Hans moves behind Leroy’s chair, placing his massive hands oneither side of the man’s skull. “Is very small pill, yes? Should not be difficult to swallow.”
“This is ridiculous,” Leroy snarls. “Blue, call off your psychotic girlfriend and let me die with some dignity. Use the axe like a professional.”
Blue leans against the wall, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the show. “I’m just here for moral support.”
I try to pry Leroy’s mouth open with my free hand. “Come on, just open up. One tiny pill.”
Leroy clamps his lips shut tighter, shaking his head as much as Hans’s grip allows. I try pushing against his jaw, but he’s got those muscles locked down tight.
“Hans, pinch his nose.”
“Ah, is good idea.” Hans releases one hand from Leroy’s skull to clamp over his nose. “Now he must breathe through mouth, yes?”
Leroy holds his breath for an impressively long time, his face turning red, then purple. Just when I think he might pass out, his mouth opens in a desperate gasp for air.
I shove the pill toward his mouth, but he jerks his head sideways and spits.
“Missed,” he gasps triumphantly.
“Damn it.” I pick up another pill from the bottle. “Hans, hold him steadier this time.”
“Is like trying to give medicine to very large, very angry child,” Hans observes, repositioning his grip. “Perhaps we need different approach.”
“I have an idea.” I grab a glass of water from the side table. “Leroy, you seem thirsty after all that struggling.”
“I’m not drinking anything either.”
“Hans, tip his head back slightly.”
We go through the same routine—nose pinching, waiting for him to gasp, then I try to pour water in his mouth. Most of it runs down his chin, but I manage to get enough in that he has to swallow or choke.
“There! See? You can swallow things.” I hold up another pill. “One more time.”
“This is insane,” Leroy sputters. “Blue, this is torture. Actual torture.”
“You would know,” Blue says mildly. “Saylor’s methods are significantly more humane than yours.”
The third attempt goes better. I get the pill positioned right as Leroy opens his mouth to curse at us, and Hans gives his jaw a helpful little push upward. Leroy’s eyes go wide as he realizes the pill is now in his mouth.
“Swallow,” I command, pinching his nose again.
He tries to spit it out, but Hans’s hand is covering his mouth now. Leroy makes muffled sounds of outrage, his eyes watering as he fights not to swallow.
But biology wins. After about thirty seconds of struggling, his throat bobs as the pill goes down.
“Success!” I step back, dusting off my hands. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”
Leroy glares at me with pure hatred. “What did you just make me swallow?”
“Something very good for you.” I check my watch. “Duffy said it takes about ten minutes to work. Maybe fifteen.”
“To work for what?”
“You’ll see.” I settle into the chair across from him, crossing my legs. I stare for several minutes. “So, while we wait, let’s chat. Was it worth it? Killing my father for money?”
“Your father was a fool who thought he could outsmart us.”
“Well, this fool’s daughter is about to outsmart you.” I check my watch again. “Eight more minutes, maybe.”
