My My Little Prince

Bright sun, blue water a perfect day to kill the bitch. A fun day he told himself.  He could not help but smile while searching for anyone watching except for Marilyn.  She was fumbling with the line on the dock not paying much attention to anything.  All seemed clear although the sun was almost blinding, making it hard to be sure all eyes were elsewhere. He had done this before and each time he enjoyed it more.   

Come on Marilyn, grab the rope and untie the bow first. An excited note of impatience was audible in his voice. He continued, That’s right, that one, untie it. He watched her while she tried to keep her hands from trembling for about two seconds and then blurted out, Come on! Untie the damn rope! What the hell are you doing?

Marilyn looked at him in shock as she barely got out, Why are you so upset today? Gaining some composure she managed to say, It’s a beautiful day. The sun’s out and we did it. We made a ton of money and all we have to do today is relax and go out for a nice ride. She bent over and shook a nicely rounded ass. Winking back at him, she added … and make love. She stood and looked back at him, smiling from ear to ear.

You’ll see baby. He grinned, getting hold of himself. I’m excited. But for now just untie the goddamn line. Let’s get this piece of crap out of this marina before anyone sees me. You know I can be spotted easily here at the marina; especially when the cruise ships are coming and going.

Marilyn busied herself with the tie-down again. She looked up and said, That ship doesn’t leave until five. See it’s still sitting there empty. No one’s even watching from the decks yet. Relax baby, we’re fine. With some trouble she managed to untie the rope. She turned and dangled it in front of her, There, she said, are you happy now?

About damn time.

He paused for a second as he looked at her in the front of the boat. She was slightly silhouetted with the sun at about ten o’clock behind her. Her lush body looked so amazing - it actually made him stop and swallow. He shook his head slowly, No Marilyn, I have a new game plan for today.

What? She asked a little worriedly. He is always a little temperamental but he seems a bit stretched today. I better watch my step, She thought.

She looked up at him and said, Come on sweetie, please try to relax. This is supposed to be a nice ride; for fun. I’d hate to see how you would be if we had to get the cocaine ourselves after each drop. Your head would be spinning more than Linda Blair’s, she laughed. We’ve managed to get all the deals done without having to do anything. Pretty smart if you ask me!

She got done coiling the rope and moved toward the back of the boat where the ride would be a little smoother once they were out on open water. Nervously she rambled on, It’s not like we haven’t gone out of the port before for fun. We have nothing to worry about. She reached out and took his hand and held it to her cheek. What an easy way to make money honey. All we do is make a few calls and let our boy Jim go fishing for the day.

He looked at her and said, Shut up! He jerked his hand away and wiped it on his pants. I know the fucking system. Remember I came up with the fucking system. He turned back to watch where he was going. Did the pick-up take place yet?

Honey it will happen very soon. You forget so easily. Without me you would be lost and maybe even forget how easy this has all been. You really didn’t have to think or remember anything, did you? I took care of everything. I hope you liked my idea of the little electronic trackers. She was beginning to jabber a bit.

He turned and looked at her with a deep blank stare and said again, I told you to shut up.

Marilyn looked at him in shock but kept mumbling about the pick-ups. After a few moments she blurted out, Thank God for the swift hands of the captain. This came out a wet dollop on the hysterical side; she couldn’t help a tiny hysterical laugh. How he manages to toss the packages out so neatly wrapped near the same marker each weekend is genius. And David has no idea that his contacts are working for us.

She looked up and saw that he was staring at her intensely and she nervously blurted again, Honey please! What is it? What is your problem?

Shut up! I will not listen to you babble on about nothing anymore. Do you hear me?

What do you want from me? She looked at him and said, placating, Honey, please relax, please! What has gotten into you? And to herself, I wonder why I love him so much. It was stupid of me to get tangled up with him. I risked everything for him and he treats me terribly now. It’s hard to even remember when he treated me like a lady. Crying slightly, Marilyn asked him quietly and as gently as she can, Sweetheart, you love the time we spend together don’t you?

He looked at her and asked, What did you say, come on, what are you mumbling on about?

Nothing! she pouted again, Nothing important! Just dumb thoughts to keep my mind occupied so that I don’t speak and have you yell at me again and so I won’t think about how badly you are treating me today. She babbled on as she sat, holding on to the gunwale with both hands.

Well shut up then and pay attention, here comes the fucking Marine Patrol. Smile and look like you are getting ready to do some fishing or something fun, OK? You think you can manage that?

Isn’t that what we are doing? Well not fishing, but I mean just going out for fun?

Shut up! he told her again. Is it Jim?

Yes, she said with a sniffle. She wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands and pushed sun bleached hair off her forehead.

So what if it’s Jim? What’s the problem? she asked.

You idiot, he hissed, remember, no one has seen me, only you.

She stood up and waved to the passing Marine Patrol Captain, arching her back slightly to accentuate her impressive curves. The gleaming twenty-two foot Grady White cruised by at a fairly rapid pace for being inside the markers, but only a simple small wave of wake was all that was given. He was a good Captain, intent on watching channel markers and boating traffic. She said, You know baby, he does a great job for us. He has never taken a gram for himself although I hear that he has a taste for the powder. And using the Marine Patrol Captain? That was another of my genius ideas!"

Marilyn watched as the boat passed and then she sat down and said, David would kill us immediately if he knew we worked his system right below his nose. HA! ‘Below his nose!’ - that’s funny isn’t it baby? ‘below his nose?’ She got no reaction so she sat quietly for a minute watching the Patrol Boat recede back toward the marina. Then she gave out a quiet laugh. Hey honey, Marilyn yelled as she gazed off at the beauty all around them, how much do you love me?

The water was a dull blue, typical for the east coast of Florida, and erosion rocks and sea walls lined both sides of the inlet. On the right they passed Jetty Park, a park for tourists and motor home camping. Several families fished, others sun bathed or swam close to shore, enjoying another beautiful day in the Sunshine State. On the left in the distance you could see Kennedy Space Center. The silhouette of a rocket sitting on a launch pad sat ready for next week’s launch of a communication satellite or some military apparatus … probably one in the same.

As they were leaving the port they entered open water and he threw the throttle forward three-quarters. The huge Johnson inboard surged and the twenty-five footer planed nicely before they got a hundred yards. In the distance they could just see the first deep-water marker.

He throttled up a little more to help jockey the waves better as they went past the inlet where the calm port waters finally met the stiffer waves of the open Atlantic. He looked at Marilyn again and said, This is the last time I will tell you to shut up, got it?

I asked you. How much do you love me? Marilyn blurted at him, out of control.

What the hell are you talking about?

Us, she replied, you know, us, our future, our love, how much do you love me?

At that moment he gunned the boat full throttle. As the bow of the boat raised high Marilyn fell backwards and landed hard on the engine cover. She hit the unforgiving fiberglass and a shock of pain jolted through her back. She moaned loudly but she still heard him say, Marilyn there is no us and there was never an us, just me planning this little adventure for the last month. MY plan, got it? Every little detail was mine and anything you think was your idea was manipulated by me, you fucking puppet.

Crying quietly to herself, she wrung her pretty hands. Her lacquered nails dug at the ball of her hand. They cruised a while in silence, getting further and further from shore. When they had gone on that way for some distance he suddenly reached back and grabbed her by her wrist. He pulled her towards him violently and she gasped in pain as he wrenched her arm. Pulling her directly into his face he stared into her astonished eyes, immense with fright. Her face was contorted with the pain. He held her close like that for a couple seconds, their noses almost touched. Let the adventure begin. He snarled. "I’ve been planning this little pleasure for too long!

What adventure? she wined nervously, her voice a quivering falsetto. She tried to pull away but he had both wrists now, the boat left to its own course. You’re scaring me, what are you talking about? A huge tear rolled down her rouged cheek and settled at the corner of her lovely lips. He leaned over and flicked it away with his tongue, and leered at her, eyes aflame.

Haven’t you figured it out yet? Well, you will soon when we get out a few more miles. He yelled over the loud engines, I don't love you, I actually hate you! He threw his head back and laughed, Your childish attitude, your stupidity ... come on, it’s amazing you can be so beautiful and so gullible at the same time. He pushed her roughly back down on the transom and turned back to the wheel.

Thanks to your careful planning, he yelled back over his shoulder I have you and his money and I will have a new life soon. I own you, you beautiful bitch. He looked her up and down and said, Oh, it’s a shame I have to get rid of you now. Such a pity, but as any good boss knows ... you do what you have to do and then move on.

He spat another harsh laugh and said, "You actually thought there was an 'us'? I suppose you’ve figured it out by now what the adventure is that I have planned. It’s you baby, you, it is all about you. You’re the adventure; watching you float away.

He drove in silence again and then at some invisible line, he throttled back hard on the stick. The big boat seemed to settle like it was being swallowed before it buoyed back up. They bobbed there for a second and the boat turned a slow arc back towards shore, then he had her by the wrists again.

This time she fought him and managed to get one wrist free. She tried to scrape his face, but he punched her hard across her cheek. She felt something break and stars floated across the haze. She slumped, wanting desperately to pass out, but he would have none of it. Ah, no you don’t, no passing out, I want you one hundred percent awake for this. He eased her back down on the transom again and gently patted her cheeks, rousing her. Still befuddled, she calmed a bit and began to cry softly. She trembled and went slack, but she was conscious.

I cannot believe that you would have even gotten on this boat with me. You’re so fucking stupid! Was it for ‘love’? Ha! How stupid is that? He paced rapidly in front of her, only inches away. God, you never did figure it out did you? This whole scheme was so simple; money for nothing and all I had to do was be the ghost. He paced the few short steps across the boat and turned back to her.

You see it now don’t you? Yeah, it suited me, because I needed you to be next. After I get a young beauty, like you, I kill them when I am finished with them. He stopped pacing in front of her. Aw-w, did I forget to tell you that? He chuckled mirthlessly. I’m so sorry about that Marilyn. Out of respect to you I am telling you now. He brightened and nodded agreeably, Although my little pretty, I must admit, that little bit of news may be a little late for you because it is on schedule for today. He grabbed her arms again and jerked her powerfully, practically lifting her off her feet.

Marilyn realized that he was serious. She fought. She knew now that her life depended on it. She flailed and cursed and spat, but it was an exercise in futility. He was too strong. Again and again he slammed her head against the dash. Her knees buckled and she collapsed, wrapping her arms around his legs for support. She was dazed and weakened and she looked up, Why are you doing this?

He picked her up and pushed her back onto the engine cover again. A flood of pleasure galloped through is body. He wanted to live this in the moment; he didn’t want to miss a thing. He found this so much better for remembering and reliving it later, over and over again. To him it was better than collecting souvenirs; and a lot safer too.

The awareness that she was his was savagely sensual and he never wanted it to stop. She could be no more trouble. Now, most importantly, he was in complete control over her. His contorted face calmed and he laughed as he told her, I am a sociopath baby, a proud sociopath, and I love to kill. It’s my drug of choice! He stood staring down at her a full minute, breathing in and out like a guru practicing meditation, then he bent over to look into her down cast eyes. He cupped her chin and lifted her face gently. And today you are going to fill my prescription quite nicely.

He stood back up and looked all around the boat doing a complete 360, and then another slower 180 back towards shore. All horizons were clear. They were a good five miles out, past the last channel markers. No fishing boats could even be seen. He gazed shoreward and saw he could barely see the coast. In the distance a few of Cocoa Beach’s taller building that line the coast appeared, all in a haze. The only other visible thing was the Cocoa Beach Water Tower. He gave himself a satisfied sigh and the corners of his lips curled in a slight smile.

Hi Honey. How do you feel? Her left cheek was grossly swollen over the crushed frontal bone, sporting a large laceration. Hey! He shook her shoulder roughly. What do you think baby? Wake up honey. It’s a beautiful day for a swim isn’t it? Are you ready for a swim? Here we are, floating along so nicely in the Gulf Stream. Isn’t it nice? See how the color of the water changed?

Marilyn came out of her stupor and a confirmed realization grabbed her. She began to scream, terrified, but she may as well have been screaming in space ... there was definitely no one to hear her here. Only the gentle waves lapping on the side of the boat answered.

Why are you doing this? she barely got out. I told you baby, for fun. And I no longer need you. Let’s just say you have ‘outlived’ your usefulness! Hey, next time you should be careful who you let into your life. He smiled as he relished that thought.

Oh, Marilyn; can I ask you something? He knelt down again and whispered into her ear. Who’s going to hear you out here baby? Your precious David? I don't think so. He reached over and Marilyn flinched, but he only finger-flicked her a mean thwack on the forehead. He stood chuckling again, "Hey Marilyn, what do you think? You’ll be in the Gulf Stream soon. Sorry I have to leave you here, but alas, I must.

Marilyn passed out, but the reprieve was too short. When she roused, she felt something wrong with her arms and hands. She started; eyes wide as she realized her hands were tied behind her back. At this same moment she became aware of him doing something to her feet. He had a huge roll of Duct Tape and was taping her ankles. She screamed with what she thought would be a cry the gods would hear, but actually was a mild cry for help. She fought again with every ounce of energy she had left. She thrashed and she flailed, but he already had three or four good turns around her. It was easy for him to finish another couple. When he was done with the taping, he leaned over and tore the tape with his teeth, finishing the job with a hearty rip. Moving rapidly, his breathing quickened. The adrenalin now crashed through his body like a freight train in a giant pin-ball machine. He opened one of the storage compartments lining the sides of the boat and grabbed a diver’s weight belt he had brought with him. He displayed it tauntingly in her face.

Perfect, he thought. His chest was heaving and a cold sweat trickled down from an armpit. This is the perfect end of another one of life’s little chapters. She’ll sink slowly and perfectly, feet first. All that money is mine and I don't even exist. It’s ... well; it’s perfect!

He stood and walked around behind her as she futilely tried to scoot away. He reached through her bound arms and picked her up and lifted her onto the engine compartment shoving her gently backwards. She flopped over the edge of the engine compartment and landed on the diver’s platform with a thump. The boat rocked a bit and a wave doused her. Coughing and spitting, she tried to sit up but couldn’t manage it. She lay there just like a contrite fish out of water, all gasped out. I’m sorry Marilyn, am I hurting you? He started chuckling to himself but his breathing was quickening again. He stifled a belch of acidic bile, and then stepped over the back of the boat onto the platform with her. He bent over with hands on knees as he waited for the acidic burn in his chest to calm, breathing in and out slowly through his mouth. Where’s my fucking Tums, he thought as he wrinkled his face and spat over the side.

He reached back inside the boat and grabbed an oar that was U-clipped along the side. Without warning he turned and slammed the oar over her head. Blood gushed out into the water from a deep laceration along the side of her skull. It’s a good thing I had your head over the edge of the boat, isn’t it Marilyn? He was twitching like the Joker before a trapped Batman. "Ah yes, that’s me, always thinking. Got to plan it all, isn’t that right Marilyn?

OK honey; a kiss good bye, what do you think? I’ll make it one that you can remember. He reached over and brushed her long wet hair back. He wiped away some blood as he leaned over to kiss her. She mustered up all the energy she had left in her body and, raising her head fast to meet him, she bit him hard over the eye. She tore his upper eye lid in the exact spot he had a small scar already, leaving an open wound.

He reared back in pain, as she lunged forward trying to find another target. Damn you, you bitch, I thought you loved me! He mopped at the eye with the back of his hand and held it out to check the damage. Blood smeared the crook of his thumb. He shook his head and grinned, and to think, I was really going to give you a fair-well kiss and to wish you a good trip into your new world. Well, so be it, screw the sentimental, right? It’s time. I love this! he screamed as he gave her one last violent kick and she flew off the platform.

She kicked and thrashed her bound body and was actually able to break the surface for a second, but she couldn’t maintain it.

Ended here on the plane

Strangely, she calmed, and as she sunk in the crystal clear water she stared back at him, her blond hair streaming. He couldn’t decipher the look on her face, but he enjoyed it thoroughly. He shrugged and thought, well, it didn’t matter before and it hardly matters now.

The water was so clear he could see her for a long way down. He even saw her final exhale. It sent a jolt of pleasure throbbing through his body as he imagined the burning sensation that that fatal gulp of water would cause and especially her helpless panic. He knew she was suffering, and he smiled slowly. Wow, it worked; feet first. He said out loud as if she could hear him. I was going to be kind and kill you first, but I couldn’t make that fit in my plan. You see Marilyn, I had to see it, I had to see that last breath and it was so fucking worth it. Easily as good as watching the light die in all their eyes! Thank you Marilyn, thank you for that! I will never forget it.

Once he was sure he could see her no more, he turned and crawled back over the engine compartment. H-m-m, he thought to himself, Sociopaths ... I do not understand why the general public does not like them. We perform such a valuable service for society; population control, getting rid of the riff-raff ... and all for free. He shook his head like he just couldn’t understand the dilemma.

He headed for the console and wiped his cut eye again with the palm of his hand. Damn that hurt. he said to himself. That bitch... he continued to mumble as he wiped off the blood that was dripping into his eye. All in a day’s work, he hummed to himself as he turned the ignition key and the already running motor protested. Shit! he laughed at his error.

The Gulf Stream will take her to North Carolina where some poor slob fisherman will find her, half eaten and half rotten. Ha, that bloody scalp will ensure she gets some ‘pesky’ attention. Ha again, man, I crack myself up. ’Pesky’ … pescado … I’m a funny fucker!

He let the boat idle and started to move about the deck, checking for tell-tale evidence. I’ve got to start the next part of this adventure; out of town this time, out of the country in fact, until things settle down.

He looked around for any other items that might raise suspicion and noticed blood on the engine cover, He grabbed the boat hose and sprayed off the engine cover and the floor around it. He looked over at the diver’s platform and saw that the waves had taken care of business there. He took his time and tried to do a thorough job. He was enjoying the domesticity.

Twenty-five minutes later, after running the boat at full speed, he returned to Port Canaveral Marina. He throttled down to no-wake speed and angled for the dry dock storage facilities on the left. The air was sharp; sour and salty with the bouquet that only low tide can render. He pinched his nose against it, but there was nothing for it.

After another quick inspection, he noticed a small amount of blood between the cracks of the engine cover. Damn! Fucking shit gets everywhere! He looked around nervously.

At that moment, one of the dock hands walked by and shouted down at him, Hey there, ain’t seen you here lately, where’s yer wife? His southern accent grated.

Oh she, uh, decided not to come today. I can only come out when the office allows, you know?

Yup, the dock hand replied. He was tall and wire thin. He couldn’t stop tapping his thumb and middle finger together in a nervous staccato that hinted at some type of substance abuse. Know whatcha mean, hard to get the time. Big boat fer only one person though. I thought I seen yer wife earlier; musta been thinking of someone else.

He quickly agreed, nodding his head vigorously. Must have been …

Yup, mighty big boat for one person. Here lemme grab a line.

Uh, ok, thanks. He stammered. Damn where the hell did this dick come from? The dock hand headed toward the back of the boat. No, no, not the back line, grab the front one.

The hand gave a puzzled look, but shrugged and said as he took the front shore line, Wanner put up on the rack now?

No let me hose it down and get all the salt off, give me a few, ok?

Sure, but that is my job.

Well not this time, OK? I like doing it. He gave his best friendly smile and threw all his body language into a message that said Nah, you go on along now.

Well, fine by me I guess. He stood there pondering for a second, then pulled off his dirty Evinrude ball cap and ran a long thin grease-stained hand through greasier hair. Jus lemme know when yer ready to have ‘er put on the rack.

Will do.

He watched the stringy overalls disappear among all the Bertrams, Bayliners and Chris Crafts and blew out a bated breath, Wow, that was close, almost made a mistake there. Got to clean this boat better and get out of here. He aped the dock hand’s drawl, Wanner put up on the rack now? He laughed as he started moving things around looking for items he might have missed.

About twenty minutes later he was still talking to himself. OK, looking good, no blood, all prints wiped clean, it’s time to vamos. Looking up he scanned the tethered boats and the meandering paths of floating dock. He spotted the deck hand over by the gas pumps. He stood up on the engine compartment and waved and yelled and quickly got his attention.

A dirty hand cupped an ear but he yelled, Wanner put away now?

Yes, he mouthed and nodded theatrically, put her away.

The stringy dock hand trotted over to the giant lift, started it up and maneuvered toward the lift out area handling it like he definitely knew what he was doing.

Calmer now after the concentrated labor of cleaning the boat, but as usual his mind revved, already thinking about his next moves. His inner dialogue never seemed to stop. Maybe this time I need to get a girl a little older than the last two. I do like young girls, but this time I think I need one a little older. Hell, I do not need a lady. I need to relax, have some fun and begin a new life. Smiling, the thought of another country with a new identity filled his mind. He stepped over to the floating deck and a huge Brown Pelican splashed sloppily into the oily water beside him. Nothing for you today bud ... you should have been out there with me earlier, I might have been tempted to slice off a few pieces of Marilyn sushi for you!"

Yeah, he thought, returning to his fantasy, If I did go for another lady she cannot be as young as Sherine. She was too young. God she was so sweet and easy to control but she had the magic within her. I bet she is a wild one now; too bad I had to leave. She might be fun to be with. She might be as crazy as me. I could see it when she was with her friends . I swear if things had been a little different she and I could be enjoying my adventures together now . And she cannot be as old as Sherine’s mother, Evon. She was too old. He started to smile, almost grinning, as he walked down the dock towards the exit. He liked the way the slanting rays of the sun made the water sparkle between the gaps of the old weathered boards. "I did have fun with them though.

I always wondered if those three really loved me or hated me. I would imagine they always hated me, but I do wonder. He stopped dead in his tracks a second. You know ol’ boy, that sweet little minx Sherine would be about the perfect age now. It may be time to pay them a visit. No. I need some R and R now. Later.... Wow. I will save that fun for later.

He marvelled at this thought as he popped the hatch door on the little luxury SUV and threw his small duffle in. He hit the automatic close button and was around and in the driver’s seat before it latched. As he waited to pull out into the traffic he looked around for the silver Mercedes he thought might have been following him earlier. It was nowhere around and he breathed a sigh of relief as he melted into the anonymous .

Chapter 1

David looked up as Frank’s approaching footsteps echoed in the cavernous metal building. Frank, where is Jim? he asked. He looked extremely agitated and even his three thousand dollar Valentino suit did nothing to change his demeanour.

In the trunk, zipped-tied and gagged, Frank answered. He was a tall man, and slim, and he betrayed no emotion at all except for a faint satisfied smile curling up a corner of his lip. It caused a dimple in his cheek to deepen.

I hope you didn’t hurt him, David said as he smiled.

Me? Why would you think I would hurt him?

David gave him a bigger grin and winked, because I know how much you love him.

David visibly relaxed now that he was sure of his prey. Don’t bring him in now. Wait until it’s a little darker out. Then bring him in through the side door. Make sure he can breathe a little so he will live long enough for me to have some fun with him. He comically rubbed his hands together, but sweat beaded in the course black hair on his pylon-thick wrists.

Will do. What’s your plan for the asshole? Frank stepped over a puddle and stood next to his mentor. Their silhouettes would have reminded you of Abbot and Costello’s, except theirs was all muscle and meanness.

When?

Frank looked up at David and another smile flicked across his face. He stood with his legs spread and his hands on his hips. He took up a lot of room with his stocky body and nothing was getting past him. After you talk to him. The sun was dropping. It slanted enough now through the big four-paned window that it illuminated both men’s feet.

David looked down pensively at its reflection on his shiny Salvatore Ferragamo’s and said Yeah; his toes; start with his toes and work up and see how it goes.

Frank dusted a space and then sat down on a packing crate. I was hoping you would say something like that. He brought his leg up and crossed his knee, rocking his foot up and down excitedly.

I’m still shocked that Marilyn would think I’m so stupid. Well her little game is over. I want you to bring her and her fling to me tomorrow after we dispose of Jim. Stupid bitch thought she could pull this shit on me! He punched a fist into his hand as he paced. He thought to himself, I let that bitch get too close to me god-dammit … she really had me going!

David turned, No wait Frank. Let me think about that. I need to think about how I want to handle this. How long has Jim worked for me? What’s it been, a couple years now, right? He chewed a knuckle as he crossed an arm over his massive chest. Did he have any idea we knew he was the pickup and drop off man?

I doubt it because he knows that when someone double-crosses you they usually are not seen again. Everyone knows that.

David turned his back to the setting sun fighting its way through the dirty glass. He twisted his torso and, using the waning light, looked down at the seat of his suit pants. He brushed off some imaginary spec of something with his hands and then looked back up expectantly at Frank.

"I guess he didn’t want to work much longer or he wouldn’t have double crossed me. It won’t be long now.

A couple hours later, as David was getting off a call, Frank entered the side door and slammed Jim’s bound and gagged body on the floor. He looks different gagged and tied, doesn’t he? David laughed and continued, Don’t think that fancy Captain’s outfit he’s wearing makes him look very commanding either, does it?

Sure doesn’t sir, but I think the way his dislocated arm is under his back adds a certain je ne sais quoi? David walked up to Jim directly and took his chin almost tenderly. He asked in a gently quiet manner, Tell me about this asshole that Marilyn was working with. Jim started out of his torpor and his eyes flared like a horse’s in a barn fire. Spittle slipped down his unshaved face but he shook his head no and tried to pull away. David shrugged, then grabbed Jim by his hair and slammed his head several times on the concrete floor. He stood back up and slowly slid out of his suit coat, folding it neatly. Looks like we are going to be here a while, he smiled. He looked back down at Jim with a quizzical smile. He picked up his head again. In his quiet voice he asked, Oh, Jim, I forgot to ask; where is the next drop off taking place Jimmy boy? And at what time?

An almost unconscious Jim tried to talk this time.