Yury Rostov hated Wednesdays. Nothing good ever happened on Wednesdays. It was the middle of the work week and always seemed to be twice as long as any other day. So when the achromatic tiger rolled out of his warm bed Wednesday morning it was fair to say he was in a sour mood. Even when the nimble hands of his girlfriend slid around his waist in an attempt to get him to stay in bed, Yury only growled and pulled free.
“For heaven’s sake,Yury you’ve been up for 30 seconds and you’re already in a bad mood.” Rameka tried to keep the whiny tone out of her voice but failed. All the lioness got in response was a short grunt. She shrugged her shoulders before rolling over and going back to sleep. Yury shuffled over to the bathroom and turned the tap, he had enough courtesy to close the door to muffle the noise from the water filling the bathtub. As he waited for the warm water to fill the clawfoot tub he stepped in front of the mirror that was above the sink. His eyes widened a bit at the reflection the mirror presented to him.
“Getting a bit old,” He tugged at the tuffs of fur that stuck out from his jawline, “Could use a trim, eh?” He chuckled to himself as he fussed over his appearance. It wasn’t too long before the tub was filled halfway and Yury slid in, it was a tight fit. As he reached for the washcloth that was draped over the edge he thought again to his poor choice in plumbing fixtures. He had recently remodeled most of the Victorian style house and the bathroom was a point of disagreement for Yury and Rameka. She had insisted that a beautiful clawfoot tub would be better suited for the space while Yury had wanted a large corner tub with gold faucets.
They went back and forth for a bit until Rameka made him an offer he just couldn’t refuse. So here he was stuck in a too small bathtub, trying not to make any sudden movements to avoid sloshing the water around too much. He grumbled some more before stepping out of the tub to dry off. While he was brushing his teeth a familiar sound reached his ears, Rameka was singing a little tune as she made the bed. His lips twitched in amusement before he went back to his morning routine.
“Yury, I’m making waffles. You want in?”
“Can’t. Late.” He gave her a short kiss before putting on his coat and stepping outside into the chilly winter air.
The drive to the club was short and Yury spent it contemplating the radio drama that had become his life. As he pulled into the parking lot a couple blocks away from his club Yury spotted a familiar face emerging from a cab.
“Samka, you’re late.” The elk didn’t even turn his head as he flipped him the bird over his shoulder. Yury gave a low growl as he tried to control his temper, he assumed Ike was still upset about the altercation they’d had last week. Yury could admit that he had taken it a bit too far but honestly Isaac was out of line speaking to Rameka that way. He decided to leave the elk alone for now and fell into step with him as they reached the back entrance to the speakeasy. Ike brushed past him to get through the door first and Yury had to refrain from reaching out and smacking him across the back of the head. He could be so childish at times. If Isaac didn’t get over his hurt feelings soon Yury may have to shake some sense into him. The tiger spied Dee in the corner of the storage room attempting to pry open a dusty crate, his curiosity was piqued and he wandered over.
“What’s this?” He motioned to the mysterious crate.
“Dunno, found it in the back of the truck. Must have been loaded up when I went to pick up the gin from Lori.” As he finished the sentence the wooden lid gave way and splintered, wood shards spraying in every direction. The pair peered into the box and their eyes widened.
“Is that…” Yury couldn’t bring himself to finish the question.
“I know what it looks like, but I’m hopin’ I’m dead wrong.” Dee gingerly picked up one of the neatly wrapped white blocks. Yury watched Dee reach in his pocket and retrieve a small Swiss Army knife. The horse took a steadying breath before jabbing it into the foil covered block, his eyes widening when he spotted the white powder at the end of it.
“That’s coke alright.” The appaloosa wrinkled his nose in distaste.
“Coke? What the hell is Lori doing with a bundle of cocaine?” Yury muttered to himself as he looked through the crate for any other blocks of contraband.
“Beats me.” Dee placed the block back into the crate and took a step back. The two looked at each other not exactly sure where to go from here. While the Spiked Tiger wasn’t an entirely above board establishment, it was far from the more seedy speakeasies that delved into the drug business. Yury had long ago decided that while the drug trade offered more income the risks were far too great. He had taken control of the booze trade easily enough and he had seen what greed did to people in his homeland. In fact Yury was so far removed from the drug underworld that he only knew one businessman who was tied into that world. The only one who was brave enough (or dumb enough) to try and control both hooch and drug trading in New York.
“This reeks of Sappo.” Yury growled as he turned his heel and stormed back into the main area of the Spiked Tiger.
“Samka!”
“Yeah boss?” Ike’s antlered head popped up from behind the U shaped bar.
“Get Sappo on the phone. Now.” Yury didn’t wait to get a response before barging into the dressing room.
“Jesus, Yury don’t you knock?” The irritated hiss from Jezebel only made the tiger roll his eyes.
“I don’t need to knock. I own this place.” Yury grumbled, “Rehearsals have been cancelled today. We also won’t be opening tonight.”
“What do you mean we won’t be opening tonight?” Tanya stopped putting powder on her cheeks to turn around and fix Yury with a glare.
“I can’t explain now but it would behoove you to gather your things and leave as quickly as possible” With that ominous warning Yury left the dressing room, heading back towards the bar.
“Sappo’s on the line. He don’t sound too happy.” Ike motioned to the phone and went off to continue cleaning the glasses. Yury picked up the receiver and spoke into it.
“What are you up to?”
“Interesting I should hear from you, ese.” Sappo sounded slightly smug.
“I’m not in the mood for games, Sappo” Yury’s patience was already paper thin and Sappo’s laissez faire attitude was tearing away at it.
“Believe me, this is no game. That would imply that you have a chance at victory” Sappo’s voice had an air of malice to it and it made Yury’s blood run cold.
“What’s your endgame here?” If Yury’s hunch was right he was in for a world of hurt.
“Vengeance” The word was followed by a dead dial tone. Yury slammed the receiver back on it’s hook, letting out a low growl.
“What’s got you so ornery?” Jezebel leaned over the bar counter, her eyes full of curiosity.
“Sappo.” Yury needn’t say anything else.
“Oh.” Jez sighed, “What’s he done now?”
“I think he’s trying to set us up. Before you and the girls leave empty out the dressing room of any contraband or questionable possessions, Ike and Dee will start breaking down the store room.” Yury walked around the bar and ascended the stairs to his office on the ‘second’ floor of the building. He rummaged around in the drawers of his desk growing more frustrated when he couldn’t locate what he was looking for.
“Hey, Jez says you want us to start breaking down the booze room?” Ike looked at Yury with worry-filled eyes.
“Yes, I’ll be down to help in a minute. I have to make a call first.” Yury said while still sifting through papers on his desk.
“What’s going on?” Ike stepped into the room.
“Our good friend Sappo set us up.”
“Flatfoots are coming? Here?” Ike’s eyes bugged out in fear.
“Yes, so quit yapping and start moving the booze!” Yury shouted and motioned for Ike to get out. The elk didn’t need to be told twice and he scrambled out of the office. Soon after, Yury found the slip of paper with a phone number on it. He picked up the new-age phone he had installed in his office a few days before and turned the dial to reach the operator. After being transferred the line rung twice before someone on the other line picked up.
“Hello?” The silky voice sent a small spike of pleasure racing down Yury spine. He cleared his throat before speaking.
“It’s me.”
“Kitten?”
“Don’t call me that.” Yury grumbled.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I need your warehouse.” Yury was starting to grow impatient and he hoped this wasn’t going to be dragged out.
“Again? Darling you can only owe someone so many favors, you still haven’t repaid me for the last one.” Yury detected a slight annoyance in their tone.
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“Hm, I suppose.”
“Thank you, Rhea.” Yury hoped he sounded more grateful than annoyed.
“What’s in it for me?”
“What do you want?”
“I want to see you.” Yury could picture a smirk settled on the puma’s ethereal face.
“I can’t. I told you, we’re through.”
“Oh come now, I just want to chat, maybe have dinner. Just friendly conversation.” Rhea’s voice held an air of mischievousness to it.
“Nothing is ever ‘friendly’ with you. But fine. Just dinner.”
“Great, I’ll have Rosco meet you at the warehouse with the key. You can pick me up tomorrow night at 8.” Rhea didn’t wait for Yury to respond before hanging up. The achromatic tiger rubbed his temples, concerned with the mess he just got himself into.
He hadn’t seen Reha in years, and with good reason. The cougar was a femme fatale, she was the daughter of the mayor and had an abundance of wealth at her disposal. When Yury first came to America he had run across the feline at a bar, she was breathtaking and fully aware of her effect on men. The two had hit if off and started a whirlwind love affair, though soon Yury saw Rhea for what she really was. A user and a manipulator. She was a toxic woman and turned Yury into some mindless puppet that did whatever she asked him to do. Even though they weren’t together anymore, occasionally he fell back under her spell. Now though he had Rameka, which made this all the more uncomfortable. He wasn’t afraid to admit that he loved the lioness, she was fiery and brazen and everything Yury wanted in a woman. Though he was not sure how she would feel about him having dinner with an old flame, it was a necessary evil. Not wanting to waste time dwelling in the past Yury stood up from his desk and made his way back down to the club.
“Samka!”
“Yeah?” The muffled shout came from the store room.
“After you’ve loaded everything onto the truck take it to the warehouse. Rosco will be waiting.” Yury didn’t wait for a response before picking up a case of liquor and carrying it to the truck. It took them a couple hours to load everything and almost as soon as Ike drove off with the goods the police arrived. The bell that alerted the employees of the Spiked Tiger that there was a visitor at the store front rang. Yury and Jezebel scrambled up the stairs, Dee and Evelyn right behind them. The first floor of the establishment served as a decoy for the police, it was a cigar shop with a hidden staircase that lead down to the speakeasy. Just as they were dragging the heavy baroque painting over the entrance to the staircase the bell rang again, this time followed by a bang on the door.
“Yury Rostov? Open up, this is the NYPD. We have a warrant to search the place.” The familiar voice of Officer Randall had a bit of Yury’s anxiety ebbing away. Randy was one of the officers on his payroll.
“Officers, what brings you by my establishment on this fine day?” Yury put on a crooked smile.
“I think you know what we’re ‘ere for.” A burly reindeer pushed his way to the front of the small group of officers. Yury frowned, it was Officer Clark, the suspicious try-hard that had been after Yury since he arrived in America.
“Please, have a look around. And if you see something you like, I’ll sell it to you for half price.” Yury forced another smile and stepped aside.
“Is that an attempt to bribe us?” Officer Clark raised an eyebrow.
“Not at all.”
“Look here you rotten piece of eurotrash, I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you. I mean a Russian selling Cuban cigars? You’re hiding something.” Clark poked Yury in the chest and it took all of the feline’s willpower not to deck the reindeer. The officers wasted no time in rummaging through the store, overturning tables and ripping out drawers. Cigars littered the hardwood floor and the employees just looked on with apprehension. Yury’s heart rate picked up when one of the officers meandered towards the back room. He pushed open the swinging door and sniffed around. The bloodhound’s ears perked up as he caught a scent and his searching became more fervent. Yury hoped the smell of tobacco would cover up the scent of alcohol that lingered.
“Alright fellas, suffice to say that we were given a bum lead. Sorry ‘bout the mess Yury.” Officer Randall rallied his troop. The bloodhound was a bit reluctant to leave, his face showing uncertainty, as if he was debating on speaking up. In the end he decided against it and with a sidelong glance at Yury he quietly left with the others. Yury let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding.
“That was too close for comfort.” He grumbled as he went about straightening up the place.
“I guess the fink didn’t tell ‘em about the speakeasy then.” Dee’s voice was laced with relief.
“Yeah, guess not.” Yury said absentmindedly. He’d have to give Randy a hefty sum to thank him for his cooperation in the ‘sting’.
The group finished cleaning the store front and Yury dismissed them, informing them that the Spiked Tiger would be closed for the remainder of the week. Though Jez and Evelyn put up a bit of a fight at the loss of income Yury promised them he’d make it up to the girls. He locked up the place and slid into his car. Before he started up the engine he steadied himself, he might have acted too hastily in cleaning out the speakeasy. He should have guessed that Randy would do what Yury paid him to do and steer the investigation away from the club. As the sun dipped down below the horizon Yury was glad that this Wednesday was coming to a close.