Bitter and Sweeter

Chapter 3 ~ Pho

The man that was sitting in front of me was quite ugly.

I mean, you would think murderers would be cool and sexy like movies often portrayed.

His nose was flat on his face, so it made him look like a turtle. He had several dark spots on his bald head and his neck and face were different colors. His only redeeming feature was his hazel eyes. 

There were a few wrinkles on his hand so I'm guessing he wasn't older than forty.

He looked up at me and gave me a gummy smile.

I pulled out my chair. "Oh please don't do that with your face, you'll scar me for life." I took a seat.

He laughed. "Funny as well as beautiful. Who would've thought that old fart would give birth a beauty like you."

"I used to ask myself that question. Though you can thank my mother for half of me," I paused, "Still, she is pretty dull-looking herself."

He laughed.

"So? Why'd you do it?"

He looked back up at me and shrugged. "You're going to have to be more specific."

"You hired someone to kill my father. Why?"

"Didn't the shiny detective outside tell you?"

"No, I wanted to hear it from you." My smile vanished. "You owe me the truth."

"When your father was starting up his business, he took a loan from me. I came back to claim it, and he didn't want to deliver."

"My father was a powerful man, I'm sure he would've paid your price."

"His business flourished as mine tanked. I demanded triple the amount, it was pretty reasonable. He only paid a third."

I crossed my hands on the table. "So, he paid you what he owed."

He narrowed his eyes. "It wasn't good enough for me."

I chuckled. "And to think, his cheapness would be the end of him."

"I wasn't the only one who had it out for him, you know. People weren't always happy with his success. He had a lot of unpaid favors."

I nodded. "They have all been paid for."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"All it took was an email sent on my way here. Everyone my father ever borrowed from has been paid in full."

He shook his head. "You'll always have enemies."

"Really? Because it looks like I'm locking up my only one." I tapped my knuckle against the desk. "For life."

He sucked in a breathe. "You could get me out of here if you wanted to."

"And why would I do that? All the men involved in your charade are on their way to prison as we speak." I stood. "Oh and as for your business, don't worry, I've already run it to the ground."

"That's impossible."

"All it took were a few text messages. You probably won't be able to stand by the time you get out of prison, but hey, your empty building will always be there."

He sat back in his seat in complete and utter disbelief. Then he chuckled...and started laughing hysterically. "My life's work. Gone."

"Oh, it was gone a long time ago. Just like the man who built it."

He looked down.

"Well," I stood. "This has been a very fruitful encounter. I'm sure this will be the last time we see each other," I paused. "Good luck in prison, Carson."