Shiver on the Sky

by David Haywood Young

  * * *

  Atkins moved to Danny’s body and checked for a pulse. He nodded to Viktor, who closed his eyes briefly. Atkins left the room.

  “Why here?” Applewhite demanded, his eyes bulging. “Reinhardt was going to take him tonight, after he left the office. Why involve us in that part of it?”

  Viktor glanced at him. “Evidence, of course. I record nearly everything that happens in this room.”

  Applewhite turned red. “So you can blackmail me,” he said. “But I already said enough in here. A tape of me watching your man kill Sheffield wouldn’t matter much at this point. And what was that business when you called him ‘cousin’ anyway? Were you related, or is this some South Texas version of The Godfather?”

  “Something like that,” Viktor said. He heard the door open, and turned toward it in relief. Atkins reentered, preceded by a white-haired man.

  Applewhite blinked. “Jameson?” He looked at Viktor. “I don’t understand.”

  Viktor shook his head. He was tired, but he owed the man an explanation. “Reinhardt conspired with Sheffield to kill my son. After inserting himself into the situation when he heard my interests were involved, Jameson brought the facts to me. It was necessary that I do something for him in return. I’m afraid that with you out of the way he believes himself to be in line for a promotion.”

  “You’re insane.” Applewhite kept blinking as he wiped his forehead, which had begun to sweat profusely. “Heard about your interests? Jameson was transferred from Florida! Why would he know anything about you? Or care?” He fought with the chair, finally managing to stand. “I’m prepared to give you a contract for millions. If you rock the boat this way, Jameson won’t necessarily be able to do that, even if he does get my position.” He threw his arms out angrily, his eyes fluttering. “Come on, man! Be reasonable. You gain nothing from this.”

  Viktor shrugged. “I do apologize. But this is simplest in the long run, and I have given my word.”

  Jameson, standing in front of Sheffield’s body, drew his gun and fired. Then, lips twisting, again.

  Applewhite windmilled his arms as he fell. One eye had become a bloody hole. The other stared fixedly at the wall, blinking no more.

  “I suppose they shot each other,” Jameson mused. “Very sad. Probably it was Atkins’ testimony about the woman’s death that drove Sheffield over the edge, and Applewhite defended himself.”

  He walked further into the room. “We’ll need to fire another couple of rounds with blanks and the guns in their hands to create the proper residue. And we’ll need some plastic tarps I have in my car, to ensure we don’t get powder in inappropriate places. It’s much safer than moving the bodies. Unless we have them appear to have fired from the floor?” He pulled on his lower lip, then smiled at Viktor. “Don’t worry about it. The crime scene techs will see what we want them to see. And we saw the whole thing, so there won’t be much of an investigation anyway.”

  “Certainly,” Viktor said. “And Reinhardt?”

  “He’s linked with Sheffield. He brought in the CyberLook proposal. Unfortunately he wasn’t here when this tragedy occurred, and it seems he’s taken off somewhere.”

  Viktor waited. Jameson smiled again, spreading his hands. “Three bodies struck me as far less plausible than two. And running away does tend to confirm his guilt.” His smile sharpened. “I’m quite sure he won’t be found.”

  Viktor nodded. “Very well. I’ll just get out of your way until you have our stories prepared and we can call the police.” He moved to the door.

  “And, Mr. Bentley . . .”

  Viktor looked back.

  “I look forward to a long, and mutually profitable, association.”

  Viktor smiled gently. It was good to deal with one of his own kind. But it was also necessary to ensure that the relationship got off on the right foot.

  “I do so as well…cousin.”

  Jameson flinched slightly, but nodded. Viktor turned and left, his left wrist throbbing again. Yes, he’d thought Jameson might have found a way to listen in to the earlier conversation. Now Jameson knew he’d been found out, and a subtle threat had been delivered, given the context. Excellent. Viktor approved of economy of effort.

  Outside the room, he slumped slightly and leaned his forehead against the wall. His chest constricted. His son was gone, and there was nothing further Viktor could do about it.

  Worse, he didn’t want to do anything. He just wanted to be left alone.

  Viktor had seen others go that way. They lost interest in the game, and soon afterwards they lost everything. Perhaps some form of retirement might be worth looking into…if he could find a place to hide.

  But running away lacked dignity, and was completely devoid of panache. Also, it wasn’t possible. He could hide on land, but sooner or later he would have to return to the water—and what then?

  He would simply have to be in better form tomorrow.

  A few moments later, he straightened up and went to challenge Atkins to a game of chess while they waited.

  ***