The Tailor's Razor

18. Farewells to the Rhythm of a Train Whistle

Maybe... an hour later?
Roma Termini

Beneath Termini the floor was thick with bodies; even so deep into the night people were out and about, humming and chittering to the city's chorus. The platforms above, servicing the tracks that reached out across Italy, were abandoned. A few homeless vagabonds and a ticket inspector could be found but it seemed nobody, except Will Taylor, was taking the country line this long after midnight.

On platform four he could found reclining on a bench beside Romauld, surrounded by bags. His nose quivered as a plume of smoke rose from the Swiss bunny's cigarette. God, how he missed smoking; he preferred ganja but there was something about the quick contentment of tobacco that nothing quite compared to.

"Taylor..." Romauld stared at his cigarette, "You've gotta tell me... how the hell did you become a journalist?"

Will laughed, "No joke it was Hunter S. Thompson. When I was in the clink, towards the end of my sentence, I read 'Fear and Loathing' and I thought if this druggo can write, I could too. So when I got out I went to uni. Simple as that."

"Why did you..." he trailed off again, tossing his filter-tip before lighting a new one, "Have you really killed cops? Or were you just saying that?"

Will shifted, crossing his arms, "I only ever killed one cop."

"Did you mean to?"

"Yeah," they sat in silence till Romauld finished his cigarette, "He'd beaten up my sister. She wasn't even involved with what we were doing... she just worked at this restaurant in Canberra. He did it to get to me, and it worked. But he didn't bet on how much it would get to me. I hurt him... real bad, before I finished him. Buried him in the Brindies... these... these mountains outside Canberra. A little stand of shrooms grew out of his grave. Go back there every year to pick a bunch."

"You shouldn't be telling me this; I can testify if the case is reopened."

Will shrugged, "I saved your life, now you've got power over mine; we're even."

Romauld, smiling softly, rubbed his chin, "No... I still owe you. You need me, you just call."

"Will do man," Taylor nodded and they shook hands, quickly embracing, "Where the hell's Yuri? And Madison's late with my damn dog... I'm gonna miss the train if she doesn't hurry up!"

Truth be told, Madison was struggling to keep up with Mahdo as he dragged her through the station, hot on the scent of his best mate. Distracted by the toilets he kinked his course with a sudden left-hook, nearly toppling Madison as he pulled her into the ladies' restroom.

"Sorry!" she exclaimed as Yuri snapped up from the sinks, "Oh! Thought you were with the boys."

"Had to... y'know?" pursing the side of her mouth Yuri stared at Madison in the mirror; she still couldn't work out if the girl knew who she was, "I'm finished now anyway."

"Cool," Madison nodded, walking by Yuri's side as they crossed the vast floor of the station.

"So... you're headed back to New York?"

"Yeah; just gonna say bye then I'm catching the redeye to Heathrow. Should be back in time for Dad's service."

"So... you're satisfied with... all this?" Yuri asked awkwardly.

"When Enrico's in gaol, yes."

"What about the assassin? Did they catch him?"

"No..." Madison said flatly, "She's the only one that slipped past us. Her bank account led nowhere. You're a... well you were a... contract... a contractor, weren't you?" Yuri nodded, "How do you kill someone for cash?"