The Liberal Assassin

Business As Usual (2)

Using the private network, I gave Nash a call. No more than three buzzes later, his gruff voice greeted me.

With a chirpy tone fully intended to annoy him, I returned the greeting. "Hey, old man! How have you been?"

"Cut the small talk, brat. I've known you long enough. How are things progressing on your end? You haven't been coming to visit lately."

I chuckled. "Aww, how sweet… Are you feeling lonely without me around, Papa?"

I could almost see Nash cringing at the word 'Papa'. Half expecting him to yell at me and cut the line, I was surprised to only to hear a heavy sigh from the other side. He didn't even bother retorting! Is Spxtro going to end tomorrow?

"Whatever. Is it tough over there?"

I got the underlying message and to be honest, I was far from fine. The office was solace but the apartment in Area Thirty could do with some work. The walls are thin and the landlady was always arguing with her husband making it hard to sleep at night. Focussing was an impossible task.

Nash had seen me twice since I left the Academy and the eye bags must be terrible if he was asking about my well-being.

"Don't worry. I just need some time to settle down although it can get slightly lonely without Mrs Peterman and Alastair breathing down my neck…"

His low chuckle on the other end of the line had me smiling. "Well, you've always complained about them. How ironic you would find yourself missing them someday."

Shrugging I decided to broach the main topic. "That's human nature really. In any case, you called me earlier. Was there something you wanted to tell me?"

I sensed the shift from a casual and warm tone to a clipped business one. "It's about what you wanted me to investigate."

"Oh?" The news hit me like cold water. I was immediately sober.

"That route does exist. For a while, there wasn't any movement. I thought it was unused so I went asking around a little. It seems like things are more complicated than just the dealings of the underworld."

I frowned at the last bit of information. "Parliament?"

There was a pause at the other end. "No, it's worse. We are talking about Area Forty-One. There is a system within that area related to the underworld in the Slums. I highly doubt Spencer knows of it."

That was news to me. As far as I was concerned, Spencer was the only man that knew everything happening in the Inner City. Area Forty-One is also under the Patrol Guards' jurisdiction. He had Helenos Satchel under his control so why would he be unaware of the hidden path? Even the illegal base that I infiltrated as Night Walker had been something Spencer knew. The route was not very difficult to spot either.

"Spencer should know of it. The route was easily spotted with a detailed scan. That man knows better than to overlook something this simple."

Nash was silent on the other hand. "Titus, do you know what I saw when I made my way to survey the route on the map?"

I was beginning to imagine things like abandoned tunnels and broken doors. It was the only explanation why Spencer would not bother checking it. Before I could answer, Nash was already describing it.

"It was the making of a madman. You should see it for yourself. High walls, laser traps, deadly chemicals and homing lasers for the welcome party. I'm very sure there are deadlier surprises inside."

"Homing lasers?" I couldn't believe my ears. "Only the Patrol Guards possess that technology. Those are supposed to be extremely expensive. What are they doing in Area Forty-One?"

There were so many questions growing inside of my head but neither of us had any answers to them now. The heavy sigh on the other end told me what I wanted to know. If Nash was clueless even after digging around for a week, this was something that required serious investigation. Unfortunately, it would have to wait for now.

"I get it, Nash. Leave it to me. For now, I have something else to ask of you."

The ex-hitman hummed thoughtfully. "Am I getting paid?"

I chuckled. "I'm quite broke right now but I can try. Your next shipment of Pantiumite will be coming soon so I'll just send it over with that shipment. What is it you would like this time? Another one of those new holographic terminals?"

Eyes rolled at the snort from the other side. As much as he denied it, that geezer was absolutely obsessed with the newest technology from the Inner City. He already has the most outstanding house in the Slums and now he was going to have the most technologically advanced house in the Slums. Men and women alike swarmed to his house in the evenings to watch Sable Vogel perform from what they called a 'floating person in a frame'.

"I'm not that easily bought over you know? Besides, I have not heard your request."

Usually, it was easier to make a request after knowing the p*****t demanded from me. Many of my clients offered ridiculous amounts for my information, giving me the upper hand in the negotiation. Nash, unfortunately, was someone I disliked doing business with. He always ensured he had the higher ground when dealing with me. Even after five years, I would always be that little boy desperately chasing to catch up with his shadow.

"Can't you state what you want first for a change? It scares me to even think about what you are going to want after you know what I am asking for."

"Ha! You're still too young to negotiate with me, brat. If you don't like my offer you can take your business elsewhere."

The communicator was so close to getting smashed. Calm down, Titus! Nash is trying to provoke you as usual. It's fine. You can always think about accepting his terms after you've heard it. Two can play the game, I smirked.

"Fine but just so you know… I can always find someone else to help me out."

"Keep telling yourself that, boy." That smug tone made me consider sharpening my daggers and paying him a visit.

"Well," I breathed, "I'm looking for a proxy."

The smug tone vanished into puzzled silence. "Why the Slums? There are many from within the Inner City."

I smiled, feeling a small sense of superiority. "Are you going to take up this offer or not?"

The sound gritting teeth over the line made me giddy from the adrenaline rush. I could feel the blood pumping through my veins as Nash weighed his options. If Nash had a weakness, I would say it was curiosity.

"So?" That single word seemed to egg him towards what I wanted.

"Fine. What kind of person are you looking for?"

"Aren't you going to state your price first? Or are you too afraid you can't do the job?"

The growl was exactly what I wanted to hear.

"Titus Crowley. I am many things but afraid is never one of them. I killed for credits even before you existed."

"Oh no, I never meant to offend you! I merely wanted to ensure you were the right man for the job."

Hook, line and sinker.

"Of course, I am the right man! State what you're looking for. In return, I want to be in on all your plans. I don't care if you don't want it revealed too soon or if it is unfinished. I want to know every single thing."

Once.

Twice.

I blinked again just to be sure I didn't hear wrong. "That's… not very difficult to agree to. Why would you ask for this though? You could have asked for the Orion Glasses you were dying to try."

There was no reply from Nash and I got worried for a moment. "Nash?"

"No reason, brat! Go to sleep. You'll probably have to wake up early tomorrow. Good night."

I wanted to ask more but Nash had already hung up. Kevin ended my call and I allowed myself a moment to withdraw from reality.

What just happened?

As I stepped out from the crappy apartment in a preppy suit, my mind was still reeling from the surrealness of it all. Suddenly I felt apologetic towards Jasmine knowing that she was probably not going to enjoy tonight's date.