Queen Bee. You need anything else?"

"One more thing. Pull out a bottle of scotch and have them bring it along. A good one. You'll know what's best."

"I hate to be wasting good scotch. I hope it's going to a worthy cause."

"I believe it will be. Trust me?"

"Always. You're the..."

"I know, I know. I'll be looking for that stuff in half an hour. Oh, and Bertha. Make it only one driver and make sure he is authorized to visit the safe house."

"I don't think we have a problem. Herman is driving the car, and Peggy is with him."

"There you go, the man who does everything, from pizza delivery to running a major company. He does it all."

"Go on, missy. Go do your business. I've got a pizza to make."

"Love you, Bertha."

"Yeah, yeah."

Back to Mr. Rose. I tossed my balaclava on, and tucked my hair in, and up the stairs I went. I swear I'm gonna cut this fuckin' hair.

When I got to the room where we were holding Rose, he had been freed from his shackles. Duane was feeling my vibe. This squirrelly little man is sitting there surrounded by three giants who are quite confident their guest isn't going anywhere they don't want him to. And in walks the midget at a mere 5'5 1/2 inches. But acting like I'm seven feet tall.

"You know," he said. "You're not fooling anyone with your getups and your wool caps. God, that must be uncomfortable. You can end the charade, Miss Todd. I'm insulted that you didn't think I would recognize your voice or your form, or your distinct mannerisms. I never forget a customer, Miss Todd. Especially one as powerful as you."

I whipped the wool cap off my head and flung it into the corner. Then I got my face up real close to his, and said, "That's one for you, Mr. Rose. But the game's far from over, and this will be for you a hollow victory."

At that, everyone removed their balaclavas to reveal themselves, more or less sealing Mr. Rose's fate.

But if he's going out, he's going out with a party. A pizza party. With the best scotch pizza's ever been eaten with. When I hand him the shot glass and the piece of pie, I wonder which one he will partake of first. My bet is on the Scotch. It's an easy call. It's the first step to getting what I want from Dieter Rose.

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You don't get to be the queen bee without getting it right now and then. As soon as Rose got possession of that shot glass full of Macallan single malt Scotch he chugged it. Like it was water, which it was smooth as. Like cool spring water on a hot day. It wasn't until I offered him a second shot that he even looked at the slice of pepperoni pizza.

I had a glass of my own which I was diligently sipping. Rose was obviously no tea totaller. A schedule rife with society occasions brings lots of opportunities to sup. And sup he did. Nobody else was drinking. In fact, they were fading into the background. Caroline even excused herself for a while. She wanted to call Ronnie, who was home resting up for his next shift which she was waking him for.

As we drank, we talked. And the longer he remained silent, the longer he waited for liquor. We were almost halfway through the bottle when he started giving it up about Deacon Peacock. And he gave us what he could.

According to Mr. Rose. Now that we're drinking buddies, Dieter; Deacon Peacock was a rough guy with the mannerisms of a college Dean. But he always had a way of making a point. When I asked him if Peacock had any distinct markings or features, he remarked about his missing pinky finger on his right hand.

"It must be difficult missing a finger on your right hand."

"Oh, he's a lefty, so it could be worse."

"So, you've spent time with Mr. Peacock?"

"Not considerable, but some. May I?"

And he poured himself another drink. One shot glass at a time. And now on his second slice of pizza.

"Where do you get your pizza? It's unusual. The tomato sauce is so tangy, and the basil is so fresh. Not to mention the pepperoni."

"I have someone who is the best at it do it for me. The queen eats well. Keep cooperating, and so will you."

"Peacock. I met with the man a little less than a year ago. It was at his place over in Alpine, in Jersey. I'm sorry I don't know that address. He picked me up, so I only know it was Alpine because someone said so. We coulda been on the moon for all I knew." And he pointed up to the sky as he spoke.

"He keeps birds and his office is an aviary. It's a little strange, if you ask me. But that's what he gets off on. He even has two real live peacocks on his grounds. Ornery things, them birds."

"Tell me more, Dieter. Who is Peacock's boss?"

"As far as I know, he has none. He initiates and sometimes finances home invasions. When we receive hot stuff, we ship it off to him and what happens from there is none of my business. I don't ask so I can't tell. I get my money and move on to the next job. May I have another, Hannah?"

"Of course, Dieter. Keep talking and you keep drinking."

By now, he was not yet sloppy, but he was in the braggart phase of drunkenness. Time to hit him when he's down.

"Tell me, Dieter, what does the bird man of Alpine want with Hannah Todd? What did I ever do to him?"

"It's not you. Well, actually it is you. But it started before you took over Mr. Barry's business interests. It was the first job that ever went bad. Until then, we had a Stirling record."

"Who are we, Dieter? Who all was involved?"

"That was mine and Brumby's operation. It was supported by the birdman. Half a dozen of the usual crew sent in to secure the scene, and the truck was to follow. At least the fuckin truck got away, and two guys as well. The rest were caught or killed. They only had two guards, and they were easy. Go figure the homeowner is fuckin' armed. He and his old lady. He got one of ours, and we had to take him and his old lady down and get out of Dodge. But the cops beat most of them to it." Then he held out his glass.

"Then the next fuck-up was your fucking fault. May I take another? Thank you."

"Yeah? What fuck-up was that?"

"The Tuttlehill job. I lost a lot of good soldiers in that heist. That was a direct request from Peacock. You don't know how hard it was for me to keep a straight face when you walked into my shop with her on your arm. I should have known then what a formidable competitor you were. Most impressive from one so young."

"I'm not that young anymore. And certainly not as naïve. What's next, Dieter? What's in the pipeline for you and Mr. Peacock?"

"Well, Hannah. If I can call you Hannah. There are big things ahead. We are looking at a couple of rare art collections at homes in southern Chester County. There are even pieces at one of the colleges that have great value overseas. That's Peacock's deal. He is the transportation guy. You'd be surprised how profitable it is in the shipping and handling business. A lot of money moves around. Many things just disappear. The wealthy are odd. But they pay well."

"What else. Who else is in danger of losing their precious metals, jewels, and other valuables?"

"None of your clients, thank you very much. Not after Tuttlehill. We sent our best guys out on that job, and they just got outclassed. Outgunned and out-manned. You even sent a helicopter in, guns blazing. And what's with the bow and arrow? Frightening. I heard the story from one of the two guys who got away clean. He said it was like being in Baltimore in the early thirties, but being on the wrong side. He said he'd never been so scared, and he was a twenty-year combat veteran."

"I was a kid, and I lived in a smaller town. The race wars didn't affect me that much. But I learned all about them in school. And met many a veteran as well as some who fought on both sides."

"It's not like living it. I was in Philadelphia for it, and there are times I wonder after all this time if we've ever really recovered."

What is this? A touch of humanity, from one who has so little. Or maybe he's just playing me. Well, back to the questions, but this time it's Duane's turn.

"Duane, I expect you have questions for our friend Dieter."

His glass was empty again, and he was teetering on his seat. Duane grabbed his face from under his chin and lifted him off the seat to a standing position, where he rocked up and back. But Duane held on and he kept his feet and remained upright.

"Tell me, Dieter, what kind of armament does Peacock have? What are his capabilities?"

"All non-military. No tanks, no transports, and no planes. Not like you people. But he has a robot and drone army that protects his place as well as all his mercs. He even has a pack of cyberdogs."

He barely got it all out when Duane let him go, and he dropped to his seat.

"Tell me, Dieter. If this guy is too shy to come after my clients, why is he willing to come after us? And when does he plan to do so?" He got down in his face. "Tell me, Dieter. Tell me now!"

"I can't tell you when or how. I've been out of the loop since you took out my home. But I'll tell you why he is willing to go after you and risk it. It's because if he succeeds, then he'll be able to go after all your clients. Your credibility will be shot."

"Over my dead body, you motherfucker. You're lucky I don't just tear your fuckin' head off."

"My glass is empty, Duane. May I have another shot?"

"I'll give you a shot, you mother..."

"Duane," I said. "Enough. I think we have enough for today. And we've both had enough of Mr. Rose." I pointed to Dom. "Big man, lock him down and let's go. Make sure he is watched continuously. Round the clock. I'm not ready for him to kill himself just yet." And I stormed out of the room, followed by Duane and Caroline. Dom stayed behind to lock up and terrify Rose some more. But the fence just collapsed in the chair and fell back to sleep.