The Unyielding Future
Page 20
“How?” I asked, as eloquent as always.
“I will deliver him to you as soon as you convince Adis to meet me. If you do it quickly, I believe that everyone will go home, safe and intact. Delay, and there will be consequences.” His evil smile had dropped a notch. “It would be very simple for Eris to stumble across your daughter.” Now the smile clicked back up to eleven.
“I don’t want you to deliver him to anyone except the police.” I realized that I had just agreed in principal to his deal and that we were just negotiating the details.
Surprisingly, he shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t work for me. In fact, I have a few conditions. Demands would be a better term. First, you have three days, after which another child will be taken. After seven days, it will be your daughter. I will also convince Eris to begin to express himself immediately after that.” He paused for effect. “Second, you will tell no one, including your wife and especially Adis, that we have this agreement. You must hide it from him.” He tapped his forehead. “Third, when I deliver Eris to you, it will be at a prescribed location. A location that is suitable for . . . what is that term? ‘Enhanced interrogation.’ You, yourself will need to extract from Eris the information you require.” More pause and more smiling. “Lastly, when you have all you need from the man, you will end his life and I will dispose of the body. Eris will cease to exist and will never be found, and no one will ever know the part you played.” He stared at me with eyes that should have been red, but were in fact light blue. “If for any reason you are incapable of completing these duties, I will be forced to take matters into my own hands.”
“Why? Why would you have me do this? If all you are interested in is meeting with Adis, be done with it and go.”
“Figure it out on your own.” He stood and I joined him. “I will contact you with details when Adis has agreed. Until then the clock is running.” He left without offering me his hand.
Chapter Twenty