The Hitman and His Consort

XIII - Ulterior

First Person P.O.V: VALENTIN HACKSAW

Art and I also split ways after that. We agreed that our predetermined plans work better if we execute them independently.

As such, I can finally say that I spend the evening, disguised as a redhead to suck up to old men and hope they let me tag along if they ever went to a field trip on a questionable scientific institution so I can infiltrate the place with a woman I’ve only known for approximately 48 hours and help her achieve vengeance for her presumed dead brother.

After doing that personal recap, I’m starting to doubt if I should really go ahead and fall back. Given it’s still interesting and I have nothing better to do, I’m starting to think that this is becoming too much trouble to even be more involved and—is that Pierre Lovanné?

‘Bingo’.

I threaded my way closer to him but as Inka instructed in those passing moments; I spent in a shabby hotel room. We should steer clear of their paths unless introduced or approached. He looks more like a celebrity than an academic from this point.

The man has bright platinum blonde hair slicked back like he’s a cast member from The Matrix while wearing a shiny beige suit on top of his pale skin, if his goal was to look like an expensive popsicle stick he has done an exceptional job. He’s currently circled by a lot of people, whatever they’re talking about must’ve been funny because all I’ve been hearing is loud aggravating peals of laughter and giggles.

I walked closer, taking a drink from a roaming waiter, and I managed to make out very little from their conversation.

“…Yes, it’s quite pretty...”

“…I’ve seen her work…not too much…”

“…expected more…unbelievably clean…”

“Yes, talented…young lad…”

“….test subjects…Humans!...”

I hope they’re not talking about what I think they are. But from here it seems pretty interesting, I was about to walk closer but I managed to bump into an old rather posh-looking skinny man, he offered me a small smile, “Pardon me, sir,” he excuse with a nod,

“It’s no trouble, sir,” I replied, making him chuckle as he straightened his back and offered his hand,

“Dr. Allan Norris, you seem new here, excuse me if that was too casual,” he began,

I shook his hand and offered a smile too, “Ah, no it’s perfectly fine, and yes this is my first time, the names Walter Kowalski,” I replied, as much as it pained me,

He raised a brow in curiosity, “Mr. Kowalski then, are you related to the Kowalski Cargo Ship's business perhaps?” he asked, and I shook my head,

“Unfortunately not, I have a business enterprise on succulents, it’s quite a well-paying venture,” I replied. His eyes grew a millimeter wider in contrast to the smile on his face.

“A fellow plant enthusiast, I’m a botanist you see, and it's quite rare for young men to take interest in such things,” he cheered,

‘Not really, I just like seeing them around’

“Oh absolutely, you find unrivaled and unbothered peace in their presence,” I affirmed. It’s a lie. He seemed pleased with this, of course, I supposed I can gauge just how much influence I can exploit from this man, for instance, can he get Art and me in the lab, or is he just sucking up to someone else to be here too.

He, however, looks too fancy to be sucking up to someone, but then again he’s considerate and respectful which meant he must be on the more modest parts of the spectrum of he’s a genuinely good person and the latter is not an actual option in these type of events.

“I also run a floral orchard, it has a very humble beginning but it grew to be successful and it reeled in good income, and a good wife, I partnered with her perfume company and I’ve had twice as fun with it,” he explained,

‘hmm…’humble beginnings’ definitely rich,’

I chuckled and clasped my hands together, “Oh, I hope to achieve the same one day,” I said, making him laugh, “Are you frequently invited to these events, Dr. Norris?” I followed up,

He sighed and nodded, swirling his drink with a frown, “Yes, yearly, without fail… I know the institute needs all the funding it can get for scientific discovery but it’s getting quite bothersome to attend for an old man like me, and they don’t even spend nearly enough for botanical research,” he answered.

‘Oh sh*t, he knows something…’

I frowned, attempting to sympathize with his complaint, “Really? Don’t fundraiser events like these gather enough for other branches?” I asked. By now I’m merely fishing for facts,

He shook his head, “Mr. Montreal likes—no, adores his genetics, and medicinal sections, which is why Pierre and August are considered his favorite children,” he explained and I nearly grabbed this man and dragged him out of this place to conduct a full interrogation but I stopped myself.

I’m better than that, “You seem awfully close to Mr. Montreal, Dr.Norris,” I noted, making him roll his eyes,

“It’s not a privilege, son, that man is childish and stubborn at heart, I believe he named his old lab rats Marigold…or was it Madison? It was an ‘M’ name, and he refuses to let thing just die,” he said jokingly, so I needed to go along and laugh with him.

‘So they’re close…this is a f*cking jackpot,’

“Then you must be welcomed with open arms in the facility, Doctor,” I said as a joke, to which he chuckled along with a nod.

“I even joke with him that I should just work there so he could pay a little attention to my field, of expertise,” he added, and I knew we secured something solid tonight, the thing is I forgot to wear the earpiece that Inka told us to equip because I was too mesmerized by my disguise.

‘f*cking self-sabotage…’

I just laughed along with him and tried to look around subtly if I were lucky enough to spot Arthur in this f*****g sea of people. I was not. I turned to him again, “I have always been curious about what other things could be done for my plants, I’m sure you would be able to know if you ever have the equipment to do so,” I said, sucking up more than I thought it almost gave me heartburn.

He nodded with a sigh, “Ah, yes, if only, but in his defense, his ongoing projects are actually good, even if he does have some frivolous scientists, Pierre, for instance, acts spends a lot of time outside the labs drinking coffee and walking around town in his flamboyant attires,” he complained again and I am at my wit's end, I am tempted—no, compelled to just plan out how I’ll abduct this man he.

He knows enough to open up other avenues and alternatives to make our goal easier.

“He gets out of the lab? Is that allowed?” I asked. I have no idea and interest to know but just to keep the conversation going, I already planned out how I’ll kidnap him so I need to make sure he’s entertained with me to keep him in one place for a moment,

“Yes, that is allowed but flaunting around during work time and playing around is… disappointing, perhaps it’s because he is favored by Montreal,” he answered with a frown, shaking his head, I did the same with a click of my tongue before I pulled out my phone,

“Ah, please excuse me for a moment, sir, I need to settle something very quickly,” I said, and he nodded with a smile.

“Sure, Mr. Kowalski,” he assured, I stepped away from the crowded area, and called Denis, I don’t have Inka’s contact and I’m sure wherever Arthur is, she will be pissed knowing that I forgot to put on my earpiece and I’m too psyched to deal with that.

“Yellow, Valya,” Denis answered

“Pick me up at the white palace, dress like a driver, wear a hat, bring sedatives, text me if you’re here, I’ll go there so wait in the car, I’m disguised as a ginger and I’m bringing a skinny old man with me, we heading to the old spot,” I listed rapidly,

“Got it, see you,” He confirmed and the call ended.

I went back to Dr. Norris with a layout of how I’ll pan this out:

‘First, I ask what his business looks like,’

“Sorry about that, Dr. Norris, seems like our experiment on plant placement is troublesome,” I said, making sure to lure out his need to exercise his superior experience so he won’t suspect anything,

“Oh yes, those things huh, quite tricky especially for your type of plant, quite sensitive those little things,” he replied, and I mentally cussed, I was too shallow now I need to ask him directly,

“Indeed, they are sir, did you have similar experiences?” I asked, making him shake his head in a tight-lipped chuckle,

“No, son… I don’t mean to brag, but I was immensely thorough with my plots back in my humbler days, it’s would be a disgrace to my degree if I wasn’t,” he replied with a subtle smug smile,

‘Next, I need him to pity me a little, correct me and school me about it,’

I nodded in fake awe, “Oh, of course, makes me wonder if I should take graduate studies in this field, but I don’t have much faith in myself to actually go through all of that,” I replied making his tilt his head with a smile,

“Yes it’s not as easy as some ignorant people make them to be,” he assured, by then loud music started and the lights dimmed, right on the stage was Pierre while the screen behind him presented a romanticized perspective on the lab and it’s work.

Like an over-paid commercial that advertised lies instead of products. I heard Dr. Norris scoff and sigh, “Look at all that, what a waste of time,” he mumbled making me smirk and chuckle along, “Although you should make use of events like this, Mr. Kowalski, make connections and meet people, it could help in the future,” he advised and I shook my head,

“More than that doctor, I would like to ask for your guidance, you seem more legible than anyone else I would meet,” I said, making him shake his head with a smile.

“You flatter me, Mr. Kowalski,” He said but I’m done sucking up to him and I’m losing patience, I then felt my phone vibrate and sure enough it was Denis, he came arrived pretty quick so I’ll give him props for that later, I turned to Dr. Norris again, and strained every facial muscle I have to appear like I’m worried.

“Oh my… uh, doctor, if you’re eager to leave, do you perhaps have time to check my products? It seems that more than troublesome, my experiment went completely wrong,” I asked, making sure to sound desperate, it took him a glance at the crowd, at his watch, and a nod before looking at me,

“Certainly, Mr. Kowalski,”

“Thank you so much, my driver is just outside,”

‘and finally… just kidnap him,’

We exited the place, I already saw one of our incognito cars and gestured for Dr. Norris to go there. I even opened the doors of the backseat for him and once we both settled, I exchanged glances with Denis and he drove.

The doors locked and Dr. Norris spoke, “Where is your orchard located, Mr. Kowalski?” he asked.

I felt Denis stifle a laugh, so I signaled him to give me the sedative. In a syringe, how barbaric.

Without further ado, I lowered the back of my seat and grabbed this frail man, injecting it into his arm. Now sedatives don’t work instantaneously, but he’ll knock out soon enough.

For I moment he looked at me with contempt, confusion, and fear but I just let him bathe in all his stupid emotions as I pulled the backrest of my seat up again and just waited until he was completely unconscious, seems like he was left speechless of what just happened because he didn’t manage to ask the usual, ‘why’s’, ‘how’s’ and ‘who’s’.

After a moment of loud silence, Denis’ repressed laughter gradually became louder until I started to suspect he must’ve busted a gut during that, “W-What–HAHAHA-WHO DID THAT TO YOU—HAHAHAHA!” he managed to ask despite his wheezes,

“Arthur,”

“HAHAHA-YOU LOOK AWESOME—HAHAHA”

“Are you sure ‘awesome’ is the word you’re looking for?”

“NO-HAHAH YOU LOOK WEIRD HAHAHAH!”

“Thanks,”

“C-Can… Can I take A PICTURE HAHAHAHA”

“Breathe, you moron,”

“OHMYGO—HAHAHAH” he still went on even as he pulled out his phone and took pictures with the flash on, so it grew infuriating very quickly. After spending more time laughing, he finally settled down and played some pop songs until we reached the same warehouse where we spooked the group of stupid teenagers.

Once we arrived, the rest was pretty easily assembled even as an on-the-spot abduction, a chair, and duct tape. We didn’t even open the lights, just used the headlights of the car and set him right in front of it. Denis leaned on the hood with a smirk, “You’re not taking that off?” he asked,

“I am,” I replied as I ripped the wig off, removed the beard, and scooped the wax off my nose. “Do you still have those hygiene kits in the cars?” I asked. Denis is someone who prioritizes his looks, so he has things like wipes and cleansers and whatever those are.

“Yes, glove compartment,” was his reply, I take some and wipe my face and neck or anywhere else I recalled having make-up on. With good timing, my phone rang, it’s an unregistered contact, but I answered either way, “hello?” I asked,

“Valya where are you?” it was Art, and she is mad.

“In a warehouse,” was my reply,

“What the f*ck, Valya, we had a plan!”

“I know, but this seemed like an easier alternative, I’ll send you my location and hear me out, if my decision was wrong, punch me in the face,” I replied,

“You better pray it’s a good decision then, Valya,” she warned before ending the call. I smirked at her adorable attempt to threaten me and sat on the hood next to Denis, looking at Dr. Norris’ unconscious body.

If I can get him to talk about what he knows, maybe we don’t need to infiltrate that lab and take a big step forward. Then again I suppose that would cut the fun short. I was entertained by all of this, but I’m not sure just how long I’ll remain fixated on this.

I don’t want to suddenly lose interest in this right when it’s reaching completion. It’s none of my business, but it seems like Arthur would be crushed if things didn’t go well and she wasn’t able to take revenge on whoever killed her brother. Just thinking of how her usually goofy face turning into a hollow expression is so foreign to me that I couldn’t even picture it.

Yet if this ended, whether on a bad or good note what should I spend my time again? Those referrals and warehouse inventory? It seems bland now. Maybe I should consider working outside referrals, maybe I can even work with Arthur again.

‘Wait...what—’

“We have incoming,” Denis announced as we saw the figure of a van towards the warehouse. It stopped just outside so I went ahead and opened the wooden doors and I was met by a punch to the face. More than surprised, I was angry at Arthur who, still in disguise, grabbed my collar,

“What was that for?” I asked.

“Your decision is wrong, you shouldn’t have diverged from the plan! You can only make a call like this if our plan is compromised or our covers were blown!” she explained, making it clear that she’s already set on punching me and that is not up for negotiation.

‘Her terms were fair I suppose’

I pried her grip off my clothes and just dragged her in, I also saw Inka in the van, but there’d be no doubt she’s just as mad as Arthur. Once I showed her the slumbering figure of Dr. Norris, she paused and crossed her arms, “Explain, Valya,” she bellowed,

“This man knows Montreal personally, Pierre and August too, he knows details inside the facility, and if we could get some answers from him we don’t have to get in that lab since our targets are people, not specimens,” I explained,

“And what if he’s lying?” she asked,

“He’s not,”

“How do you know,”

“I just do,” was my simple reply. She seems unconvinced for a moment but it didn’t take long until she just sighed and shrugged. I gestured for Denis to wake him up and Art turned to me with a frown once again.

“You brought Denis along?” she hissed

“Yeah I needed help,” I replied again,

Denis then nodded to Art when their eyes met and I couldn’t quite make out the expression on her face, it was like a mixture of exasperation and shame. It was entertaining. When Denis was done and Dr. Norris finally opened his eyes, he blinked a couple of times, adjusting his eyes against the blinding headlights pointed at him. He grunted, trying to wriggle to a more comfortable position.

“Dr. Norris,” I called out,

He probably couldn’t make out our faces from this spot, we’re against the light. “W… Who sent you?” he asked, making me think that he must’ve expected things like this to happen because he’s doing something that made him worth abducting.

“This is a personal vendetta, Dr. Norris,” I replied,

“Then who are you?” he asked again,

“We’ll be asking the questions from here doctor, what do you know about the Mariella labs?” I asked, glancing at Arthur, who was watching the old man intently,

“I know a lot, boy, you need to be more specific,” he fired back, he has a lot more spunk than he let on,

“Ask him about attempted assassinations for either Pierre or August,” Art whispered to me making me frown, “Why don’t you ask him?” I whispered back,

“Your voice is scarier and you seem to know what you’re doing,” she explained, jabbing my side,

Doing as told, I asked, “Do you know anything about attempted assassinations for Pierre or August?” I asked, and he paused for a moment, lowering his head.

“This again? I already told you that what happened months ago was not my doing, I’m not that desperate! I have my own business and I don’t ever want to work for Montreal,” he explained and it seems we got something important as well as uncovered more than we needed.

“We don’t work for him either, we just want to know what happened in that incident months ago, we have no issue with you, if you cooperate this will be over sooner,” I said and he scoffed,

“Well, it’s an assassination attempt as you called it, nothing more nothing less, that was back when Pierre was facing a little mishap with his colleague who ended up resigning, there are two variations of the outcome. It was talked behind shut doors that he was just killed and thrown into sea,” he trailed off,

“And the other?” I pressed,

“That he was caught and used as a human test subject, but even as crude as Montreal is, that was just… Inhumane,” he finished,

By then I felt Arthur’s tight grip on my hand. She must’ve done that unconsciously. Her jaw was clenched and her neck was strained. She was holding back whatever emotion she’s feeling to the point her forearms shook. I just let her do what she needs to calm down since I’m not in the mood to do some cleanup in the near future.

“Who would know these for sure?” I queried again,

Dr. Norris lifted his head and faced the ceiling, “Who else? Montreal and his pets, of course, you should’ve just abducted Pierre…but I doubt that boy would talk though, even at the expense of his life Pierre is a very driven lad, Montreal never goes anywhere without guards so I doubt you’ll find him, and August…she never leaves the lab” he answered.

After he said that Arthur pulled me aside clinging to my coat in a tight grip that her knuckles turned white, and in a very hushed yet strained voice she bellowed, “I need to find Lovanné... I need to know, Valya,”. I nodded, placing a hand on her exposed back and she started breaking down. Her breathing hitched as she whimpered softly,

“I need to know if my brother is alive…”