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Chapter 16
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2024-10-29 19:42:56“And how do you suggest we do that?” Ash asked, “What evidence do we present them with?”
“The greatest one of all, we give them the Hatter.” Jo said.
Ash sighed, “If only we knew who he was.”
“We can make him reveal himself to us,” Jo said.
“Yeah?” Ash asked.
“Yeah.” Jo said as she stood up and started pacing around the room nude. She muttered to herself as she did that, and a smile broke out on Ash's face.
She looked so cute as she moved her slim frame back and forth, a frown of concentration on her face.
Suddenly, she stopped right in front of him and did a fist pump, “I got it!”
“Got what?” Ash asked lazily.
“The plan, idiot.” Jo said reclaiming her position by his side.
Ash leaned in and kissed her fiercely.
Jo let him for a few minutes before she pushed him
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Frame Me Chapter 16: II
“Of course, not!” Rex said when Jo told him her plan. They'd invited him and Capo over to finalize the plan.“It's just too risky,” He told Jo. Then he turned to Ash and scowled, “And you're encouraging this plan?”Ash tensed, “There's no other way. Unless you want her looking over her shoulder the rest of her life.”Rex gripped Jo's shoulders, “This is madness. I'd take you living and looking over your shoulder over you dying, any day.”“Rex,” Jo said angrily, “I'm not a child, I'm your boss. I've been in a lot of hairy situations and I've come out on top. This one will be no different because I've got you watching my back and I know you won't let anything happen to me.”“You're damn right I'm not.” Rex agreed gruffly.“Well, that's settled then.” Jo said, hugging him.Ash stared at them with such jealousy that Ca
Frame Me Chapter 17
Ash looked worried, “I don't like this. He's going to give us a location? And we aren't allowed to bring our men? I don't like this at all.”Jo kissed him softly on the lips, “But we have no choice.”Ash looked at her, “I know you want to clear our names. I want that too, more than anything. I want to be with you, and savor our relationship without worrying, but I don't want us walking into a trap.”“I know.” Jo said.“Then stay here while I go. I don't want to lose you.” Ash said.Jo refused adamantly, “No way. I'm coming with you. If anyone should go alone, it should be me. After all, this was my plan.”“No way.” Ash said, “Rex would totally try to kick my ass if he found out I let you go alone.”“Try?” Jo asked, cocking an eyebrow.Ash snorted, “Of course. Don't tell me you think Rex can kick my ass.”
Frame Me Chapter 17: II
* *The next day, which was the stipulated day of the meet, Jo called her mother.“Jo, how are you?” Ruth asked when she answered.“I'm okay, mum.”“Are you sure? I'm so worried about you. The life of a fugitive is not for a young woman such as you.” Ruth said worriedly.Jo rushed to comfort her mother, “Don't worry mum, it'll be over soon.”Her news was received by Ruth with a spell of silence. Jo wondered if her mother was still on the line.“Hello, mum. Did you hear what I just said?” Jo asked.“Yes. I did. What do you mean it'll all be over soon? What are you planning to do?” Ruth asked curiously.“I'm planning to present the cops with evidence of my innocence.” Jo said, not bothering with the details.“How are you going to do that?” Ruth asked.Jo pinched the bridge of her nose. Her mothe
Frame Me Chapter 18
Ash squinted his eyes so he could see properly in the semi-darkness. The only stream of light was coming in through the door and some half open windows. He felt like going to open the windows all the way, but decided against it. He didn't want to make the cops think he had something up his sleeve. He pulled out his pistol and trained it at the door.Jo followed suit, and in that position, they waited for their contact, or Hatter, whichever came for them first. Ash hoped to high heaven it was their cop contact or contacts who would arrive first, so they'd be able to help uncover the mystery that was the Hatter.Jo was so tightly wound she feared she might fire at any sound she heard. The only sound in the room was their simultaneous inhalation and exhalation. Sweat beaded her forehead, but she didn't move to wipe it off. One little distraction could mean their lives.They tensed when they heard footsteps carefully approach them. Ash made a motion for Jo to get be
Frame Me Chapter 18: II
• •Damian smiled at Ash and Jo, "I'll need you to hand over your weapons."Jo and Ash stilled."What for?" Jo asked."Because I don't trust you two. Come on, put them on the ground and kick them towards me." Damian ordered."Hatter could come by at a minute. If we hand over our guns, we'll be sitting ducks." Ash said."Don't worry, the policemen outside are armed to the teeth. You won't be harmed." Damian assured them.Jo frowned and looked at him suspiciously."Either you comply or I'll call the deal off. I'll have you two arrested,and just wait until the lieutenant finds out you raised a false alarm." Damian threatened."It's no false alarm." Ash argued."Prove it. We're doing things my way. Do as I asked." Damian said in a steel voice.Ash and Jo exchanged looks of resignation and threw their guns to the floor. They kicked them towards him. Damian stooped and picked them up, stuffing the
Frame Me Chapter 19
After twenty minutes which seemed like a millennium to Ash, Lester's car finally jerked to a stop in front of a residential building. Children were playing on the sidewalk, and some homeless people sat around with tins, begging for money.Ash regarded Lester suspiciously as he held Jo close, "What the hell are we doing here? I asked you to get us to the charity clinic!"Lester didn't seem fazed, "The clinic is in that building."He got out of the car and opened the door for Ash who carried Jo out. People gathered to watch, and Lester called a five year old girl to show them the particular flat where the clinic was situated.The girl stuck her tongue out at him, "I ain't helping no copper. It'll ruin my cred.""Hey!" Ash commanded the girl's attention, "Do I look like a cop to you?!" He asked harshly.The girl shook her head and looked cowed. Ash didn't like raising his voice on children, but he needed the girl to understand how
Frame Me Chapter 19: II
Jo felt a huge ache in her head when she came to. Her mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton and she still felt woozy. She cracked open her eyes and felt a moment of panic before she realized where she was. When her eyes were able to make out the people in the room, she recognized Sia, and her longtime assistant Liv.The first word that came out of her mouth was, "Ash."Sia placed her hand in hers and shook her head."Where is he?" Jo asked, getting hysterical. "I heard his voice when I was coming out of the drugs, or was that a dream?""No. He was here." Sia answered."Then where is he?" Jo asked, trying to sit up. Sia placed her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back to a lying position."He left." Sia replied."Did he say when he was coming back?" Jo asked hopefully."No.""For how long have I been here?" Jo asked."Two days." Sia answered, dreading the next question."W
Frame Me Chapter 20
20Lieutenant Ted Baines was disappointed in himself. How could he not have seen what was right under his nose? Due to his implicit bias, he'd thought those two gangsters were the culprits, not knowing it was one of his own men.He hated it when men who swore to serve and protect, did a one-eighty and became what they were supposed to fight. Damian of all people, too.Baines who'd always thought himself to be a good judge of character, couldn't believe he'd sorely misjudged him. His only consolation was that he wasn't the only one. Damian had fooled them all.From the information had been able to gather, Baines learned that Matteo had begun to suspect Damian, and had planted the cameras in the building to catch him in the act.Then he'd confronted Damian who responded by shooting him dead. Then, when Damian had asked to be given time to console his partner's widow, he'd actually gone back to the crime scene and watched what was on the
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Frame Me Chapter 23: II
e.”Ash wanted to laugh, “Of course I do. Is it just sinking in now?”Jo nodded, “So you left Gulden to become a gangster once again?”“No,” Ash shook his head, “About that. I was actually meaning to come over to your house with a proposal.”Jo got a confused look as she wrinkled her nose, “A marriage proposal?”Ash replied, “I would have gotten to that, but no. I meant like a business proposal.”Jo nodded, “Let's hear it.”Ash got into business mode and outlined his plan for them to set up a school and a charity organization that'd be run by both their gangs.Jo let him finish his pitch, and after that she walked up to him, “I'm sorry for doubting you, Ash.”“I'm sorry for running off on you too.” Ash said as he kissed her. This time, Jo didn't protest.He carried her over to the bed and laid her down
Frame Me Chapter 23
Ash was in his old apartment in Ganghaven, which he preferred to the plush company quarters in Gulden when there was a knock on his door.Thinking it was Capo or one of his other men, he took his time to open it.He was greeted by the glorious sight that was Jo, her mouth in a hard line. His heart beat faster as he considered the idea of having her in his apartment although from the look on her face, she wasn't there to accept his apology.Well, he would any win no matter how small, he assured himself.“My apartment isn't much but do you wanna come in?” He asked graciously.Jo scowled. Seeing him face to face had awakened a hunger which had been steadily growing. How could someone look this handsome, she thought.Jo knew if she entered his apartment she might lose sight of why she'd come here in the first place and jump him.“No.” Jo said stubbornly.“You want to create a scene for the punks who li
Frame Me Chapter 22: II
The next day, Ruth heard the doorbell ding and went to open it. She didn't see snyone, just a package left on the doorstep.It had a tag which said 'For Jo'.She brought it into the kitchen and called Jo who was still in her room.Jo hurried to the kitchen, “Mum, who delivered that package?”Ruth shrugged, “I don't know. It only says it's for you.”Jo assessed the package critically.“Should I open it?” Ruth asked as she moved to do so.“No! Mum!” Jo said hastily.Ruth gave her a curious look, “And why the hell not?”Jo thought to what Ash had said about his father trying to get her, “Just let me handle this.”She opened the package and sitting innocuosly in it was an apple pie with the words 'I love you' inscribed on it.“Ash,” She said under her breath. He was trying to use apple pie to win her back. Her heart beat furious
Frame Me Chapter 22
Ash and Pascal sat at their favorite table in Jacob's diner as they waited for their orders to arrive.It had been Pascal's idea to come to Jacob's because Ash had been melancholy ever since he returned to Ganghaven. In fact, Pascal didn't understand what was going on between Ash and Jo.Last he heard, Jo was so in love with Ash, she'd taken a bullet for him. Ash had also been head over heels in love with her. He was sure the lovebirds still loved each other, so why were they even apart.I may never get to understand love, he thought.He looked at Ash who was caught up in some memory of some thought.“Yo, what are you thinking of, man?” Pascal asked, trying to distract Ash from his bad mood.“You know, I first met Jo here.” Ash said with a sad smile, “She was sitting at our table with her friends.”Pascal groaned inwardly. While trying to get Ash to quit thinking of Jo, he'd only compounded the prob
Frame Me Chapter 21: II
Ash heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Capo.“It's good to see you, boss.” Capo said with a grin.“You too, my man.” Ash said bringing in Capo for a hug. He didn't think he could explain how much he'd missed his second-in-command. Capo was his loyal confidante and adviser, who had never let him down. He felt so free with him.Too bad he couldn't say the same for the vultures under him at Greenwood Holdings. They were sycophants who only wanted to be friends with him so he could give them something in return.“How's business?” Capo asked.Aah grimaced. Even with his degree, running a company the size of Greenwood Holdings was difficult, “It's coming along. Yours?”“We've shut down most of the business your old man was running, which leads me to ask; after we finish the task, what next? Do we disband and look for other things to do?” Capo asked.Ash shook his hea
Frame Me Chapter 21
Jo forced a smile on her face as she opened the door to usher Andrea and Sia in. She was still living like a hermit in her mother's house, and she didn't want to diagnose what that said about her. She was making progress, she told herself, she was going to make a conversation with her friends even if it killed her.Andrea and Sia noticed her staring into space.“Yo! Earth to Jo!” Andrea said, snapping her to the present.“You okay? We could come back later, if you wanted.” Sia said, leading Jo to the nearest chair.Jo allowed herself to be led and when she sat down, she said, “No. I invited you here. We're going to do this.”“Ok. But there's no pressure,” Andrea said, turning on the television. There was a boring news broadcast going on, so they paid the television no mind.“How's your injury?” Sia asked, switching to physician mode.Jo raised her blouse up and let Sia examin
Frame Me Chapter 20: II
At last, Baines spoke, “How am I sure this is real, not some fabrication?”Ash spread his hands on the table, “You're a lieutenant. I'm pretty sure you'll find the same things I showed you, if you got your people to look hard enough.”Baines regarded him closely, “What's in it for you?”“If you're asking if I'm doing this for some reward or favor or something, the answer is no. Josiah's one of the bastards whose operations put Ganghaven in such a desolate state. He needs to pay for the lives he's ruined.” Ash said. He'd told Baines the truth, but not all of it. Back in Sia's clinic he'd vowed to eliminate all threats to her, both actual and perceived. One of those, was his father.Josiah, in order to get back at Ash could kidnap, maim or worse, kill Jo. In order to prevent that from happening, Ash had decided that his father must be in a place where it would be impossible to do that; jail.
Frame Me Chapter 20
20Lieutenant Ted Baines was disappointed in himself. How could he not have seen what was right under his nose? Due to his implicit bias, he'd thought those two gangsters were the culprits, not knowing it was one of his own men.He hated it when men who swore to serve and protect, did a one-eighty and became what they were supposed to fight. Damian of all people, too.Baines who'd always thought himself to be a good judge of character, couldn't believe he'd sorely misjudged him. His only consolation was that he wasn't the only one. Damian had fooled them all.From the information had been able to gather, Baines learned that Matteo had begun to suspect Damian, and had planted the cameras in the building to catch him in the act.Then he'd confronted Damian who responded by shooting him dead. Then, when Damian had asked to be given time to console his partner's widow, he'd actually gone back to the crime scene and watched what was on the
Frame Me Chapter 19: II
Jo felt a huge ache in her head when she came to. Her mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton and she still felt woozy. She cracked open her eyes and felt a moment of panic before she realized where she was. When her eyes were able to make out the people in the room, she recognized Sia, and her longtime assistant Liv.The first word that came out of her mouth was, "Ash."Sia placed her hand in hers and shook her head."Where is he?" Jo asked, getting hysterical. "I heard his voice when I was coming out of the drugs, or was that a dream?""No. He was here." Sia answered."Then where is he?" Jo asked, trying to sit up. Sia placed her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back to a lying position."He left." Sia replied."Did he say when he was coming back?" Jo asked hopefully."No.""For how long have I been here?" Jo asked."Two days." Sia answered, dreading the next question."W
