Merciless (Option Zero 1)

Glasses propped on the edge of his nose, all humor replaced with a serious, studious look, Omar sat at the desk and reviewed the deadly information.

Humphrey stood several feet away. Not by any change in his demeanor did he give away his tenseness. He had been assured that the formula looked so authentic that ninety-nine percent of the world’s chemists would not immediately detect the flaw. The other one percent was worrisome, but Omar was no chemist, which provided a certain amount of assurance that the formula would pass muster.

Omar glanced over his shoulder. “You have a recording of the tests?”

“Just one. As you know”—Humphrey offered a small, feral smile—“finding a large group of people to agree to die for the sake of science is difficult.” He nodded toward the screen. “Click on the second file.”

Turning back, Omar did just that and watched, mesmerized, as five people seemingly unaware of their fate were spritzed with a clear, odorless substance. Seconds later, chaos erupted on the screen.

Even though it was fake, watching people act out horrendous deaths was not pleasant. Having been told the performance would be for an obscure horror movie, the actors had been paid well for an hour of their time. They had walked out of the studio unaware that they’d played a part in setting a trap for a mass murderer.

Still not sure they’d pulled it off, Humphrey raised an arrogant brow and brazened it out. “Well?”

“You have outdone yourself, my friend. This will attract many.”

The “many” didn’t hold Ash’s interest. There was no shortage of people looking to kill for various reasons. Many would be interested in owning this type of bioweapon. Only a few could afford to pay the exorbitant price Humphrey would demand. There was only one man in particular they were targeting. Carl Lang had already proven his willingness to murder large numbers of people for both fun and profit. They were counting on this weapon being right up his alley.

“Your asking price?”

“Two hundred fifty million.”

“That’s quite a lot of money.”

“Considering the product, I believe the amount is more than justified.”

“Hmm.” Behind Omar’s thick glasses, his eyes glistened with greed. “Considering the buyers we will be dealing with, the risks are higher than normal. I’ll want more than my usual cut.”

Before Humphrey could protest, Omar was quick to add, “Be assured, I don’t think you’ll have any problem getting your asking price.” He pulled out the flash drive, closed the laptop, and stood. “I’ll set up the auction and get back to you on the final bid.”

“No.”

Omar froze, cocked his head. “No?”

“I want to attend the auction. I have too much on the line this time.”

“Do you dare imply that I would cheat you?”

Omar would cheat his own mother if the price was right. Humphrey walked a fragile line here, but he had no choice. The only way to get to his target was to be invited to the auction. He was counting on Lang being the highest bidder. Others would try, but Lang had the money, which made him the most dangerous for right now.

“Cheat me? No, of course not, Omar. However, we’ve known each other long enough that you should trust me. This is the most valuable product I’ve ever offered. I deserve to be involved with the whole process.”

Beady eyes narrowed, gleaming with malice. “Or I could just keep the formula and leave you out altogether.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Oh, really?” Omar sent a look to one of his men, and weapons were drawn. A smug smile lifted Omar’s thin lips. “What, may I ask, is keeping me from doing that very thing?”

Without blinking an eye, Humphrey nodded at the laptop. “Plug in the drive again, and you’ll see.”

Omar inserted the drive. When neither of the files appeared on the screen, the amoral weapons broker whirled around, his eyes spitting furious indignation. “What have you done?”

“Just a little insurance policy. The instant you clicked off the flash drive, all information was destroyed. I have the original in a safe place.”

Omar turned back to the laptop and continued to try to pull up the information. After several minutes, he closed the laptop and stood. Facing Humphrey, Omar gave a tight smile. “Well played, my friend. Careful you don’t play too hard, though. You might get burned.”

“Ah, Omar.” Humphrey sighed, shaking his head. “We’ve known each other too long to play games. Do we have a deal or not?”

“I will have to confer with my associates before I can make such a promise.”