someone to meet him. Makes sense, he won’t get far in pink PJs.
And I’m guessing you told this someone to keep you posted, keep you informed of his every step, to keep you in the loop.”
“ Are these assumptions supposed to impress me?” the suit lashed out, clenching his fist to keep his hands from trembling.
“No Mr. Phil. They’re supposed to scare some sense back into you.
Now I’m guessing this fella you sent did report in. Diligently. Ceaselessly. Unfailingly.
Until suddenly he didn’t?...”
The man’s brow flickered, a bead of sweat forming on his crown.
“Probably has something to do with the fact you sent him into the heart of the Alps, alone, unarmed, to meet with one of the decade’s most vilified killers.
If I were to guess, you have not heard diddly from this previously un-shut-up-able young man for nigh on two hours now. I haven’t checked the clocks myself mind, but I would guess this time coincides with his scheduled rendezvous. The rendezvous with the star of that snuff film we just watched on your ceiling.”
Suddenly feeling as small as he seemed, Big Phil wiped at his eyes, his nylon shirt drenched in a sweat both cool and profuse.
“And Big?” Rook’s voice thinned to a whisper as he inched forward, his rounded frame creeping across the desk, imparting dire secrets.
“Y-Yes!” he gulped.
“I’m not actually guessing.
Lancet is tying up loose ends.
He approached you because you are small time, you are inexperienced, you will not be missed. He’s just out of Tarturus, so he’s obviously got no cash. It’s a prison, for Christ’s sakes! What possessed you to even agree to this, Big?”
The squat man tried to answer, but his throat seemed to lack the moisture for it.
A few thousand feet up, Molly sniggered to herself. Histrionics were very hard to resist when Sabs had a target doped. And Rook was clearly having a whale of a time discovering this.
“ He is going to take your service, your clothes, your starting cash and even your safe house. And then he is going to kill you, partially because he’s an appalling human, but mainly because he’s a frugal one. It’s cheaper!
Hell, t hat’s what I di... that’s what I’d do...”
“H-he promised. He told me... he promised.” Big Phil’s composure had evaporated, leaving a naked, desperate soul bereft of hope and poise. Rook made a mental note to compliment Sabs on a job well done.
“Don’t feel bad , Big. People lie. My own mother made some pretty outlandish claims about toys, chimneys and a fat man dressed in red. The wagon had me well and truly duped!
It boils down t o this single question. And unfortunately you have no time to think, confer, or google the answer, because I need it from you right now.
One answer leads me to an address where I can set a trap for this butcher before he does any more damage.
The other leads me back downstairs, where I wait patiently for Lancet to stroll into this very establishment and murder you where you sweat...
I probably meant sit.
True, the former is more convenient but either way I’ll catch him. So I don’t actually have all that much riding on your answer.”
Big Phil forced a shell of calm upon himself, breathing deeply, marshalling his thoughts . He had been content as he was; exploiting and swindling on the small time. Then thoughts of riches and infamy had warped his common sense. Now, given the alarming alternative, he would be more than happy to return to those roots.
“What’s the question?” the heavyset figure sighed, sitting forward in his chair, arching his fingers in a practised gesture.
Rook smiled,
“Right you are, Big Phil. So, would you like to continue being alive?”
*
Slouched in the back of the chopper, Rook pulled off his grubby t-shirt. The bruising from his morning beating had faded, merely a yellow tinge dyeing already knitted ribs. His skin was preternaturally pale, devoid of scars, acne or even freckles. Stealing unnoticed
And I’m guessing you told this someone to keep you posted, keep you informed of his every step, to keep you in the loop.”
“ Are these assumptions supposed to impress me?” the suit lashed out, clenching his fist to keep his hands from trembling.
“No Mr. Phil. They’re supposed to scare some sense back into you.
Now I’m guessing this fella you sent did report in. Diligently. Ceaselessly. Unfailingly.
Until suddenly he didn’t?...”
The man’s brow flickered, a bead of sweat forming on his crown.
“Probably has something to do with the fact you sent him into the heart of the Alps, alone, unarmed, to meet with one of the decade’s most vilified killers.
If I were to guess, you have not heard diddly from this previously un-shut-up-able young man for nigh on two hours now. I haven’t checked the clocks myself mind, but I would guess this time coincides with his scheduled rendezvous. The rendezvous with the star of that snuff film we just watched on your ceiling.”
Suddenly feeling as small as he seemed, Big Phil wiped at his eyes, his nylon shirt drenched in a sweat both cool and profuse.
“And Big?” Rook’s voice thinned to a whisper as he inched forward, his rounded frame creeping across the desk, imparting dire secrets.
“Y-Yes!” he gulped.
“I’m not actually guessing.
Lancet is tying up loose ends.
He approached you because you are small time, you are inexperienced, you will not be missed. He’s just out of Tarturus, so he’s obviously got no cash. It’s a prison, for Christ’s sakes! What possessed you to even agree to this, Big?”
The squat man tried to answer, but his throat seemed to lack the moisture for it.
A few thousand feet up, Molly sniggered to herself. Histrionics were very hard to resist when Sabs had a target doped. And Rook was clearly having a whale of a time discovering this.
“ He is going to take your service, your clothes, your starting cash and even your safe house. And then he is going to kill you, partially because he’s an appalling human, but mainly because he’s a frugal one. It’s cheaper!
Hell, t hat’s what I di... that’s what I’d do...”
“H-he promised. He told me... he promised.” Big Phil’s composure had evaporated, leaving a naked, desperate soul bereft of hope and poise. Rook made a mental note to compliment Sabs on a job well done.
“Don’t feel bad , Big. People lie. My own mother made some pretty outlandish claims about toys, chimneys and a fat man dressed in red. The wagon had me well and truly duped!
It boils down t o this single question. And unfortunately you have no time to think, confer, or google the answer, because I need it from you right now.
One answer leads me to an address where I can set a trap for this butcher before he does any more damage.
The other leads me back downstairs, where I wait patiently for Lancet to stroll into this very establishment and murder you where you sweat...
I probably meant sit.
True, the former is more convenient but either way I’ll catch him. So I don’t actually have all that much riding on your answer.”
Big Phil forced a shell of calm upon himself, breathing deeply, marshalling his thoughts . He had been content as he was; exploiting and swindling on the small time. Then thoughts of riches and infamy had warped his common sense. Now, given the alarming alternative, he would be more than happy to return to those roots.
“What’s the question?” the heavyset figure sighed, sitting forward in his chair, arching his fingers in a practised gesture.
Rook smiled,
“Right you are, Big Phil. So, would you like to continue being alive?”
*
Slouched in the back of the chopper, Rook pulled off his grubby t-shirt. The bruising from his morning beating had faded, merely a yellow tinge dyeing already knitted ribs. His skin was preternaturally pale, devoid of scars, acne or even freckles. Stealing unnoticed
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