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"That's a good question," Jake said. He looked at me. "Are we going to kill him?"
I thought about that for a while before I made up my mind. Then I pretended to think for a while longer. Just to make Haigwood sweat.
"You pissed me off," I told him. "Killing you might make people who keep me waiting think twice about doing that."
Haigwood looked like he was trying to figure out which way to run. Whichever way he went, it wouldn't be fast enough.
"However," I said slowly, "I'm going to let you live, because I’m in a good mood."
Haigwood looked disbelieving before he broke into a smile. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I really like not being dead. I'll finish packing and then you'll never see me again."
"I know we won't," I said. I gave him a last nod, then turned and walked down the corridor.
"Two days?" Jake asked quietly. He knew me too well.
"Make it three," I said. "Let him think he is safe. Take Cooper with you. He seems to enjoy killing almost as much as you do." I almost felt sorry for Haigwood, but he brought this on himself.
"Especially a worm like Haigwood," Jake agreed. "The world will be a better place without people like him. And his sister could use the money."
"Make sure she gets it," I said. "And let her know that we didn't take it and why. You never know when her returning the favour might come in useful."
"Consider it done." Jake nodded.
"Have you come to wallow in your loss?" Alistair Dagen asked as we stepped back into the bar area.
"I thought I smelled something bad." Jake waved a hand in front of his face. "I thought it was just the rundown shithole we're standing in, but now I know better."
"A shithole you wanted to buy recently," Dagen pointed out. He looked me up and down like he was trying to appraise the value of a prized dog.
I tried to ignore the sudden tightness in the front of his pants. The idea of being touched by him was sickening.
Jake wiped a hand across his brow. "Thank the gods we dodged that bullet."
"God. I like the sound of that." Dagen looked smug. “You’re welcome.”
I snorted. "Don't flatter yourself." Ugh, he was a repulsive motherfucker.
"Oh, I don't know," Jake said. "If he was a god, it would explain why so much of the world is shit."
"You have a point," I said with a nod toward him. “Think of all the things we could blame him for.
"Here's an idea for you," Dagen said. "Maybe you should open a comedy club. You two could be the headline act."
"Only if you come and be the clown," Jake quipped.
"Wouldn't that be a circus?" I asked. I hated clowns as it was. Dagen in the role would be nightmare material.
Jake shrugged. "Close enough."
"If I was the clown, I'd be the kind who rides the dog for everyone to see." Dagen gave me a look that clearly interpreted his meaning. Not that it was particularly subtle. It made my skin crawl.
"I'm pretty sure that would be a performing monkey," Jake said. "You're not smart enough to be one of those."
Dagen's expression turned cold. "You still haven't told me what you're doing in my club."
"We were just thanking Haigwood," I said. In spite of my discomfort, the words came out as icy as always. "The price he got for this place will push up property values in the area. And since I own most of it, it seems like I’m the one to benefit the most."
In spite of what Jake said, Alistair Dagen wasn't stupid. He would have known buying the Lair would have that effect. Either that was part of his plan or something he couldn't prevent from happening.
