"This is Zelda," Stephanie said, opening the refrigerator and looking for something took cook. "You know that Johnnie set up this whole safehouse, right? He told me to set one up because he was planning on breaking you out, just like he promised."
"Yes, I realize," Harry said, his low voice incredibly articulate as he tried to control his patience. "I know that. What I don't understand is why we're talkin' about this in front of some stranger."
"Zelda's no stranger," Stephanie said smiling, as though Harry's implication amused her. "Zelda is Johnnie's girl."
Zelda opened her mouth as though she was going to correct Stephanie, but decided against it. Instead, she took a seat at the dining table and opted to listen to whatever it was the couple needed to talk about. Harry glanced over at Zelda, still suspicious, but less wary.
"Where is Johnnie?" Harry asked, his sharp, blue eyes darting between both Stephanie and Zelda. "Shouldn't he be here by now?"
"Johnnie is... detained," Zelda said quietly, unable to look at Harry. She was pained to say that, which shouldn't have surprised her, even if he wasn't Jimmy Lawrence. This whole situation she had found herself in was still hard to believe, hard to get used to, but one thing she did know is that she did care about Johnnie. He had rescued her from her husband, the least she could do was somehow return the favor, even if it meant telling Harry Pierpont and his gang everything she knew.
"Quite literally," Stephanie added, her eyes as firm as her words.
"What does that mean?" Harry asked with an edge, looking between the two women once more.
"Why don't you tell him, hon," Stephanie said as she started to boil water. "You were there, after all."
Zelda inhaled, closing her eyes as she tried to remember everything that happened. "Johnnie was arrested," she told him finally, snapping her eyes open and locking them with Harry's. "I was too, but they let me go after questioning me. I had only been at Johnnie's place for a night, but we've known each other for a few weeks. They took him to some jail, but when they released me, I overheard some officers speaking, and they said they were going to transfer him over to Lima County Jail tomorrow, which would have been a few days ago."
"When did you get here?" Harry asked, before shaking his head. "No, no. How did you even find us? Johnnie may be charming and everything, but he wouldn't just tell some woman he was John Dillinger."
"I got here today," Zelda explained. "I found work the night Johnnie was arrested and danced a few nights until I had enough money to take a train here, after talking to Stephanie. I found you because after the police returned me to the apartment, I looked around for something that could help me get Johnnie back. Someone who might tell me something – I really had no idea what was going on. I only found out Johnnie was Johnnie as he was being arrested."
"So they found him," Harry stated rather than asked. He sighed through his nose, taking a seat at the table across from Zelda and giving her a penetrating stare. Somehow, Zelda managed to hold it with her own, and ever so slightly, she tilted her head to the side as she watched him. "Well, I think it's only fair... Johnnie was the sole reason for our escape." He grinned a crooked grin and a sparkle that hadn't been there before touched his eyes. "We're gonna get him back, missy." His eyes flashed into Zelda's. "Don't you worry."
Chapter 9
It took a good week and a half to get the necessary supplies in order to get Johnnie out of Lima County Jail including any and all necessary weapons, clothing for the men, food, beds, sheets, and everything in between. Things that Zelda never really thought about that went into planning a rescue attempt were thought of not only by the gangsters but by Stephanie as well. Zelda felt her head spinning at how much time and precision such a thing required, especially when she naively believed that such attempts were almost always spontaneous.
Zelda made sure she listened and learned. She made it a point never to get in anybody's way, but also kept her ears sharp in order to take in as much as she possibly could regarding the matter. It was a subject she never truly believed she would ever know more about, and in truth, the more she learned, the more she found she was fascinated by it all.
Surprisingly enough, the gangsters themselves were gentlemen – sweet and obliging, polite and friendly. It was quite obvious that as much as Stephanie was taken with Harry, he was just as crazy about her. Charles Mackley always seemed to be up for a game or a dance or something that amused him to no end. He reminded Harry of Homer Van Meter, a man he knew in prison but never liked. Russell Clark was dangerously good looking, but there was something in his eyes Zelda could never pinpoint and found that she really didn't want to. John Hamilton was quiet and only made comments when he felt he should. Zelda was closest to him (besides Harry) only because he seemed to be the genuine one of the group. The two other men had left before, deciding to part ways with the gangsters, despite the trouble Johnnie was in, but Harry let them go, unconcerned about the entire thing. He knew that they were safe right where they were, and to take a chance out in the open... Well, it wasn't smart, but he definitely wasn't going to stop them.
It was on an overcast day in the month of October when Harry, Charles, Johnnie, and Russell finally left the safety of Stephanie's home in order to get Dillinger and bring him back into the arms of freedom.
--
It had been a few weeks, and John Dillinger was getting restless. There were only so many card games one could play with the occupants of the jail before he started going crazy. He was treated fairly well, especially by the sheriff and his wife, and he didn't have any problems with his fellow inmates. Every now and then, a woman would enter his mind, though he wasn't quite sure what that meant.
Zelda Kelly, the woman he absolutely loved to dance with. She was beautiful, hands-down, in a quiet, mysterious sort of way, and she definitely wasn't the usual type of woman he went for. Yet, he couldn't help but feel as though there was something about her, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. When he was with her, he didn't think about things. He just let everything happen as it should. Johnnie had always been a man that went with his gut rather than his head, and with the rabbit's foot he always carried around with him, he truly believed that a higher power was looking after him. When it came to Zelda, he didn't think twice about taking her with him back to Ohio. He didn't regret anything, either, except maybe not telling her who he really was.
The look on her face when those officers had announced his real name... Johnnie felt as though someone had twisted his heart quite painfully. He didn't know what happened to her, but if she had been arrested on his account, he sure as hell would get her out.
And if she had left him? Well, he'd be sorely disappointed, but he wouldn't blame her.
As it was, Johnnie was already expecting to be rescued from this small town jail relatively soon. He had heard about the Indiana State Penitentiary escape, and he trusted his friends enough to know that they would be coming for him sooner or later. He did right by his friends, and they did right by him. It was an unwritten rule, and proof of his unwavering loyalty concerning those he cared about. Johnnie's trust was hard to win over – despite how charming and friendly he could be – but when he gave it, he gave it for life. He also expected the same in return, which was why he was so upset when it concerned Mary Todd and that man he had found her with. But that was in the past.
At least Zelda had been with him. Even though they hadn't talked about it, it was nice to have her there with him, comforting him, being there.
A loud bang was suddenly heard among the prisoners. Johnnie snapped his smoky grey eyes up to the entrance door, completely dismissing the card game he was in the middle of, and his infamous smirk crawled onto his face. They were here. It was time to go.
"Well," he said, glancing over at his cellmates, "that'd be for me, boys." He indicated the entrance door, where a scuffle could clearly be heard, and he stood up, stretching his limbs and preparing to be let out of the cell.
It wasn't long before Harry and the
boys burst through the door, the keys hanging from one of Harry's long fingers. Russell had a crying woman in his arms, and Johnnie immediately realized that it was the Sheriff's wife. He frowned at the sight, unsure why she was so distraught. Then again, escaped convicts were attempting a rescue, so maybe her fear had gotten the better of her.
"Stand back," Harry said, threatening the prisoners with his gun. "We only want Johnnie."
It wasn't long before Harry threw open the cell door, and traded Mrs. Sarber for Johnnie. The other prisoners knew better than to mess with the sheriff's wife, and as the three men escaped from the jail, they let the woman cry by her lonesome without disturbing her in any way.
It was only when they left the cellblock did Johnnie realize why Mrs. Sarber was crying. Her husband, Jesse Sarber, was curled into the fetal position, his breathing rapid and his hand clutching his stomach. A rare, dark look tainted Johnnie's otherwise friendly features, and he knelt down to check on just what had transpired. He had been shot in the stomach, Johnnie realized, and judging by the bruises on Jesse's head, he had also been smacked around by the butt of a gun.
"Did you really have to do that?" he muttered as he stood.
However, Johnnie's question went unanswered, as he figured it might be, and instead, the three met up with Charles Mackley, who had been keeping watch outside, piled into a stolen car, and left. Though Johnnie felt bad about the sheriff and hoped the man would pull through, he would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about his new found freedom. As a result, he leaned back and felt his body relax as Harry drove them all back to the safehouse.
It wasn't long before they reached the house, probably because Harry had always been pedal-happy despite the danger that could bring him. Once they exited the vehicle and headed into the house, the criminals began to visibly relax.
The sight of Zelda sitting on the couch and listening to the radio caught Johnnie by surprise, and he couldn't stop the smile from brightening his features if he had tried. She had found Stephanie. She had decided to stay with him. His happiness only deepened when he saw her meet his eyes and smile at the sight of him.
"Well," he said, once he had walked over to her and she had stood up. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" And before Zelda could reply, he tilted his head downwards and captured her lips with his own.
It was over in a manner of seconds, and for the life of him, Johnnie couldn't figure out just why he had allowed himself to get carried away. But he didn't question it. He had wanted to kiss her at that moment, and so he did. Life was too short to deny himself something he wanted, especially when he wanted a kiss from a beautiful woman.
"So what's the plan now, Johnnie?" Stephanie asked, her arm comfortable around Harry's torso. Her dark eyes shined as she regarded her friend, and the happiness that encompassed the group seemed to go unmatched by any other moment.
"Let's go out dancing," Johnnie said, his eyes slipping back into Zelda's. "Tonight."
"Johnnie, you just got out," Zelda said, pushing her brow up.
Johnnie's smirk only deepened. "That's the best part," he murmured, an enigmatic twinkle lighting his eyes.
Chapter 10
Zelda was still swept up in the fact that Johnnie wanted nothing more than to go to some nightclub the day he escaped from jail. She and Harry seemed to be in the same boat as well, because Harry himself was uncomfortable with the situation. However, Johnnie had always had a knack to talk people into doing things they wouldn't normally do, and as a result, the gang, along with one of Johnnie's friends and fellow inmates back in the Indiana State Penitentiary Homer Van Meter, headed out to Black Catz.
Jazz music filled up the crowded dancehall, booze was being poured and bought, men were dancing with women, women were dancing with themselves; it was like every other nightclub and that was why Zelda felt instantly at home in the hazy atmosphere. It wasn't likely that anyone would even recognize Johnnie in this place, let alone realize just who Johnnie was, and upon such a realization, she felt her body start to relax.
Before they even sat down, Johnnie reached out to grab Zelda's hand with his and immediately laced his long fingers with hers, leading her out onto the dance floor. Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at Johnnie's eagerness, but when Stephanie looked up and batted those eyes of hers, he knew he wouldn't be able to say no to dancing with her. Not when she looked so beautiful. So it was left to the other men to find a table, and once they had and made sure no one took it, they, themselves, went looking for dance partners of their own.
Zelda, however, wasn't exactly paying any attention to them. Her entire focus was wrapped up in Johnnie's aura, and just like old times, his arm was coiled tightly around her waist, their chests were brushed, and their fingers were still entwined. Their faces were mere centimeters apart, and Johnnie's gaze was nothing short of intense, almost to the point of smoldering. Zelda might have normally looked away at such a penetrating stare, but she couldn't. It was like Johnnie had some sort of enchantment over her, and though she wanted to relieve the tension that was currently occupying the majority of her body, she couldn't. The words of the slow song went on deaf ears because Zelda couldn't hear anything.
The way his hand held hers, the way his grip on her waist was slightly possessive, the way he looked at her, the way he smiled at her. It was too much for her to take. She wished, more than anything, for him to lean down – it wouldn't even be too much of an effort, they were so close – and kiss her the way he had kissed her hours ago. Except this time, she wanted to hear that he wanted her.
Because as of that moment, they were still only friends. No conversation arose between the two of them. Zelda didn't want to start one lest she got her signals mixed up. And she would rather be his friend and be in his life than anything else. But she couldn't help but want him for herself. She wanted to sleep with him, kiss him, be with him, comfort him...
Zelda was in love with him. Zelda was in love with bank robber and escapee John Dillinger. And there was nothing more to it. She didn't regret her feelings, nor did she try to repress them. She had no problem with being in love with Johnnie, but she wasn't going to say anything because she didn't want to ruin their friendship, and she knew that because he was a criminal, his trust didn't exactly come easy. And she didn't want to lose it.
So friendship was all she would get from him. And while it was practical and safe, it wasn't as desired as lovers would have been. So she would enjoy everything he chose to give her, whether it was holding hands, a kiss on the cheek, and even dancing, asking for nothing more, but wishing for everything her heart wanted.
It was only a matter of time before the song ended, and when it did, Harry quickly swooped her up for a dance. Zelda really liked Harry, despite his cool reception of her. However, he warmed up to her – it helped to be friends with his girlfriend – and Zelda found that out of the entire group of gangsters, they were probably most alike. The song was fast, and Zelda knew the dance by heart, so she felt herself relax and her thoughts of Johnnie nearly disappear. It was nice to have some sort of reprieve from them.
However, in the middle of the dance, Zelda's eyes caught Johnnie talking to another woman, one she wasn't familiar with and hadn't been part of their group. Zelda couldn't get a good look at the woman because of the crowd and the distance and the fact that the dance required her to move constantly, but she could see that the woman was taller than she was by a couple of inches, with coco-colored skin, dark eyes, and raven hair. She looked like a Native American, beautiful and exotic, and according to Stephanie, Johnnie's exact type. It wasn't long before Johnnie led this woman to the dance floor and began dancing with her himself.
Zelda immediately looked away, feeling her heart clench in pain at the sight. But Johnnie wouldn't do anything rash, would he? He knew better than to fall in love with a stranger in a manner of minutes because he was wanted. He was a criminal. And he didn't trust people easily. Right?
Once the dance was over, she and Harry returned to their ta
ble, only to be followed by Johnnie and his mystery guest.
"Everybody," he announced, glancing at his friends. "This is Dolores Bernier. She's going to be tagging along with us for a little while."
Zelda felt her face freeze as she regarded the woman in front of her. Did he just say she would be tagging along with them, as in, she knew who he was and what kind of business he was in, and she wanted to tag along? Zelda certainly wasn't a hypocrite, but then again, she had known John Dillinger as Jimmy Lawrence much longer than she had known John Dillinger.
"Oh, shucks," Homer said, his face pulled into a frown. However, his grey eyes were mischievous, telling everyone who knew him well enough that he was teasing. "Why does Johnnie get all the girls?"
"Hey Homer," Zelda said, for whatever reason, feeling compelled to actually say something in response to his comments. Maybe, subconsciously, she wanted to somehow show Johnnie that if he was serious about this Dolores Bernier woman than she wasn't going to wait around for him to fall in love with her. At least, that was what she hoped, anyway. "I'm not Johnnie's girl, and to prove it, I'd be happy to dance with you."
The group started to catcall and whistle, and Zelda was going to refrain from looking directly at Johnnie, but as Homer began to gently pull her to the dance floor, Johnnie grabbed onto Zelda's wrist and tilted his head downwards. In a voice that only she could hear, he drawled, "You're still my girl." And just like that, he left goosebumps on her skin and released her wrist.
Zelda swallowed but said nothing in return. She allowed Homer to continue leading her to the dance floor while Johnnie turned to give his full attention back to Dolores.
The night continued, and despite the minor setback Zelda had found in Dolores Bernier, she actually had fun. She even managed to score another dance with Johnnie, and it wasn't long before every person in their gang wanted to have a try with Zelda, learning that she had been a taxi dancer and was quite the professional when it came to the dance floor.
Come Away with Me Page 5