frozen William Tatum, chief of security. As soon as he was at the desk, his thighs just touching the oaken platform, he brought his perfectly manicured fist down on the top of it with a great deal of force. “I like it when a man admits he has completely fucked up!”
Even though he had known something like that was coming, Tatum flinched. He knew deep down that the somewhat voluntary reaction was at least partially for Irons’ benefit. It was best not to make him any angrier than he already was. This was, in fact, the only time Tatum had seen anything like a true, human emotion coming out of the man.
“Fortunately for you, no one has been able to trace the idiots you hired back to this company. God,” he breathed out hoarsely. “I’d hate to think of the money I’d have to outlay to shut it all up.”
His voice cracking, Tatum tried to squeak a further apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. Irons. These men have worked for me in the past. Had done some exemplary work. Up until…until the moment they were discovered with…with,” Tatum was struggling with a way to say it without stating the obvious. He could see himself trying to explain away his words in a court of law.
“With Dodd’s body, you mean?”
Tatum stared at the boss, the ultimate chief.
“They got away, though,” Tatum said. “The police didn’t capture them, even though they recovered the…the…his…”
“Dodd’s body. Yes.” Irons continued to stand and to silently puff away, examining Tatum as if he were some interesting but bothersome pest. “Did you know that they even fouled up their little visit to that fellow from Fish and Wildlife? The one who had talked to Dodd?” He waited for Tatum to answer, but got no reply.
“You won’t have to worry about the police questioning them. They weren’t around to be questioned. They did that much, at least. And even if they left a fingerprint, it won’t matter. Neither has a criminal record.”
Michael Irons used the cigar to jot a decimal point in the air. “Oh, we’ll never have to worry about those particularly inept assholes. I won’t. You won’t. The company won’t. Their families won’t. No one will. No one will ever again have to waste a moment’s grief on either of them.”
“What?” Tatum croaked.
“Well. To put it in plain terms, my fine, stupid friend: I had them both aced. They’re dead.” He removed the cigar from his lips, unclenching his jaws in what appeared to be an almost painful manner. There was something akin to a grimace upon his smooth, unblemished, too-young-for-a-chairman face.
“And as for you, Mr. Head of Security…” He paused, drew in a breath and released it almost silently. “You will sit here for a while and do nothing beyond see to it that nobody picks any pockets in the malls, or steals some tourist’s rental car, or takes advantage of some dumb broad visiting one of our fine hotels. I’ve passed along the responsibility of taking care of our…eh, our problems. You will not interfere in any way with the Colonel or any of his actions. Do I make myself clear? Hmm?”
“Yes, sir. Very clear, sir.” Tatum remained sitting rigidly in place, but risked a swallow.
“You know…it’s not right for a man of my position to raise more than an eyebrow in a situation like this. A man such as myself needs to not have to worry about such trivialities. It’s not right for me to pick up a phone and deal with such unpleasantness and be forced to make outrageous offers or spend ridiculous sums of money. It isn’t right, damn it.”
“I understand, sir. You should never have felt the need t…”
“Shut up, Tatum.”
Tatum stopped. Did not finish the syllable. Looked up at his fate.
“You will stay here. Right here in Salutations and act like you’re nothing more than small town police chief. You’ll stick your nose in nothing more serious than a fender bender, because that is the absolute limit of unpleasantness that I want anyone to experience in the confines of my town for the next little while. Do I make myself clear?”
Tatum nodded.
“Good. I’m glad that you are aware of my position.” He put the cigar back in his mouth and clamped down on it. Tatum could hear his teeth mashing the rolled leaves of tobacco. “And Tatum? Stay here. Go nowhere.” He held his arms out to indicate Salutations. “This township will be the extent of your little world until I