Danger Money

by John Van Stry

  Once inside I quickly looked for the master bedroom and bath, finding it I sniffed the toothbrushes until I found the one with his scent. Not hard as there were only two there.

  Then I very carefully worked my poison onto the bristles, so it wouldn't show. That took a while because I wanted to be sure I had enough. Not that it would take very much, Riacin was potent - more so than Cyanide. Even in a raw a state as this.

  Then I carefully backed out of the house, making sure not to leave a trace. Once I was well away I went to the local train station and headed back to New York. I had an appointment to keep, lest he get suspicious and realize it was just a grouping tactic to open himself up somewhere else. Siedman wasn't stupid, I just hoped he wasn't too paranoid like I was.

  On the train I ignored the looks I was getting and wondered what would happen. This wasn't the smart thing to be doing, I knew that much. But I honestly didn't know what I should do. I had nowhere to go, nobody to go to. I sure couldn't run forever, I had been found on Alexandria and I was sure to be found no matter where I went. You couldn't run from a corporation as large as Tri-Star.

  I should know, I had killed a lot of people who had tried.

  When I got to Penn Station I went in search of a place to clean up. There weren't any public baths for my kind in the city of course. Eventually I bribed a bellboy with the remainder of my cash and got a quick shower in some nameless hotel. He looked surprised as a spotted cat emerged from where a black one had entered.

  "What's a matter, never seen a cat change its spots?" I laughed as I walked by him and out of the place. It was two o'clock and rather nice outside, so I walked all the way down to Saint Marks. Surprisingly I was unmolested the whole way. When I got to the Tromo-Do I wasn't too surprised that nobody said a word as I walked in and found a seat in the back. They even served me a drink when I ordered one, and humored me by letting me open the bottle myself.

  Hey, I made a career out of being paranoid, if I stopped now nobody would believe it. Right?

  It was ten to three. I sat and looked around at the people who were seated in the place. Most didn't seem to care I was there, a few seemed unhappy, and two seemed to be trying really hard to ignore me. I assumed those two were corporate security. The rest were probably just regular folks. At three o'clock I finished my beer and stood up.

  And guess what? Dammed if Siedman didn't show up himself, I guess he still trusted me to behave and follow orders. He probably wanted to make a big show out of the whole thing as well. I shucked my jumpsuit, leaving it on the table with a heavy 'thunk' from all the hardware inside. The corporate people twitched, but seemed to relax a whole lot more as I was now naked as the day I was born, and obviously had left a lot of dangerous hardware well out of reach.

  "Mr. Siedman," I said as I made my way over to where Siedman stood watching. "I'm sorry to have been gone so long, but I wasn't able to get back any quicker. It seems a former employee was trying to keep me from coming back to work."

  "Anybody I know?" He asked quietly.

  "Knew," I said and smiled nastily. "And they told me some really horrid lies too." He looked a little concerned at that, but smiled as I continued quietly, "But you know how some people will say anything to survive."

  "Yes I do Jotun," and he stuck out a hand, which I shook smiling dumbly for his benefit. "It's good of you to come back," He continued and motioned to the car out by the front door. "And don't worry about that person, they needed to retire anyway. You actually did me a favor."

  I headed to the car, limping a little as my leg was sore from all the walking I had done that day, and I sure didn't need to hide it anymore.

  "You okay?" he asked seeming concerned as I reached for the door.

  "It's nothing sir. I'll be able to go back to work for you immediately."

  It took a major act of will power not to turn around as I opened the door. I could smell the excitement all over him. Plus he wasn't following me very closely at this point.

  "Why hello Jocel," I purred as I opened the door. "Funny meeting you here." And I jumped at her just as I felt the sting of a dart in my back. For her part she just hit me with a shock rod and watched me twitch until I passed out.

  The last thing I heard was Siedman bragging to his bodyguard as he closed the door. "Old age and Treachery gets these fools every time, remember that ..."

  I knew I would.

  I came too suddenly, I didn't know where I was, only that it wasn't safe. I tried to jump up but I was shackled and could only flop around. As I opened my eyes I remembered what had happened, and saw Jocel standing over me grinning.

  "Not so smart, are we Jotun?" And she hauled off and kicked me in the leg digging in with her claws.

  I nearly yelled from the pain, the bullet wound was still tender and she opened most of it back up. But I got myself under control.

  "That was for the pepper gas in the face the other day!" She snarled. "This is for leaving me naked and tied for two days on Alexandria!" She drew her leg back.

  "What about what I did to Tresha?" I smiled.

  "And I'm not forgetting about Chicago either." she hissed, and then proceeded to beat the living daylights out of me. Quite professionally too, didn't break a thing and I didn't pass out for over two hours as she covered me with bruises from head to toe. She probably would have gone on even longer but when I threw up on her, she lost her temper and accidentally knocked me out. At least I think that's what happened, it's hard to tell when you're getting your head kicked in by a pro.

  When I came back too again, I was moving. Or rather I was in the back of an airtruck that was moving. As I opened my swollen eyes I noticed that it was not the same truck I had been so expertly beaten in. At least somebody had been kind enough to clean me up.

  I tried to move and gasped with the pain. My body felt like one whole bruise.

  "Don't move," A quiet female voice said, "you'll only feel worse."

  "Can't imagine how!" I coughed and then cried out in pain as I rolled over to face my new keeper.

  "I warned you, your back has some deep cuts."

  "Yeah, Jocel was pretty pissed at me." I looked up to try and see who it was.

  "Tresha!" I gasped when my eyes finally focused for a moment. "What are you doing here? Come to get a few kicks in yourself?"

  "No," she turned away and looked embarrassed. "I'm not like that. Besides you weren't that bad to me."

  "Jocel didn't seem to think so!"

  "That's just because you made a fool out of her four times. And Siedman rubbed her nose in it too."

  "Four times? I only counted three," I mumbled dizzily, my head hurt something fierce.

  "After we got you he fined her for getting blood on the seat of his limo. A quarter of a mil."

  "Shit, no wonder she hates me. Where we going anyway?"

  "I don't know, nobody does."

  "Well, it's probably only a one way trip for me anyway." I said with a sigh. "Do me a favor, ask Jocel to come back here okay?"

  "Why?" She said looking surprised, "she'll just beat you some more."

  "Don't ask, just do. Okay?"

  She thought about it a minute, then shrugged and went to the front of the truck. It was then that I noticed there was a door that opened into a cab. As she opened it I could see the Wolf driving, the male Ferret with a large gun watching me, and Jocel.

  Who turned and looked at me, rather madly too as Tresha talked to her. But she got up and came over, with Tresha in tow.

  "Leave us please Tresha?" I said quietly.

  "Yes please do," purred Jocel. "I wouldn't want to upset you."

  "So, do you like pain? Is that it?" She asked once we were alone.

  "Hell no, but I'd rather spend my last few minutes among my own kind, is that so strange?" and I tried to smile up at her, failing miserable I'm afraid, my face was far too swollen.

  "Trying to charm me won't work Jotun," She hissed.

  "Oh, I'm just giving credit were credit is due. That's all. I
didn't think there were any cold hearted bastards left in the company now that I was gone. Other than the Human's that is."

  "Why you…" And she kicked me in the ribs, I felt one snap that time.

  "See?" I coughed. "Even I never went in for the torture thing, at least not unless I needed information. You seem to do it for fun."

  "Do you know what you cost me?" She hissed. "Siedman fined me half a mil!"

  "Tresha said it was only a quarter."

  "She doesn't know about the fines after what happened on Alexandria and in Chicago!" She hissed again. "After this, I'll be lucky to get any good jobs."

  "After this you'll be dead." I whispered.

  "You're not one to be making threats!" She laughed.

  "I'm not," I said and sighed in pain. I wished my head would stop pounding, it made it hard to concentrate. "Listen we both know that when this truck gets where it's going, I'm dead. Hell I don't even know why they've let me live this long.

  "But I know Siedman, and I'm a mess he has to cover up. I could ruin him and he knows it. Don't you think that he'll decide to play it safe and wipe out you and your friends as well?"

  She pondered that idea for a couple of minutes.

  "I'm not letting you go. So you can give it up!" She growled.

  "That's not what I'm after. I lost my team, all of them. That's why I really don't care what happens anymore. I've gotten my revenge and I'll pay the devil his wages. But I suggest you cut your team loose and start looking for a deep hole. Maybe his replacement will let you live."

  "His replacement? What are you talking about?" She started, but just then the truck banked and the door opened.

  "What is it Frack?" she yelled at the Ferret annoyed.

  "We just got new orders. We're to go to someplace in Colorado."

  "What?" she looked confused.

  "I'm serious boss. We're to be there by six eastern and drop him and you. Then split."

  I laughed and she growled down at me.

  "What time is it?" I asked still laughing, temporarily ignoring my pains.

  "Twelve midnight Eastern, why?"

  "Oh, just wondering." I laughed some more, then started to choke in pain from the rib, It was definitely broken alright. She started to haul off to kick me, but then suddenly thought better of it and stopped.

  "Can I have something to drink please?" I asked when I had calmed down.

  "Yeah I guess so." she grumbled and pulled out a water bottle. And then surprised me by holding up my head and helping me to drink it.

  "Why the sudden change?" I asked trying again to smile at her.

  "You got him didn't you?" She whispered in my ear.

  "Of course," I grinned back. "I never miss!" Then I chuckled again, which made me gasp in pain from the broken rib.

  "Sorry about that," She apologized.

  "Don't lie," I smiled, "And don't worry, I like you." and I tried to chortle at her.

  "Why? You sick or something?" she looked surprised.

  "Like drawn to like, that's all. I was once a lot worse than you. With a little help I bet you wouldn't find it hard to change. Once you start, it's easy. The person who changed me died four years ago, but I'm still improving."

  "He must of made quite an influence."

  "She," I smiled sadly. "I suspect Siedman had her killed, that was one of the reasons he had to go. But enough about me, tell me about you." I was having trouble talking anyway, it still hurt too much. Besides, I really wanted to see if she'd tell me about herself.

  Surprisingly she did. It was obvious that she was impressed with me. Or rather with what I had planned. After all I had killed Siedman from inside this airtruck, it was just as obvious that I had expected to be taken. So she figured I had some grand scheme and her whole attitude was that maybe I wasn't just some lucky bumbling fool.

  I hated to tell her that my plans had ended when I got in the limo. But I guess she had heard the stories of my exploits and had never really believed. Until now maybe.

  The next several hours were actually quite pleasant. We talked about things we had done and things we had seen, none of it business. Eventually we did get around to the subject of our respective upbringing. She hadn't been through the same training I had, as far as she knew there weren't assassins being trained anymore. Her job had just been the dirty tricks squad, her outstanding performances there had gotten her picked for this one.

  It was surprising how similar we were, she had an ego almost as big as mine, a huge streak of luck, and that certain sixth sense that had saved my butt more than once. This was more likely the reason she had hated me so much, we were too much alike, we understood each other.

  I should have hated her myself, but instead I was finding myself drawn to her. I think she felt the same too, a pity we had to finally become aquatinted under what were certainly terminal circumstances for me. Isn't it funny how when you've finally thrown it all away and it's too late to change things, that suddenly you find a reason to want to change them anyway?

  Life is full of irony I guess.

  I did eventually ask about the others who had gotten away, she knew about two, one who had never made it past the moon. Another who had surfaced and was killed on Hobson's Choice. I didn't mention the remaining two, especially as one was Dara and I owed her at least that much. I hoped they both stayed away and free, they didn't owe anybody anyway.

  When we got to our destination I was in rather positive spirits, though I still hurt like hell.

  "Listen, I can give you something for the pain if you want Jotun." Jocel told me as the Wolf helped me out of the truck.

  From the surprised look on his face, this wasn't her normal behavior.

  "No, I don't want to be drugged for whatever is coming next." Then I smiled at her, "Besides, I still have an Ace in the hole."

  The look on her face spoke volumes, I think she was actually hoping that I was telling the truth.

  "You better walk a few feet in front of me," She began as the Wolf handed her a small gear bag and she got her pistol out. "And please don't make me use this. I'd really be sorry about it."

  "You and me both," I smiled and shuffled forward. My hands and feet were shackled and shuffling was about all I could manage even without the chains.

  As I came around the truck with her bringing up the rear, I saw where we were. It was somebody's private estate, a fairly nice one, the kind that says: I'm rich, but I don't flaunt it.

  I noticed there were two guards there, neither was in company colors. Some private concern from the looks of things.

  The truck took off and left as we set foot on the drive, the guards just watched us carefully until we approached.

  "Halt!" One said as they both lowered their rifles to cover us.

  "I'm here to deliver this prisoner as per my orders," Jocel replied calmly. "Please notify whoever is inside."

  "One moment." The first one replied and picked up a radio.

  The second one came over to inspect my chains.

  "Careful," warned Jocel, "this one is extremely dangerous."

  "Doesn't look like he's in too good a shape anymore," he chuckled as he came over. But he put his rifle down out of reach and was extremely wary all the same.

  For her part Jocel stood back and kept her gun on me. I had to admit I liked the way she stuck to her job. She might be thawing towards me, but she wasn't going to betray her loyalties. I admire that in a person.

  We were passed through a few minutes later and told which way to go. I was surprised that they didn't ask Jocel for her weapon, but then I was surprised that we weren't at some corporate debriefing and execution center. I led the way inside and up the stairs as I had been told.

  "Down here, on the left." A strange voice called. I turned and headed that way.

  When I shuffled in the room the first person I saw I didn't recognize, my nose told me there was another one and I think I heard him standing behind me. But I was more interested in the one in front. Not only was he smiling b
ut he was walking towards me with his hand out.

  "Congratulations Jotun, once again you have proved that your abilities are second to no one's," and he shook my hand.

  "Ummm, who are you?" I asked confused, "and why am I here? For that matter why am I even still alive?"

  "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess introductions are in order. My name is Stan Rywelski."

  Suddenly I knew who he was, "You're the V.P. I've been helping out!" I said amazed.

  "Not anymore," said a voice that I recognized. "Now he's the President of the Corporation, thanks to you Jotun." And Harold walked around me and into view.

  "Please, acting President only," he said embarrassed and putting up his hands in a warding gesture. "They haven't made it permanent yet."

  "Oh they will, you're a shoe-in Stan. If it wasn't for that fast one that Siedman pulled he would never have gotten it."

  "Harold? I thought you quit the company?" I asked surprised.

  "It's Senator O'Brien now actually," He smiled. "Harold was never my real name. I didn't trust Siedman an inch. Good thing too, look what he did to the Moon operation."

  I glanced back at Jocel, she looked just as confused as I felt. "Umm would one of you gentlemen please explain to me what this is all about?" and I glanced down at my chains.

  "Oh certainly," said Stan, who was now my boss I guess. "You still working for us Jotun?"

  "Of course, I never stopped," I said indignantly.

  "I thought as much," he smiled and walked over to his desk and sat behind it. "You can release him and put the gun away Jocel. He's on my side."

  Interesting that he said 'my' and not 'our'. I wondered about that briefly but Jocel spoke up then.

  "You know my name sir?" she said surprised as she came over and undid the locks.

  "Of course, I picked you for the mission. Siedman thought it was his idea of course, but actually I was the one behind it."

  "Why?"

  "Yeah why?" I echoed.

  "Yes, I supposed you deserve to know. Especially you Jotun, after what you've lost," He stopped and looked out the window for a minute. "Okay where was I? Oh yes explanations. Have a seat Senator, this'll take a while."