Northern Downpour

Part 11

The Cut Above was emptier than you were expecting. No customers, no employees, and the meat...freezer burnt food probably wasn't a good look for a business. The place looked like it was already closed.

Before you or Bigby could say anything, the back doors behind the counter opened, Johann came out. He blanched when he saw you, and cleared his throat before putting on a too-big smile. "What can I get for you? Interested in a particular cut? Um, let's see what we have in stock."

He crouched behind the display case. "Let's, uh, let's see what we got here. Flank steak, on special."

"What's going on here?" You interrupted.

He straightened. "We sell meat. You wanna buy something?" He chuckled nervously. "What'cha see is what you get. Just meat. You won't find anything else. We just, uh, we do more wholesale and meat packing than walk-up service."

"You don't mind if we take a look around then?" Bigby asked.

"I guess not." Johann looked toward the back door. "Did you hear that?"

You narrowed your eyes as he backed up to the door.

"Oh, I'm real sorry," he said. "I-I have to go check on that. Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back."

He all but bolted inside.

"Someone's not good at staying cool under pressure," you said.

Bigby snorted. The two of you went behind the counter. You noticed a red button on the display case and cursed. The two of you went in the back. The immediate change in temperature, coupled with all the slabs of meat hanging from the ceiling, told you this was the back freezer. You could hear Johann muttering to himself, though you couldn't tell exactly where he was.

"She's gonna kill me, oh God she is gonna kill me, they're gonna get me killed."

You weaved through the maze of frozen meat until you came to an opening. Johann was stacking cases in front of a closed workshop door. He didn't seem to notice either of you. You both went up to him, not even trying to be quiet. You crossed your arms, and Bigby tapped him on the shoulder. Johann jumped and dropped the case he was holding and spun around.

"Please--please don't," he stammered.

"I'm running out of patience, Johann," you said sharply.

"Please don't kill me!"

"Oh my God, we're not gonna kill you. Just tell us what's going on."

"They said to me, "Johann, you can keep your life and lose your shop or lose both,"" he rambled.

"Just open the door, Johann," Bigby said. "And it won't be your problem anymore."

"I-I can't."

"Why not?" You demanded. "What's back there?"

"I don't know, honest!" Johann insisted. "It's locked from the other side. Look, I just work the front, that's all I'm supposed to do. I-I actually--I haven't been back there in years. I don't know any more than that, I'm not part of their crew!"

"Crew?"

"Fuck. The Crooked Man's people. Jersey Devil, Dee and Dum, and that mental case Bloody Mary. You wanna talk about the real butcher? It's her, not me. This is her place. I'm telling you, they muscled in on me, took over my storage and delivery."

Bigby gestured for him to move away from the door, and Johann complied.

"All 'cause of that heatwave," Johann continued. "That summer was even hotter than this one. I let Mary and those porkers stay cool in the meat locker one day, playing cards, having a great time. I guess they were sizing the place up. Shows what I get for being nice. I'm just a victim in this. I don't know what's back there, I swear."