The Upside of Death

The dead like to talk. Part 25

Keera dropped back into her body with a slight twitch. Zach didn't stir; a slight rattling as he breathed told her he was still deep in sleep. That gave her time before she broke the news: the kidnapping almost over, replaced by a death sentence. That was the logic; her senses brought nothing up to contradict this. Only a few hours left to prepare for a situation that would crumble and collapse, violence the only outcome.

The cryptic message from Bardo, about looking good? Made no sense. But she knew it would, soon, she hoped. Flint was too new in his world to be useful. Could Zach figure out an angle? Not quickly enough; he was battered and bewildered, his energy levels would take days to recharge. Even a live wire like him.

Under the door, light flared, followed by loud surprised voices. Footsteps approached and the door opened. She gazed steadily at Yuri's face; he stared back for a few seconds before withdrawing. He came back with ties and joined her and Zach by the wrist.

Zach awake now but unprotesting. Yuri pulled a dog chain out of his back pocket and looped it from their wrists to the corner bed leg. He said nothing, switched the overhead lights off, left them alone.

What had startled them?

"It was me," Flint said, materializing beside her. "I did it."

"Did what?" she asked aloud.

"What did what?" Zach asked.

"Flint's here," she said.

"Messed with the lights," Flint said. "That's what. They freaked out. I flicked the television off too, and then back on, and changed the channel. Can you believe they watch The Shopping Network?"

"What did they say?"

"First they thought it was a fault in the TV. Then Yuri said it was you messing with them. He thinks you might have something going. He's kinda clued in about this stuff, you know. Watch him."

"I watch all of them."

"He's got a taste for killing now. His gun compensates for his lack of clout in this group."

She stared back in growing comprehension. "Yuri shot you? Not Semyon?"

Zach lifted his head, stared at her.

"Correct," Flint said.

"I thought Semyon was the enforcer."

"Yuri got trigger happy, still itchin' to go again."

Holy God. "What does Vronsky think?"

"He's about to call the whole deal off. He's got government surveillance on his mind, and that makes him nervous. He's not letting on, though. Semyon? He's a goon. He only wants to eat, fuck and shoot people. He especially wants to fuck and shoot you."

"You keep saying that. I wish you wouldn't," she said. "I can't operate if I get too nervous."

"What's he saying?" Zach asked, looking at her and around the room.

"I'll tell you in a minute," she said.

Flint took a breath, although he didn't need one, didn't need any. "I know you won't believe me," he said, "but I feel bad about you. I was thinking numbers and angles and moves, and not a single thought about you. I apologize."

"Well," she said, "while apologies are in order, I'll say sorry for being ungracious to you when you tried to help earlier."

"I accept your apology."

"But it was because I was so angry that you were the one responsible."

"If you qualify an apology, it doesn't sound so good."