BOOTLEG LOVE

3

Evangeline was watching the clock above the mantle, counting the minutes. The party had started, but dinner had not yet been served. She would stay for dessert and then sneak out while everyone was occupied. “Evangeline.” She heard her brother call to her. She turned around and groaned inwardly as Winston approached with another gentleman at his side. “I want you to meet the man this function is for, future Mayor Quincy Hamilton.” He said, placing his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Quincy, this is my dear sister Evangeline Canyon.”

            He took her hand in his and kissed the back of her knuckles, very old-fashioned. Evangeline offered him a pleasant smile. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hamilton.” She said, pulling her hand back.

            “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Canyon.” He said with a wide smile. “Might I be so forward as to say that is a stunning dress? Very flattering.”

            “Thank you. So, you are running for Mayor? What is your platform?”

            His smile grew. “A politically-minded woman, how refreshing.” He had a charming smile. He was a good-looking man, too, with his clean-cut features and dark brown hair. He was older than her, probably older than both her brothers, but he seemed very nice. “Well, when I’m not campaigning, I’m a Detective with the Toronto Constabulary. I plan to clean up the city streets and rid us of the illegal liquor trade within our fair city, and if all goes well, maybe the whole province one day. I have big plans.”

            So, he was a vice cop. “My mother will be so happy to hear that. I’m sure she will vote for you.”

            “And can I count on your vote?” He asked leadingly.

            She just smiled. “I will certainly consider it.”

            “I pride myself on getting out to know the voters.” He said, stepping closer. “I would certainly like to know you better.”

            “Good Sir, I am but one woman. Your time would be better spent preaching to the masses.”

            “Perhaps, but tonight I am focused on you. May I sit with you at dinner so we may examine your political opinion better?” A man that actually cared about her opinion, it was odd but welcomed.

            “I would like that, yes.”

            “I see you two are hitting it off just nicely,” Winston smiled, “I will leave you to it then.” He said and walked away to mingle.

            Quincy smiled awkwardly as Winston walked away. “I think your brother is trying to set us up.” He was very astute. Her whole family was husband-hunting for her. She had to admit that Quincy was a bit better than the others. He was attractive, successful, and pleasant. She could really see this going someplace. “Don’t you just hate functions like this? I know they are necessary, but they are so dry and boring.”

            “Yes, they are Mr. Hamilton.”

            “Please call me Quincy.” He said with a charming smile.

            “That is awful informal. I hardly know you.”

            “I hope to know you better. May I call you Evangeline?” He asked leadingly.

            She thought it over for a moment, and though it was very personal, but she didn’t see how it hurt. “I suppose so.”

            “Wonderful.”

            “Dinner is served.” The maid announced from the doorway.

            “Shall we?” He asked, holding out his arm to escort her to the dining room.

            “Yes.” She linked her arm with his, and they walked into the dining room. Quincy pulled out her chair and tucked her into the table. He was such a gentleman. They spent diner quietly talking while the rest of the table discussed politics. It was hard to remember she was at a fundraiser while she was being entertained by such a wonderful man.

            Before she knew it, dinner was over, and they were seated in the garden, laughing and talking. It was like she knew him all her life. He was so easy to talk to. The moon was high in the sky, and the stars were shining bright it was utterly romantic. He took her hand in his, such a bold move. “I wish this night would never end.”

            “Me too.”

            “Unfortunately, it has to. I have to get to work. All the criminals come out at night, and I still have a job to do.”

            Suddenly she remembered Payton. “Oh my God, it is so late.” She said, shooting to her feet. “I have to go.”

            “Where?”

            She paused, not sure what to say. She couldn’t tell the vice cop she was going to an underground club. So, thinking fast, she lied. “Going to bed.” She smiled sweetly. “A girl does need her beauty sleep.”

            He came to his feet. “You don’t need it; you are already so lovely.”

            “Flattery will get you everything.” She teased.

            “Will it get me a lunch date tomorrow?” He posed an interesting question… did she want to see him again? She looked him over and thought, why not? “Yes, I think I’m free tomorrow.”

            “Wonderful. I will pick you up around noon.” Then he kissed her hand. “Until tomorrow.”

            “I will be counting the minutes.”

            “As will I.” With that, he went back into the house to leave.

            Evangeline rushed back inside and headed up the steps to her room to change for her night out. “I see things were going well,” Winston called to her from the bottom of the staircase, looking up at her.

            She paused and looked back at him. “Yes, he was very nice.”

            “Do I sense an infatuation between you two?”

            “If you are asking if I will see him again, yes, I will; tomorrow at lunch.”

            He was grinning with pride. “I thought you two would get on. You know he is going to be a powerful man one day, perfect husband material.”

            She shook her head. “There are no wedding bells as of yet; it is just lunch.” She said, continuing her way up the stairs.

            “Where are you going? The party is not yet over.”

            “I have a headache.” She lied. “I am going to bed.”

            “I will see that you go undisturbed.”

            “Thank you.” With that, she rushed up the stairs and into her bedroom.

            Evangeline took out a black flapper dress from her wardrobe with a matching hat and heels. She changed quickly and then stuffed her blankets with pillows in case anyone looked in. They would see a figure in the bed. Evangeline then opened the window and carefully climbed down the trellis. Once on the ground, she exited the yard and headed out into the street unseen.

            She walked down the block and flagged down a taxi; it was a long walk to the Greenwood area, and this late at night, she didn’t want to be caught alone on the street.

***

            Payton sat at a table in the back, watching the show. He took out his pocket watch for the hundredth time. It was early as far as the nightlife went, but it felt like it had been hours, and still, Evangeline was a no show. Finally, he tucked the watch back into his pocket and reached for his glass. She wasn’t coming, he decided. He was a fool to have thought she would.

            Payton was seated near the exit with his back to the wall so he could watch the entrance. He liked this spot; if ever there was a raid, he would be able to escape quickly. Not that running like a cockroach was in his nature, but if he got pinched, it would give the cops the probable cause to search his father and brothers’ houses and arrest them as well. There was too much at risk for him not to run.

            Wanda was on stage, shaking up the joint. She looked good in her white dress, a nice contrast to her dark hair. As he watched her, though, he couldn’t help but wonder what Evangeline was doing? Glancing back at the entrance, he watched as a small group of people came down the stairs. Three men and two women were not far behind them, a third woman who looked to be alone. Payton looked back at the stage for a moment before it dawned on him that the woman alone was actually Evangeline.

            She was actually there. Payton jumped up and drained his glass, placing it back on the table. He crossed the club to greet Evangeline as she reached the bottom of the staircase. She had a big bright, excited smile. “You came.” He said, helping her off with her tanned coat. She looked incredible in that little black dress. She idly pushed a lock of wavy golden hair behind her ear. Her ruby red lips curved in a sly smile that gave her an air of wickedness he loved so much. Her bright blue eyes were smiling at him.

            “I said I would.” She said, gazing up at him. “I’m just glad you came as well. I wasn’t sure after our last encounter. Mother was rude.”

            Payton draped her coat over his arm and gestured for her to follow him to his table. “It is not your mother that interests me.”

            “This place is so exciting.” She said as he pulled out the chair at the table, and she took a seat. “Look at the singer; she can really dance.”

            “She does entertain the patrons. Would you like a drink?”

            “That is why I came.”

            Payton waved over a waitress and ordered two drinks of the finest vodka Trenton ever made. He was sure she would like it. “So, how have you been?” He asked, sitting across the small table. He was so excited that she had come.

            “Well, I attended a fundraiser my Mother was hosting, and it promised to be perfectly dull, but then I met this man.” 

            Payton’s smile faded, his excitement doused like water tossed on a fire. “You met a man?”

            “Oh, yes, and he was so nice. Kind and thoughtful. A political candidate, so of course, my Mother will be giddy with delight. We are having lunch tomorrow. It promises to be quaint.” She thanked the waitress as she accepted the glass she offered. Evangeline took a sip and then began to cough. “Oh my, that has some kick to it, doesn’t it?”

            Payton laughed; she was so naive to the real world. “Give it time. After a few, you won’t even notice. After that, you may grow to like it.”

            Evangeline took another sip and looked into her glass thoughtfully. “I will take your word on that.”

            Payton took a sip from his drink and sat back in his seat. “So, tell me about this man you met.” He was dying to know what sort of man she went for.

            “Well, he is running for Mayor; my brother Winston is backing him.” Yes, he had heard that Winston Canyon had gone into politics; if the newspapers were correct, he was doing well for someone his age.

            “Is it wise to go out with a friend of your brother’s? What if it doesn’t go well?” In the real world, romance didn’t always work out.

            “I suppose we will just have to risk it. He seems very passionate about what he does.”

            “And what does he do?”

            “Well, presently, he is a vice cop with the Toronto Constabulary.” A vice cop? Payton sat up straight. His interest piqued and his nerve-ending alert. Did this cop know where she was going tonight? His club could be at risk.

            “What is his name?” He asked, taking another sip.

            “Detective Quincy Hamilton.” Payton spat out his drink, almost choking on it. Evangeline was shocked by his response. “Do you know him?”

            Did he know him? He was only the single most thorn in his side. “Yes, I have heard of him.” He said, placing his glass on the table. “Does he know you were coming here tonight?”

            “No, I didn’t tell him. I didn’t think he would approve.”

            “Good, let’s keep this our little secret.” He suggested and drained his glass in one shot, then gestured to the waitress for another.

            “You just drink this stuff like it’s water.” She noted.

            “I have had some practice.” He confessed. “You didn’t happen to tell him you knew me, did you?”

            She looked at him like he was crazy. “Why would I tell him about you?” So that was a no. Good, the less Hamilton knew about them, the better Payton would be. “How do you know Quincy?”

            The reference of his given name annoyed Payton. “You are already on a first-name basis?”

            She looked at him questioningly. “Why does that bother you?”

            He scoffed. “It doesn’t bother me,” he lied, “I’m just saying it seems a little fast don’t you think? You just met him, and already he is so informal. You should be careful with men that move so quickly. If you let them, they will take advantage of you.”

            “Your concern is sweet, but I think I can handle Quincy on my own.” She assured him, taking another sip from her glass. “You know this is getting better.” She said, tipping it back and draining the glass. “I feel a little fuzzy and warm.” She said, placing the glass on the table.

            Payton grinned; he had a feeling she would like it. “You want another?”

            “Yes, I think I would.” Evangeline looked around at everyone enjoying themselves. “I must say this place doesn’t look like the evil criminal gathering I have heard about.”

            “That’s because it is not. These are just everyday people. Hard-working people that just want to cut loose and have a little fun, and why shouldn’t they? Because some stuffy prudish politician says, it is immoral to have a drink.” He couldn’t keep the disgust from his tone. He, too, was passionate about what he did. “A man can die for his country, lose limbs in dangerous work environments, but they can’t have a drink. This is supposed to be a free country, but what does it say about our freedom when we let a small group of individuals take away our right to choose? People like your mother are forcing their opinions on others; tell me how that is fair.”

            She wasn’t smiling anymore; she was considering his words. “You have to admit crime is down since prohibition was instituted.”

            Payton laughed. “No, it is not; it is just unreported because God forbids the people know how ineffective this archaic law really is. People still steal, rape, loot, and murder others; the cops just keep it out of the papers so they don’t look foolish. They distract the populous by cracking down on the liquor trade so that people don’t notice how crummy this city really is.”

            “But the flow of illegal liquor doesn’t make it any better.”

            “I don’t know about that,” he said, accepting his drink from the waitress and ordering her another one, “I feel better.” He said, taking a big sip.

            Evangeline laughed. “You always were a bit of a bad boy. It would figure you would frequent these places. At least you are not selling it.”

            Payton forced a smile. It probably wasn’t a good idea to tell her what he really did for a living. Especially if she was pursuing a relationship with Hamilton, he clenched his jaw at the thought. He didn’t like the idea of Hamilton courting Evangeline. The guy was a weasel—a shifty little ferret with a badge. Then again, he supposed his opinion was a wee bit bias.

            If he was ever going to enjoy himself, he had to put politics and Hamilton to the back of his mind. Right now, he had Evangeline’s attention, and he had all night. He was going to have some fun. “Let’s dance.” He suggested.

            “Oh, I don’t know how to do that.” She said, looking at the small dancefloor and the few couples that were jiving.

            “It is easy. Just follow me.” He said, taking her hand and standing up.

            “I don’t know,” Evangeline said, pulling back.

            “You came out to raise a little Cain, so let’s cut loose and tear up the town.” He said, dragging Evangeline out onto the small dancefloor. Once on the floor, he took her hands in his and started off with some easy basic steps, which Evangeline caught on to quickly. She was always a fast learner; soon, they were jiving and swinging. The smile on her face was almost as bright as the one he was sure was on his own. He couldn’t remember having this much fun with anyone else.

            They danced until Evangeline was tired and thirsty and then returned to their table, where they polished off a bottle of vodka on their own. By the end of the night, they were laughing and carrying on like old times. It was as if they hadn’t missed a day. Things were so easy with Evangeline. They always had been; it was why he enjoyed her company so much.

            As the evening wound down, they were reminiscing when Wanda crept up beside him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. She kissed him on the cheek. “You ready to go, lover?” Evangeline looked a little surprised by this interaction, and Payton felt the need to explain, although he wasn’t sure why she herself admitted to seeing someone else.

            “Evangeline, this is….” What was Wanda to him? “…Wanda Derricks. Wanda, this is Evangeline Canyon, an old friend.”

            “A pleasure to meet you,” Wanda said, shaking Evangeline’s hand. “I’m Payton’s girlfriend.”

            “Really?” Evangeline smiled politely, her questioning gaze drifting back to him. “Payton never mentioned a lady friend.”

            “I bet he didn’t.” Wanda teased, taking his chin between her thumb and forefinger and giving him a little shake. “It would ruin his chances. The big lug is a womanizer, aren’t you?” Payton pushed her hand aside and just offered Evangeline an awkward smile. “But he always comes back to me, so I forgive him.” Evangeline lifted one golden eyebrow; she clearly didn’t understand the sort of relationship he had with Wanda.