Page 41 (2/2)

Part of Scott wanted to wiggle his fingers in Scanlon’s face and say, “Ooooo” He was used to the captured cris, their quest for an edge, their search for a way out, their overblown sense of ihts, shot a warning glare across his bow Monte Scanlon, she’d told him, had worked for various connected faered for his cooperation in a starving-man-near-a-buffet way Since his capture, Scanlon had refused to talk Until this

So here Scott was

“Your boss,” Scanlon said, gesturing with his chin at Linda Morgan, “she hopes for my cooperation”

“You’re going to get the needle,” Morgan responded, still trying to give off the scent of nonchalance “Nothing you say or do will change that”

Scanlon sreater than I fear death”

“Right Another tough guy who doesn’t fear death” She peeled herself off the wall “Knohat, Monte? The tough guys are always the ones who soil their pants e strap theurney”

Again Scott fought off the desire to wiggle his fingers, this ti His eyes never left Scott’s Scott didn’t like what he saw They were, as one would expect, black and shiny and cruel But—and Scottelse there So beyond the standard vacancy There see in the eyes; Scott couldn’t turn away froret there maybe

Remorse even

Scott looked up at Linda and nodded She frowned, but Scanlon had called her bluff She touched one of the beefy guards on the shoulder and gestured for the from his seat, Scanlon’s lawyer spoke for the first ti he says is off the record”

“Stay with them,” Scanlon ordered “I want you to make sure that they don’t listen in”

The lawyer picked up his briefcase and followed Linda Morgan to the door Soon Scott and Scanlon were alone In the movies, killers are omnipotent In real life, they are not They don’t escape froh-security federal penitentiary The Beef Brothers, Scott kneould be behind the one-way glass The intercom, per Scanlon’s instructions, would be off But they’d all be watching

Scott shrugged a well? at him

“I am not your typical assassin for hire”

“Uh huh”

“I have rules”

Scott waited

“For example, I only kill men”

“Wow,” Scott said “You’re a prince”

Scanlon ignored the sarcasm “That is my first rule I kill only men No women”

“Right Tellout until the third date?”

“You think I’m a monster?”

Scott shrugged as if the ansas obvious

“You don’t respect my rules?”