It takes a couple ofminutes of me both knocking and ringing the bell again before I sense a presence on the other side of the door. When Kevin finally cracks it open, behind me I know Christopher’s turning to allow the full impact to emotionally stun Kevin Markos into immediate compliance.
I can see from the way Kevin’s beautiful blue eyes go wide behind his glasses that he is, indeed, stunned to recognize Christopher.
Excellent.
I give him a moment to process our presence before I speak. “Mr. Markos? May Special Agent Bruunt and I come in?”
“Why?” He edges the door open a little more and I know what he’s doing, looking for any photographers or paparazzi. Poor bastard’s been through hell.
“Only to talk.” I offer him a smile that’s probably a little too victorious, but I can’t help it.
I already sense Christopher’sright. I canfeelit in Kevin.
Rock, meet bottom.
With a sigh, Kevin finally opens the door wider and stands aside. I walk right in, kind of like a vampire who’s been invited to the feast and Kevin’s a sack of fresh blood pudding.
Christopher follows me and heads deeper inside without speaking to Kevin. I knew he was going to do this, too. Should Kevin challenge him—which he probably won’t,based on his reaction so far—Chris was going to cite some bullshit about clearing the premises of any threats.
Secret Service, yo.
Chris wants to prowl around, check out what he’s got in the fridge, and mentally plan what he wants to cook for Kevin when he returns here later tonight.
Once Kevin closes the door I realize how bad he looks. Exhausted, aged. He hasn’t shaved in several days, andhis hair’s a mess.
“After you,” I say, hoping I’m not wearing my scary smile.
I feel sorry for him. He probably feels totally alone in the world.
It also drives home the fact that Christopher is right.
About everything.
Well, so far.
We go talk, I give my pitch, then excuse myself to the bathroom as planned. Due to the layout of his house, which is nearly identical to mine except with areversed floor plan, I can stand just inside the hallway and hear every word between them.
Do I feel a little bad that we’re resorting to extortion to get him to agree?
A little.
Do I feel a little guilty that we’re withholding some things from him and bending the truth about others?
Okay, yeah, some.
Would wereallyout him if Christopher can’t make him say yes?
No. We both agreed we wouldn’t,but there is no plan B, and we need Kevin to agree,rightnow.
I have to fight the urge to return early, though, when I hear the sadist step forward using Christopher’s voice as he lays down the law to Kevin.
The plan is solid, but only if I allow it to play out the way Christopher told me.
We have to wait for Kevin to agree to do this.
Once he does, and Christopher calls for me to come backinto the room, we quickly make our exit. It’s only after I’m in the car again and we’re heading to Tallahassee International so I can catch my flight that I breathe easy.
“You did it,” I tell him.
