William nodded along, keeping quiet.
Venus pouted at his formality.
“I thought we were friends.
Just call me Venus.” He didn’t buy it.
Saying yes would make him an idiot.
But he nodded anyway.
Back in the hallway, he exhaled.
Being held at gunpoint wasn’t fun.
But he’d learned something.
The dead man’s name was Jimmy.
“Good man.” Right.
Good joke.
The dim hallway stretched ahead.
William leaned against the wall and waited.
No way was he memorizing that route.
Seventeen turns.
Three loops.
His head still spun.
Inside the room, the conversation continued.
A hidden door by the fireplace opened.
An elderly woman with a cane stepped out, followed by an Old Cowboy in his fifties, slouching casually.
They watched William’s obedient form on the monitor.
“What’s your take?” the old woman asked.
The Cowboy put his boots up, spinning his revolver.
“Like his clothes.” “Green,” Venus said, licking her lips.
“A little crazy though.
Thought he might go for it.” “Smart.
Careful.” Another voice.
“Scene work’s clean.
Doesn’t do his own dirty work.
Holds grudges.
Loves cover identities.” The old woman nodded.
“Tie him down before you use him.
No way back.
Too dangerous.” She opened a notebook.
“Cautious.
Psychological issues.
Sharp senses.
Obedient?” Two question marks by the last one.
Without a word, she slipped back into the passage.
The Cowboy tipped his hat and followed.
Annabelle appeared quickly and led him back.
More loops.
William kept his face cold, biting his tongue.
At the lobby, she handed him a card.
A pass.
On the back, a two-headed snake.
He took it and went to his room.
No explanation yet.
He figured someone would fill him in.
By noon, Annabelle showed up again.
Explained his assignment and schedule.
William translated it in his head.
Two weeks of community service.
Venus wasn’t keeping him permanently.
He was still a free agent.
The work was his penance.
Payment for last night.
The Hotel had perks.
Great food.
If you had the coins.
William ate while Annabelle watched.
He didn’t ask why.
She wasn’t that free.
She wanted something.
Or she was waiting.
He said nothing.
Finished his meal.
She took the cart and left.
Outside, his name was buzzing again.
Word spread.
Jimmy was dead.
William’s bounty doubled.
The deadline extended two weeks.
That changed things.
Killing Jimmy put William on the map.
Now he was on the list.
When someone needed a job done, his name came up.
Regional reputation climbed.
Good for access.
Better jobs.
Like a game, level-locked content unlocked.
Bad side?
People recognized him now.
At dinner, strangers came up to him.
Exchanged numbers.
Wanted to be friends.
Others just wanted him gone.
For his head, or his wallet.
Hard to tell.
He said no to all of them.
Next morning, William swiped his card and met his new boss.
A long-haired man with a cold smile.
Nothing welcoming.
Just a warning.
“Don’t talk.” Before sunrise, they reached the theater.
Gray industrial smog choked the sky.
The smell of mildew clung to everything.
Inside, the stage was a slaughterhouse.
A dozen bodies spread across the boards.
Like discarded dolls.
In the front row sat a white-haired man in a black coat.
His face was pale.
Behind him, a dozen suit-clad enforcers held guns openly.
Their eyes burned with grief.
“This is an insult.” He looked at the long-haired man.
“Anson.” “Tell Venus.
The blood is spreading.
Even she can’t stop this.” He handed out gold coins.
Plenty for the leader.
Then one for every cleaner.
His voice was desperate.
“Please.
Give these kids a proper ending.” For a moment, he seemed broken.
Then the mask slipped back on.
The old man stood, eyes blazing.
His men moved with him.
William felt it.
The rage trailing behind them like a storm.