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The boy in the basement started screaming again. He’d shown remarkable resilience but everyone broke eventually. Maybe Timothy would let his newest client have a turn in a bit after they’d concluded their business. In the meantime he waved over one of his bodyguards and sent him off to pause the interrogation until after his meeting.
“Sorry we had a small rat problem but we are already taking steps to remove it. You understand the needs of this business.”
The blond haired man in front of him nodded.
Timothy continued going over the contract. A minute later the screams subsided but distant crying could be heard briefly when the bodyguard reentered the room. Instead of moving back into position he cleared his throat. “The boy’s ready to talk but he says he wants to talk to you.”
“Did you explain we have a guest?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll see to him after our business is done.”
Timothy turned back to his guest. “Seems like we have a show to Look forward to. I hope you’ll join me downstairs.”
His companion spoke, “Of course” and the bartering continued.
__________
Alex had been undercover for 2 months. A personal best but his streak was about to be broken. Alex’s father may have thrived as a deep cover agent but Alex found it impossible to stand aside and let innocent people die. His current assignment had only lasted so long because the people he was directly working for smuggled weapons but were skilled enough to avoid using them except on business partners who tried to double cross them. Then they used the salt the earth technique. Alex had only witnessed it once and, since he knew that particular company was trafficking children, he’d had no problems proving his loyalty. It was in fact his actions that particular day that gave him a promotion. He’d proven himself as remarkably skilled and just a bit vindictive. Traits his employer valued but all good things must come to an end.
——————
Thirty minutes later business was concluded and Timothy led his guest downstairs. Timothy conferred with another of his guards before sending him off on an errand. His guest spoke, “when you said small it wasn’t an exaggeration. He’s just a kid, are you sure he wasn’t just completing a foolish dare?”
Timothy smiled, “We found him snooping around and after searching him found a number of remarkable items on his person. Really more toys than anything else but still not items that could be bought. One item was a lighter that had a tranquilizer dart in it. It knocked out one of my guards when he tried to use it.”
“How ingenious”
“Yes, troublesome but ultimately harmless. Much like the boy himself. We have yet to get a proper name from him nor an answer of who or why he was sent. Though I’ve checked with some colleagues and the consensus is he’s probably from MI6. Apparently they have a history of this kind of thing. Can you believe it, child spies?
A wry smile, “ I can believe it. No one has come for him and he’s been your guest for how long?”
“Just one night and we didn’t find any sort of panic button with him.”
The boy finally spoke, “Please I don’t know anything. I was just told to take some pictures on my phone and then I could go home.”
The boy heard the gun without seeing it be drawn. He flinched trying to cover his ears as it roared out twice and then a few seconds later a third shot followed and then there was silence. He looked up into the blond man’s warm brown eyes. “Who are you?”
“I’m the ghost of Christmas future. Let’s get you out of here and you can tell me in the car how MI6 are blackmailing you and then I’m going to have to pull a Yassen and kill my boss.”
The boy didn’t understand half of that but the ropes around his arms and legs being cut was clear enough. He stood up rubbing feeling back into his hands and took a few unsteady steps towards the table on the side where his possessions had been placed. The blond man smiled, “Good do you have any more darts or was it a one shot deal? Or if you would prefer I have a spare gun?
“The darts are fine, I have two more sir.” In the absence of a name, being polite was always a good policy.
“I'm too young to be called sir. Call me Alex. What can I call you?
The boy haltingly answered. “I’m …John?”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “My fathers name, what a coincidence.” John felt like 3/4ths of this conversation was going over his head. “Okay, John,” the sarcasm was not subtle but John didn’t feel like changing his answer would make things any better. “Can you cover our six? There were four guys upstairs when I came in but some of them were sent elsewhere. I’d like to avoid a firefight but I wasn’t exactly subtle just now.” At least this time the sarcasm wasn’t directed at him. John nodded and Alex started up the stairs. At the top of the stairs Alex paused.