I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
It was him. Kelly. Or a version of him. I recognized the eyes, the blue irises with a darker ring on the outside. And the crinkles at the edges that only got deeper as time went on.
But that was it. If I hadn’t heard his voice and seen his eyes I would never have guessed this was Kelly. He was thin, almost emaciated, and his brown hair was long and greasy. He hadn’t shaved or groomed his beard in any way, and his skin looked unhealthy, like a person who’d been in the hospital too long. Or a homeless person, which is what I suspected he’d become.
“We need to get away from here,” he said, almost a whisper. His eyes darted around, trying to take in everything all at once.
I’d seen this before, the hyper-awareness. I’d
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
140Story - Day 32
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
one had followed me. As I opened the door I got a tingle, right up my spine. I should have paid attention. I shouldn’t have gotten in.
As I started the car I felt the cold kiss of gun metal at the base of my skull.
“Why are you working with them?”
I’d fallen asleep to that voice and I’d woken up to it. It was as familiar to me as my own, but much more welcome in my ear.
Kelly.
“I’m taking their money,” I said carefully. He hadn’t moved the pistol away. “It’s not the same as working with them.”
For what seemed like forever he waited, the gun still pressed to the back of my head. Finally, mercifully, he let the pistol drop.
“I’ll buy that. For now.”
Only then did I dare look in the rear-view.
one had followed me. As I opened the door I got a tingle, right up my spine. I should have paid attention. I shouldn’t have gotten in.
As I started the car I felt the cold kiss of gun metal at the base of my skull.
“Why are you working with them?”
I’d fallen asleep to that voice and I’d woken up to it. It was as familiar to me as my own, but much more welcome in my ear.
Kelly.
“I’m taking their money,” I said carefully. He hadn’t moved the pistol away. “It’s not the same as working with them.”
For what seemed like forever he waited, the gun still pressed to the back of my head. Finally, mercifully, he let the pistol drop.
“I’ll buy that. For now.”
Only then did I dare look in the rear-view.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
140Story - Day 31
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
shooter was either finished or very, very disciplined.
I had to make myself scarce. No telling how many people had seen me and Theda together, and I didn’t feel like answering to the police. A kid with a skateboard joined the man in the suit, and then a woman walking a dog.
“Oh my GOD!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. Within seconds curious spectators rushed in from every direction, each of them asking the others what had happened and how they could help. In the distance sirens wailed.
I took a deep breath and left the cover of the delivery van, walking quickly and quietly away from the scene. I scanned the rooftops and windows for a flash or a silhouette, but there was nothing.
My legs trembling, I made it back to my car, positive no
shooter was either finished or very, very disciplined.
I had to make myself scarce. No telling how many people had seen me and Theda together, and I didn’t feel like answering to the police. A kid with a skateboard joined the man in the suit, and then a woman walking a dog.
“Oh my GOD!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. Within seconds curious spectators rushed in from every direction, each of them asking the others what had happened and how they could help. In the distance sirens wailed.
I took a deep breath and left the cover of the delivery van, walking quickly and quietly away from the scene. I scanned the rooftops and windows for a flash or a silhouette, but there was nothing.
My legs trembling, I made it back to my car, positive no
Friday, June 27, 2014
140Story - Day 30
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
pop sounded, and a red spot bloomed over Theda’s heart. Her purse fell from her hand, and a moment later she toppled over, her head cracking the pavement with a horrible hollow thud. Someone had taken her out, in broad daylight, on a busy city street.
The shot came from above me and behind, so I took a sharp left and ran for cover behind a delivery van. With every step I expected to feel the searing agony of a bullet wound, or to hear a bullet whistle past my ear. I dove behind the van, hoping to high heaven I’d guessed the shooter’s location properly.
A few moments later a man in a suit noticed the body on the sidewalk and stopped to render aid. I waited for another pop, for another body slumped on the sidewalk, but the
pop sounded, and a red spot bloomed over Theda’s heart. Her purse fell from her hand, and a moment later she toppled over, her head cracking the pavement with a horrible hollow thud. Someone had taken her out, in broad daylight, on a busy city street.
The shot came from above me and behind, so I took a sharp left and ran for cover behind a delivery van. With every step I expected to feel the searing agony of a bullet wound, or to hear a bullet whistle past my ear. I dove behind the van, hoping to high heaven I’d guessed the shooter’s location properly.
A few moments later a man in a suit noticed the body on the sidewalk and stopped to render aid. I waited for another pop, for another body slumped on the sidewalk, but the
Thursday, June 26, 2014
140Story - Day 29
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
explanation. In less than ten minutes we were in front of the Grange building. And there was the new construction, plainly visible over the facade.
“I think I know where to find him.” My voice was almost a whisper.
I heard a metallic click and slowly turned around. Theda stood well out of arm’s reach, her hand thrust into her purse, which showed the telltale bulge of a suppressor. She was good, misdirecting me from her purse like that.
“You don’t want to do that,” I said. “Seriously.”
She shrugged slightly. “It’s a little too late to think about what I want. Where do I find Kelly?”
“How much did Burton promise you?” I took a step to my right and she followed.
“He’s got nothing to do with it,” she replied. “I have to look out f...”
A faint
explanation. In less than ten minutes we were in front of the Grange building. And there was the new construction, plainly visible over the facade.
“I think I know where to find him.” My voice was almost a whisper.
I heard a metallic click and slowly turned around. Theda stood well out of arm’s reach, her hand thrust into her purse, which showed the telltale bulge of a suppressor. She was good, misdirecting me from her purse like that.
“You don’t want to do that,” I said. “Seriously.”
She shrugged slightly. “It’s a little too late to think about what I want. Where do I find Kelly?”
“How much did Burton promise you?” I took a step to my right and she followed.
“He’s got nothing to do with it,” she replied. “I have to look out f...”
A faint
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
140Story - Day 28
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
same spot as the photographer. He saw a reason to take the picture, now I just had to find it. I relaxed, eased open the shutters I put on my senses, and let it all in. Sights, sounds, smells, I let it wash over me and through me. Only by letting go could I truly grasp the moment.
High ground. That’s what I saw. Not the Federal Building itself, but new construction several blocks beyond, the kind of mixed-use hipster bullshit the City Council had been favoring for the past few years. The top of that building could look out over most of the city. A perfect spot for Kelly to hole up. As long as he had more than one way in and out.
I practically ran past Theda, giving her a terse ‘this way’ as my only
same spot as the photographer. He saw a reason to take the picture, now I just had to find it. I relaxed, eased open the shutters I put on my senses, and let it all in. Sights, sounds, smells, I let it wash over me and through me. Only by letting go could I truly grasp the moment.
High ground. That’s what I saw. Not the Federal Building itself, but new construction several blocks beyond, the kind of mixed-use hipster bullshit the City Council had been favoring for the past few years. The top of that building could look out over most of the city. A perfect spot for Kelly to hole up. As long as he had more than one way in and out.
I practically ran past Theda, giving her a terse ‘this way’ as my only
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
140Story - Day 27
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
in one gulp. “Let’s get going. Do we pay here or at the register?”
“I run a tab,” I explained. “Marcy kind of owes me. Long story.”
I drove. I always drive, that way I always have the keys. I did the parking receipt dance, which is buying the ticket on the East side of Downtown, where it’s cheaper, and then taking a space South of Downtown, where it’s not. Being broke makes a person creative.
Theda gripped her purse carelessly, but took great care to button her jacket, which told me she kept her pistol close to her heart. Literally. I studied her without seeming to, and I’m positive she did the same to me. I liked her, but I did not trust her, not for one moment.
We found the Federal Building first, and I stood in the
in one gulp. “Let’s get going. Do we pay here or at the register?”
“I run a tab,” I explained. “Marcy kind of owes me. Long story.”
I drove. I always drive, that way I always have the keys. I did the parking receipt dance, which is buying the ticket on the East side of Downtown, where it’s cheaper, and then taking a space South of Downtown, where it’s not. Being broke makes a person creative.
Theda gripped her purse carelessly, but took great care to button her jacket, which told me she kept her pistol close to her heart. Literally. I studied her without seeming to, and I’m positive she did the same to me. I liked her, but I did not trust her, not for one moment.
We found the Federal Building first, and I stood in the
Monday, June 23, 2014
140Story - Day 26
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
feeling that she wanted to clasp my hands. Lucky for her she didn’t.
“Missing funds,” she said. “A substantial amount.”
It didn’t seem like Kelly to be an embezzler. But if he were, it wouldn’t be for a paltry sum. Go big or go home, he liked to say.
“Which is why Burton has disappeared,” I said, thinking out loud. “Although if Kelly did steal I doubt he’d keep any of it in cash.”
Theda pushed a dark strand of hair out of her face. “Burton’s pretty good at advanced interrogation techniques.”
I shook my head. “He’d have to find Kelly, then catch him, then keep him. None of that’s going to happen. But at least now we know where we can look for Burton. And what he’ll be looking for.”
She stood quickly, downing the last of her coffee
feeling that she wanted to clasp my hands. Lucky for her she didn’t.
“Missing funds,” she said. “A substantial amount.”
It didn’t seem like Kelly to be an embezzler. But if he were, it wouldn’t be for a paltry sum. Go big or go home, he liked to say.
“Which is why Burton has disappeared,” I said, thinking out loud. “Although if Kelly did steal I doubt he’d keep any of it in cash.”
Theda pushed a dark strand of hair out of her face. “Burton’s pretty good at advanced interrogation techniques.”
I shook my head. “He’d have to find Kelly, then catch him, then keep him. None of that’s going to happen. But at least now we know where we can look for Burton. And what he’ll be looking for.”
She stood quickly, downing the last of her coffee
Sunday, June 22, 2014
140Story - Day 25
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
have a start,” Theda said. “Chances are good Kelly is within a quarter mile of these spots.”
“Unless he was screwing with your surveillance team.”
Theda nodded. “Anything you know that could help?”
I sighed. There were hundreds of things. Little things. He didn’t like echoes, so his place would probably be carpeted, sour smells bothered him so he would be away from businesses with strong odors. He liked to read the paper in the morning, so he’d be somewhere he could get one quickly and easily. Details you learned when you shared a life with someone.
“Not really,” I lied.
“You do know why Telrik is looking for him, don’t you?”
I shook my head. I couldn’t care less why they wanted him, I had my own reasons. “Loose ends?”
Theda leaned across the table, and I had the
have a start,” Theda said. “Chances are good Kelly is within a quarter mile of these spots.”
“Unless he was screwing with your surveillance team.”
Theda nodded. “Anything you know that could help?”
I sighed. There were hundreds of things. Little things. He didn’t like echoes, so his place would probably be carpeted, sour smells bothered him so he would be away from businesses with strong odors. He liked to read the paper in the morning, so he’d be somewhere he could get one quickly and easily. Details you learned when you shared a life with someone.
“Not really,” I lied.
“You do know why Telrik is looking for him, don’t you?”
I shook my head. I couldn’t care less why they wanted him, I had my own reasons. “Loose ends?”
Theda leaned across the table, and I had the
Saturday, June 21, 2014
140Story - Day 24
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
In my favorite booth at Marcy’s I set the three photos in front of Theda. Immediately she tapped the odd one.
“Doctored,” she declared. “Pretty decent job.”
“What can you tell me about the surveillance team that took these other two?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Nothing. We’re completely separated. I can tell you they wouldn’t have taken a picture if they didn’t think it was important. They don’t take snapshots to share online.”
“These are South of Downtown,” I replied, more talking out loud than to her, “where Kelly is supposed to be. Maybe... do you think they were trying to triangulate?”
“Could be,” Theda said. She stared at one picture. “This is the old Federal building, looking West. This one is the Grange building, looking North.”
“The other point could be almost anywhere,” I muttered.
“But we
In my favorite booth at Marcy’s I set the three photos in front of Theda. Immediately she tapped the odd one.
“Doctored,” she declared. “Pretty decent job.”
“What can you tell me about the surveillance team that took these other two?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Nothing. We’re completely separated. I can tell you they wouldn’t have taken a picture if they didn’t think it was important. They don’t take snapshots to share online.”
“These are South of Downtown,” I replied, more talking out loud than to her, “where Kelly is supposed to be. Maybe... do you think they were trying to triangulate?”
“Could be,” Theda said. She stared at one picture. “This is the old Federal building, looking West. This one is the Grange building, looking North.”
“The other point could be almost anywhere,” I muttered.
“But we
Friday, June 20, 2014
140Story - Day 23
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
he would, but you know how many bodies Kelly’s left behind. All of those people thought they were smarter.”
I could see the wheels turn in her brain. “So... what do you care if Burton gets himself removed?”
I shrugged. “I don’t. But if I can find Burton before he’s a corpse, I can probably find Kelly too. That’s what I care about.”
In an instant she came to a decision, no dithering, no over-thinking. I was going to like this girl. “I’ll help you. But when we find him, if Burton is operating on his own...”
“He’s all yours,” I agreed.
She stuck out her hand. “Theda Grayle.”
Of course... I had read her dossier. Formidable. I had to remember never to turn my back on her.
“Lily Walker.”
“Yes, I know,” she replied. “Where do we start?”
he would, but you know how many bodies Kelly’s left behind. All of those people thought they were smarter.”
I could see the wheels turn in her brain. “So... what do you care if Burton gets himself removed?”
I shrugged. “I don’t. But if I can find Burton before he’s a corpse, I can probably find Kelly too. That’s what I care about.”
In an instant she came to a decision, no dithering, no over-thinking. I was going to like this girl. “I’ll help you. But when we find him, if Burton is operating on his own...”
“He’s all yours,” I agreed.
She stuck out her hand. “Theda Grayle.”
Of course... I had read her dossier. Formidable. I had to remember never to turn my back on her.
“Lily Walker.”
“Yes, I know,” she replied. “Where do we start?”
Thursday, June 19, 2014
140Story - Day 22
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
mull her options, going through the same operational checklist I would have five years before, when I was her. Fight? No. Flee? No. Negotiate and gather intel.
Her posture changed, her shoulders relaxed and her weight shifted to a normal, non-fighting stance. “He’s not missing. Yet.”
“Right,” I said, remembering protocol, “it hasn’t been forty-eight hours. Trust me, he’s gone. He thinks he’s found Kelly.”
Her eyes narrowed and her hands folded over her chest, but after a moment she nodded. “That’s why we’re paying you, isn’t it?”
“Which is how I know Burton is never going to find Kelly,” I replied. “Too easy. Three photographs and your intel guys have enough to find a man like him who doesn’t want to be found?”
She shook her head slowly. “Burton wouldn’t fall for a trap.”
“He doesn’t think
mull her options, going through the same operational checklist I would have five years before, when I was her. Fight? No. Flee? No. Negotiate and gather intel.
Her posture changed, her shoulders relaxed and her weight shifted to a normal, non-fighting stance. “He’s not missing. Yet.”
“Right,” I said, remembering protocol, “it hasn’t been forty-eight hours. Trust me, he’s gone. He thinks he’s found Kelly.”
Her eyes narrowed and her hands folded over her chest, but after a moment she nodded. “That’s why we’re paying you, isn’t it?”
“Which is how I know Burton is never going to find Kelly,” I replied. “Too easy. Three photographs and your intel guys have enough to find a man like him who doesn’t want to be found?”
She shook her head slowly. “Burton wouldn’t fall for a trap.”
“He doesn’t think
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
140Story - Day 21
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
come up behind her all along. For an instant her hand moved to the inside of her jacket, towards her pistol, but she glanced at all the potential witnesses crowding the street and thought better of it.
“I need to talk to Burton,” I said. I was standing just far enough away that I could deal with a punch or a kick.
Her eyebrows raised, just a tick, but enough for me to know there was something wrong. “He’ll find you when the time comes.”
“He’s missing, isn’t he?” I replied. I knew the answer, I just wanted to see if she did.
Her lips pursed, and she flipped her hair out of her face. “Working.”
“Unless ‘working’ for him means ‘not answering the phone,’” I said, “he’s missing. I know why.”
She considered this carefully. I could see her
come up behind her all along. For an instant her hand moved to the inside of her jacket, towards her pistol, but she glanced at all the potential witnesses crowding the street and thought better of it.
“I need to talk to Burton,” I said. I was standing just far enough away that I could deal with a punch or a kick.
Her eyebrows raised, just a tick, but enough for me to know there was something wrong. “He’ll find you when the time comes.”
“He’s missing, isn’t he?” I replied. I knew the answer, I just wanted to see if she did.
Her lips pursed, and she flipped her hair out of her face. “Working.”
“Unless ‘working’ for him means ‘not answering the phone,’” I said, “he’s missing. I know why.”
She considered this carefully. I could see her
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
140Story - Day 20
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
started at Telrik after I left, but I was on the review board, I had seen her photos, I might even had read her dossier. I didn’t remember her name, but I absolutely remembered her face.
She ducked out of sight, becoming just another random face in a city full of them. If she was smart - if Telrik told her who I had been - she would abandon standard procedure. I was banking on Telrik keeping her in the dark.
Two blocks over, one block up, one block back, and if things went as I suspected they would she should be...
Right in front of me. Looking the other way.
“You’re not going to find me over there,” I said.
To her credit she did not jump, not even a flinch. She turned around as if she’d been expecting me to
started at Telrik after I left, but I was on the review board, I had seen her photos, I might even had read her dossier. I didn’t remember her name, but I absolutely remembered her face.
She ducked out of sight, becoming just another random face in a city full of them. If she was smart - if Telrik told her who I had been - she would abandon standard procedure. I was banking on Telrik keeping her in the dark.
Two blocks over, one block up, one block back, and if things went as I suspected they would she should be...
Right in front of me. Looking the other way.
“You’re not going to find me over there,” I said.
To her credit she did not jump, not even a flinch. She turned around as if she’d been expecting me to
Monday, June 16, 2014
140Story - Day 19
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
door. I muttered under my breath, cursing myself for half-assing this from the start. I hadn’t gathered any intel on Burton, I didn’t even know his partner’s name. Slip-ups like that were what had cost colleagues their lives, and might do the same for me.
I was two blocks away before I found spotted the person following me. She was good, I’ll give her that much, I only noticed her because she was so intent on keeping me in sight she almost got run down by a garbage truck. Medium height, shoulder-length hair, nondescript clothes, she could have been any of ten thousand people within a hundred yards of me.
Except I recognized her.
Telrik had slipped up putting her on my tail. They thought I had no idea who she was, but they were mistaken. She
door. I muttered under my breath, cursing myself for half-assing this from the start. I hadn’t gathered any intel on Burton, I didn’t even know his partner’s name. Slip-ups like that were what had cost colleagues their lives, and might do the same for me.
I was two blocks away before I found spotted the person following me. She was good, I’ll give her that much, I only noticed her because she was so intent on keeping me in sight she almost got run down by a garbage truck. Medium height, shoulder-length hair, nondescript clothes, she could have been any of ten thousand people within a hundred yards of me.
Except I recognized her.
Telrik had slipped up putting her on my tail. They thought I had no idea who she was, but they were mistaken. She
Sunday, June 15, 2014
140Story - Day 18
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
suspected would lead me right to Kelly. So he’d made it disappear.
The wheels turned in my head. If Burton altered a photo to throw me off Kelly’s trail... he must have found Kelly already. Or had a very, very good idea of where Kelly was. Son of a bitch. I was getting soft, it had taken me the better part of a day to figure this out. I’d burned a lot of time.
My mission changed. Instead of finding Kelly, first I had to find Burton. Who would have gone to ground if he were anything other than the stupidest person on the planet. One of the best rules in my business, though, was ‘never underestimate the stupidity of your target.’
I shrugged on a long coat and stuffed my pistol into my handbag as I headed out the
suspected would lead me right to Kelly. So he’d made it disappear.
The wheels turned in my head. If Burton altered a photo to throw me off Kelly’s trail... he must have found Kelly already. Or had a very, very good idea of where Kelly was. Son of a bitch. I was getting soft, it had taken me the better part of a day to figure this out. I’d burned a lot of time.
My mission changed. Instead of finding Kelly, first I had to find Burton. Who would have gone to ground if he were anything other than the stupidest person on the planet. One of the best rules in my business, though, was ‘never underestimate the stupidity of your target.’
I shrugged on a long coat and stuffed my pistol into my handbag as I headed out the
Saturday, June 14, 2014
140Story - Day 17
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
Two of the pictures were places I recognized, indeed South of Downtown. The third place, though, didn’t look right. The framing was different, the focus off, the light inconsistent with the other two. Which wouldn’t usually be suspicious - a different photographer, for instance, or a phone snapshot versus an SLR - but it seemed like the image had been altered.
Why?
I knew all of Telrik’s dirty tricks. Hell, I’d invented a few of them. But why give me an altered photo? Was it supposed to lead me in the wrong direction? Maybe keep me from going the right direction?
Then it hit me. The only explanation that made sense. Telrik hadn’t given me an altered photo. Burton had. That corporate weasel was following orders, but screwing me up at the same time. The original photo must have showed something Burton
Two of the pictures were places I recognized, indeed South of Downtown. The third place, though, didn’t look right. The framing was different, the focus off, the light inconsistent with the other two. Which wouldn’t usually be suspicious - a different photographer, for instance, or a phone snapshot versus an SLR - but it seemed like the image had been altered.
Why?
I knew all of Telrik’s dirty tricks. Hell, I’d invented a few of them. But why give me an altered photo? Was it supposed to lead me in the wrong direction? Maybe keep me from going the right direction?
Then it hit me. The only explanation that made sense. Telrik hadn’t given me an altered photo. Burton had. That corporate weasel was following orders, but screwing me up at the same time. The original photo must have showed something Burton
Friday, June 13, 2014
140Story - Day 16
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
exposed like a raw nerve. Our first meeting had been after midnight, when he thought I was a skulk for the other side. I almost shot him in the face, but he whispered the watch word at the last moment. Our final encounter had been under a hail of bullets as he was making his exit from Telrik by any means possible. I was supposed to shoot him then, too. I made him shoot me, to make his getaway seem plausible.
I ran my hand along the scar on my calf. Through and through, the entry and exit wounds lined up neatly, and they’d healed perfectly. Unlike my heart. He was still lodged in there, shrapnel that I couldn’t remove or I’d die.
I shook my head to clear it, and studied the pictures again. South of Downtown, Burton said.
exposed like a raw nerve. Our first meeting had been after midnight, when he thought I was a skulk for the other side. I almost shot him in the face, but he whispered the watch word at the last moment. Our final encounter had been under a hail of bullets as he was making his exit from Telrik by any means possible. I was supposed to shoot him then, too. I made him shoot me, to make his getaway seem plausible.
I ran my hand along the scar on my calf. Through and through, the entry and exit wounds lined up neatly, and they’d healed perfectly. Unlike my heart. He was still lodged in there, shrapnel that I couldn’t remove or I’d die.
I shook my head to clear it, and studied the pictures again. South of Downtown, Burton said.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
140Story - Day 15
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
locations, without any images of Kelly for validation. He was a sasquatch, without even blurry photos to point to.
On the last page of the barely-there documentation, I found my name. Lily Walker. ‘Associate.’
That stung. ‘Associate.’ Like we shared an office instead of a bed, or went fifty-fifty on an organic restaurant and shared the chores. ‘Associate.’ I tried not to let it get to me, this was Telrik, after all, assholes from top to bottom and every rung in between. For all I knew they put the word in there on purpose just to rile me. If so, it was working.
I put down the pages and squeezed my eyes shut, forcing back the tears. I was a pro, emotions were for after the job was done. Except when Kelly was involved, then my emotions were
locations, without any images of Kelly for validation. He was a sasquatch, without even blurry photos to point to.
On the last page of the barely-there documentation, I found my name. Lily Walker. ‘Associate.’
That stung. ‘Associate.’ Like we shared an office instead of a bed, or went fifty-fifty on an organic restaurant and shared the chores. ‘Associate.’ I tried not to let it get to me, this was Telrik, after all, assholes from top to bottom and every rung in between. For all I knew they put the word in there on purpose just to rile me. If so, it was working.
I put down the pages and squeezed my eyes shut, forcing back the tears. I was a pro, emotions were for after the job was done. Except when Kelly was involved, then my emotions were
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Uber Sucks
Uber, the 'ridesharing' service, sucks. They portray themselves as a fiesty little start-up shaking the foundations of modern business - always an heroic narrative - but there's really no difference between the creeping corporate evil of, say, Google or Monsanto and that perpetrated by Uber.
So what is Uber? For those not yet in the loop, Uber is a 'ridesharing' service, started in San Francisco and branching out all over the world. The business's central conceit is that, unlike regular taxi drivers, Uber drivers are not pros, they're just schmoes like you and me who happen to be going somewhere and are willing to take others along. For a price.
This is the lie. Uber drivers do not go anywhere, they sit behind the wheel and drive others places they themselves are not visiting. Which, if you look it up, is what taxi drivers do.
A 'rideshare' would be if I were going to an outlet mall and agreed to take others along. I'd get out of the car, do my shopping, gather everyone up at the end of the day and go home. Sharing a ride to a common destination. If I pile people in my car, drop them off at the outlet mall for a fee, then go find others to take somewhere else, I'd be a taxi driver. Which is what Uber drivers are.
Why does that mean Uber sucks?
Because Uber knows it's a taxi service, it's calling itself a 'rideshare' service to skirt the laws and ordinances where it operates. The owners think that as long as they don't call themselves a taxi service they don't have to comply with any taxi service regulations. But the name does not make the business, the practice does.
If I call myself a 'curandero' and start performing surgery, no amount of protesting on my part will keep me from being prosecuted for impersonating a physician. If I were to call myself an 'alchemist' instead of a meth dealer, the title would make me no less a criminal. By the same token, if an Uber driver takes you from one point in the city to another and you have to pay him for the privilege, then that driver is a taxi driver. No matter how loudly Uber insists otherwise.
The worst part of this juvenile misdirection is that Uber contends its drivers do not have to have commercial licenses, or commercial insurance, or criminal background checks, etc. etc. etc. They're putting their drivers and their customers at a very real risk of injury and death. Because it's a 'rideshare' and not a taxi.
Uber sucks.
How is this emblematic of larger corporate evil?
Uber is lying, they know they're lying, and they're challenging local governments to catch them at it and stop them. Which is what giant evil corporations do. In the past corporations have tried to keep their evil secret, like tobacco companies making more addictive cigarettes, or corporate agriculture companies patenting seeds so they can charge farmers in perpetuity, even when farmers only bought seeds once (a lifetime seed subscription fee, as it were).
The big game changer for corporate evil, though, was Google. Those guys were the ones who made brazen audacity a marketing tactic. For instance, Google took it upon themselves to digitize entire libraries to make the contents available online. The problem with that effort was Google did not own the rights to those books, and didn't notify the authors of their intentions. They just did it, legality, ethics, and morality be damned. Same thing with Google street view, Google glass, and on and on. Their business model is to ask forgiveness rather than permission. After the damage is already done, of course.
The case can be made that Google does its thing in legal gray areas (not really), where the technology is new and the rules are not set (still, not really). Just a bunch of nerds trying to change the world and stepping on stodgy old men's toes along the way.
The problem is Google infected others with its 'laws be damned' attitude. People like the owners and backers of Uber, who are not operating in any new tech areas, they're putting butts in seats and taking them from point A to point B. They'll say it's different because they have an app for it, but that's not even a weak argument, it's an excuse for flouting laws.
Uber sucks.
Most of all though, Uber sucks because it's clearly the vanguard for more of its kind. Assholes who think that they can do whatever they want, as long as they get away with it for long enough to make money. Uber will go out of business, that's an inevitability and a very short-term reality, but the damage it's done will inspire others to imitate it, and make their malfeasance everyone else's problem.
Seriously, Uber sucks.
So what is Uber? For those not yet in the loop, Uber is a 'ridesharing' service, started in San Francisco and branching out all over the world. The business's central conceit is that, unlike regular taxi drivers, Uber drivers are not pros, they're just schmoes like you and me who happen to be going somewhere and are willing to take others along. For a price.
This is the lie. Uber drivers do not go anywhere, they sit behind the wheel and drive others places they themselves are not visiting. Which, if you look it up, is what taxi drivers do.
A 'rideshare' would be if I were going to an outlet mall and agreed to take others along. I'd get out of the car, do my shopping, gather everyone up at the end of the day and go home. Sharing a ride to a common destination. If I pile people in my car, drop them off at the outlet mall for a fee, then go find others to take somewhere else, I'd be a taxi driver. Which is what Uber drivers are.
Why does that mean Uber sucks?
Because Uber knows it's a taxi service, it's calling itself a 'rideshare' service to skirt the laws and ordinances where it operates. The owners think that as long as they don't call themselves a taxi service they don't have to comply with any taxi service regulations. But the name does not make the business, the practice does.
If I call myself a 'curandero' and start performing surgery, no amount of protesting on my part will keep me from being prosecuted for impersonating a physician. If I were to call myself an 'alchemist' instead of a meth dealer, the title would make me no less a criminal. By the same token, if an Uber driver takes you from one point in the city to another and you have to pay him for the privilege, then that driver is a taxi driver. No matter how loudly Uber insists otherwise.
The worst part of this juvenile misdirection is that Uber contends its drivers do not have to have commercial licenses, or commercial insurance, or criminal background checks, etc. etc. etc. They're putting their drivers and their customers at a very real risk of injury and death. Because it's a 'rideshare' and not a taxi.
Uber sucks.
How is this emblematic of larger corporate evil?
Uber is lying, they know they're lying, and they're challenging local governments to catch them at it and stop them. Which is what giant evil corporations do. In the past corporations have tried to keep their evil secret, like tobacco companies making more addictive cigarettes, or corporate agriculture companies patenting seeds so they can charge farmers in perpetuity, even when farmers only bought seeds once (a lifetime seed subscription fee, as it were).
The big game changer for corporate evil, though, was Google. Those guys were the ones who made brazen audacity a marketing tactic. For instance, Google took it upon themselves to digitize entire libraries to make the contents available online. The problem with that effort was Google did not own the rights to those books, and didn't notify the authors of their intentions. They just did it, legality, ethics, and morality be damned. Same thing with Google street view, Google glass, and on and on. Their business model is to ask forgiveness rather than permission. After the damage is already done, of course.
The case can be made that Google does its thing in legal gray areas (not really), where the technology is new and the rules are not set (still, not really). Just a bunch of nerds trying to change the world and stepping on stodgy old men's toes along the way.
The problem is Google infected others with its 'laws be damned' attitude. People like the owners and backers of Uber, who are not operating in any new tech areas, they're putting butts in seats and taking them from point A to point B. They'll say it's different because they have an app for it, but that's not even a weak argument, it's an excuse for flouting laws.
Uber sucks.
Most of all though, Uber sucks because it's clearly the vanguard for more of its kind. Assholes who think that they can do whatever they want, as long as they get away with it for long enough to make money. Uber will go out of business, that's an inevitability and a very short-term reality, but the damage it's done will inspire others to imitate it, and make their malfeasance everyone else's problem.
Seriously, Uber sucks.
140Story - Day 14
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
to work on my phone. I had an American phone, not the kind you could easily switch SIM cards on, not like everyone else in the world. Except I could. I cracked the case, switched the SIM card and suddenly I was a grandmother from Memphis.
Then, and only then, did I call Michaels. He didn’t answer, I didn’t expect him to, but I left him a short message. ‘This is Lily. Find me.’ He’d do the rest.
While I waited for Michaels I examined the manilla envelope Burton gave me. Nothing odd that I could see, no suspicious powder or stray wires, no obvious signs of tampering. It was thin, far less substantial than other dossiers I’d handled while with Telrik, and a testament to Kelly’s thorough paranoia. Inside I found eight pages and three photo prints, ‘last known’
to work on my phone. I had an American phone, not the kind you could easily switch SIM cards on, not like everyone else in the world. Except I could. I cracked the case, switched the SIM card and suddenly I was a grandmother from Memphis.
Then, and only then, did I call Michaels. He didn’t answer, I didn’t expect him to, but I left him a short message. ‘This is Lily. Find me.’ He’d do the rest.
While I waited for Michaels I examined the manilla envelope Burton gave me. Nothing odd that I could see, no suspicious powder or stray wires, no obvious signs of tampering. It was thin, far less substantial than other dossiers I’d handled while with Telrik, and a testament to Kelly’s thorough paranoia. Inside I found eight pages and three photo prints, ‘last known’
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
140Story - Day 13
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
it, where Telrik would have put a minuscule pinhole camera. I went about my business in my apartment, carefully cataloging the things that were not quite right.
Ten. I hadn’t been with Burton more than an hour but that was all Telrik needed to put ten different monitoring devices in my place. I took a short rest, made a sandwich and watched a little TV, and then removed nine of them. Telrik would expect me to find some - why else place so many? - but if I got rid of all of them they’d just be back tomorrow with a better crew. It was easier to leave one camera, right by the front door, which they would be watching from outside anyway.
I swept the bathroom twice more before I was sure I hadn’t missed any surveillance hardware. Then I went
it, where Telrik would have put a minuscule pinhole camera. I went about my business in my apartment, carefully cataloging the things that were not quite right.
Ten. I hadn’t been with Burton more than an hour but that was all Telrik needed to put ten different monitoring devices in my place. I took a short rest, made a sandwich and watched a little TV, and then removed nine of them. Telrik would expect me to find some - why else place so many? - but if I got rid of all of them they’d just be back tomorrow with a better crew. It was easier to leave one camera, right by the front door, which they would be watching from outside anyway.
I swept the bathroom twice more before I was sure I hadn’t missed any surveillance hardware. Then I went
Monday, June 9, 2014
140Story - Day 12
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
sense, over two fingers of scotch while a Yankees game blared in the background. Michaels. Tech guy. Sort of. Gray-market tech, not the kind of stuff you could go to the mall and get.
I made it to my apartment without letting the stooges tailing me know I knew exactly where they were. Standard Telrik procedure, eyes on the target at all times. My front door looked exactly like I’d left it, but I knew better. I went in, fingers closed around the Glock in my handbag.
Nothing seemed disturbed. And maybe it hadn’t been. Maybe Telrik didn’t need to get inside any longer, maybe electronic surveillance was enough. But there was something...
There. Right in the front entry. The souvenir, tourist-kitsch bowl from Africa had been moved. Slightly. I didn’t look up at the vent directly above
sense, over two fingers of scotch while a Yankees game blared in the background. Michaels. Tech guy. Sort of. Gray-market tech, not the kind of stuff you could go to the mall and get.
I made it to my apartment without letting the stooges tailing me know I knew exactly where they were. Standard Telrik procedure, eyes on the target at all times. My front door looked exactly like I’d left it, but I knew better. I went in, fingers closed around the Glock in my handbag.
Nothing seemed disturbed. And maybe it hadn’t been. Maybe Telrik didn’t need to get inside any longer, maybe electronic surveillance was enough. But there was something...
There. Right in the front entry. The souvenir, tourist-kitsch bowl from Africa had been moved. Slightly. I didn’t look up at the vent directly above
Sunday, June 8, 2014
140Story - Day 11
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
slices of my purchasing history. Nothing I did was secret, I knew that. At least nothing I did in a legit way, like a regular person. But if I were to take myself off the grid, like Kelly, or at least dip my toe in the midnight current that ran alongside the daylight path...
The first thing would be to ditch my phone. Metaphorically speaking, of course. If I got rid of it entirely they’d know something wasn’t right. Everyone had a phone these days, even kindergarteners. A grown businesswoman without a cell phone? I might as well have e-mailed them my entire plan. No, this was going to take some effort. But Kelly was worth it.
A few months back I’d met a guy at Scully’s place. No, it wasn’t like that, I met him in a business
slices of my purchasing history. Nothing I did was secret, I knew that. At least nothing I did in a legit way, like a regular person. But if I were to take myself off the grid, like Kelly, or at least dip my toe in the midnight current that ran alongside the daylight path...
The first thing would be to ditch my phone. Metaphorically speaking, of course. If I got rid of it entirely they’d know something wasn’t right. Everyone had a phone these days, even kindergarteners. A grown businesswoman without a cell phone? I might as well have e-mailed them my entire plan. No, this was going to take some effort. But Kelly was worth it.
A few months back I’d met a guy at Scully’s place. No, it wasn’t like that, I met him in a business
Saturday, June 7, 2014
140Story - Day 10
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
envelope again. “Instructions are there. Along with half your fee.”
I didn’t touch the envelope, and I wouldn’t until Burton was long gone. “Half? Telrik usually starts at ten percent.”
He tried to smile again, but it came across as a smirk. “We’re fairly certain you’ll make the effort.”
He was right, of course. Telrik knew everything about their people, including their weaknesses. A good glass of whiskey was one of mine. Kelly was the other.
If I hadn’t been a paranoid wreck before, I became one after I left Marcy’s. Check your six, always. And now my three o’clock, and nine, and up, and down, and sideways. Telrik was watching, they always were, but their methods had to have improved in the years since I worked for them. There were drones now, and GPS tracking devices, and big data
envelope again. “Instructions are there. Along with half your fee.”
I didn’t touch the envelope, and I wouldn’t until Burton was long gone. “Half? Telrik usually starts at ten percent.”
He tried to smile again, but it came across as a smirk. “We’re fairly certain you’ll make the effort.”
He was right, of course. Telrik knew everything about their people, including their weaknesses. A good glass of whiskey was one of mine. Kelly was the other.
If I hadn’t been a paranoid wreck before, I became one after I left Marcy’s. Check your six, always. And now my three o’clock, and nine, and up, and down, and sideways. Telrik was watching, they always were, but their methods had to have improved in the years since I worked for them. There were drones now, and GPS tracking devices, and big data
Friday, June 6, 2014
140Story - Day 9
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
couldn’t close my mouth. He was here? In the city?
“Yeah, we were surprised too,” Burton admitted. “We’d been hearing rumors but nothing solid. Then we got a semi-reliable tip and sent a scout. Decent kid, fresh out of training. Never heard from him again.”
I nodded, slowly regaining my composure. That was how Kelly worked. If he didn’t want to be found, you weren’t going find him. I could make him want to be found, though.
“So instead of risking another asset, you thought you’d get me to flush him out?”
Burton shrugged. “You and Kelly go back. That’s something he respects.”
‘Go back.’ That was a very corporate way of describing our relationship. Kelly had been... everything to me. Once upon a time.
“When I find him,” I refused to say ‘if’, “then what?”
Burton tapped the
couldn’t close my mouth. He was here? In the city?
“Yeah, we were surprised too,” Burton admitted. “We’d been hearing rumors but nothing solid. Then we got a semi-reliable tip and sent a scout. Decent kid, fresh out of training. Never heard from him again.”
I nodded, slowly regaining my composure. That was how Kelly worked. If he didn’t want to be found, you weren’t going find him. I could make him want to be found, though.
“So instead of risking another asset, you thought you’d get me to flush him out?”
Burton shrugged. “You and Kelly go back. That’s something he respects.”
‘Go back.’ That was a very corporate way of describing our relationship. Kelly had been... everything to me. Once upon a time.
“When I find him,” I refused to say ‘if’, “then what?”
Burton tapped the
Thursday, June 5, 2014
140Story - Day 8
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
sat in a booth at Marcy’s across from Burton. He’d come alone like I asked, no doubt leaving Crewcut Douchebag Number Two to monitor our conversation from the car. That’s how Telrik did things.
Burton sipped his coffee - black - and slid a manilla envelope across the table. “This should get you started.”
“You need to tell me more.” I wasn’t eating or drinking anything. Not with Telrik around.
“It’s all in there.” Burton tried to smile but it never quite got to his eyes. Yes, he was young, but he was dangerous. The kind of person Telrik liked to hire, and then twist into something horrible.
“Where is he?” I expected the answer to be somewhere you needed a passport to get to, and maybe an armed escort.
Burton tapped the envelope. “South of Downtown. We’re pretty sure.”
Shocked, I
sat in a booth at Marcy’s across from Burton. He’d come alone like I asked, no doubt leaving Crewcut Douchebag Number Two to monitor our conversation from the car. That’s how Telrik did things.
Burton sipped his coffee - black - and slid a manilla envelope across the table. “This should get you started.”
“You need to tell me more.” I wasn’t eating or drinking anything. Not with Telrik around.
“It’s all in there.” Burton tried to smile but it never quite got to his eyes. Yes, he was young, but he was dangerous. The kind of person Telrik liked to hire, and then twist into something horrible.
“Where is he?” I expected the answer to be somewhere you needed a passport to get to, and maybe an armed escort.
Burton tapped the envelope. “South of Downtown. We’re pretty sure.”
Shocked, I
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
140Story - Day 7
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
I missed and it upended, spilling everything onto the floor. Including the business card from Crewcut Douchebag.
As I picked up the card Telrik’s logo stared back at me, the same one I had once proudly and naively worn like a badge. The name read ‘T. Burton.’ The guy was such a pompous tool he thought he only needed an initial instead of a first name. Asshole. I was about to crumple it up and throw it in the toilet when, for some reason, I turned it over.
‘Kelly.’
One word. A name. The only name that mattered. That’s all it took, and I was in. No matter how terrible Telrik was, no matter what kind of betrayal they undoubtedly had planned, no matter what danger I would face, I was going to take that job.
The next day I
I missed and it upended, spilling everything onto the floor. Including the business card from Crewcut Douchebag.
As I picked up the card Telrik’s logo stared back at me, the same one I had once proudly and naively worn like a badge. The name read ‘T. Burton.’ The guy was such a pompous tool he thought he only needed an initial instead of a first name. Asshole. I was about to crumple it up and throw it in the toilet when, for some reason, I turned it over.
‘Kelly.’
One word. A name. The only name that mattered. That’s all it took, and I was in. No matter how terrible Telrik was, no matter what kind of betrayal they undoubtedly had planned, no matter what danger I would face, I was going to take that job.
The next day I
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
140Story - Day 6
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in this next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
wiping and moving bottles around.
I tapped my empty glass on the bar. “You think there’s another round left in that fifty?”
Later, glad I decided to wear flats, I climbed the stairs to my apartment. Which was also my office. I had a separate office six months ago but my finances dictated I choose between the two. My office had the faster internet connection, but my apartment had a working shower, so there really was no choice. I’ll take clean hair over cat videos any day of the week.
Weaving slightly I got undressed, already feeling the fuzz of a hangover developing on my tongue. Not for the first time I thought that maybe, just maybe, if I cut out drinking I might have enough money for other things.
I tried to drop my handbag on the dresser, but
wiping and moving bottles around.
I tapped my empty glass on the bar. “You think there’s another round left in that fifty?”
Later, glad I decided to wear flats, I climbed the stairs to my apartment. Which was also my office. I had a separate office six months ago but my finances dictated I choose between the two. My office had the faster internet connection, but my apartment had a working shower, so there really was no choice. I’ll take clean hair over cat videos any day of the week.
Weaving slightly I got undressed, already feeling the fuzz of a hangover developing on my tongue. Not for the first time I thought that maybe, just maybe, if I cut out drinking I might have enough money for other things.
I tried to drop my handbag on the dresser, but
Monday, June 2, 2014
140Story - Day 5
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in the next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
and a fifty onto the bar and waved Crewcut Douchebag Number Two to the door.
“Lily,” Burton called across the room, “the offer’s on the table for twenty-four hours. After that we’re moving on.”
I nodded and waved my free drink at him as they left.
Scully had already scooped up the fifty, and his other hand hovered over the business card. “What do you want me to do with this?”
‘Throw it in the garbage’ was on my lips. I swear it was. But I hesitated, just that one moment. A lifetime of regret is built from moments like that.
“I’ll take it,” I said, shoving it into my handbag. “You know. Just in case.”
Scully frowned. He knew my past. He knew my present too. Shaking his head he went back to his bartender business, cleaning and
and a fifty onto the bar and waved Crewcut Douchebag Number Two to the door.
“Lily,” Burton called across the room, “the offer’s on the table for twenty-four hours. After that we’re moving on.”
I nodded and waved my free drink at him as they left.
Scully had already scooped up the fifty, and his other hand hovered over the business card. “What do you want me to do with this?”
‘Throw it in the garbage’ was on my lips. I swear it was. But I hesitated, just that one moment. A lifetime of regret is built from moments like that.
“I’ll take it,” I said, shoving it into my handbag. “You know. Just in case.”
Scully frowned. He knew my past. He knew my present too. Shaking his head he went back to his bartender business, cleaning and
Sunday, June 1, 2014
140Story - Day 4
I'm writing a story 140 words at a time and posting the results here
daily. Can I sustain interest? Will I lose the narrative thread? Find
out in the next installment of Bullets Ain't Cheap
was with Telrik he already knew my address, my credit score, and my blood type. Knowing my name wasn’t impressive or scary.
“Still not interested.”
He sat, uninvited. Three easy ways to cripple him flashed through my brain.
“We’re not trying to get you back on the team,” he said, with an oily smile that made me think of a fourth way. “We have a job. Freelance. No strings.”
There were always strings with Telrik. Always.
I smiled sweetly, blinked my mascara-less eyelashes slowly, and shook my head so my auburn braid ended up trailing down my neck. Just in case things were going to get ugly.
“One last time. No. Thank you.”
A flash of anger took over his face for a moment, then he covered it. “Fair enough. We have other resources.”
He flipped a business card
was with Telrik he already knew my address, my credit score, and my blood type. Knowing my name wasn’t impressive or scary.
“Still not interested.”
He sat, uninvited. Three easy ways to cripple him flashed through my brain.
“We’re not trying to get you back on the team,” he said, with an oily smile that made me think of a fourth way. “We have a job. Freelance. No strings.”
There were always strings with Telrik. Always.
I smiled sweetly, blinked my mascara-less eyelashes slowly, and shook my head so my auburn braid ended up trailing down my neck. Just in case things were going to get ugly.
“One last time. No. Thank you.”
A flash of anger took over his face for a moment, then he covered it. “Fair enough. We have other resources.”
He flipped a business card
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