It was almost dawn. The station was buzzing with activity. Relatives were already waiting outside, ready to make bail for their arrested kin. I couldn't get in, so I tried asking one of the coppers if they picked up a girl named Loren Order. He said no and told me to go home when I saw a familiar face. I tried to call his attention.

"Mr. Donavan! Commissioner!"

He heard me, nodded his head in recognition and walked towards me, but I didn't expect to see the face of the man who followed him close by. It was the G-Man himself, Lorne Order. A woman walked beside him, her features hidden by Mr. Order's coat draped over her head. It was Loren. There was no mistaking it.

"AJ," Commissioner Donavan nodded. I could only nod back. He looked at me, then at the twins. He knew not to dip his fingers in this. "I'll leave you three alone. You know where to find me, Agent Order."

The G-Man's eyes seethed with anger and I saw it coming a mile away. I expected him to hit me instead he opted for a verbal lashing.

"I trusted you, AJ," the man said. "I left her and Myna in your care. You swore to me you'll watch over them. And this is what happens! I can see by your face, that you've been fighting again. Well, I hope the purse you won tonight was worth it."

I failed to protect Loren, plain and simple. I had no excuses for that.

"Get her out of here. Take her to Myna. She'll know what to do."

I didn't say a word. I took Loren's hand guided her to the scooter. She held on tight as we drove through the streets that led to The Ritz.

"You could have at least told me," I told her gently. "I wouldn't stop you from singing."

"I don't want to talk about it, AJ. Can we stopover at my apartment? I need my toothbrush."

****

Ms. Myna and Gyn were waiting outside the Ritzy when we arrived. It was one of the longest scooter rides of my life. Ms. Myna had a kind look on her face, and immediately took Loren to her living quarters on the third floor to get cleaned.

"Take the day off, AJ. Gyn too. Its been a long night," Ms. Myna said, as I wrapped an apron on my waist.

"Don't worry about the service. Gyn gathered the crew already. You go on and clean up."

I thanked my boss and was about to go upstairs when Loren appeared at the landing. I think I knew what was going to happen, and she's already made up her mind about it.

****

I gave Ms. Myna a bear hug and thanked her for everything she's done for us. Gyn did too, wiping her tears as she kissed Ms. Myna on the cheek. She asked again if we really had to leave. I looked up the window where Loren watched.

"It's for the best, Ms Myna. You know that. The apartment Madame Yu leased us before is just two blocks away. I'll make sure Gyn is here first thing in the morning."

"And you?"

"I'm a jack of all trades right? You don't have to worry about me." I knew she doubts it, but she nods anyway.

"I forgot to tell you. I saw a woman last night, in the alley by the back door."

"I met her. Told me I was in danger. She sounded Spanish. I haven't told Lorne yet."

"Tell him when he gets here. I'll come back tomorrow and add a dead bolt to that door. Keep it locked. I know he'll send someone to watch you, but better to be safe. I'll try and find out more about these warnings that seem to be flying around town. Okay?" With that I walked to the scooter where Gyn was already waiting. Loren was already gone when I looked up the window again.

"Ready, kid?" Gyn held on to our bags as she bit from a log of Tootsie roll.

"Ready."

I started the scooter and noisily made our way to our former home. I guess I'm back to the streets where I started. Not how I would've wanted it to happen, but I've been told it's for the best.