“You might remember I had a good deal to do with that planning,” Salva said drily. “And, if we’d handled it in the usual way, there would have been no trouble. But, no, you had to use Margaret. You gave Lassiter an opening and he took it.”
“I thought he was a fool. I thought Patrick meant more to him than getting back at me. How did I know he’d hunt down Margaret just to punish me?” His voice was savage. “Well, he’s the one who’s going to be punished. They’re both going to go through the fires of hell before this is over.” He was reaching for his phone again. “And we’ll start with Sean Patrick. Did Lassiter actually think I would let him live after this? I’ll have Brukman kill him and send Lassiter the pieces.”
“That may not be the most profitable way of handling this,” Salva said. “We’ve had a great loss. We need to recoup funds quickly before that terrorist group sends someone to us to get back their money.”
“I can handle them.”
“But it could mean that we’d have to devote valuable manpower if they decide to attack us. You know how crazy those bastards can be. It would be better just to let them have their money back and offer them another deal. Why not contact Lassiter and offer to give him Patrick for the same money that the terrorists paid us for the bomb?” He smiled. “That way, you’d hurt Lassiter in the wallet and punish him for taking your little voodoo priestess away from you.”
“Are you being sarcastic? Whatever made you think that I’d ever take advice from you?”
“Perhaps the fact that you’re in trouble and I’m the one who might save your ass?” Salva held up his hand. “Of course I’m not being sarcastic. It was only a suggestion.”
“A lousy suggestion. It wouldn’t be enough. They both have to hurt.”
“You could go after him later.”
“And I will, but now I have to show Lassiter I meant what I said and that I’m in control.”
Salva shrugged. “Do what you wish. But when the bloodbath is over, remember that I offered you an alternative.”
“Screw your alternative.” Nicos quickly began entering the number. “And I’m going to tell Brukman that he’s to video every moment of the torture on Patrick before he kills him. I want Lassiter to have a permanent memory of what he did to his old friend by yanking Margaret away from me.”
“That appears to be in keeping with your usual way of handling your personal affairs.” He poured himself a drink at the bar. “Give Brukman my best. I’ve always admired his skill at what he does. If you recall, I was the one who found him for you when you decided it would amuse you to set up that detention camp.”
“He’s not answering.” Nicos was frowning. “Where the hell is he? I need him.”
“It’s the middle of the night. Perhaps he’s busy with one of those whores I send down there to keep him happy. After all, he needs an occasional change of pace from the duties you give him.”
“He’s supposed to answer my calls. He has orders to be available to me at all times.” Nicos hung up and then called again. “Who does he think he is? Whores? I’ll cut off his nuts before I slit his throat. This is your fault, Salva.”
“I’d like to know how.”
“I can’t take care of everything. When a man like Brukman thinks he can disobey me and not—” He broke off as the call was answered. “It’s about time you answered, Brukman. What did you think you were doing keeping me waiting?”
“Sorry. I was in the can. You know I wouldn’t want to make you—”
“But you did, and I’m in no mood to put up with that bullshit. Things are falling apart up here and I’m going to have to put them right. I’m starting with Patrick. Tell me he’s still alive.”
Silence. “He’s still alive. Barely.”
“Enough for him to hurt?”
“Maybe. You want me to start on him again?”
“Why else do you think I’m calling you? Are you stupid? What do you mean, ‘maybe’?”
“It will take time and skill to make him really suffer. I don’t know if he has that time. He’ll have to have at least a couple days to recover. Otherwise, he won’t last an hour.”
“That’s not enough. And you’d better make sure he holds on. Lassiter has to see it happening; he has to see what I’m doing to him. Photos, movies … no, live.”
“I’ve told you what I thought. I’ll do anything you say, sir.”
“But you can’t promise to give me what I need unless you have two days to get Patrick up to it?” he said in frustration. “I don’t want to wait for two days. And it seems I can’t trust anyone to do it right. Never mind, I’ll do it myself. I’ll come down there and Lassiter can watch me cut his old friend to pieces. Just keep the son of a bitch alive.” He hung up.
“I’m going to Nalsara.” He turned to Salva. “Patrick is barely alive and I’m not going to trust anyone but myself to show Lassiter what happens when anyone tries to make a fool of me. You’re going with me.”
Salva shook his head. “I should stay here and deal with the fallout from that customs mess. You know how dangerous the situation could be.”
Of course I know, Nicos thought savagely. And it was all Lassiter’s fault. All the more reason to go down and punish the bastard. “I want you there. I want you to see me do it. You’re going with me.”
“You persist in wanting an audience. I could much better serve you here.” He studied his face. “Oh, very well. But I do hate that detention camp. I’ve always thought it served no real purpose but your enjoyment.” He paused. “And I heard you say that Patrick might not be a satisfactory lesson for Lassiter anyway, unless you allow a couple days for him to heal. Why don’t we give Brukman the time to get him in shape while we save you trouble and a good deal of money? What difference will a day or so make?” He started to go through his phone directory. “The least you can do is call Cabalo, the head of that terrorist cell, personally and tell him that you’ll meet with him and discuss how to make it right with him in some way. Then I need you to talk to the distributor and let him know that it wasn’t a double cross. That might stave off an attack when we do go to Nalsara. By that time, Patrick will be ready for anything you want to do to him.”
Nicos hesitated. It was going to be a bother and he didn’t want to wait two minutes, much less two days. He wanted to get down there to Nalsara and feel the familiar surge of excitement and power going through him as the blood flowed.
But that bitch Margaret had screwed everything up for him, and Salva could be right. He didn’t need an expensive war with those stupid fanatics when a short delay might give him time to find an edge.
He turned away. “I guess I’ll do it,” he said grudgingly. “I’ll call Brukman back and tell him that he can have a little more time. But if Patrick dies while I’m fooling around with this business, you’re going to pay for it, Salva.”
*