An hour later, the cleanup and reorganisation was still underway. Security were also sweeping the Bordello for any sign of Marcel's remains, and CCTV footage was being reviewed in an attempt to track his movements before the red offline.
Plans were also made to interview Mercy as soon as possible, in such a way, that it did not seem like the interrogation it was.
Meteo turned to Ignacio, "I can't believe the Greek just gave up and left without a fight after all that big talk. He kept threatening the gate guards every time he showed back up again."
Ignacio nodded, "Yeah, unless he's planning to come back and kick our asses."
"Yeah, maybe. Hey, how come you, and not Hav, are interviewing Spangna tomorrow?" Mateo asked.
"Kenzo doesn't trust Javier. He thinks Javier withholds crucial information, and wants to know everyone's personal business and not share it. He thinks he's a double agent for the militant among the French team. After all, he is half-French anyway." Ignacio said.
"Hav ain't an agent for anything!" Mateo said, "But, I've learnt that if he doesn't tell you something, it's usually for your own good."
Dr V sat down beside Dolores who was sat, staring into the fire, spaced out, "Your baby is in good hands and I have no doubt he will make a full recovery, but he will have a large scar. He will also have cosmetic damage to some of those flower tattoos he has on that side."
"This is all so pointless. How am I going to explain to Chéri about Lennon." Dolores said.
"I would suggest not doing so at first. We can keep him occupied until we know more. Then, if the worst happens, you will need to find a replacement. Another potential full-time carer and life partner for Chéri." Dr V said.
"Replacement? He's not a car. There won't be one. We'll not find what we found in Lennon." Dolores said with a sigh.
"True, Lennon was always a decent person and social justice warrior. He acclimatised perfectly here, even against his personal beliefs. He became a great and inclusive leader, as well as a natural gynandromorphophilic man." Dr V said.
Dolores looked completely perplexed, "A... what?!"
"A man naturally attracted to gynandromorphs - people who may present with a mixture of opposing genders, either naturally or artificially. People with a penis and breasts. Unfortunately, he was probably the last legitimate candidate for a life-long mate for Chéri. Finding another, without any ulterior motive would prove... difficult. And, Chéri somehow found him by accident - through hitchhiking." Dr V said.
Dolores hung her head, "There can never be another. He was perfect, and he loved my baby with a passion that I will never see again. If only... I could turn the clock back, and stop the catalogue of catastrophic events that caused today. Then maybe, everyone would still be here."
"Everyone..? Even Marcel?" Dr V asked.
Dolores looked away back to the fire.
Dr V placed his hand on her arm in a comforting manner, "I know you always loved him, and that love was never returned."
Dolores looked down at her hands, "Yes, I loved him. But, he was too young for me, and he loved Mercy.. who was too young for him. But, she is young, beautiful and fertile, and I..."
Dr V cut in, "You have had nine children! And in your youth, were far more beautiful than the alternative brand of beauty Mercy holds now."
"Yes, but she succeeded where I failed! She made him fall in love with her. How? I do not know, other than what I saw." Dolores said.
"Which was?" Dr V asked.
"Many things! You need only ask Kenzo over how he came off worse due to Mercy's 'baked beans plan' if you are brave enough." Dolores said.
"I don't think I am that brave. Especially if it was some bizarre scheme on Mercy's part to snare Marcel." Dr V said.
"It was. I think they graduated towards each other because firstly, Mercy pursued him relentlessly. Secondly, she demonstrated to him that she was canny. She had large savings, no debts, problems or addictions and still wanted to work in the sex industry to make more money, and... for fun. She also was quick to eliminate any other women that were a potential threat to her acquisition of him. Including Mercy's befriending, using and then casting aside my daughter Selina, when she had fully enchanted Marcel for herself, and wanted exclusivity. I know all about those three and their shameless behaviour. And yes, I do believe Marcel did it on purpose."
"Well, Mercy is a strong-willed young woman and she excels at everything she does. But I think there were other reasons for her union with Marcel, more psychological reasons. Too many to list now, due to each of their complex psychological flaws, issues and deficiencies. But, in all the areas one of them was broken, the other was fine, and visa versa. Together they possibly made one balanced, fully functional human being."
"Maybe. If only I had met Marcel younger, when I held more youth, and when he was not such a war-hardened cynic. Personally, I also blame his wasting years on that deranged misfit Tahlulah! The big love of his youth, and the girl who contributed to the further blackening of his heart. He should have left her institutionalised." Dolores said.
"Well, I was not around for that, but, does this place and its works not change everyone..? Even you?" Dr V asked.
"Yes. I bitterly regret some of my actions.. towards him in particular. I also should not have tried to strong-arm him into a relationship using becoming a legally legitimate partner." Dolores said as she looked down.
"Do not blame yourself! He could not be 'strong-armed' into anything. Some people here are naturally self-destructive." Dr V said.
"He wasn't!"
"He had to. There was no way out, and he knew that. He likely would have been executed by someone here, likely one of the Spanish, if he had not done it himself. He had a heavy price on his head anyway with rival gangs, the mob and the numerous other situations he found himself in during the years. He was as much a prisoner of these walls, as any of us! Also, even if we contained the situation as we always do, there was always the threat of Lennon's family going to the authorities. We would be forced to scapegoat Marcel, and he would not want to possibly face the Spanish judicial system. So, you can see... there was no way out for him and he knew it, but he felt the price was worth paying to take Lennon down with him and punish Chéri."
"And what about Mercy..?" Dolores asked.
"I think maybe, that was his only regret, but he was a meticulous man, and would have considered everything." Dr V said.
"How is Mercy?" Dolores asked.
"Totally inconsolable and hysterical. She was given a shot to calm her nerves." Dr V said with a sigh.
Dolores shook her head, "Kenzo said that tonight she is sleeping in Ignacio's apartment with him. She did not want to be alone, or in her large apartment. Also, I feel that she should be under guard, especially as Marcel's remains are not yet accounted for, and I fear for retribution against her from Lennon supporters."
"Marcel's remains have no doubt been stolen due to the fact that his body is valuable. But, this has fueled rumours which are spreading like wildfire among the Spanish."
"What rumours?" Dolores asked.
Dr V smiled and then laughed slightly, "That he has somehow resurrected, or reanimated himself and lives due to being.... bulletproof, or some similar nonsense."
"Nonsense!" Dolores snapped, "I know what I saw with my own eyes! He was a man of flesh and blood, and very human."
"You do not have to tell me that! I have patched him up on numerous occasions, as well as treated and maintained his complicated medical conditions like I would anyone else." Dr V said.
"Did you not examine the body?"
"No. But all the witness accounts were the same. A single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Then apparently you gave word for Javier and Mateo to move it to the hold." Dr V said.
"I was too busy with my Chéri and Lennon to think clearly! Who saw the body last?" Dolores asked.
"Both Javier and Mateo confirmed that Marcel was dead though. He reported no sign of life. Then Mateo said that Javier left the hold after him." Dr V said.
"Why?"
"I don't know. But I think all this is having an effect on the minds of all of our young team members. Many of them are coming apart now, emotionally. Also, without Marcel here to keep everything and everyone in line, politics is taking over and people are falling into factions." Dr V said.
"I am not worried about politics! Kenzo's reign is beginning. He will force them all into line and launch his brand of leadership."
"What if he is rejected?"
"He won't be. He was also similar enough to Marcel's leadership that he will seem familiar, and the rule will be consistent." Dolores said.
"What if there are still Marcel supporters? We still do not know who his allies were, or who pulled the trigger on Chéri." Dr V said.
"Only time will tell. When everyone is back, Kenzo will reshuffle everyone and assign positions. The second in line now to the position of AK is now Timothy Fournier, when he returns, the French leader of Valentina's security team. He is strict, but with his good manner, elegant designer clothes and his refined ways, he will be a fresh contrast to Marcel's abrasive, firebrand style and Kenzo's rather thuggish boot camp style." Dolores said.
"Ohh? So not young Javier?" Dr V asked.
"It has to be Timothy, mostly due to courtesy due to our mixed Bordellos. Javier is the next in line, but I do not know if he is ready, or even wants the top job. I also do not want to see it change and destroy him. He is such a wholesome young man." Dolores said.
"That he is. But, the job may turn him into a monster. However, our security needs more members now." Dr V said.
"Yes, I still have the large troop that Lennon compiled, though they have not started yet. It was his vision for a new personal security team." Dolores said.
"You mean tens of Asian women in black plastic?" Dr V queried with a comical smile.
"Yes. They are all tactically trained martial artists, poisoners and assassins. Hand-picked by Lennon." Dolores said.
"Why would a man want to seek the protection of tens of women? Marcel was old fashioned, he would never have stood behind a woman! But he was a very different kind of man." Dr V said.
"Lennon is a modern man, fresh with modern ideals and rationale. Maybe he felt safer surrounded by women?" Dolores said, "Either way, I plan to inform Kenzo that we will be receiving a new member into the security team." Dolores added.
"Who might that be?" Dr V asked.
"Ethan Gilvezin. He has proved himself this evening, and I think he is wasted in the kitchens and offices." Dolores said.
"But, he has... controversial views. He is a conspiracy theorist and homophobe." Dr V said.
"He will adapt to a new environment. Just like everyone else has." Dolores said.
☆
Gabriél was sat at the table going over plans for an upgrade on the CCTV system with Ethan.
Ethan turned to Gabriél and started, "I was talking to Rodrigo about which cameras were destroyed..-"
Rodrigo turned around, "Nah, you were talking to Rodriguez, not me."
"We have a Rodriguez, a Rodrigo and a Roderigo here, Ethan." Gabriél said.
Ethan shook his head, "I get them all confused."
Gabriél shook his head when his phone rang, "Hello..?" Gabriél asked before confirming it was Ignacio from the hospital.
He listened a few moments and then walked over to his mother then sat down looking upset and deflated.
"What's up?" Rodrigo asked.
"I got some really bad news." Gabriel said, "Lennon's gone. He was DOA despite their best efforts to save him. Ignacio said he just got the official word from Fiona."
"And Chéri and Hugo?" Dolores asked.
"In recovery." Gabriél answered as he stopped to listen again and then looked surprised, "Okay, and apparently we have some bad leaks here. Person, or persons unknown, alerted Lennon's family and have been giving them information." Gabriél said.
Dolores looked shocked, "What?!"
"Yes, two different people have been feeding Lennon's mother information." Gabriél said. "Nachio even spoke to Lennon's father, who is at the hospital."
"What? Dolores asked, "Lennon's father is here, in Spain?" Dolores asked while contemplating going down the hospital herself.
"Yes, he'll give you the details when he gets back. But he saw them through the window and he spoke to Lennon's father, a man called Travis. His mother was talking to Fiona in the room." Gabriél related what he was hearing to Dolores.
"Is Fiona dealing with this all?" Dolores asked.
Gabriel asked and listened for the answer, "Well, Ignacio said that Travis wasn't very friendly, and threw him out after a very brief, and angry exchange. Apparently, Lennon's mother was shocked at the state of Lennon. His plastic clothes, the armor, his hair and the state of him. His parents are questioning everything and I think Fiona is trying to control the situation."
Roderigo threw his arms up, "This is a problem. Now that Lennon's died, they're probably going to contact the authorities."
Kenzo held up his gun, "I have the solution for Lennon's family right here."
Dolores looked at Gabriel, "Can Ignacio do any more damage control? Can he offer them reparations? Big reparations, In exchange for their silence and co-operation?"
Gabriél was about to relay her message, but then had to change track, "Ohh, alright! Speak to you soon. I'll tell them."
Dolores looked over, "What now?"
"Ignacio says that Javier earlier went in to try and speak to Lennon's parents. He has a good manner, if anyone can, he can." Gabriél said.
Mateo slumped down on a chair, "I'm sure Javier's doing his best."
Gabriél nodded, "Apparently the family said they want nothing to do with any of us, but they demand answers. Apparently, they are also going to repatriate the body as soon as possible and seek legal advice."
"They've lost their eldest son. They're not going to take this lying down. I mean, would you?" Rodriguez asked Dolores.
Dolores looked down as other members of security walked in.
"We've been doing Kenzo's sweep and found out some information you may want to know." Diego said.
"Yes?" Dolores asked.
"We conducted a search of Marcel's apartment, and we have found the place was cleared out. It's empty." Diego said.
"What do you mean, empty?" Dolores asked.
"No personal effects."
"What about all of his expensive, alternative attire?" Dolores asked.
"His large wardrobe is empty." Diego said.
"Did you check Spangna's apartment?" Dolores asked.
"Yes. A few of his clothes are at hers. But I would say, maybe four or five full pieces that I've seen him wear a lot with coats, hats, straps and whatever else. Mercy identified all the cookware as his. A large cast iron stock pot and such. So, a lot of his personal effects are at hers." Diego said.
Mateo looked over, "Well then, he moved in with her, but obviously the boss planned to escape..?"
Kenzo looked over, "No, idiot. He would have planned all this meticulously. He knew he was going to have to top himself so they'd be no point moving his things out! They've been cleared out. Stolen. Except for what's at Spangna's."
Ethan looked confused, "But when? Surely the boss would have realised his fucking PJ's were missing from his room like everything other fucking thing!" Ethan said, making Kenzo roll his thin eyes.
Dolores shook her head, "Would he have? He had practically moved in with Mercy after he confirmed that they were a couple."
"That guy had a stellar wardrobe in neo-victorian clothes and fetish gear. They would be worth a fortune to a collector, especially as they were his. I don't think anyone else would be tall or thin enough to fit them as they were all custom." Kenzo said.
"Yeah, but the Matrix look went out two decades ago." Mateo said.
"You weren't alive two fucking decades ago, jackass!" Kenzo shouted at Mateo, "And you can't fucking talk with some of the loud short sleeved shirts you've shown up to work in! You were one of the few people that the boss demanded had to go home and fucking change! They'll be none of your bullshit on my watch!"
Mateo scratched the side of his head that was shaved close, "Okay, the red shirt with black polka dots was a little loud but-" he said before he was cut off by Diego.
"After an exhaustive search. Marcel's body is not on site." Diego said to Dolores.
"And, I checked all the footage from the working cameras and found that the footage from the family compound was blank." Gabriél said.
"So, Marcel still has accomplices?" Diego asked.
"No. Whoever stole his body and items from his room deleted the footage. So, there is a faction here working for themselves." Gabriél said.
"Yes, but it's impossible to steal a dead body and ransack a room without assistance." Kenzo said.
"What was the evidence from the detainment hold?" Dolores asked.
"There was a small pool of blood on the marble floor, then drips of blood on the steps. Without speaking to Javier, it's impossible to know if the drips on the steps were from them bringing Marcel's body down or not. Javier was the last person to see him and he was alone with the body for nearly half an hour." Diego said.
"Yeah, Javier. Go figure." Kenzo said.
Mateo stepped forward, "Look! Hav is a decent guy! There's no way he'd steal the boss's body. Why would he?!"
"I, don't, know! Ask Javier." Kenzo said condescendingly.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Mateo said.
"Kenzo...?" Dolores asked, breaking up their escalating conversation, "Are there no personal effects of Marcel's in his apartment?"
"Nah. Virtually nothing." Kenzo said.
Gabriél turned to Kenzo, "I want an electric log of every entrance and exit to that apartment. I also want Spangna to identify anything of his in her apartment. I just don't understand how, in the space of a few hours, his personal effects vanish. Especially his huge wardrobe of expensive attire. We know through our initial investigation that Molly's possessions left here in a crate, signed off by Marcel as 'no questions asked'."
Kenzo threw his arms up, "Well, then. There you go! Special treatment. She was definitely an accomplice. No wonder the boss granted her the ability to book her own work, so her name fell off the work rota."
"Yes. I am certain she was involved, and she has escaped, somehow." Dolores said.
Gabriél Looked up a moment, "Mamma, who's on duty at the gate...?"
Dolores shrugged, "I'm not exactly sure."
"Kenzo...?" Gabriél asked.
"I don't know. Spanish and French." Kenzo said.
Gabriél turned to his mother quickly, "I want anyone guarding the gate to be taken off and questioned. Let's put set people there to finally have direct accountability, and finally stop any unsanctioned coming and going. I want us on temporary lockdown while we find out exactly where everyone was and who can back up their story. I think people were either paid, or ordered to turn a blind eye. Maybe with Marcel gone we can learn the truth."
"Yeah, because just why would people at the gate tell The Greek that there was a blackout and gunfire from inside the complex? Who the fuck gives out details like that?! Personally, I'd be very interested to read a full account of Javier's movements." Kenzo said.
Dolores rolled her eyes, "Don't fixate on him, Kenzo."
"Why?! Do you know, that he was largely just 'wandering around' in the dark for hours? Are you trying to tell me that he saw nothing?! Didn't bump into the boss? How did several people get gunned down by one man? Why ain't Javier dead?" Kenzo ranted.
Gabriél shook his head, "I don't know. But, he will be giving an account as everyone else will. And I know it's Javier's account that everyone wants to hear."
Kenzo pointed back, "Listen Gabe. Javier likes to hide behind the image of bein' some nice guy who's a bumbling fool that was firmly under Marcel's thumb. But he ain't fooling me. He weasels his way into people's personal business so that he knows everything and has the political tactical advantage! Also, so that he can be in the right position at the right time. He claims he knows personal things about the boss... from Mercy. Why the fuck would she tell him anything and why would he want to know?"
"Women need a confidant, and a friend!" Dolores said.
"Yeah, and for that they gab to other women! Not men in security." Kenzo argued, "I wanna know his motives for everything and the only thing I'm certain of is that his motives are as sick as shit."
☆
A few hours later, the investigations were still under way, and people were having their movements logged and verified by someone else,or as many other people as possible.
A thick sense of despair hung in the air now that everyone had been given 'an official version of events', that had been given the rubber-stamp from Dolores and Gabriél. The idea of an official story was to raise morale again, and make people feel safe.
The biggest part of the official story being that Marcel, acting alone, sabotaged the compound and eliminated people on a set hit-list, but that he had been neutralised by the Bordello's swift response team.
Javier walked back into the family compound, sat down and put his face in his hands. Gabriel sat beside him and put his arm around his shoulders.
"You said that you met Lennon's father in the hospital?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah, and his mother was there, but I didn't speak to her long because she was too busy crying over Lennon. They said Fiona was about to take them in to see him." Javier said.
Gabriél looked down, "I'm still surprised by the fact that his parents are in the country because we have bad leaks."
"Yeah, I spoke to his father, a guy named Travis. He wants nothing to do with any of us but said that they are considering options due to information from Lenn's brothers." Javier said.
"I thought so. Did you get to see Lennon?" Gabriél asked.
"No, Fiona said that he was on a table in the morgue. They had to cut the clothes off him and that he had resuscitation burns, so it wasn't a great sight. They were going to put a cover on him for his parents." Javier said.
"So, how long are they staying in Spain?" Gabriél asked.
Javier sighed, "Well his father said they want to repatriate the body as soon as possible. They were given the details of the U.S. Consulate General here in Barcelona. Apparently the American government helps with the arrangements to repatriate citizens who die abroad if the family pays the costs."
"Mother wants all the details." Gabriél said.
"What?!" Javier asked, surprised, "Please tell me that Madam Dolores doesn't want to block or obstruct proceedings."
"Well, she said that she just wants Lennon's wishes honoured. He himself listed Chéri as his next of kin, and said that he loved this place and that it was his home. I mean, he has nearly a million dollars in his American bank account, they can have that." Gabriél said.
Javier shook his head, "That's insane! Leave his family to it, for crying out loud. We're lucky if they don't contact the authorities! Especially as Lennon's brothers both know what happens here!"
"Yes, which makes them willing accessories." Gabriél said.
"Aww, come on." Javier said, "I think that family should be left alone to heal."
☆
A few days later, Spangna was called into Dolores' study office.
She was to be interviewed by Ignacio and Dolores over Marcel's behaviour on the run up to that night.
Dolores was taken back by Spangna, who hadn't been dressing like herself at all, and for the past couple of days had been dressing reminiscent of Marcel. Straps, leg harnesses and all, and a thin, PVC hood hid her thick braids. Everyone felt that maybe it made her feel better or it was just her way of mourning.
Spangna seemed deflated, not at all her normal bubbly self, and everytime she spoke it was in monotone with short answers.
At first she reported that Marcel seemed 'normal' but slightly withdrawn the day before, and he seemed to be keen to spend as much time with her as possible. She recounted that their morning and afternoon had been spent much the same as always, and that he seemed very resolved and affectionate towards her.
But Spangna then coldly related to her the contents of Dolores' own last meeting with Marcel, which he had related back to her, and how she felt that Dolores had tried to get out of acknowledging his position as the author of everything.
The meeting descended quickly into an accusatory shouting match, with Spangna standing up and passionately accusing Dolores of cheating Marcel of what he was due, and then trying to force him into sleeping with her. She shouted at Dolores at the top of her voice about how Marcel was the sole architect of the compound and any success within it.
Dolores just sat there mute, with Ignacio by her side, just to make sure things did not become physical. Dolores couldn't really refute any of the accusations flying out of Spangna's angry and impassioned mouth.
Spangna then screamed abuse at Dolores for robbing her of her own future. Spangna seemed to fly through a range of different emotions, from anger to indignation, and from desperation to tears.
She recounted how they were engaged to be married and start a family, and she blamed Dolores directly for ruining her life and her future.
Dolores remembered at their meeting that Marcel had claimed, out of the blue, that he was engaged to Mercy, but she dismissed that as a new ploy and a plot device on his part. She did not take it seriously as she simply could not imagine Marcel agreeing to marriage on any terms, and she certainly did not buy the idea of his becoming a 'family man' overnight.
Dolores cynically believed that Marcel was incapable of love, and was so cold-blooded and tactical, that he led Spangna along as a final ace in his powerful hand of playing cards.
She believed that it was not Spangna who had the final upper hand, but Marcel. In that he had allowed her to believe that she had won his heart and that he loved her back, in the same way he allowed Selina to believe that he loved her.
Spangna was ranting over how she joined the Bordello to win Marcel, and she felt a raw anger over the fact that now she was going to walk away from this place with nothing but money. Spangna said she would gladly give Dolores back every penny she had earned if it meant that she could just leave with Marcel on her arm. Spangna kept citing everything she had done to get close to him and ultimately to win his love against all the odds.
After nearly an hour and a half of Spangna's shouting, screaming and being on the brink of tears again, it was plain to see that she had to vent her anger against Dolores, against Chéri, against Selina and virtually anyone she felt was accountable for the demise of Marcel and Lennon.
Dolores stopped fighting back, and decided that as she could no longer honour her agreements to Marcel, she believed that Spangna was recognised as Marcel's next of kin, more so than even The Greek, and she offered to pay a token good will gesture to her, but Spangna shouted back and told her to shove it up her arse.
That concluded the 'meeting' between the two women, and their shouting match could be heard all over that side of the compound.
Afterwards, Javier went to her apartment and tried to speak to Spangna several times, but she never let him in. She just said she didn't want to speak to him, and that was the end of it.
Spangna asked that Frenchman Timothy Furnier personally deal with her security needs as soon as he returned, as he was the closest thing Marcel had to a friend, and was immensely capable, but he was spending the holidays with Madam Valentina, Bruna, Ecco and their team in Aspen.
To Javier, this was yet another devastating blow. He questioned why he was even here now. He had lost Marcel, his best friend Mercy, and even hanging out with Lennon, which was always hilarious. He started to feel that maybe Suzanne was right, and it was time to go.
☆
The room was minimal and slightly sterile, even though hugely luxurious in the private suite in the exclusive private hospital largely run by Fiona, Kenzo's sister.
The bleeps and clicks of medical monitors rhymically filled the auditable void in the room.
Chéri opened his eyes and looked shocked and disoriented. He sat up quickly, and felt the tug of the cannula in his hand, but he was immediately comforted by seeing his mother, Gabriel, Monica and Mateo. There was also a nurse adding medication to his drip bag.
"Where am I?" Chéri asked, realising that his throat and lips had dried out to the point of being cracked and sore.
"A private hospital complex in the city." Dolores said.
Chéri started to squint and stared off into space, "Mum.. Molly shot me! I remember! My mind is foggy but things are coming back to me, but I remember, she shot me!"
Dolores threw a glance at Gabriel at the conformation of what they had suspected.
"She vanished. We don't know where she is." Dolores said.
"She... was in the bar, in the main event room! She had Papi's crossbow. She...-" Chéri paused a moment, "She hates me. Everyone does!" Chéri said as tears started to fall down his cheeks.
Dolores reached over to hold Chéri's hand.
"She said... horrible things about me, about how everyone hates me. Everyone but Lenny." Chéri sobbed as he looked up, "Where is Lenny..?"
Dolores looked at Gabriel a moment, then looked back to Chéri. She struggled articulating any words, and was grateful Gabriel spoke up.
"He couldn't make it here, but he's waiting for you." Gabriel said.
"Ohh.. trust Lenny to be fucking late." Chéri said as he picked up his phone and looked at it. "He hasn't called me. Maybe he's got no signal..."
Mateo sat down on a chair, "Nah, he's well out of the service area." He said before being kicked by Gabriel.
"But.. why wouldn't Lenny call?" Chéri asked.
"Well.. he did call my phone." Gabriel said as he called his voicemail and put it on loudspeaking.
Very soon Lennon's familiar voice filled the air:
"Hello... Gabriél? It's Lennon. Chéri ain't pickin' up. He's got the ass with me again and has talked smack on social media. Look, I'm stuck in traffic and can't make it there yet, but can you tell him I love him and err.... everythings gonna be okay. Alright? Yeah, thanks buddy. See y'all in a bit. Bye-bye!"
"But he's not rung me! I bet the big idiot messed up my number on his phone! Trust him! Always letting me down." Chéri said before he smiled and swiped on his phone.
☆
There was a timid knock on the large oak door of Dolores' study office.
"Come in...?" Dolores called, unsure as to who was calling on her unannounced.
The door opened and Javier walked in. He was clutching a small soft hat and a letter. More curiously, he was dressed in casual clothes, black chinos, a shirt,denim jacket and loafers. However, she thought this may not be unusual as it was his day off.
"Young Javier!" Dolores beamed as she broke into a wide smile.
Javier bowed politely, and sat opposite her at her prompt.
"What can I do for you?" Dolores asked.
"Well, I've come to see you regarding..." Javier said timidly before he paused a moment, and then he shook his head and smiled awkwardly.
"What's the matter...?" Dolores asked.
"Madam Dolores, I'm here... to resign." He said as he slid the envelope towards her slowly, "I've given it a great deal of thought and... Suzanne doesn't want to be here anymore, and I've to say, I'm finding it hard myself."
"Javier, we don't do formal letters of resignation here, but more importantly, apart from Suzanne, why would you not want to stay?" Dolores asked.
Javier's eyes wandered up and about the room, as if a better answer could be found on the spine of any of the books on the shelves. "After what happened. I'm finding it hard to cope. The stress and anxiety have been overwhelming. Mercy refuses to speak to me. My other teammates view me with suspicion and I just can't work directly under Kenzo. He's just... turned into something else." Javier said.
"I see..." Dolores said as she thought for a moment, "What if I made you the leader of the core Spanish team? I know they would rather work under you than Kenzo anyway. I can leave the French and the new recruits to Kenzo."
"I'm not after power, and I'm probably too soft to ever be a leader. I'm deficient."
Dolores interrupted, "Those were Marcel's words. But I know that he appreciated you and he did often remark that you were one of the few people who followed his orders to the letter. He never had the type of... 'play banter' with anyone else but you. I found it weird and unsettling."
"That's what Mercy always told me. But, she doesn't talk to me anymore. I've tried to ring her. I've knocked on her door. But then one day, Ignacio told me that she was going to make a harassment complaint if I didn't stop trying to contact her." Javier said as he looked away at the large window with misty eyes. He could feel his throat tightening as he spoke and it took his greatest effort not to allow the emotion to surface, "And... I don't know why."
"Javier, I have spoken to Mercy, and she's just lashing out. She blames everyone and everything because she feels her future has been stolen from her. When in fact the only thief was Marcel. He did that to her, not any of us. She holds me accountable too. It may not surprise you but she says she plans to leave us, and return to the United Kingdom."
Javier just sighed, and then looked down and shook his head.
Dolores continued, "I'm not a fool. I know people blame me, and my preference for Lennon because of my son. But, personally my preference was always for Marcel. But, I know what people are whispering about that too."
Javier looked up at her, "Is it true?"
"I see you've heard as well," Dolores sighed, "Yes. I loved him. Yes he spurned me in the cruelest fashions. Yes, I indulged my son and my own feelings of rejection. We all must learn from our mistakes."
"But..." Javier said hesitantly, "Mistakes don't normally result in the injury and death of several people." Javier said.
Dolores sighed deeply, "Trust that if I could change my actions I would, particularly my last meeting with Marcel. I think it was then that he decided to do what he did. Mercy said he was withdrawn that evening. I think that maybe the closest that man comes to a whole range of emotions. Whether or not Mercy had advanced knowledge of his intentions, we will never know."
Javier became more animated and leant forward to stress his point,"There is no way, in the world, that she knew. If she did, she would have had him detained at once for the momentary leave of his mind. She would have told me."
Dolores tilted her head, "There's that phrase again! 'She would have told me'. What makes you think you are so indispensable to her, to them as a couple? Why would she tell you anything?!"
"Mercy just did. She shared many personal details with me." Javier said.
"Why? Were you in a relationship with her?"
"No! Absolutely not! We were just very close friends." Javier said.
"But, that makes no sense." Dolores said.
"Well, it's true." Javier said.
"It makes no sense, but I believe you. Because you are reliable. I believe what you tell me. But, you have to be careful with Mercy. She will do anything to get what she wants. You should know that. Maybe she was lining you up for something that never came to fruition." Dolores said.
"I don't accept that. Mercy is the sweetest, kindest girl there is." Javier said.
"Who has washed her hands of you, her dearest friend?" Dolores asked.
"Yes." Javier admitted as he leant back in the chair.
"Javier, you are one of the best I have. Is there any way at all that I can convince you to stay? If I try to mediate between you and Mercy, or if I even the ground between you and Kenzo?"
"Nah. I think my time here is up. Suzanne doesn't want to stay. Mercy's going to leave, herself.. I think I have to go for my own good." Javier said.
"And, I can not keep you here for any price or position?" Dolores asked.
Javier shook his head reluctantly in response.
"In that case, I am forced to accept your resignation effective immediately. But if you ever choose to return, myself and all of my children would take you back in a heartbeat." Dolores said, while hiding the terrible blow that losing Javier, was.
Javier got up from his seat, "That's very kind of you. I better go... pack." He said in a morose tone, with a hint of awkwardness.
"I am going to miss you badly, young Javier." Dolores replied.
But the mutual feeling of loss that hung in the air between them was shattered when Chéri burst into Dolores study office.
Javier turned in shocked at the sight of Chéri, who was all flustered and watery eyed.
Chéri leant against his mother's large oak table, "Mom! Where, is Lenny!"
"He's, not here darling...-" Dolores said as Javier just looked down.
"I know that! I can't find him anywhere. He doesn't ever pick up his phone and all his stuff is missing!" Chéri said as he started to cry while he covered his face, "Everyone I ask just fobs me off! Javier looks like he's about to burst Into tears and he's a nervous wreck! Spangna's going to leave and won't even fucking speak to me because Marcel's dead, and everyone treats me like a fucking leper! Where, is Lennon!?" He cried out desperately.
"Sit down, Chéri." Dolores said.
Javier looked at Dolores and nodded before he left the room.
"Don't tell me to sit down! Tell me where Lennon is! Has he just left me? No one will give me a straight answer! His social media is all gone, his family's number in America is no longer connected, or they've changed it! Tell me mum! What the fucks happened! Where is my fiancé?"
Dolores looked up at Chéri and the desperate look on her youngest son's face, and she could no longer hold back, and just burst into tears in front of him.
The expression on Chéri's face changed to a neutral stare, and he just sat slowly on the seat opposite his mother.
☆
In the family compound, the strategy for moving forward was in full swing. They not only had to deal with the morale, repairs and events, but also in hiding and managing the escalating difficult situation of Chéri's mental state. When people did see him he walked as if he were lost. His arms were wrapped in thick bandages, and he wore a dirty, blood-stained hospital gown. His hair was greasy and had two-inch thick dark roots, and was not always coherent due to the cocktail of medication he was on.
Ethan walked over to Mateo, Javier, Ignacio and Diego. Ethan was now in the black uniform style of the rest of security, "Hey guys. I've just been taken through preliminary training. I'm having a performance review in a month's time."
Ignacio laughed, "I wonder if Kenzo will be following the Boss's firebrand review style. Though my performance rating was excellent every quarter, three years running, bonuses and all."
Mateo's eyes widened, "Really?! How come my rating's been 'fuckwit' twice!"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Diego asked.
"No!" Mateo said, "Hey! Hav, you're sitting there very quiet! What was your performance rating?"
Javier sighed and rolled his eyes, "Well, for the last two years running every quarter, it was...'fuckwit' and I got a bonus and everything. Last year though my rating got changed to...'homosexual'. Whatever that's supposed to mean." He added quietly, while looking thoroughly ashamed.
Ignacio just burst out laughing with the others, "Hav, you only get a bonus if you're doing well."
"Well, I kinda wonder what it was going to be this year as we all had our meetings but then everything happened so I have no idea what I was put through as this quarter." Javier said.
Ethan grinned, "Did your boss just...make up the labels as he went along? In light of recent events, I really can't imagine him sitting in front of a computer giggling while going 'I know! Homosexual...yeah!'"
"Well, if Lennon...God rest his soul, got that rating well, it would only be stating a fact, and I bet he would have loved it." Mateo said.
"No! He would have hated it! He was also strict about how it didn't define him!" Ignacio said before he turned to Javier, "I can go check what you were put through as."
Javier just got up, "Nah, don't bother. It doesn't matter anyway." He said before he noticed Dolores, Gabriél, Kenzo and a few others at the corner table, talking.
Ignacio looked confused as Javier walked away to the other table.
"Hey, Javier!" Gabriél said.
"How did Chéri take the news?" Javier asked Dolores as he sat at the table.
"Not well at all. He became very angry, and then violent, and due to his self harming he has effectively been put on suicide watch." Dolores said.
"Why is he angry? He played the biggest part in what happened? You can't deny that he whipped everyone up, and set people against each other. I've heard Chéri is a mess who keeps slashing his arms and swallowing every tablet he can get his bleeding hands on." Javier said.
"I'm aware of that. He's also angry that we didn't retain the body here. He wouldn't have let the family repatriate the body." Dolores said.
Javier shook his head, "But I spoke to Lennon's mother, do you have any idea what that was like...?" He said as his voice cracked slightly.
Dolores just looked down as she listened.
"She said... that they had just told her the news, and she was about to go in to see him with Fiona. Ellie was there too, in the hospital, probably for legal reasons and was hanging around outside the theatre doors talking to Fiona while I was talking to Mrs Adamski." Javier said.
Dolores looked up, "I didn't know that Ellie was in the hospital. I hope she pressed for a legal understanding. What did Lennon's mother tell you?"
Javier cleared his throat as he recalled, "She told me that they have a family plot back in their country." Javier said slowly.
"Chéri wanted him Interred here." Dolores said.
"That would have gone directly against their wishes." Javier said.
Dolores' eyes searched the ceiling, "Lennon would have wanted to be laid to rest here. He loved this place, Javier."
"Well, we'll never know." Javier said.
"I guess so." Dolores said.
"We're very lucky they decided not to pursue this with the authorities, or seek a legal remedy. In fact, his parents couldn't wait to get out of the country and fly home to the United States."
"That is what I told Chéri, but there's no reasoning with him. He also said he wants to go back to England to stay with his father for a few months, so I will book him an apartment in London for six months, as I do not want my baby staying in that mould infested rat trap his father lives in. I also think that having him here is having a demoralising effect on people. In a few months, once he is cleared by Dr V as no longer a threat to himself, I will allow him to leave the Bordello and fly into Gatwick and go to the apartment I have rented for them both."
"Dad has a way of talking Chéri down." Gabriel said.
"I sure hope that's true." Javier said.
Gabriél placed his hand on Javier's shoulder, and looked regretful, "I hear you're leaving us."
"Yes. Right now I'm just... an ornament." Javier said.
"You'll never be an ornament here, my friend. This is where you belong." Gabriél said.
☆
As they stepped outside onto the forecourt, Ignacio hugged Javier, "I never thought I would ever be saying goodbye to you, brother."
"Neither did I." Javier said as he saw Meteo packing his and Suzanne's luggage in the back of the car.
Javier turned to walk to the car, but then turned back around to Ignacio, "Here, take this.." Javier said as he held out his ID key card.
"Don't be ridiculous. Keep it as a momento. It's been deactivated anyway." Ignacio said.
Javier tapped the card against the biometric reader and it flashed red, "I guess I am really nobody, now." Javier said.
"You'll never be nobody here. Come back soon." Ignacio said.
Javier nodded, then pointed to Mateo, "And look after my little brother, here!"
"I will, Hav!" Ignacio said as he watched Javier take one last look up at the Bordello, with tears forming in his eyes, before he got into the car, and Diego drove them away to drop them off in Barcelona city.
"I miss him already." Mateo said.
"So do I." Ignacio confirmed.