Ice Cold

by Mark Graham

  “Well, I hope we can do all we can for you folks,” Iced said.

  “I need to get a refill here and have to get to my card game over there,” Bill said with a smile. “We found two boxes of macaroni and cheese back there someplace and took all the macaroni. So far I’m at least fifty macaroni’s ahead.”

  “Well good luck with that Bill,” Ice said as they parted ways.

  For the rest of the day Ice tried to fit the rest of the people in, but ended up not talking with at least fifteen of them. As the agents met people, making friends with a few, there were less people he found to be alone. He felt it was a good day anyway. Before he left he stopped at Joyce’s chair and said, “Tonight about nine-thirty I will make a way for us to talk.

  “Okay, see you then, ah, Todd,” she said smiling.

  Ice left the building and headed to his room. He had obtained a book that looked good from the library and thought he might have the time to read it. It was a crime novel and he recognized the author.

  At their meeting that night it went along well. Everybody was a little more comfortable than the night before, and it was even more casual. They took turns giving their reports but not necessarily in order. A couple of them claimed they had visited with everybody, including their assignees. As a group they were disappointed because nobody had anything to help their mission along.

  After they all reported, Stu spoke up, “We need to think of a name for these people. We shouldn’t call them inmates, prisoners, or anything with a negative slant. I propose we name them ‘clients’,” he stated.

  The rest of them grumbled in agreement. They started talking amongst each other. A few minutes later Stu as far as he was concerned, would like to make it a day. Henry the Ho spoke up saying, “Nighty-night agent Stu.” they all laughed.

  Ice had talked with Stu before the meeting and between the two of them the night conversations with Joyce would be good. That way more could be accomplished and they could get down to the nitty-gritty of the thing. It would leave Ice more time in what they now called the bullpen. Ice was surprised when Stu brought up that so he wasn’t seen over there that Joyce be brought to their building.

  “You can use that room right across the hall there,” Stud said. “There’s a pop machine and goody machine over there and there are several comfortable chairs over there. I think there’s some small tables too.”

  “That actually sounds like a good idea,” Ice agreed.

  “To keep you out of the heat send Cynthia over to fetch her. She can make it look like since both of them are women Cynthia might do better giving Joyce some quality time. We’ll think of something.”

  “Okay,” Ice said happy he didn’t have to spend additional hours over in the bull pen. His concern too was that the ‘clients’ would start gossiping and such causing all kinds of problems.

  Ice found Cynthia sitting on the back porch just sitting there, smoking a cigarette, and drinking a Coke. Just before talking to her he realized that somehow they had seven agents plus Stu, wondering what happened. Last night there were seven of them, so how come it wasn’t noticed. Especially with this bunch.

  “Cynthia, I need a favor from you,” Ice asked, “Could you please go get Joyce Weathers and bring her over here and take her to that little room across the hall from the one we use?”

  “Well, sure, glad to, how’s that going?” Cynthia asked.

  “Good I think,” Ice told her. “But today while talking to her I realized we were getting the clients attention and knew that wouldn’t work. So in the day I can spend my time with anybody, and everybody. She and I can talk in the evening. I think you can make it look like you, since you’re both women, kind of befriended each other.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Cynthia said with a smile. “Should be interesting. Personally I hope she comes on board.”

  “Thanks,” Ice commented as he took out the cigar he was given and sat down and enjoyed it until the two women returned. He knew it might be a while because Cynthia very likely be taken in by several conversations. He actually waited quite a while and smoked the cigar way faster than he wanted to. He got up, went to the room he was assigned and got himself a Coke. He liked cigars, but they generally left a bad taste in his mouth.

  Soon after Cynthia showed up with Joyce. For a couple minutes all three of them talked as if they were all friends and Joyce was one of them. Cynthia just said she had a few things she had to accomplish and had to go. They said their ‘good-byes’ and Joyce and Ice sat down near each other.

  “Well Joyce, have you given any thought to what we talked about earlier?” Ice started out asking in a friendly matter.

  “Yes I have of course. I have a couple questions of you, but other than that I think I’m comfortable with everything.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Ice answered. “Just so you know there are different times that you will need to make a decision. That decision could cause your life to change forever, whichever way you go. So be sure you ask the questions, carefully analyze, and come up with what ever it is you need to think. Fair?”

  “More than fair I think Ice,” Joyce responded. One question is, what are your expectations going to be for my first year/”

  “Good question Joyce,” Ice responded, thinking this woman knew what she needed to know and wasn’t afraid of the answer.

  “To be completely honest with you, your expectations are that you accompany me in whatever I do. The only exceptions are when you have to attend a training session. The training is essential to your survival and your success as an agent. Our agency does a lot of things, some could be considered terrible. You will be expected to take part in everything. It does two things, it gets your feet wet so you know what the whole thing is about; and we can both learn where you might have some skills others don’t. I can only assume so far that you will be great at any of our psychological things. In some ways your wits will be stretched to the max. We will find out what you just can’t do, and where your weaknesses and strengths are.”

  “You want to know my weaknesses?” she asked.

  “Yes, at first some of the things you do will basically be a test to see if you can perform. It’s impossible for you to flunk. It just focuses on you and what you can do. You will be surprised what you can do, but what you want to do or comfortable in doing is also what we’re looking for.”

  “That’s definitely an honest answer,” she said seriously, “let’s go on.”

  “Okay, this is your opportunity to say you can’t see yourself in doing any, or most of these things and wish to take a different avenue to go into, finding another occupation.”

  “No Ice,” she said seriously. “I’m one who believes a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. I also don’t believe in coincidences, so have come to a point that if something comes, we always have the decision of saying no or yes. So far, even with some of the bad stuff, I’ve become very interested in continuing on.”

  “Okay,” Ice said, “I always ask that question because I’m one who hates to waste my time and don’t like wasting somebody else’s. We all have our life, but this life if you choose it can have a major affect on you. We’ll go into that later.

  “I feel safe in doing so,” Ice went on, “but I need to kind of tell my own story and give you all the information I do. Some of it’s fun, and some is ghastly. I actually love my job and wouldn’t take another. I’ve found where I can be used, be recognized, have challenges, and continue to learn.”

  “Sounds like you’re psychologically sounds,” Joyce said, more comfortable with talking with Ice.

  “Well that’s good to hear,” Ice said with a smile, “especially from you.” He wondered if she would agree with that statement after he showed himself to her.

  “I started out in Maumee, Ohio. My parents lived until their seventies and passed away, a year apart.”

  “Sorry to hear that,” Joyce commented with a lot of concern.

  “Thanks, they were two very special people
to me.” Ice then continued on, “I have two brothers and one sister. One of my brothers is a deputy-chief-of-police, the other has his own cement company and junk yard. He advertised as having thirty acres of car parts. My sister is married with a couple kids. I myself have my own home outside of Maumee I share with two great dogs. My sister takes them, or takes care of them in my yard. I have a beautiful house with every kind of security a person can have. If you choose, and you are chosen you will get a personal tour. It will give you some ideas of things you might want to think about.”

  “I’m only home several times a year it seems. Our work keeps me on the move continually. We have to learn to live with several identities, and very important we use those identities whatever it is. My name might be Steve one day, and a week later I’m Michael. We are not allowed to be married,” Ice added.

  “Really?” Joyce seemed surprised.

  “Yep, in this job there has been times that the bad guys capture an agents family and hold them ransom for some reason or another. It’s human nature to do stupid things, trying to save our loved ones. We have a rule like prisons do. There is no such thing as a hostage. If a hostage happens we will shoot through the hostage to get the bad guy.”

  “Damn, you guys are serious players, aren’t you?” Joyce popped in.

  Yes, definitely. Myself, and you might understand this, am able to put myself in a completely different way of thinking when working. Some . . . well, quite a few say I turn into a psychotic.”

  “Really, that’s kind of surprising actually,” Joyce said. “I have a habit of psycho analyzing every body and you just don’t fit the profile.”

  “Well, so much for profiling I guess, huh?”

  “Yeah, I’m anxious to learn more.”

  “Okay, you will. When I say this stuff about myself I am not bragging, just stating a fact that others agree with. I am good at almost everything entailed in this job. Some I am much more affective in and that is where I am used.”

  “Like others, I’ve studied strenuously in the martial arts. I was also a boxer in high school and did some while in the Corps. Yes, I was that and in Desert Storm as a grunt, my job being recon.”

  “I’ve heard that’s a rough bunch,” Joyce said.

  “Yeah it is, but so are the Seals, and the Special Forces guys in the Army. I refuse to deal with either of the two other serves. It’s just how I am.

  “To continue, my specialties is as a sniper, a hands on killer, and the ability to do some great wet work. You know what that is Joyce?” he asked.

  “Sure do,” she answered kind of blushing, “you have the capacity to tear a human body apart and take care of it in any way you can. I would like to ask you some questions about that but at a later time. Just my curiosity. I realize that “wet work” implies getting in the middle of a bunch of blood and continuing on no matter what happens.”

  “Yep,” Ice answered.

  “My nick name is Ice because I used an ice pick on my first kill. It was a brawl I almost lost but grabbed an ice pick and drove it through the guys eye. His lights went out very quickly.”

  “Just last night they re-nick named me. Now it’s M&M the Iceman.”

  “Why,” Joyce asked definitely interested.

  “Well, I was the agent who pulled the pin on that cannister I got from you guys. It ended with a hundred and four people dead. I guess I hold the record. The guy who held the record before burnt a biker bar down with all the occupants in side.”

  “You guys make an honor of it?” she asked concerned.

  “Not really Joyce,” he said, “but just like in the cops we make light of anything to keep our sanity. But anyway, the M&M stands for mass murderer.”

  “That’s kind of mean and cold,” Joyce stated.

  At that time Talon walked into the room reading a magazine. He didn’t realize anybody else was in the room. Joyce was shocked at getting a close view of him. “Oops, sorry, I didn’t know anybody was in here,” Talon said apologetically.

  “Well any idiot will take a look before entering a room. You going stupid on me?” Ice said, with a smile Joyce didn’t see.

  “Well fuck you M&M, I’m just minding my own business here and you go calling me names. Perhaps I need to whoop your ass again in front of this lady. I can show her what your heart and liver looks like.”

  “Talon, you idiot, get out of here,” Ice yelled at him throwing a magazine at him that was on the table he was sitting near. Talon turned and left as soon as possible so that Joyce wouldn’t hear him howl with laughter.

  “Damn Ice, I thought you said he was a very gentle man. It doesn’t look like it to me.”

  Ice laughed, “It was a put on just for you Joyce. You didn’t go running out of here looking for someone to help you tear Talon away. You didn’t, so that is good. You sure looked funny though.” Ice continued to laugh.

  Joyce thought about it or a minute and busted out laughing, if there was another magazine here I’d throw it at you.”

  “To get back to some serious talk. You should know that I am very good in my job. Other agents frequently contact me to take over a case they are trying to take care of.

  There has been times I’ve helped them.

  “I think one of the serious things I do you might object to. If you do, you can, but it won’t change anything. Here’s the thing, some requests come in ordering the torture of an individual or even more than one. Other orders might be to thoroughly torture, then showing a little mercy and allowing the guy, or woman to die. I also have special ways of getting rid of a body, but that’s not for this conversation. How’s that react to your profile of me?”

  “It completely destroys it,” Joyce said seriously. “Do we need to worry about you?”

  “No, I get no personal satisfaction in anything I do except realize I rid the world of one more terrible person. As I said, I went through plenty of training. One time I was made to go through a very rough interrogation where I was actually tortured. I learned to turn myself within and watch things from the outside and watching what they did. I do the same with any wet work or torture. Sniping or killing a man I only need to get about half way there and I work through it with no problem. To me sniping is more of a sport, challenging my ability. I can take a guy out with open sites at more than 500 feet. A scope and I hit the target dead on.”

  “Well, that is at least something to brag about.” she said with a smile, starting to acclimate herself with Ice and what he did.

  “A question I know you want to ask, but won’t,” Ice said, “and that’s a question if I can kill men, women, and children. To be honest I have no problem with it. For the first two years I refused any mission where taking out a child was needed. Somewhere down the line I had to take a kid out and did it because it had to be done. That started some kind of acceptance with it, to now when I will kill anything, walking, riding, or crawling.”

  “Guess I’d like to sit down and learn more and turn you into a study project,” she said.

  “You do and I’ll have to kill you,” he said with a smile.

  “You silly man,” she said and got up looking for Cynthia to take her back to her little room.

  Ice went back to his room, stripping his outer clothing off and jumped into bed, grabbing his book on he way. He found that reading relaxed him, and helped him sleep.

  ~~~~~

  As the day before, he did his coffee and breakfast thing. He actually felt more at ease and wondered over to the building. It didn’t take long before somebody edged over and started talking with him. They talked for at least twenty minutes. Ice felt it was a good conversation. Nothing was said brought him any closer to a suspect but it seemed that day a lot more people just wanted to talk. Between each person he talked to he headed back to the table where the coffee was, then looked for a person he thought would be good to talk with. Sometimes, like with the first guy on of the ‘clients list’ stopped him and started the conversation. About half through the day he reasoned with himse
lf that they would never find out who, if it was a who, did the damage. He got a little depressed looking around thinking about these people. They might very well end their lives in a mental institution or dead. He continued to talk to people pushing the idea out of his head.

  Ice did stop to talk to Joyce as she approached the coffee maker. “It won’t take long, but let me tell you about the negatives of the job. Will give you something to think about and may cause you to have more questions.”

  “Okay,” just a minute and let me get a refill here.” She held the cup in one hand and her book in another.

  “Here, let me get it for you,” he said while taking the cup. “Let’s see . . a packet of sweetener, and some creamer?”

  “Yep,” she responded, “you have it.”

  “Well, I don’t want to talk too much time here in the middle of the room but feel you need this information for your thought processes about us.

  “First, we are on duty 24 hours a day, and every day of the year. We do get vacations, but many times they are connected to an assignment. I’ve been all over the world this way. I go to a location, enjoy a kind of vacation, then get on the job and take care business. There has been times, but not many, that I did the mission then played the tourist. The thing is we usually need to get the heck out of the country or state before we might become a suspect.

  “You will have a weapon with you at all times with no exceptions. You have to take an assignment you’re given or let someone do it who steps in and takes the job for you. There is no excuse for failure. Also, once in, you can never leave. Yeah, sounds like the Mafia or a biker group, but with us we’re just as serious. There have been some agents who have gone rogue and try to start their own business. No tolerance there and they are permanently eliminated. One benefit is that some jobs have benefits attached to them. I got a hundred grand bonus recently. What we are payed we aren’t taxed. The IRS can’t make a claim on a person who doesn’t exist after all. Our pay grade goes by military rank. You’ll start out with a rank of captain, the next one being major, light colonel, then a full colonel. Presently I’m a colonel and hopefully expect to be a brigadier general within a year. Except for pay and benefits, we do not use rank here. All agents are totally equal. Most of the time we operate on our own. If more than one agent is needed one of them will be in charge and the others are expected to follow their lead.