Wavering Mollisher

Caroline O'Neill

“Make room!” Caroline barks at the crowd. She throws elbows at several lurkers, pushing past them to the center of their observation. Della screams when she sees a bloody body on the street: Her mother, Catherine. All her neighbors are gathered around Catherine in a circle, watching Catherine like live entertainment rather than a suffering human being. “What in bloody hell is wrong with all of you! Call an ambulance at once!” Della screams at the lurkers. The crowd murmurs and disintegrates.

Caroline runs to a nearby telephone pole and presses the red button requesting emergency services. “Della!” Charles's eyes widen from his hiding place below the staircase.

“Papa! Is Mother?” Della runs into his arms. 

“No angel, she is barely breathing. I trust your friend rang for services.” He motions at Caroline.

Della tearfully nods. “Papa, what happened?”

“They came…told us they had you…they wanted gold...lots of gold for your return. I didn’t have it. I tried reasoning with them, and they beat your mother. They said they would be back. Della, you must run! If they find out that you’re the architect… Della, please run.”

“Papa, you’re not making sense. I’m not going anywhere.” Della cups her father’s cheeks. Loud, obnoxious noises sound in the distance, growing closer and closer by the second.

“Della, that’s them! Run! Don’t tell me where you’re going! Remember your mother, and I love you.” Charles shoves Della into Caroline’s arms.

“Della, let’s go now!” Caroline has urgency in her voice. “They will take you back, and gods know what else will happen.”

“Caroline, we can’t!” Della sobs.

“Listen, your father is right. Once they find out you drew the schematics, you will be a high-value target. Come!” Without waiting for Della’s approval, Caroline manages to throw Della over her shoulder in a fireman’s carry. “Caroline!” She screams at the woman but to no avail.

The sun begins to fall behind the Merryville buildings when Caroline drops Della on a sidewalk. “We are here.”

Where is here?” Della says grumpily.

“My place.” Caroline turns a key and opens the door. “Welcome home, Della.”

Della’s eyes take in the sparse accommodations. Caroline is quite tidy and has simple, elegant fashion pieces spread about. “I have some clothes you can borrow until we can get your finances squared away. I know my place is not as fancy as you accustomed to.” Caroline motions for Della to follow, leading her to a small room with a bed. “This is for you.”

Della limps into the room. “It is…quaint.”

Caroline snickers. “That is one nice way to say it. I’m going to call a medic for your injuries.” Della realizes she had been a bit rude to Caroline when the woman had protected her and offered her a safe space to stay. Della still didn’t know why she found it necessary to lash out at Caroline. Perhaps it had to do with how beautiful her protector is compared to Della? Regardless, Della tells herself she would stop the b***h attack this minute. Caroline will become her closest confidant.

“They should be here shortly,” Caroline says from the hall. “Would you like something to eat?”

Della limps out into the small dining area. “That would be great. Hey Caroline, I’ve been a b***h to you since the moment we met. I want to apologize. You have been nothing but wonderful to me.”

Caroline throws her hand in dismissal. “Don’t worry. I expect it, especially from women. When people think you’re the town beauty, you are bound to get one or two jealous glances.”

Della carefully sits down. “Is that what you do?”

Caroline places her tea kettle on the stove. “My bosses think a beautiful ‘proper lady’ such as I would be less of a threat, i.e., better informants on the city’s underground dealings. I hate to admit it, but the commissioner hired me on my looks. Caught him by surprise when I showed intelligence.”

“I owe a lot of it to your brother. He really has been an ally since I walked through the police station doors. It made sense when we became work partners.”

Della softly smiles. “When did you start dating?”

Caroline freezes before returning to cutting vegetables. “We aren’t. It just makes a better story. Besides, I fancy someone else.”

Della leans her chin on her hand. “Who?”

Caroline winks at her. “Ladies, don’t tell.”

Della laughs.

“There it is. You have a beautiful laugh.” Caroline compliments. Della’s cheeks begin to redden.

Della clears her throat. “So, I was wondering, could you train me? To be tough, that is? If Lucas or his men come for me again, I want to stand a fighting chance.

Caroline brings a plate of biscuits to the table. “Lucas Clarke? No. He is one of the most prolific street bosses in Merryville. He keeps his operations secret. We have never been able to crack any of his followers or send an informer. He’s dangerous, Della.”

Della squeezes her fists. “So am I.”