When I feel my composure return, I approach the man. “There is something you can help me with. A colleague at Savenor's Butchery said you could help me.”
Pausing, I send out a silent prayer that the code phrase is correct. Azula and I had tried our best to do our due diligence, but the audio we collected from an outside camera was gargled and difficult to clean, even when running it through our best technology. If my suspicions are correct this building likely contains devices that hinder any planted bugs or recorders from catching full conversations.
The old man’s shoulders stiffen, and I swear he grows anextra six inches in the process. “Lock the entry door. Let’s make this quick.”
I follow his instructions, turning over the ‘We’re Open’ sign to say ‘Sorry We’re Closed’ and heading closer to the counter.
“So, what is it? Found your lover cheating on you and now you’re hoping to keep him on the toilet for the next few days, maybe a week? Or maybe it's the mistress you want payback on? I can give you a tasteless concoction to pour in her drink. All her hair will shed off by next Tuesday.” His nonchalant attitude sends a chill down my spine. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, given he did make a living off this, and I know better than most how exposure to cruelty certainly numbs you over time.
Still, I doubt giving someone the runs or making them bald was something Declan would waste his time with. He has his own means of administering humiliation and torture, which means he must have come here for something more. Something bigger.
It all clicks into place. “What if I’m looking for something more permanent?”
The once soft smile on the man’s face turns leery. “Ah, is there a relative who overstayed their welcome on this planet? Perhaps one that has named you in a large share of their will?”
I school my expression, refusing to give anything away, including my repulsion at his assumption, and the fact that he likely has had several customers come to him for that reason. “Are my intentions necessary for your response?”
“No, but they do make for good small talk, don’t you think?” He laughs to himself.
“I’ll take your deflection as a response that this is a service you offer? Or should I take my business elsewhere?” I threaten, my patience wearing thin.
The old man slams his jaw shut. Clearly, I’ve struck a nerve. “How fast do you want it to be? And how much pain do you want them to experience?”
It becomes hard to swallow as my throat dries. “I’m not sure. What options do you have?”
He taps a finger on his grey bushy beard before unlocking various cabinets and removing a series of vials. Laying them all out on the counter, he points to one on the far left. “All of these poisons range in terms of duration, how long they take to kill, and suffering, how much pain they cause. If you’re looking for a quick and relatively painless…I’d recommend this one. It’s tasteless and relatively odorless when mixed into a drink.”
I reach for the tube and bring it up to the light, assessing it as if I have plans to purchase it. “What’s it made of?” It’s a direct question I doubt he’ll actually answer, so I correct myself, “Or rather, how does it…handle the problem?”
“Clever girl, you know I can’t give away all my secrets. If I did, I’d be out of business. It’s a concoction of different elements, one of which is tetrodotoxin. Enough to kill within a few minutes if not faster, but not so much that it would tip off any toxicology reports.”
Tetrodotoxin.The same chemical that was found in the poison I nearly drank. The same poison that killed the waiter, fairly quick and, while I would beg to differ, one could say relatively painless. “Is tetrodotoxin found in all of your poisons?”
He shakes his head. “No. Only this one. Each batch I make has its own special formula.”
“And which one of these is your best seller?”
“The one right in your hand. It takes me a while to create, which makes it an even hotter commodity.”
“Any recent buyers?” I decide to cut to the chase.
“Now you know an answer to a question like that will cost you. But from your get-up and line of questioning, I canassume you work for the Persian Empire. It was their new boss who was nearly killed recently. Yes?”
My entire body stiffens as he identifies me. So much for trying to keep a low profile. At least he didn’t know who I really was.
He flashes his teeth. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. I’d much rather we work together than have you as my enemy.”
“State your terms,” I grumble, irritated that I had somehow fallen into this man’s trap.
“A piece of information for the same. A few of my regulars are seeking services elsewhere, but I haven’t been able to figure out where. I suspect I wasn’t the first herbalist you sought out.”
“I’m happy to be of service. Though I must insist you go first.” I stand firm.
A glimmer of respect flashes in his eyes. “Very well, my last purchase of the tetrodoxin came from a gentleman a few weeks ago. He was equally tight-lipped as to why he needed such a concoction.”
My racing heart feels like it's being ripped out of my chest. “A gentleman? What did he look like?”
“Now, now, my dear. You know I can’t tell you that. Even revealing that it was a man in the first place could get me killed. I’ll blame the slip-up on being distracted by your beautiful face.” He licks his lips, taking me in. Great, now my stomach is also turning.
