Making a Killing
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:24 pm
As directed, I arrived at Pyopas’ office today. She only had Tomato Face there with her; the other two were obviously off running errand. She was probably counting on us being in the middle of a building staffed by over a thousand cops to keep me from coming across the desk at her.
She was right, and that definitely didn’t make that dark feeling at the pit of my stomach go away.
Back when I thought she was just a corrupt government employee I felt okay in dealing with her until she slipped up and let me bring her down. Now that I knew what she was . . . or rather wasn’t, I wished I’d brought along a vest packed with TNT.
But there would be time for those sorts of things later. For now, I had to deal with the situation in font of me.
“Have a seat Mr. Grant.” We’d played that game before and both made our points. I slowly put myself in the chair, obviously unhappy about the situation, but not fighting. I can’t say that I’m all that good of an actor, but fortunately, I didn’t have very far to get into character.
She smiled at me as warmly as a shark smiles at a thrashing tuna. “Excellent, I wasn’t entirely certain you’d turn up. I was afraid we were going to need to look to other means of securing your co-operation.” Just enough hint of an underlying threat in that statement to make sure I knew that she’d send her goons back after me and those I cared about again if she had to.
“Well, about that. I think we need to adjust our working agreement.”
She feigned surprise. “Oh, and how would you suggest we revise it?”
I reached into my coat pocket and Tomato Face shifted uncomfortably for a moment – he was nervous.
Good.
I pulled out the flash drive and tossed it to Pyopas. “My conditions are on there.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment before she reached down and plugged it into the front of her computer. “What’s the file name?”
“It will open itself, just click yes when prompted.” I watched her scowl and waited for her to click. “The way I see it, if I pull off what you’re proposing, I’m going to have every law enforcement agency in the country breathing down my neck. So I need some assurances that you’ll help me get away,”
“And how do you propose I do that?” She continued to read.
“Well it’s in there, but I figure a deputy director in the Department Of Homeland Security like yourself should be able to pull some strings and get me and my family placed in the witness protection program. Does that sound feasible Ms Pyopas?”
“We’ve already made arrangements such that if you escape the event may be pinned on a number of undesirable individuals already on our terror watch lists.” She folded her hands. “A new identity for you would not be necessary.”
“So when I kill this guy for you, you’re going to make it look like a terrorist attack?” I chuckled. “Well that helps a lot, what happens if I do get caught?”
“You shouldn’t. DHS is running security for the event here in DC later this week. My associates will arrange a window for you to get close to the target and leave it open long enough afterwards for you to escape unmolested.” She opened a drawer in her desk and fished out an envelope. “This has all the details of where and when.” She tossed it to me. “You’ll also find the weapon inside.”
“Okay then, so how about some financial recompense for me and my family then? In order to blackmail me for this you’ve had me falsely arrested, my home and business raided. A large number of my personal possessions damaged or destroyed. I’ve been unable to work for weeks and my reputation of course will never be the same.” I paused for a moment. “I think I deserve some kind of reward for putting up with all that at the very least, let alone taking this guy out for you.”
She chuckled. “You are not as idealistic as I thought. I approve. It still gets you nothing. You must understand Mr. Grant this is not a negotiation. You will kill the target, you will hide our involvement or you, and your family will pay the price. I will personally make sure your daughter is in a place where soft, tender white girls fetch top dollar. I will make sure that blind girl never leaves her hospital bed except to go to the morgue. I will make sure to rip your heart from your chest myself and EAT IT BEFORE YOUR EYES WHILE YOU STILL LIVE!!!!” Her voice rose to a crescendo and her fist slammed so hard on her desk the old oak cracked.
She took a moment and composed herself. “Have I made myself clear?” she asked in her pleasant little voice.
“Yes.” I sagged, defeated.
“Good.” She pulled the flash drive from her computer and tossed it to me. “Now take your stupid list of demands and the instructions and get out of here.”
I left, trying not to smile.
She was right, and that definitely didn’t make that dark feeling at the pit of my stomach go away.
Back when I thought she was just a corrupt government employee I felt okay in dealing with her until she slipped up and let me bring her down. Now that I knew what she was . . . or rather wasn’t, I wished I’d brought along a vest packed with TNT.
But there would be time for those sorts of things later. For now, I had to deal with the situation in font of me.
“Have a seat Mr. Grant.” We’d played that game before and both made our points. I slowly put myself in the chair, obviously unhappy about the situation, but not fighting. I can’t say that I’m all that good of an actor, but fortunately, I didn’t have very far to get into character.
She smiled at me as warmly as a shark smiles at a thrashing tuna. “Excellent, I wasn’t entirely certain you’d turn up. I was afraid we were going to need to look to other means of securing your co-operation.” Just enough hint of an underlying threat in that statement to make sure I knew that she’d send her goons back after me and those I cared about again if she had to.
“Well, about that. I think we need to adjust our working agreement.”
She feigned surprise. “Oh, and how would you suggest we revise it?”
I reached into my coat pocket and Tomato Face shifted uncomfortably for a moment – he was nervous.
Good.
I pulled out the flash drive and tossed it to Pyopas. “My conditions are on there.”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment before she reached down and plugged it into the front of her computer. “What’s the file name?”
“It will open itself, just click yes when prompted.” I watched her scowl and waited for her to click. “The way I see it, if I pull off what you’re proposing, I’m going to have every law enforcement agency in the country breathing down my neck. So I need some assurances that you’ll help me get away,”
“And how do you propose I do that?” She continued to read.
“Well it’s in there, but I figure a deputy director in the Department Of Homeland Security like yourself should be able to pull some strings and get me and my family placed in the witness protection program. Does that sound feasible Ms Pyopas?”
“We’ve already made arrangements such that if you escape the event may be pinned on a number of undesirable individuals already on our terror watch lists.” She folded her hands. “A new identity for you would not be necessary.”
“So when I kill this guy for you, you’re going to make it look like a terrorist attack?” I chuckled. “Well that helps a lot, what happens if I do get caught?”
“You shouldn’t. DHS is running security for the event here in DC later this week. My associates will arrange a window for you to get close to the target and leave it open long enough afterwards for you to escape unmolested.” She opened a drawer in her desk and fished out an envelope. “This has all the details of where and when.” She tossed it to me. “You’ll also find the weapon inside.”
“Okay then, so how about some financial recompense for me and my family then? In order to blackmail me for this you’ve had me falsely arrested, my home and business raided. A large number of my personal possessions damaged or destroyed. I’ve been unable to work for weeks and my reputation of course will never be the same.” I paused for a moment. “I think I deserve some kind of reward for putting up with all that at the very least, let alone taking this guy out for you.”
She chuckled. “You are not as idealistic as I thought. I approve. It still gets you nothing. You must understand Mr. Grant this is not a negotiation. You will kill the target, you will hide our involvement or you, and your family will pay the price. I will personally make sure your daughter is in a place where soft, tender white girls fetch top dollar. I will make sure that blind girl never leaves her hospital bed except to go to the morgue. I will make sure to rip your heart from your chest myself and EAT IT BEFORE YOUR EYES WHILE YOU STILL LIVE!!!!” Her voice rose to a crescendo and her fist slammed so hard on her desk the old oak cracked.
She took a moment and composed herself. “Have I made myself clear?” she asked in her pleasant little voice.
“Yes.” I sagged, defeated.
“Good.” She pulled the flash drive from her computer and tossed it to me. “Now take your stupid list of demands and the instructions and get out of here.”
I left, trying not to smile.