Danger Money (26 page)

"Can I have something to drink please?" I asked when I had calmed down.

"Yeah I guess so." she grumbled and pulled out a water bottle. And then surprised me by holding up my head and helping me to drink it.

"Why the sudden change?" I asked trying again to smile at her.

"You got him didn't you?" She whispered in my ear.

"Of course," I grinned back. "I
never
miss!" Then I chuckled again, which made me gasp in pain from the broken rib.

"Sorry about that," She apologized.

"Don't lie," I smiled, "And don't worry, I like you." and I tried to chortle at her.

"Why? You sick or something?" she looked surprised.

"Like drawn to like, that's all. I was once a lot worse than you. With a little help I bet you wouldn't find it hard to change. Once you start, it's easy. The person who changed me died four years ago, but I'm still improving."

"He must of made quite an influence."

"She," I smiled sadly. "I suspect Siedman had her killed, that was one of the reasons he had to go. But enough about me, tell me about you." I was having trouble talking anyway, it still hurt too much. Besides, I really wanted to see if she'd tell me about herself.

Surprisingly she did. It was obvious that she was impressed with me. Or rather with what I had planned. After all I had killed Siedman from inside this airtruck, it was just as obvious that I had expected to be taken. So she figured I had some grand scheme and her whole attitude was that maybe I wasn't just some lucky bumbling fool.

I hated to tell her that my plans had ended when I got in the limo. But I guess she had heard the stories of my exploits and had never really believed. Until now maybe.

The next several hours were actually quite pleasant. We talked about things we had done and things we had seen, none of it business. Eventually we did get around to the subject of our respective upbringing. She hadn't been through the same training I had, as far as she knew there weren't assassins being trained anymore. Her job had just been the dirty tricks squad, her outstanding performances there had gotten her picked for this one.

It was surprising how similar we were, she had an ego almost as big as mine, a huge streak of luck, and that certain sixth sense that had saved my butt more than once. This was more likely the reason she had hated me so much, we were too much alike, we understood each other.

I should have hated her myself, but instead I was finding myself drawn to her. I think she felt the same too, a pity we had to finally become aquatinted under what were certainly terminal circumstances for me. Isn't it funny how when you've finally thrown it all away and it's too late to change things, that suddenly you find a reason to want to change them anyway?

Life is full of irony I guess.

I did eventually ask about the others who had gotten away, she knew about two, one who had never made it past the moon. Another who had surfaced and was killed on Hobson's Choice. I didn't mention the remaining two, especially as one was Dara and I owed her at least that much. I hoped they both stayed away and free, they didn't owe anybody anyway.

When we got to our destination I was in rather positive spirits, though I still hurt like hell.

"Listen, I can give you something for the pain if you want Jotun." Jocel told me as the Wolf helped me out of the truck.

From the surprised look on his face, this wasn't her normal behavior.

"No, I don't want to be drugged for whatever is coming next." Then I smiled at her, "Besides, I still have an Ace in the hole."

The look on her face spoke volumes, I think she was actually hoping that I was telling the truth.

"You better walk a few feet in front of me," She began as the Wolf handed her a small gear bag and she got her pistol out. "And please don't make me use this. I'd really be sorry about it."

"You and me both," I smiled and shuffled forward. My hands and feet were shackled and shuffling was about all I could manage even without the chains.

As I came around the truck with her bringing up the rear, I saw where we were. It was somebody's private estate, a fairly nice one, the kind that says: I'm rich, but I don't flaunt it.

I noticed there were two guards there, neither was in company colors. Some private concern from the looks of things.

The truck took off and left as we set foot on the drive, the guards just watched us carefully until we approached.

"Halt!" One said as they both lowered their rifles to cover us.

"I'm here to deliver this prisoner as per my orders," Jocel replied calmly. "Please notify whoever is inside."

"One moment." The first one replied and picked up a radio.

The second one came over to inspect my chains.

"Careful," warned Jocel, "this one is extremely dangerous."

"Doesn't look like he's in too good a shape anymore," he chuckled as he came over. But he put his rifle down out of reach and was extremely wary all the same.

For her part Jocel stood back and kept her gun on me. I had to admit I liked the way she stuck to her job. She might be thawing towards me, but she wasn't going to betray her loyalties. I admire that in a person.

We were passed through a few minutes later and told which way to go. I was surprised that they didn't ask Jocel for her weapon, but then I was surprised that we weren't at some corporate debriefing and execution center. I led the way inside and up the stairs as I had been told.

"Down here, on the left." A strange voice called. I turned and headed that way.

When I shuffled in the room the first person I saw I didn't recognize, my nose told me there was another one and I think I heard him standing behind me. But I was more interested in the one in front. Not only was he smiling but he was walking towards me with his hand out.

"Congratulations Jotun, once again you have proved that your abilities are second to no one's," and he shook my hand.

"Ummm, who are you?" I asked confused, "and why am I here? For that matter why am I even still alive?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess introductions are in order. My name is Stan Rywelski."

Suddenly I knew who he was, "You're the V.P. I've been helping out!" I said amazed.

"Not anymore," said a voice that I recognized. "Now he's the President of the Corporation, thanks to you Jotun." And Harold walked around me and into view.

"Please, acting President only," he said embarrassed and putting up his hands in a warding gesture. "They haven't made it permanent yet."

"Oh they will, you're a shoe-in Stan. If it wasn't for that fast one that Siedman pulled he would never have gotten it."

"Harold? I thought you quit the company?" I asked surprised.

"It's Senator O'Brien now actually," He smiled. "Harold was never my real name. I didn't trust Siedman an inch. Good thing too, look what he did to the Moon operation."

I glanced back at Jocel, she looked just as confused as I felt. "Umm would one of you gentlemen please explain to me what this is all about?" and I glanced down at my chains.

"Oh certainly," said Stan, who was now my boss I guess. "You still working for us Jotun?"

"Of course, I never stopped," I said indignantly.

"I thought as much," he smiled and walked over to his desk and sat behind it. "You can release him and put the gun away Jocel. He's on my side."

Interesting that he said 'my' and not 'our'. I wondered about that briefly but Jocel spoke up then.

"You know my name sir?" she said surprised as she came over and undid the locks.

"Of course, I picked you for the mission. Siedman thought it was his idea of course, but actually I was the one behind it."

"Why?"

"Yeah why?" I echoed.

"Yes, I supposed you deserve to know. Especially you Jotun, after what you've lost," He stopped and looked out the window for a minute. "Okay where was I? Oh yes explanations. Have a seat Senator, this'll take a while."

Jocel and myself stood.

Stan got back up and started walking around as he talked.

"You see I was in charge of one of the mining divisions way back when Jotun here first made contact with me. I didn't know who he was at the time, or for quite some time after that. But I did quickly find out that he had to be somebody special, after all I was a VP and
I
couldn't find out who he was.

"So I counted my good fortune and used what he gave me. As time went on I managed to get myself moved into intelligence. As the VP of that I had access to what went on in the Palace, it didn't take me long to figure out who my friend was."

He walked by Jocel who snapped to attention, he looked her over and smiled. "May I?" He nodded towards the gun.

She nodded and took it out and handed it too him, safety on I noticed.

"Neat little toys aren't they?" He said pacing again and examining the pistol, "Did you know we make these?"

"No" I said, Jocel just watched.

"Subdivision of one of the mining companies' actually," He tossed it on the desk and kept pacing.

I noticed the safety was
off
now. This was getting interesting.

"Umm, close the door will you Jocel? This is sensitive and I sure wouldn't want any prying ears to hear this."

She closed the door then stood by it. She didn't seem to notice anything funny, and Harold or rather O'Brien, was blissfully oblivious.

"Anyway, I got interested in Jotun here.
Very
interested, so I sent a friend up to investigate him. What I got back was quite a surprise to say the least."

That shocked me, and I know I showed it. O'Brien looked surprised too.

"You had somebody on the inside up there?" He asked.

"Of course, I'm no fool." And he looked out the window again for a moment.

I tried to see what he was looking at, but couldn't from here.

"I found out what Siedman was up to after it was too late. We were all scrambling to try and save our own asses at that point of course. But I was very happy to learn that you were one of the ones who escaped," and he turned to look at me.

"Thank you," I said and walked over to the window myself as he walked away. I leaned against the sill, I needed the support anyway as I still felt pretty bad, and a bit weak as well.

"Don't, I used you just like Siedman did."

"Oh? How?" I asked looking up from the window at him.

"I had a pretty good idea where you went Jotun. My source knew you quite well, and you did leave traces, I just sat on them until the time was right. Then I sent Jocel here after you, to flush you out and drive you back here. I think you know why."

"To rid us of that bastard Siedman, Jaime was an added bonus as well!" Laughed O'Brien.

Something in his voice changed my opinion of him. Suddenly I didn't see him as the wimpy yes man I had assumed he was. The more I thought about it the more I realized he obviously couldn't be, yes men can't afford re-juv treatments like he had when I’d first met him.

I looked at him laughing then back at Stan. He gave me an almost imperceptible nod.

"How did you get him anyway?" O'Brien asked chuckling.

"Professional secret, my getting taken was just to make him drop his guard. He always thought I was an idiot."

"He sure did, he didn't like any of your people."

"Where was I being taken by the way?" I asked and glanced over at Jocel. Then looked back at Stan.

He gave another imperceptible shake, no. I sighed inwardly with relief at that. I know I wouldn't have done it.

"A debriefing center. Siedman was hoping you'd know where our last two lost assets might be hiding out. He was having trouble sleeping at night.

"After that you were to be killed of course."

"Of course," I mumbled and turned my head back to the window. I looked over the view as they continued to talk.

"So you're saying that you used Jotun to kill Siedman?" Jocel said surprisingly. I glanced at her and she seemed to be sensing something was going on.