Frank Klus - Azaleas Don't Bloom Here

“I know, Ray,” Cassandra said. “Then why am I telling the guy to stay away from Dennis and out of Squad territory?”

“First off, he won’t listen to you, and second, we need him to know we’re on his side. We need him, and he needs to know that he needs us. We need him in the New World working with Zinney in the old world. They’d be the leaders and we can overthrow this moldy old regime.”

“How are we ever going to get Gene to agree to that? He’s not a revolutionary. Hell, the only thing he wants to do is play Mr. Businessman. He doesn’t give a shit about politics.”

“But Zinney does.”

“I’m sorry for being a pessimist, honey, but he’s never even going to go over to New America. He may very well break off relations with Zinney as well. I tried to get his cell number so I could call him instead of hiding on the floor, but he told me he didn’t want to see me anymore. The only thing he wants to do now is kill Jaydan because of what he did to his wife.”

“Revolutions often start over some personal grudge. I tell you, Cass, we can use his hatred to our advantage.”

Cassandra frowned. “But it isn’t political with him; it’s personal. He doesn’t see Casimir beyond someone who raped his wife. He doesn’t see how it’s more than just Catherine.”

“You’re impatient, Cass. It’s up to us to help Eugene understand that his wife is only a fatality in a whole chain of events that have killed this country off. Face it, honey, the United States of America is dead, and Eugene will be too if he doesn’t get out of here.”

Several months had passed since Eugene last saw Cassandra. Raul’s new business wouldn’t be ready until spring, so Gene had more time to think about it. This meant, however, that Eugene would have to travel in Squad territory. He would check his backseat, check his speed, and maintain his car before setting out. Stu tried to keep him out of paramilitary territory, and Gene was grateful for that. When he couldn’t, he assured him that his lawyer would come to his rescue if he got into any trouble.

Gene headed out to Landry’s Tool and Die Company. He planned to interview their Chief Operating Officer, Jim Wyatt; his Chief Financial Officer, Andy Paratino; and the company CEO, Marvin Landry. He wanted to assess their situation. Afterwards, he would drive to the Bestard Company to investigate some irregularities.

He tried thinking about the questions he would have for the executives, but his mind continued to wander. He kept reflecting on Catherine, the way she was before the Squad entered her life. He thought about Dennis. He still couldn’t make up his mind about him. He thought about Dennis and Ray when they were just kids. Dennis was the older and the taller of the two, but Ray was the stronger: powerfully built with a barrel-chest, massive deltoids, and large shoulders. Dennis was more angular and thinner with a prognathous visage. They were both charismatic figures. Eugene remembered not liking them at first. He felt a bit intimidated by them. It was they who initiated contact with him. With the force of their personalities they became close childhood friends with the shyer Eugene, but when his friends moved to the south side of Old Chicago, they parted ways. They remained in contact the first year, but he never saw them afterwards until their paths crossed again. Could I still know them ? He was now less sure about Dennis than he was before, but the pleasant memories of him obscured his thought.

There was Cassandra. Was she a nuisance or a protector? Part of him didn’t want to see her pop up from his backseat again, but she seemed to have information that was useful to him. She unsettled him; still, she and Catherine had something in common—they both hated the thought of him seeing Dennis.

Finally, there was the offer. This one really unsettled him. Stu was right. This is what he worked for; what he always wanted. Now that it was in his grasp he wasn’t sure he still wanted it. Why shouldn’t I want it? It’s sort of what I’m doing now, only I’ll be the guy directing the operation. What’s wrong with that? Still, he was uneasy about it. Am I about to turn into Faust ?

“Cass! He’s in Kankakee,” Ray said.

“How long?”

“Since about 10:30. No telling how long he’ll be there, but this is our first shot at setting up a showdown with the Squad. It could get dangerous. Are you up for it?”

“I’m ready,” she said.

“All right, but things are going to be a lot more difficult than they were. I just got word from our contact that Gene’s company just hired a lawyer with government ties. They warned Jay against bringing Eugene in. He’d have to do something serious before he could be arrested.”

“What’s the point in getting him arrested? I mean, wouldn’t that just make Gene even more reluctant to listen to us?”

“That is a risk, Cass, but I’m betting he would be angrier at the Squad for arresting him. Look, Cass, it’s part of the process. We have to get him to see that this country is no good anymore.”

“Excess speed and reckless driving. Would that get him arrested?”

“Maybe,” Ray said.

“I’ll call Bog. He doesn’t hold a grudge against me. He wouldn’t hesitate to bring him in.”

“How are you going to get him to drive like a maniac, goose him?”

Cassandra just laughed. “Nah, too dangerous. I want him to speed, not wreck the car. I’ll just… you know, press his buttons like I always do,” she said.

“I suppose it’s worth a try. If he gets arrested his lawyer should be able to get him out. He’ll be angry at the Squad. Hopefully, he’ll see we’re on his side.”

Cassandra reached Gene’s car about an hour and a half later. She had her own key to his car, courtesy of Ray, who had a friend make a copy for him, and waited for Gene on the floor of the back seat. She arranged for Bog to follow them. Bog said he’d pull Gene over if he drove more than ten miles over the legal limit, and issue him a ticket. He’d only arrest him if his driving was also erratic.

Cassandra was in there for about two hours before Gene came back. He didn’t look on the floor of the back seat, which slim Cassandra easily fit. After Gene cleared the parking lot and drove onto the street, out she popped.

“Shit!” Gene shouted, but there was no slamming the breaks or swerving over. “This is really getting old, Cassandra. I don’t need protection.” Cassandra just smiled at him and put her arms up on the seat cushion. She started playing with his hair. “Cut that out, Cassandra. I’m trying to drive.”

“What’s wrong, Genie Penie? Don’t you like it when I twirl your hair?” Gene said nothing. “Come on, Gene. Pull over. Let me in front.”

“If I stop and pull over it will be to let you out.”

“Ah, Gene. Don’t be that way.” Cassandra carefully kept an eye on the speedometer. The hotter Gene got, the faster he drove. He was now about three miles per hour over the speed limit.

Eugene was furious at his uninvited guest. He needed to think, and didn’t want this woman’s help. “What do you want now, Cassandra? You wanna warn me we’re in your old territory? That I ought to get rid of my Lexus? Buy an old junk heap and quit my job because my work takes me to too many of the wrong places? Something else? Tell me. Then get out.”

“Yeah, all of those things. Oh, and you forgot about me forbidding you to speak to Dennis again.” He was now six miles over.