Short Stories

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Chaz ground his teeth in frustration as he paced outside the restaurant. He hated the position he and Ruby were in, everything smelled bad, and his impulse was to run, go to yet another city, and try again. People on the run couldn’t afford to get involved with unknown circumstances, unknown people, especially those that just walk up to you and offer you a job. That never happens. There are no coincidences. And right now they were vulnerable, and he smelled trap, if not ambush. His hand began to quiver uncontrollably. He tried to steady it with the other, but then they both began to shake violently.

Everything in him said this was wrong, and yet, the two of them were inside talking. Put a bullet between his eyes and run, Chaz kept saying to himself. The shaking started again, his body screaming for more of the inhalant performance enhancers that he had used on the last odd job. That had netted them enough cred to get to Portland, but now they were skint again, and they needed a job.

Too conveniently the man appeared out of nowhere and offered them jobs. Real jobs. Regular pay. Benefits. Corporate housing. Too much. Too perfect. It had to be a trap. Chaz could not dissuade Ruby from her “putting some feelers” out as she put it, which would be exactly all a Hit Squad would need, for them to spend a certain amount of time in a certain place. It would be what he would use to catch them. It would be his tactic if he got the assignment from Deutsch-Corp to kill them. And they had already encountered enough hit teams in their flight across two continents.

Put a bullet through the stranger’s head, and go to the next city. His hands shook. He looked around for snipers that would cut off their dash to the van. The van was probably tagged already, if not rigged with a bomb. Deutsch-Corp doesn’t take too kindly when their own break ranks and leave. There was probably already a team waiting for them in this city before they arrived. Or two. One will succeed and get paid or promoted, the other fail and be penalized or demoted. A little friendly competition with high stakes. It was the way D-C operated with its teams. Let the fittest survive. Hopefully, the teams spent their time hunting down each other instead of doing their homework. No need to scan passing cars for drive-bys, these would be professionals, and not mercenary squads either. Their hunters would be as good -- or better -- than they were.

* * * * *

“Are ye out of ye mind, woman? What did ye tell him a thing like that, for?”

“Anyone who is connected to the underground knows we’re on the run. Word spreads around fast. Why do you think we’ve been having such a hard time finding work? No one wants to cross Deutsch-Corp by hiring two of their runaways. It was an easy chip to give up at the bargaining table, and I think it gained us a lot. Being that upfront open up a whole array of discussions.”

“Did ye tell him why?”

“Yes. And I told him for the same reasons.”

“By The Sacred Stones! Woman, no employer wants to hear from his prospective that they willfully disobeyed superiors, broke a contract, and left without warning. That’s the kiss of death in this business.”

“Normally, yes. This one’s different. Trust me, Chaz.”

“Why don’t ye trust me, lass? We put a bullet in his head and make a break.”

“If we even try something like that with him, no one will touch us in Portland, and this is our last chance. No one will sell us a gun, no one will hire us, and we’ll be wanted on TWO continents. So I’ll have no more talk of that.”

“It’s all too perfect. Besides, how does he plan on handling Deutsch-Corp who keep sending shadow killers after us? Eh?”

“He’s got a lot of influence in this town, and he’s not afraid of D-C.”

“Then he’s delusional and foolish. Everyone should have a healthy respect for Deutsch-Corp.”

“I said he wasn’t afraid of them. I didn’t say he lacked a healthy respect for them. Portland’s a unique city, Chaz, and Deutsch-Corp doesn’t hold a corporate scepter here like they do in the larger cities that rely upon their business for stability. Chaz, there is an opportunity for us here, to be legitimet, as body guards, and not killers.”

“Well, it’s not like I have a say in the matter, anyway. What did you negotiate?”

“He refused to come to a final decision until he talked with you.”

“Eh? But ye’re my representative. Ye know I can’t speak for meself.” Chaz’ hands began to quiver again.

“He wants to speak with you, Chaz. I have a feeling about this one. Be straightforward, honest, and blunt.” Smile.

“Just like you always are. Don’t hide or hold back anything, he’ll know it and it will count against you. Don’t try flattery, it will fail. Look him in the eye, and don’t look away, he’ll respect you. One word of warning, though, Chaz. Don’t go off boasting on your exploits like you do.”

“Woman, I never –“

“Even if it happens to be true. Honesty in this case is a virtue. Keeping it in perspective, however, is your trump. Now go in there and talk with the man.”

“But -- without you?”

“That was the condition. Don’t worry,” wry smile. “I’ll watch your back for a change.”

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