He absently strokes his eyebrow with his middle finger, staring blankly at the table in front of us for a moment.
“For you to be prepared to part with eighty million dollars in total, this hit must be big — high profile… near impossible. Am I right?”
I shrug, giving nothing away.
“I am surprised there is a job in existence that would be deemed too much for the legendary Adrian Hell to handle on his own. I admit, I’m intrigued…”
Oh my God, what an ass-hat!
I lean forward, rest my forearms on the table, and lower my voice. There’s no music playing in here, and I don’t want anyone to overhear our conversation.
“I’m going to kill the person responsible for the 4/17 attacks.”
He matches my body language and strokes his eyebrow again. “Now, this I do not understand… Did the president himself not announce almost two weeks ago that the person behind the attacks was in custody?”
I nod. “He did. But he’s lying.”
“And why would the president lie?”
I hold his gaze so he can see the truth in my eyes as I speak. “Because the president is the one responsible.”
He stares at me for a moment, and then sits back quickly in his chair clapping his hands slowly and laughing. “You are very good, Adrian. Very good! You almost had me convinced. But there is no way anyone would make a serious attempt on his life. And there is no way anyone would believe your, frankly, outlandish claims regarding the largest terrorist attack this world has ever seen.”
I shrug and lean back myself, adjust my position in the chair, and get comfortable. I can see this conversation going on awhile.
“I have proof.”
He stops laughing and raises a curious eyebrow. “Proof?”
I nod. “Aside from the fact I was there, in the room, when the big red button was pressed, I have information — documents that prove the president was behind it all. I could go into the finer points of it all with you, but if I’m honest, there’s no need. It won’t change the fact that he needs taking out. That’s the job, Fernando… Are you in or out?”
He’s quiet for a few moments. “And you’re offering me twenty million to help you?”
I nod. “If we succeed, the money’s yours.”
“And if we don’t?”
I shrug again. “Then we’ll probably be dead, so the money’s irrelevant.”
He smiles humorlessly. “While you say I should be a salesman, Adrian, I fear that is not a skill set we share.”
“To be honest, I’m growing tired of making my sales pitch. Call me old-fashioned, but this situation, to me, is the ultimate example of simply doing what’s right. And with everything that’s at stake, I like to think of it as a no-brainer.”
“If that’s true, why such a lucrative payday?”
“Because the right thing to do is rarely the easiest… or the smartest, in my experience. People like us… sometimes we need a bit more convincing.”
“True. And what’s in it for you? You’re not getting paid for it…”
“No, I’m not. I tried to leave this life behind, and that bit me on the ass. But I’m not here for the money. I’m here because it’s right. Because it’s necessary. And I’m the only one who knows the truth. So I view it as my responsibility to do what other people can’t.” I check my watch. Ten minutes. Ruby should be here in another five. I need to wrap this up — I don’t want her coming in here and these two having a thing. “So, what’ll it be?”
More silence and chin stroking, which I’m sensing is more for show than anything. He knows what he’s going to do.
“I’m afraid I must decline you’re… generous offer.”
I frown, genuinely surprised. “Really? Even after everything I’ve told you… even knowing what’s at stake?”
He nods and smiles. “Yes. I will be honest with you. I’m already working a contract in addition to my exclusive work in the city…”
To quote any Star Wars movie, ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this…’
“… I appreciate you taking time out of your busy life to explain your job offer to me, but I’m afraid it was very much wasted breath.”
My gut is knotting up with frustration and adrenaline as my spider sense goes off the scale. I tense every muscle in my body, counting down in my head how long I have until Ruby comes in here with a gun.
I grit my teeth. “Well… if you’re not interested, you’re not interested. I’ll just be on my way.”
The European leans forward again, holding a hand up. “I’m… heh… I’m afraid you can’t do that, Adrian. Sorry.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You know, it’s ironic, really. All the people in this world who want you dead yet you’re still your own worst enemy.”
I sigh. “I’m really starting to dislike you.”
I’m starting to worry, too, but I keep that hidden. I don’t have time for concern right now. I suspect I’m about to have a very bad day.
“Yesterday, I was approached by someone with a job offer. An offer even more lucrative than yours. They wanted me to take out five targets. Discretion wasn’t necessary but success was. And, get this… they offered me seven-point-five million per target. Per target, Adrian! That’s thirty-seven-and-a-half million dollars total!”
I fight to keep any trace of concern from my face. “That’s good work if you can get it. Congratulations on the contract.”
“Thank you.”
“And how’s it going for you?”
He shrugs. “Honestly? Easier than I thought. I’ve taken two of them out so far.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you…”
He smiles. “You’re not.” He reaches inside his suit jacket and takes out a cell phone. He taps the screen, swipes to the right a couple of times, and places the device on the table, spinning it around to show me. “Here’s my first target.”
I look at the screen.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
It’s Ashton Case. He’s lying on the floor with a hole in his head and a pool of blood surrounding him.
I consciously think about how I should react. I’m surprised, but… not that surprised. Yes, it’s a shock to see Ash dead. And I feel responsible, because I dragged him into this. But at the same time, I knew from the moment we pulled up outside something wasn’t right here. I knew it. And I hate when I’m right about shit like this and don’t listen to myself.
Fuck.
I stare into The European’s stone-gray eyes. I make a mental note of the time, the date, the weather outside, the color of the barman’s tie — every single detail about this exact moment. Because it’s the moment when I decided this sonofabitch is going to die, and I want to remember everything about it for when the time comes.
He smiles at me and swipes the screen. “And here’s my second.”
He’s not trying to hide how much he’s enjoying this. Piece of shit.
I stare at the screen again, but this time I frown. “Who’s that?”
He pauses for a moment, confused, but then acts like he’s just realized something. “Ah, you must not know this person. He was the last name on the list Mr. Case gave you.”
Oh.
I shrug, trying to remain calm while I think of all the ways I’m going to hurt him before I let him die. “Well, I appreciate you showing me. Saves me a trip.”
“Ha! So arrogant…”
“Thanks.”
“You won’t talk your way out of this, Adrian. Once I’ve disposed of you and my dear, sweet Ruby — who I assume is waiting outside? — I’ll be heading to finish off Mr. Briggs before collecting my paycheck. Would you care to tell me where he is? It’ll make things much simpler.”