Harry Watt Bounty Hunter

by Rob Guy

  “Really?” Harry was beaming from ear to ear.

  “Really. Now make room, Mr Bounty Hunter, big game about to land.”

  Harry was gazing upon beauty and lust incarnate. But deep inside there was a little voice getting steadily louder. Just one month ago that voice would have been beaten senseless by his all-powerful, unstoppable, pitiless libido. But now it was shouting at him.

  Raquel had her hands on his cheeks and was kissing him passionately. It took all of Harry’s will power to take those hands and break free.

  “I can’t do this, Raquel. I can’t.”

  “What are you talking about? I’m ready, and I know you are. I need this. I need you close.”

  Harry frowned. This definitely wasn’t right. She was almost pleading. Were those tears? But he had to stop her.

  “I’m not the man you met on The Dragonfly,” he said. “I have people who are depending on me. Shit, I’m depending on them.”

  Raquel looked stupefied for a moment. She looked down at him, poised and ready to give her what she wanted. But his face told a different story. She stepped back and put her head in her hands.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, and started to cry.

  “Hey, it’s okay, really.”

  “Can you just hold me for a minute, please?”

  Harry took her in his arms and did as she asked. He kissed the top of her head and just let her cry.

  Finally they parted.

  “Thank you, Harry,” Raquel sniffed.

  “I wish you’d tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Missed my chance, haven’t I?”

  Harry chuckled. “Afraid so. But that’s not it.”

  She laughed too. “No, it’s not. I’ll be all right. Never thought I’d say this, Harry, but she’s a lucky woman. And I guess I am, too. Hope we can stay friends.”

  “Of course. But you’re evading my concern, Raquel. What is it? Why can’t you tell me?”

  “I hope to, soon.”

  Harry shook his head. “I’m confused, but the women in my life tend to do that to me.”

  Raquel laughed, sniffed, and wiped her nose and eyes. She looked down. “He’s still keen, I see. Sure you don’t want to?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Oh well.”

  “I think we’d better get dressed.”

  Together they picked through the pile of clothes on the floor, swapping some, dressing with others. All the time, Harry couldn’t shake the thought that Raquel was in trouble. Something was worrying her, but for the life of him he couldn’t see what it was.

  He dressed quickly in the corner, keeping his back to her, also at odds with himself. How things had changed. Just a few short weeks ago he would not have hesitated to bestow upon Raquel any sexual favors she desired. But it was now evident to him that Raquel was really seeking company. No, not company. Security, that was it. Harry didn’t know what was troubling her, but he vowed to himself that he would do all he could to protect her.

  That’s more like it, Harry my boy. Wow, things have changed!

  Once dressed, he sprang up and turned to face her, deciding to keep things cheerful. He clasped his hands together. “Now then, my lady. Coffee?”

  “Sounds good,” Raquel replied, half smiling.

  As it turned out, Harry needn’t have gone to so much trouble. Sachinyo would have made a pretty good Bureau officer with her observation skills. She had noticed on more than one occasion that the Harry up on topside was always clean-shaven, never a shade of blue on his face, whereas the Harry below decks carried persistent stubble. She asked to meet him in the crews’ recreation room, and after having first apologized for not believing him before, told him of her discovery.

  Harry leaned back, and put a hand to his forehead. “Of course. Oh boy, I am so lame.”

  “What is it?” asked Sachinyo.

  “The FaceChanger. The effects only last for about three days without re-application, and during that time no facial hair will grow. The process sterilises all the follicles. It can take up to a year for a man to start shaving again. I missed that. Boy, am I dumb.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” said the charming Japanese, and she put a hand on Harry’s knee. He pretended not to notice. “You have had a lot to think about these last few days.” They locked eyes, and Harry could see what was coming next if he didn’t do something. To avoid anything he might regret, he picked up Sachinyo’s tiny hand and squeezed it gently in a gesture of thanks.

  Sachinyo smiled. “You are an honorable man, Harry-san.”

  Harry looked surprised. “Well, I’ve been called many things but never that. But maybe I’m not as honorable as you think. I had a plan in place to take your card without your knowledge, and my means of persuading another party to do it were far from honorable.”

  “You mean Raquel?”

  “What? You know Raquel?”

  “Of course. We go way back.”

  Harry fell back on the couch, his hand back on his forehead. “Well of course you know her. Why should I be surprised?”

  “I have another surprise for you. Raquel will be here soon, and you must go soon.”

  “Go? Go where?”

  “To meet with Miss Heidi of course.”

  Harry bolted upright. “What? Now? Tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mon Dieu!” He started drumming his fingers on the table, and abruptly looked unsure about things.

  “Are you okay?” said Sachinyo.

  “I think I need a drink, but I just remembered I’m on the wagon till I finish the case.”

  “I think you can allow yourself one if it will calm you.”

  “Agreed.” Harry stood up and tried to get the waiter’s attention, but he was busy talking with two men at the pool table. “I’ll just be a moment.” He walked over to them. “Excuse me, I need a screwdriver.”

  Harry received the default answer. “What needs fixing, bud?” asked the waiter. All three men laughed.

  “Ha ha. Very funny. Vodka and orange juice?”

  “I know how to make a screwdriver, bud,” replied the waiter with disdain. “Sit back down with your dyke friend and I’ll bring it over.” He appeared angry that Harry had interrupted their conversation, and obviously thought nothing of slandering Sachinyo. The two other men chuckled, and fingered the pool cues like weapons. They eyed him with the same scornful expression before resuming their game. Harry decided that three against one were not good odds, and this was hardly the time to start a fight. He merely grinned, and returned to his seat.

  “Friendly types,” he said to Sachinyo.

  “Ignore them, Harry-san. Lower elements.”

  “Assholes more like. The kind of people you would highly enjoying beating the crap out of, not that I’m a violent person. But for those three I can make an exception.”

  Sachinyo handed over her card, but as Harry made to take it, she held onto it. He looked at her. “There is only one caveat,” she said. “You lose this, you still lose your teeth.”

  “Understood. Thank you, Sachinyo. You will get your reward I promise.”

  “Just get that asshole. Miss Heidi will be waiting for you in the crew maintenance locker room, deck seven, forward. Got it?”

  “Yes, crew maintenance locker room, deck seven, forward.”

  “You will not have long. The crew rotation takes place at the time of your tryst. That should give you around twenty minutes.”

  “Plenty of time.”

  “Miss Heidi has bribed the butler from the adjacent suite for his key. You had better get going. This is a big ship. From here it will take you around ten minutes. Oh, hi.”

  Harry looked up to see Raquel enter the room, wearing something that he now recalled getting a brief glimpse of at their first meeting. She drew stares from all, men and women, as she walked over to them. Even the inbreds playing pool stopped their game to gaze upon her. Her yellow dress clung to her hips and enhanced her breasts, if that were possible, and pleate
d out from the knees to form a corrugated train behind her. Her hair was up, and her only jewellery was a sparkling blue sapphire necklace, and an equally glittering small pocket book. Upon her feet were a pair of open-toed silver sandals. She was a vision.

  “Wow! You look great,” Harry said, always ready to volunteer the obvious, and stood up as she approached. He made a big deal of kissing her on the cheek for all to see. They parted, and Harry searched her eyes.

  She’s nervous about something, and it’s not her date. What is it?

  “Hi yourself,” she said, her sad eyes trying to smile. “You ready?” she said to Sachinyo.

  “Absolutely I am.”

  The two women left to the same chorus of staring eyes. Harry took the moment and watched them leave, smiling slightly, despite his concern for Raquel. Yet he dared to believe that finally his luck might just be changing for the better.

  Poor sap.

  26

  Heidi Reunited

  Harry’s hand was shaking as he placed the card in the slot. He heard an electronic click and pushed open the door. He was surprised to find the room quite well lit. It was grimy, and in places his boots stuck to the floor. Used overalls hung on the rust riddled walls, and the smell of paint and oil permeated the air.

  He called for Heidi. There was silence for a moment before he heard a movement off to his right. From behind a row of lockers, Heidi emerged, carrying a small bag, her face half stricken with fear. He approached and she receded. Harry stopped, noting her expression.

  “It’s okay, it’s me. It’s Harry.”

  “What did Chisato give you that first meeting?”

  “What?”

  “Tell me!”

  “A flower.”

  “What color?”

  “Red.”

  Heidi’s expression changed in an instant from uncertainty to one of untold joy and relief. “Oh, Harry! It is you!”

  She dropped the bag and came running at him, and flung her arms around his neck. She kissed him and he kissed her, and she sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay,” Harry said, over and over. He wanted to appear to be the man in control, the omnipresent masculine, but now he had Heidi in his arms it all came out.

  “Christ, I thought I’d never see you again,” he said, tears rolling down his cheeks.

  “Don’t let me go, don’t let me go.”

  “Never. God it feels so good to hold you.”

  “Harry.” Heidi continued to cry without heed, her mouth wide open, her body racking in his embrace. She put a hand to her eyes and just cried it all out. Harry could do nothing but hold her, and breathe words of comfort until she had spent herself.

  Finally they separated, and looked at each other.

  Heidi slapped him hard across the face. “You bastard! I was so worried about you.”

  “I’m so sorry, Heidi.”

  “Come here, you son of a bitch.”

  They hugged and kissed again for what seemed an age. Harry stroked her fine blonde hair, breathing in her scent with eyes closed and heart open. But it had to stop. He pulled away and spoke.

  “Listen, we don’t have long. How are Angel and Chisato?”

  “Angela is bearing up. She knows I’m meeting you.”

  “Good. And Chisato?”

  “She can’t understand why Harry-san is so horrible to her. His voice goes right through you. She’s confused. It’s, it’s heartbreaking to see her like this.” Heidi’s bottom lip began to tremble, and it took all of Harry’s self-control to prevent himself from demolishing the room.

  “What happened after I left?” he asked.

  “There was a knock on the door. Angela answered it. That bastard must have been watching the hotel, waiting for you to leave.”

  “Go on.”

  “He told us he was a friend of yours from the Bureau. I was sceptical, of course, but he had correct and current ID.” Harry laughed bitterly. “He said he needed to speak with you. He said you shouldn’t have come to Venus Station, that Headlock had men looking for you. He said he wanted to help. He sounded so convincing, so genuinely concerned for your welfare.”

  “I’m sure he did. I’m not blaming you, sweetness, not by any stretch, but you should have waited for me.”

  “You bastard. Of course I was going to wait for you. Yes I was pissed at you for trying to find this damn Raquel woman, but just what was I supposed to do?”

  Harry closed his eyes. “Christ, I’m sorry. I’m a jerk.” He decided, though it didn’t require a PhD in common sense, not to mention the fact that Raquel knew Hackman.

  “Yes, you are. But then what am I supposed to do when this friend of yours pulls a gun and aims it at Chisato? Not me, not Angela, but Chisato?”

  “He what!”

  “Aimed it right at her and smiled.”

  “Jesus Christ.”

  “He then proceeds to inspect every room of the apartment, with Chisato as his escort and Angela and I tagging behind, scared out of our minds, wondering what this maniac has planned for us. Then he sees the FaceChanger, and well, you can guess the rest. I’m done talking about that son of a bitch.”

  There was a long silence between them while Harry fought for the right words to say. In the end he said simply, “I’m sorry, Heidi. Forgive me, please.”

  “I will, in time. But it’s hard at the moment.”

  “I understand. But there’s something I need to know.” Harry set his teeth. “Has he…”

  Heidi took a second to comprehend the unfinished question. “No, he hasn’t. He’s more of a sadist than a lover I think. I would even go so far as to say he’s a misogynist.”

  “Has he hit you?”

  Heidi could see how Harry was struggling. “No, not me,” she replied with fresh tears welling in her eyes.”

  “Tell me. I need to hear it.”

  “He’s struck Angela twice, both times she came between me and him. Chisato he is just plain angry with. She cries constantly, asking us both why you’re being so mean.”

  That did it. Harry screamed, and kicked and thrashed at the metal about him, Heidi’s pleas going unheard. After a minute he calmed down, gasping for breath, his arms stretched out, holding onto the lockers, as if bracing for an impact. He felt Heidi’s gentle touch upon his shoulders.

  “I swear to you that bastard will pay,” he said. “I swear.”

  Heidi laughed, and wiped her nose. “Oh, I know that. I’ll kill him myself if you don’t.”

  They embraced one another again, both silent, contemplative. Then Harry’s mind, working over what Heidi had told him, produced a fresh set of questions.

  “What I don’t understand is why would Hackman go to all this trouble simply to get onboard? Headlock could fly him to Mars in his own personal bloody ship.”

  “It’s simple,” said Heidi.

  “It is?”

  “It’s like I said. The man’s a sadist, pure and simple, maybe even a psychopath. He told me, told us all, that he killed his wife before he went out and killed Larry and almost killed you. He laughed as he recalled how he tried to frame you for Rogers’ murder. He also talked about killing a security guy on The Dragonfly.”

  “Bruce. Goddamn it. Did he say why?”

  “He was asking questions about the proper clearance for the pseudo-asbestos. All the other security men were keeping quiet, taking their money. This Bruce fellow knew something wasn’t right.”

  “Hackman told you all of this?” Heidi nodded. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense to me.”

  “No, I mean why would he tell you? Unless he knew you were meeting me. He wants me to know.”

  “No, that’s not possible. Sachinyo and I were very careful, obviously.”

  “I don’t doubt that, sweetness. But he’s a cunning little shit. Something’s not right.”

  “Don’t say that, Harry, you’re scaring me. We’re all alone up there. He keeps reminding Angela and me what will
happen to Chisato if we try anything. It’s never me or Angela, always Chisato.”

  “It’s the way of the sadist. You got him nailed. I will take great delight in causing his demise.” Harry stretched his arms against the locker, straining himself and taking a deep breath.

  “Well, that’s good to hear,” said Heidi. “I abhor violence, but for that bastard I can make an exception. But what I want to know is, what happens now? How do you plan to get us away from that monster?”

  Harry shook his head. “I can’t, not yet anyway.”

  “You can’t? What the hell is that suppose to mean?”

  Harry turned to face her. “Listen to me. I need you to be strong.”

  “I am strong, goddamn it! You’re not making sense.”

  “I need to know what Hackman is up to.”

  “To hell with what he’s trying to do! I cannot stand another minute in that bastard’s company, do you understand? None of us can.”

  “I do, but you need to listen. We are only eight days from Mars. I need to know what Hackman plans to do next. It’s my guess he’s going after Petersen as well.”

  “I don’t give a damn what he’s up to. What about Angela and Chisato, and…. And me, goddamn it!”

  Harry took Heidi by the shoulders. “Listen to me. He cannot suspect a thing. If you stopped to think for a second you know I’m right. You have to go back. Tell the girls.”

  “Chisato won’t understand. You don’t understand. If you don’t have the balls to kill him, then I will.”

  “Now who’s the one not making sense? You can’t just kill a man and expect to get away with it.”

  “Who said anything about getting away with it? I’ll kill him and that’ll be the end of it. I’ll go to prison, but at least I will have freed my two girls from that pig.”

  Harry sighed, and lifted his head. “Okay. How do you plan to kill him?”

  “With your gun.”

  Harry frowned, and looked down at her. “How’s that? He has Captain Chaos?”

  “Yes. He keeps it in the gun safe, but I know the combination. I shoot him with your gun. I think that’s how it should be, after what he’s done.”