eurydicebound

The large man tapped his cigarette against the concrete ledge, knocking off the ashes. “This isn’t the way I wanted this to happen, you know.” His white scarf fluttered in the wind, ghostly pale against his black overcoat.

“Oh really,” Charlie said. A series of small spasms as he spoke gave way to huge racking coughs, causing him to bend nearly double. He braced himself against the park wall, waiting for the spasms to subside.

The man in the coat stood silently, waiting for Charlie’s coughing to pass. He took a deep drag on the cigarette and held it for a second, then blew a column on smoke into the evening air. “Certainly not,” he said . “I wanted to hire you, not compete with you. This is all most inconvenient.”

“Well, you could always chalk this one up in the ‘loss’ column and move on.” Charlie stood up straight again, one hand in the pocket of his brown duster as though he were holding his stomach with it. “It’s a wise man who knows when to throw in the towel, after all.”

The big man chuckled, the sound coming from deep in his throat. “Ah, a sense of humor. That’s one of the things I so enjoy about your company, Mr. Payton.” He tossed down the remains of his cigarette and crushed it with his boot. “No no, that would never do. You have the necklace and seem intent on keeping it, despite all the trouble it’s caused you. I want the necklace and will not cease pursuing it, despite the trouble you’ve caused me. We are at an impasse.”

“Yep, seems like we’re stuck,” Charlie said. Sweat glistened on his forehead despite the chill.

“One last time. Tell me where the necklace is,” said the large man, “and I’ll give you this.” He pulled a vial from his pocket. The blue liquid within glimmered in the light of the setting sun. “Whether you are alive or dead, I will get what I want. Time means nothing to me in this matter.”

Charlie stood up straighter, wincing as he did. “Choke on it.”

The large man shook his head, a mirthless smile on his face. “As you wish, Mr. Payton.” He slipped the vial back in his pocket and adjusted his coat. “Good day.” He turned his back and stepped to the curb.

“Hey, fat man.” The large man looked back over his shoulder with a snarl, only to see Charlie Payton standing tall, both hands holding pistols that were pointed right at him. “You didn’t really think I’d sell out, did you?”

He turned around fully, facing Charlie dead on. “I suppose not, Mr. Payton.” The unmistakable sound of a chambered round echoed from the edge of the park clearing. “But I did hope for it.” A dark figure stood up from where he’d been hiding, a rifle pointed at Charlie’s head. “The final curtain rises, the players are in place, and the scene is set.”

Charlie took a step closer to the man in the coat. “I’m ready if you are.” Beads of sweat ran down the side of his face. He cocked the pistols, aiming at the man’s head. “Let’s play.”