“They wanted you to kill her?” Carmen asks.

“Yes. I had been ignoring it. But I knew. I refused. She was not a threat to anyone. That was my case.”

“They didn’t care did they?”

“No……her father was making deals with arms dealers and other things…..and I refused and they sent The Sweet, she poisoned her…..her coffee. I watched her die……saw that last glimmer of light in her eyes. She died alone no one around but me. I held her hand……the look in her…..the look in her eyes……she thought it was me who did it………. I saw The Sweet watching me with her……she took the tray away disguised as a waitress. She blew me a kiss. And that was that. It had a profound effect on me. On my ability to get things done. I felt like something was trying to get out of me by force. I tried to cut it out of me….. The feelings, but nothing came out……. just blood. That should have been another warning sign…………”

“Why are you telling me this?’ Carmen asks looking sad and stricken.

“I don’t know. I guess I wanted to tell you. I mean I will do it. I will kill them for you. I will avenge your kin. It’s the least I can do.”

“Why do they want you dead Shane?”

“Because I know things. I have done things. They have done things that have violated treaties and other things. They tried unsuccessfully to end my contract in Antarctica. It failed……I survived the harshest elements…….with nothing but my smarts and my will……. they thought I was over my malfunction. They thought I was useful.”

“So what changed?”

“I refused another assignment. They sent someone personally after me and I killed her. And here we are now.”

Carmen understands. She understands better than the average person would. She has her own demons I suppose. Where will this road lead us? How will this end? With any luck, with my money, not missing too much blood and on a beach in Fiji and Carmen naked right next to me.

I can dream can’t I?

TBC

Featured Song: Abstract morality junction By Red Harvest.