Diana took a deep breath. “What do you mean? Someone else is responsible for me being here besides you? Who?”
“Nah, ah, ah,” he said. “Tit for tat, remember.”
“Well, if it’s tit for tat, why don’t you move over here so I can see you? You have me at a disadvantage. You can see me, but I can’t see you.”
“You will only see a mask, so it matters little where I stand.”
“You’re still wearing the mask. Curious…” she breathed out.
“Curious, how?”
“You’re hiding your identity from me. If you were sure you’d be killing me shortly, the mask wouldn’t be necessary. I’d never be able to identify you. So you’re not one hundred percent confident, are you? You think I might get away. Or that you’ll not be able to follow through.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
SURGEON DIDN’T SAY anything. Had she pushed him too far? He blew out an irritated breath. “First of all, my plan to kill you will go off without a hitch. Secondly, it pays to be overly cautious in my line of work, and third, I’ll show you precisely how confident I am.”
Diana heard fumbling behind her, and the scratching of paper rubbing against rough skin, elastic slapping. Footsteps approached her table.
She was surprised. He looked like a regular, suburban guy with olive skin, graying hair, and laugh lines. His blue eyes sparkled now. He was enjoying himself. Around his wrist, like Kloch, he wore a large, elegant Rolex watch, and in his hand was a small tool, a tiny steel hammer. He was wearing surgical scrubs.
“You seem surprised,” he chuckled. “Were you expecting the Devil?”
“Yes, I was pretty much expecting to come face to face with Lucifer, horns, red skin, forked tail and all.”
He laughed again. “Sorry to disappoint you. Now, I’ve bowed to your wishes. It’s time you returned the favor. Tell me, Diana, are you afraid of me?”
She looked into his eyes, calculating her answer. “Yes. Not like the first time we met. I’m not so naïve. But yes, of course. This isn’t a normal situation,” she strained against her straps, “and you’ve told me you’ll kill me. Painfully.”
They locked eyes. “Say it. Say you’re scared. Show me your terror.” She didn’t make a sound. He prodded her. “Go on.” Still she stayed silent. “Go on,” he said through gritted teeth.
A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the cavernous warehouse space, the hard, jagged sound cutting the icy air like a scalpel slicing through flesh. Diana was giving it her best shot.
Surgeon clapped his hands gleefully. “I knew it,” he crowed. “Our first encounter was quite memorable wasn’t it? You did your best to hide your terror, but I could taste it. I could smell it on you. You were such a lovely innocent. A delight!” He was grinning like a lunatic. “You’re not quite so pure now, and you’re harder to interpret, so it’s good to know that you’re still perfectly, fatally, human.” He sobered instantly. “You are honest, and I appreciate that. Now, it’s my turn to share something.”
“Please, by all means,” she croaked. She didn’t want to scream again.
“You know, I’ve been waiting for you. All these years, waiting for the perfect moment. Oh, please don’t think I’d forgotten about you. Far from it. You didn’t think I’d do that, did you? I’ve spent years preparing for our meeting. I scouted out the perfect location. I equipped it with the highest quality tools and I have devised a plan to prolong your suffering as much as possible. I intend to relish every second of the time we spend together.”
“I’m flattered,” she said.
“You should be,” he said, in complete honesty. “Now, it’s your turn to answer my question. How exactly did you work out my plan to assassinate that imam all those years ago?”
“You mean, before? When you captured me last time?” Diana stared at him in surprise. He was still stuck on that?
“Yes. Tell me. It’s important.”
“It wasn’t just me. CSIS had an entire team of investigators and analysts. We all worked together, questioning everyone and anyone who had anything to do with you.”
“I understand, but it takes a special mind to draw the right conclusions, and I’m certain you were the one who made the final deduction.”
Diana’s back was beginning to ache from being unable to move. She focused on her breath. In. Out. It helped keep her calm. She inhaled as deeply as she could. The strap around her rib cage restricted her breathing. “I got to know your work intimately. I studied everything we knew about you. I analyzed your clients. I looked at every case that was even remotely suspected of being related to you.” She stopped.
“Go on. I’m enjoying this. You are fascinated by me.”
“You have a certain methodology. I studied it. You like getting in and out of your situations quickly. You move around anonymously, low key. You aren’t connected to any ideological group, nor do you have a network that you adhere to. You move around the world, never staying in one place for too long, popping up only when there is a contract to be completed. Then you go to ground again. You truly are a lone ranger. You are feared and revered in many circles. Even intelligence agencies respect you because you’ve evaded capture for so long.”
“You have done your homework. Nicely done. What else did you learn about me?” Surgeon was fondling the tiny steel hammer between his fingers, smirking.
“You prefer to terminate your targets in a specific and unusual manner and again, you are low key in the way you do it. No noise, excessive blood, or violence. Not your style. You burn off fingerprints when you can. You’ve done that in ninety eight percent of your cases, but there was one in São Tomé that was an exception.”
“Hmm, I remember that one. Too many people. No time. I try and avoid those.”
“All I did was put two and two together from the intel we had. On this occasion, there was some chatter that you were in the country and obviously not for a vacation. We didn’t know for sure, of course, no one knew what you looked like, but the imam was here. There had been threats against him. We had to prevent an assassination attempt. So we sat on him, basically from the time he arrived to the time he left.
“I figured that a reception the imam was attending on the last night was the best chance you had of getting near him given that we were guarding him so closely. And that while it wasn’t the quiet, peaceful environment you like with time to do your “thing,” the one experience you had in Africa proved you would deviate from your plan if necessary to complete a hit.
“The imam’s people, and many of my own, were okay with him attending the reception. They said the circumstances didn’t suit you and that I must be wrong. But I felt sure that you would isolate him if it were possible, and if not, you would just stick it to him, as you might say, with that death needle of yours. No one would be able to do anything about it until it was too late. While people were standing around helplessly watching him die, you’d be long gone. I got my superiors to agree to pull the imam from the reception at the last minute before you could follow through with your plan. I can’t tell you how happy we were to see him fly home safe and sound.”
Surgeon nodded. “Hmm, I thought as much. You do realize this means you know me better than anyone else? I find that quite titillating.”
“Sounds like you’re very lonely,” she said softly. Show a little empathy. Attempt to connect. That’s what her training had taught her.
Surgeon shrugged. He dropped the hammer back on to the table with the other surgical instruments and rolled a stool over to sit close to her head. He leaned on the edge of the table and propped his chin on his palm. “I like being alone. People can’t be trusted. Death is the only certainty in this world, and I have power over it. I am the Grim Reaper. I’ve ended the lives of dozens of people. That power sustains me.”
Diana turned her head to look at him and wondered how a man could look so sane, so ordinary, yet spout some of the craziest talk she’d ever heard in her entire life.
“Now, shall
I tell you about my beloved Gari?”
“Please, go ahead.” Anything to keep him from using those instruments on the table.
“He was like a father to me. Taught me most of what I know, and I did appreciate that. But like a good son, I surpassed him. I became more successful, more skilled at what I do. All parents want that for their children. The good ones, anyway. They want their offspring to be more successful than they are. Gari was a good man, but my kills had become more efficient, cleaner, quieter, than even he showed me, and he knew that. He was proud of me.” Diana saw a faraway look in Surgeon’s icy blue eyes. He took a moment before he snapped back to the present.
Diana asked, “But what about his head? That wasn’t your style.”
“Oh, I didn’t do that. I didn’t dump him either. As you say, not my style at all. So… vulgar. Someone must have come along afterward.”
“So why did you kill him?”
“I already told you, silly. Because it was time for him to retire.“
“Nothing to do with the five mill you were paid, then?”
“Ooh, so you know about that do you? Yes, this contract has been most gratifying. That it brought you, darling girl, back into my life was a bonus. Did you get the recording I sent you? Do you know who ordered the hit?”
“Yes.”
“Were you surprised?”
“Very.”
“You were expecting it to be the head of a drug cartel or some other unsavory character?”
“They make up your usual clientele,” she said.
“True, but not this time. That’s what made this one extra special. Having a bonafide government contractor hire me was pure class! Mr. Kloch personally contacted me to secure my services in order to remove Gari from the equation?”
“Why though? What equation?”
“Now, now, Diana. Don’t be in such a rush. We have plenty of time, and it’s my turn,” he admonished.
Diana blinked and clenched her teeth. The pigeons above her were grunting. She remained stoic and smiled softly at him. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Why didn’t you ever thank me for the flowers? Such ingratitude”
“How could I? There was no contact information.”
He surged forward. “What?” he screamed. Diana stiffened. “I gave them a return address so you could contact me!” He seethed. “Obviously, my intermediaries weren’t as meticulous as they should have been.” His nostrils flared. “They’re lucky they’re already dead.” He dropped the steel hammer and picked up a scalpel.
For once, Diana was in full agreement with him. Considering what he did to Garibaldi for money, she shuddered to think what Surgeon would do to people who failed him.
“Your turn,” he said, after a moment. He was much calmer, but he still held the scalpel. He looked at her expectantly.
“Why did Kloch hire you to kill Garibaldi?”
He shrugged. “Why should I care? Gari was here on a contract of his own. I assumed I was hired to take him out before he assassinated someone else.”
“Who was Garibaldi’s target?” Diana asked.
“Tsk, tsk, Diana darling. You’re not playing fair. It’s my turn,” he said. He pouted theatrically.
“Okay, sorry. Go ahead.”
“You left CSIS and disappeared. Where did you go?”
It was Diana’s turn to shrug. At least, she tried to. The straps were holding her down tightly. “I stayed right here. I took a job as a magazine editor.”
He laughed. “A magazine editor? You? Bit tame. Was it a good cover?” He sniggered at his little joke.
“I work for a crime magazine,” she explained. She was finding him hard to read. His emotions, reactions were all over the place. She reminded herself that as a psychopath, he was devoid of empathy and a conscience. “What’s so funny about that?” Diana asked.
“Well, you were a CSIS agent.” He gave her a shrewd look. “Surely you of all people wouldn’t take such a… banal job. Not without an ulterior motive.”
Diana shrugged. “I thought it might be fun. Easy.”
“Humph. Surely not. Not you.”
“Why not, me?”
“Because you’re Diana Hunter. Woman of mystery. International woman of mystery. Working for a magazine is way too mundane for someone like you. Provincial. Like that boyfriend of yours.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“THE JOB WAS something to pass the time. No ulterior motive, I can assure you. And please don’t insult my partner. He’s a good guy. Now, it’s my turn, I believe.”
“By all means,” he said, waving his hand.
“If you killed Gari because he was about to kill someone else, who was his target?” she asked again.
“No idea. It wasn’t a detail I was interested in. I assume that it was one of Blue Panther’s VIP’s considering how much they paid. I could have negotiated a lot more, but the privilege of killing Gari made up for it.”
“And that’s the only reason you came to Canada? Besides me, of course.”
He gave her a broad smile that made him look so boyish and innocent, it was hard to fathom that beneath the almost sweet exterior beat the heart of a monster. “Technically, it is my turn, but I’ll answer your question – the one you posed and the one you didn’t.”
Diana tried to nod. The strap at her throat was threatening to choke her. She was finding it difficult to swallow. “Of course.”
“To answer your first question, yes, my only reason for being in Canada was to eliminate Garibaldi. You,” he winked at her, “are a bonus.” Her skin crawled. “And the question you didn’t ask but you still want the answer to is that no, I know nothing else. If I ask too many questions, my client pool would shrink exponentially. Satisfied?”
Diana tried to nod her head but the strap around her neck merely caused her to jerk awkwardly. “Yes, thank you,” she replied.
He frowned. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?
“No, nothing,” she said quickly.
“Hmm.” A skeptical look crept into his eyes.
He got up and spent some moments inspecting the surgical instruments, running his fingers over the metal gently, as if he were caressing a lover.
“Don’t you have more questions?” she asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. The thought of the instruments on the table frightened her, but what scared her more were those small bottles and syringes.
He shrugged. “I’m tired of talking now. It’s nearly time to get started. More questions later. Maybe. First, I want to hear that beautiful voice scream one more time.”
“I’ve been told I’m quite irritating when I scream.”
He laughed. “I doubt anyone has ever heard you before. You are not a screamer. I bet I am your first in that regard. But I like the fact that you’re still fighting, even if it’s only with words. It will make this all the more fun,” he said as he inspected each of the bottles on the table. He picked one up. “Ah yes, this is my favorite.” He walked over so she could see the bottle he held up. “It’s a blend of my own design. I’ve fused various elements into one spectacular compound. The chemistry is very cool, I think. But what will interest you most is what it does.”
He leaned down and whispered close to Diana’s ear. “It maximizes the pain you feel while flooding your system with adrenaline so you won’t pass out. You will feel every agonizing touch. It is quite brilliant,” he said with a maniacal giggle.
He picked up a syringe and filled it half-way. Diana’s eyes widened, and she swallowed hard as Surgeon made his way over to her. He rubbed her arm with alcohol.
“We need to clean the area first. Don’t want any icky germs getting in, do we?”
“Does it matter? I’ll be dead soon.”
“It matters to me.”
“What’s your real name? Who should I be cursing while you’re having your fun?” she stuttered. It was becoming harder and harder to control her reactions. Her body was starting to shake uncontrollably.
He chuckled. “My name is Montague Ferrier-Hill. My friends call me ‘Monty,’” he said.
“You have friends?”
“Oh, yes. We’re friends, Diana, aren’t we? You can call me Monty, too. Just a little scratch now.” He tapped her arm looking for a vein. Diana refused to flinch as he inserted the needle and pushed the plunger all the way down.
But she gasped as ice cold liquid raced through her veins. “Montague?” she asked when she regained her breath. “Not the most intimidating name I’ve ever heard.“
He shrugged. “My mother admired the British aristocracy, so she gave me a name she thought would suit. She coached me in the art of upward social mobility, you know, etiquette, history, the arts. She considered it the first step in her master plan to elevate her own standing.” He stood next to her, the needle still in his hand, tapping it against the side of his finger as he reminisced out loud. Suddenly he jammed it into a container, the kind designed to safely dispose of old needles.
A sharps container. A freaking sharps container.
“But, truthfully, I never fit in. I was too cultured for my working class roots while lacking the connections and the innate breeding to move seamlessly in the circles for which I had been schooled. Her plan failed.”
“So what did you do?” Diana asked, her heart and head pounding.
“I turned to killing people. Well, wouldn’t you?”
Diana gasped again as he trailed his fingers over her skin. The light contact had her nerve-endings shrieking in pain.
“So, I was right. You are a psychopath with mommy issues.”
He laughed. “Your attempt to anger me by referencing my mother was sweet if misguided. My mother only wanted the best for me. She was a wonderful woman.”
“Who gave birth to a monster…” Diana said with another pained groan as she shifted slightly.
“No one’s perfect. Now, let’s get on, shall we?
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