Perfect Victim (Nadia Stafford 3.6)

"Sure, it was a bit more dangerous than usual, but you're careful. You weren't in any--"

"Danger? No. Because I did my homework. I always do my homework. Knew your men were dead. Still did the job 'cause I gave my word. The problem? The mark expected a hit. If I didn't do my homework? Took you at your word? Could have ended up like your boys."

David appeared in the doorway. He looked from Jack to his uncle.

"How much will it take to fix this, Jack?" Ross said. "You're right. I withheld vital information, and that was unfair. So, name your price. David can bring more."

Jack took the bag from the younger man, set it on the coffee table and counted bundles. "Two hundred grand for the job. That's what we agreed." He took that and added another two bundles. "One extra day to sort this shit. Twenty grand." He put the money into his satchel and left the rest in David's bag.

"Take that, Jack," Sabato said, waving at the extra. "Please."

"Twenty a day overtime. That's my rate. The price for your fuck-up?" He turned to Sabato. "Don't ever contact me again."

"I--"

"Not for a job. Not for anything. Don't even mention my name. I hear you did . . . ?"

Jack shrugged. That was all he did. Given his occupation, spelling it out was a waste of breath.

He hefted his satchel, walked past the two men and continued out the rear door.

Jack checked his phone as soon as he was outside. It hadn't been Nadia who called. Hadn't been an emergency of any kind, but simply a returned call from Felix, another hitman and one of the very few who had Jack's direct number. Also one of the few who Jack would consider a friend.

He waited until he was at his motel and then called back.

"It's me," he said.

"You rang?" Felix said.

"Yeah. Ross Sabato. Blacklist him."

"Dare I ask for details?"

Jack said nothing.

Felix sighed. "Blacklisting works so much better when pros know what a client has done to deserve it."

"Just say it's from me. That's enough."

"True, but still . . . Sharing a few details helps."

"Doesn't help me. I don't give details. That's why I'm still alive."

"So am I."

"Yeah. Proof of miracles." He ignored Felix's protest and said, "Sabato misrepresented a job. The kind of misrepresentation that puts us in a grave. Or behind bars."

"Ah, got it. See? That wasn't so difficult. So, how's Dee?"

"Home."

"I asked how she was, not where." A deep sigh. "Clearly, we haven't spoken in quite some time if I actually expect you to carry on a conversation. But I must still make a token effort. Do you remember Cypher?"

Jack tensed but only gave a laconic, "Yeah."

"He

was one of Evelyn's, wasn't he? Which hardly narrows it down, so I suppose you might have forgotten."