Free The Cassidy Posse by D. N. Bedeker Page A

placed it in a silver server and left.
    “It’s time for me to get out of the business,” said Nell. “I have other options right now that could take me all the way to the… could significantly better my position, shall we say.”
    “Geez, that sounds great,” said Edith with a gracious smile. “I’m happy for you.”
    Nell was surprised. She had expected more surprise. More protest. Maybe, she thought, Edith had sensed it coming. It was going so well Nell decided to make a last second adjustment on her offer. No need to be foolishly generous.
    “I’ll sell you my half of the business for $60,000,” said Nell with an air of self-confidence. “The buildings, the grounds and all the action.”
    Edith thought for a moment. “Make it $50,000 and you have a deal.”
    “Deal,” said Nell, concealing a smirk. That was going to be her starting offer originally. “I’ll even throw in the Hanson carriage.”
    “Are you throwing in the bill for tonight?” joked Edith.
    “Sure. Why not.”
    Henri, their waiter, worked his way though the crowded room to their secluded table.
    “Are you lad-ies going to or-dair Hors d’oeuvres?”
    “No, we will go right to the entrees,” said Nell. “I will have the
filets de sole au vin blanc
.” She had concluded her business and Nell saw no reason to draw out the evening.
    “Run a match over a New York strip for me, would you, honey,” said Edith.
    “Does that mean ma-dam wishes it rare?”
    “That’s right, cupcake.”
    Nell knew that Edith was annoyed by the fact that she was not able to order off the menu and fit in. This was beyond Edith’s ability so she chose to make a mockery of fine dining. It didn’t matter now. Soon she and Edith would be moving in quite different circles. Edith would soon be one of those shadowy figures from her past that she would have to worry about surfacing as she ascended socially. If Edith chose to cause trouble, she would be dealt with.
    Henri brought the entrees and they dined in relative silence. It would be their last supper together. Edith looked up at her occasionally and smiled.
    “Is tomorrow alright to meet with the lawyer?” Nell asked.
    “Lawyer. What lawyer?”
    “To transfer the deed to the property and take care of the legal matters.”
    “Oh, yeah,” said Edith. “That would be fine.”
    “You seem nervous tonight, dear,” said Nell soothingly. “Did I spring all this on you too suddenly?”
    “Yeah, that’s it. Sure. I’m gonna have to be doing it all now. That’s gonna be a big change.”
    Nell sat back in her chair and surveyed the room holding her glass of champagne loosely in her hand. “You did it all before I came along. Just not on such a grand scale.”
    She motioned for Henri to bring the check and told him to have their carriage sent around. She always paid in cash. They never had a question about that.
    As they walked out, she could feel the eyes of the self-righteous upon her. She always turned their way and smiled. It drove them crazy.
    Nell and Edith stepped out onto Monroe Street into a blustery Chicago evening. A chilled wind forced Nell and Edith to wrap their shawls around themselves tighter as they waited for their carriage. A yellow-wheeled Kimball Drag rounded the corner being pulled by four matched Chestnuts. They realized they were standing under the canopy with the very fashionable and eligible Mr. Chatfield-Taylor. They gossiped like schoolgirls as they inspected his escort for the evening. Their elegant black lacquered carriage was not far behind. Drawn by four black horses, it looked beautiful as it shimmered on the wet street in the glow of the gaslights. Just as Edith was about to board, her nephew, a young man of loose morals, approached her. They had used him and his small comical crony on occasion for distasteful assignments.
    “Nell, do you mind going on home without me?” asked Edith. “Clarence got caught stealin’ and I have to go make his bail.”
    “We can swing