The Steel Violin by JK Brandon

Author:JK Brandon [Brandon, JK]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Ballistic Press
Published: 2012-01-09T04:30:00+00:00

***

Grigory Luzhkov inspected Turco’s work, then inquired politely. “Are you comfortable?”

Tommy Tsunami hesitated to answer, partly because he thought it was a trick question, mostly because his mouth was full of one-inch cotton rope.

Luzhkov smiled. “I think you’ll be thankful in a moment for something to bite down on. It gives you a point to focus on when the pain gets unbearable.”

Tommy was strapped to his new Herman Miller ergonomic chair with twenty feet of silver duct tape. His shoes and socks were off; his pink bare feet seemed particularly vulnerable given the circumstances.

“It’s best not to get too agitated, you might bring up that wonderful sturgeon parfait we just had. That could be a problem in your present condition.” He tapped on the rope in Tsunami’s mouth. “Not to mention a waste of a delicious appetizer.”

Grigory Luzhkov walked around the chair as he spoke, circling Tommy like a coyote playing with an injured rabbit. He held the green stick with both hands, gesturing with it as he talked.

“I hoped we would reach an agreement. It’s a shame we need to go to such unnecessary lengths.” He held up the stick. “Do you know what this is, Mr. Tsunami?”

Tommy shook his head. Nothing good for him, he was sure.

“It’s a cattle prod. A new one, purchased just for this occasion. They’ve made some nice improvements since I last used one. Rechargeable in any wall socket. Environmentally-friendly green finish. See?”

He held it out so Tommy could get a good look. All Tommy saw were the two pointed brass electrodes.

“Cows are big dumb animals, sometimes they have a mind of their own. Sometimes they don’t want to go where the ranchers want them. They get stubborn, they make bad choices, give ranchers a problem.”

Tommy’s eyes followed Luzhkov as he walked.

“I have similar problem. I’m riding herd on a lot of stubborn animals, and they all need to get into the corral at the same time.” He leaned over and looked Tommy in the face. “You understand my problem?”

“Mmmmm.”

“I don’t think you do. Because you said no. That’s why I brought this motivator. That’s why you have bare feet.” He pointed the rod at Tommy’s toes. “You’re probably wondering about your feet.”

Actually, Tommy was thinking a lot about missed opportunities and the check for one-hundred thousand dollars.

“If you’ve ever had foot surgery, you know how difficult it is to deaden the area with anesthetic, because of all the sensitive nerve endings in the feet. It’s the body’s Achilles’ heel, so to say.”

This was more information than Tommy wanted to hear, but Luzhkov wasn’t through talking.

“Maybe you’re worried about your money. Maybe you’re worried about what will happen to your stocks on Friday, and to all your client’s securities. If you are not worried, you should be. You had a chance to warn all your people and save their investments. You would be the super guru who called the Century’s biggest crash. People would pay double, triple for your monthly services.”

Tommy did some quick calculations in his head.

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