The Assassin's Cunning by Scott Marlowe

Author:Scott Marlowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Umberland Press
Published: 2024-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

My relationship with Abelard was complicated. Like many of the people in my life, murder had been involved. But Abelard was still alive, so it had all worked out in the end. Since that first meeting, I pretended I didn’t care about his well-being, but the truth was that he had become a valuable ally. Leonidas had spoken of a code, and while I clung to nothing so formal, I found in my experience that it often paid dividends to take care of people, especially when they were useful. I worked alone, but I couldn’t do what I did without the help of friends, associates, and allies. So as I approached Abelard’s home, I was concerned when I didn’t see a single light coming from the house. Though he employed an extensive staff, he lived alone, and I knew, given the excitement of this evening, that he wouldn’t have gone to bed already. Of course, he may have decided the company of others was better than solitude and not come home yet, but since I was already here, I decided to poke around to make sure.

I entered through my usual means—Abelard really should get that window lock fixed—then I padded through the house, quieter than a ghost. He wasn’t in any of the main rooms. Not in his bedroom, either. Further down the hall, I entered his study, and that’s when I saw someone seated at Abelard’s desk. The room was dark, but I knew it wasn’t Abelard by the man’s shape, the way he leaned back in the chair, and how he casually lit a cigar, which was a dead giveaway because Abelard did not smoke. A cool breeze wafted in from a broken window, revealing the intruder’s means of entry. Not as subtle as mine, but equally effective.

“Good evening again, Mr. Thornton,” Leonidas Storm said. “Do come in. We have some things to discuss.”

I found a lantern and turned it up. Then I stood there with my arms crossed. “What things? Where’s Abelard?”

“Abelard’s location is top of the list. Beneath it are the samples you stole. As you can imagine, the two depend on one another. As in, if you do not return the samples to me, then you’ll never see Abelard again. Actually, I take that back. You will see him, but it will be in pieces.”

“So much for your code of chivalry,” I said.

Leonidas shrugged. “Our code is more a set of guidelines.” He looked me up and down. “Am I to take it you do not have the samples on your person?”

“That’s right. They’re someplace safe.”

“As is your friend,” the compulsor said.

A brief silence ensued as we each took stock of the other’s position.

“I’ll make you a counteroffer,” I said. “Tell me what the liquid is and what you’re doing with it, and I’ll give back what I stole.”

Leonidas smiled. “A fair offer under different circumstances, but since you stole from me, I feel I should concede nothing and gain everything. My offer, as stated, stands.

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