Chapter 63: Eleanor Blackheart

Eleanor Blackheart was minutes away from chairing her first meeting as the queen of her criminal empire. Her unveiling had been delayed but nothing could stop the second wave. The streets of fort canon weren’t ready for the widow and two of the most powerful drug cartels were her enemies. She was in her room watching the sea from the comfort of her window. Dressed in a red suit, matching red lip gloss and black shoes, her blond hair cascading down her back like a giant waterfall. A tear broke from her eye when she remembered how long it had taken for her to realize that dream, how many people had died, how many she had killed and betrayed, the sacrifices and heartbreaks. All of it was finally paying off.

A knock on the door startled her, she quickly wiped the tear. No one wanted to see their leader crying. But when it opened the man who walked in was allowed to see her for who she was. She let them flow and he ran to wipe them with the back of his hand.

“Hey, look at me. You deserve this. You’ve worked your whole life for it now it’s time to celebrate”

“Maybe I’m better off being in the shadows”

“And I’m better off in my leather half coats and a T-shirt yet you have me rocking a suit”

She smiled proudly adjusting his tie. Their eyes met and he kissed her lightly.

“Will you be comfortable?”

“It’s a new version of Knox. It will take some getting used to but I’ll eventually be there”

“And being number two?”

“I started from nothing and lost everything. This time I’m starting from experience. I’m lucky to have a job and a girl by my side besides I don’t trust your safety with anyone…”

Another knock interrupted their conversation. Catherine walked in dressed like Eleanor except hers was a dress and she was In trousers.

“You two better get out before you start fuckin again”

“Ouch !”

“Knox! Sorry but get your ass out of here!”

He obediently left. Catherine made sure the door was bolted before she ran back to Eleanor.

“Are you getting cold feet?”

“I was”

“Oh and he sucked it all out” she mocked going into her purse for more lipstick, she reapplied it on her lips, “I want you to go out there and show those boys who’s boss. You hear me?”

“Yes mum!”

“I’m actually your assistant. But who cares let’s go!”

Eleanor

Catherine’s words boosted my morale. Before leaving the room I took one last look in the mirror and breathed in and out three times then like a possessed woman, with my head held high and my shoulders protruding I walked out flanked by Catherine, Knox joined us on the way and three of us walked downstairs which had been converted into a conference hall with a long table, seated around it were men and women who were going to help me expand my empire. They all got on their feet when they saw us approaching. The seat at the head of the table was empty a white golden framed Chester with the logo of my organization a serpent eating its own tail and a “W” in the middle.

On my right was the attorney and my left was Knox beside him Catherine and my able double Annette. I waved at them to seat and then words abandoned me all I had were memories. It was time for them to have a piece of me of who I really was.

“Thank you all for coming. Some of you have heard of the name Eleanor Blackheart on the news lately or in the corridors of the criminal underworld. Unfortunately I’m no longer number one on the most wanted anymore but with your help I’m planning to reclaim my spot”

There were a few chuckles. Luck was on my side, the government miraculously gave up the search and I quickly dissappeared on that list…the miracle was courtesy of my attorney. We still hadn’t discussed the tricks he pulled.

“Some twenty two years ago a six year old girl was seated in the backseat of her family car her parents were in the front" I felt a smile crack across my face that was my favorite memory, “The mother was a teacher and the father a police officer. At that time he was working on a case that involved a top government official, the official was accused of murdering a guy he thought was screwing his wife. When the family was at the bridge a lorry intentionally rammed into them and their car plunged into the river”

They were listening attentively. It was the first time I was telling this story without crying. And that’s when I realized indeed I was ready.

“Deep down at the bottom of the lake the father struggled to free his little six year old out of the seat belt, his wife was passed out and bleeding fro hitting her head. The girl managed to swim away and the father went back to free his wife but then a speedboat full of gunmen came a long and shot them dead as if they weren’t already going to die. The girl luckily got carried away by a wave after witnessing her parents gruesome murder”

That one got to me a little and I was almost breaking down but Knox secretly held my hand and massaged it. He gave me strength knowing he was there for me I didn’t have to face life alone anymore.

“That same day, a notorious ex-army jewel thief was on that lake ready to drown herself when she saw this girl she figured perhaps nature was giving her a second chance. So instead of dying she took up the girl and went back home. When the girl came around she narrated her story to this stranger who seemed happy to have rescued her and she promised to help the six year old get justice. Not the kind you find in courts. Vigilante justice”

I took my seat back and scanned the table with my eyes. Each and every one of them was attentively looking at me.

“The jewel thief was Eleanor Blackheart the original Eleanor Blackheart. After months of searching for Angela Dawson the police declared her dead and Eleanor Blackheart was born. By ten I knew how to shoot and make explosives, by twelve I was doing Kung Fu, jujitsu and judo, by fifteen I could move in stealth and hack I also did ballet for fun, by twenty I could steal anything from anywhere with a good plan and right team I also killed everyone who killed my parents. By twenty four I had lost the woman who rescued me but I made friends and vowed to ensure her name lived forever” I looked at the attorney who couldn’t be more proud, “And now I’m not alone anymore”

Knox held my hand. Catherine was holding back tears and Annette looked like she wanted to give me a hug. The maids started serving glasses and pouring whiskey for everyone on the table.

“You’re not alone either. All of you here except the attorney has lost someone to the corrupt justice system or to the two gangs that run the streets of fort canon. All of you want to make things right, all of you want to see crime thrive with order. They want to take it away from us and they are using us. Jax and Axel Reed. I don’t have the evidence yet but soon I will have it but until then…” I paused to look at them, “…until then. I want you to know that there’s a war between the ghosts and the shadows. We can either fight it together or against each other. The choice is yours”

In all my life I had never seen anything more motivating than seeing them lift up their glasses one after another, once the glasses were raised we all drank to seal the deal and then it was the attorneys and Knox’s turn to explain how we were going to operate and move the products. Leaders of every block of the city were appointed and I just watched my dream unfold right in front of my eyes.

“Boss, we are ready for you”

I almost looked behind to see who Knox was talking to before I realized it was me. The foot soldiers were ready to go and they were waiting for my blessing.

“Go out there and tell them the widow is coming!”