Brimstone Blues

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gerard studied the five men seated around the table. As his unblinking gaze fell on each, he waited until the man flinched before continuing to the next. He was under no illusions as to what they saw. He wanted them to fear him. Over the years he’d spread a variety of rumors about his abilities until no one for sure knew exactly what he was capable of. As a result, myths had grown, blown horribly out of proportion.

Fine with him. It made his job easier.

“All right. I want our Pacific Northwest operation accelerated. Is the compound online yet?” He fixed his gaze on one of the men, already knowing the answer.

“Not yet, but our plans are six months ahead of schedule.”

Gerard waited to nod, and the man audibly sighed with relief when he did. “Good. As soon as it’s finished, I want the personnel moved out there that we’ve already selected. Including the girls.”

“Including the ones slated for the Brazil facility?”

He nodded. “The sooner they’re isolated, the better. Gentlemen, we are going to change the world. When we’re through, people will bow before us.” He walked over to the cabinet at the end of the room and pulled out the head, grabbing it by the hair and lobbing it onto the table where it landed with the dull, sickening splat of an overripe melon. None of the men dared moved, but they all flinched.

Gerard smiled. “Very good, gentlemen. I don’t expect you to agree with my choices, just do what I tell you when I tell you. Success will be rewarded.” He pointed to the head, which despite being refrigerated for several weeks was beginning to smell, and the skin had turned a sickly green color. “That man, obviously, wasn’t successful. Worse, he ran without orders to do so. His failure was to fail to ask for direction before retreating.” Gerard placed his hands on the table and leaned forward, exposing his vicious canines as he smiled. “I’m assuming I won’t have that problem with any of you?”

The men vigorously shook their heads.

“Excellent! Meeting adjourned, gentlemen. Same time, same channel.” He waved them away and they practically scampered out the door while he sat at the head of the table. The sound of retching reached his ears, and he laughed as his assistant entered the room, wearing gloves and carrying a garbage bag.

“How many?” Gerard asked.

“Two, sir.”

“They make the garbage cans?”

“I hope so.”

Gerard laughed. “I should give employee motivation seminars, Rogers.”

Rogers wanly smiled as he dropped the head into the garbage bag and tied it shut. “Standard procedure?”

Gerard leaned back and templed his large, rough hands. “Sure. Send it to…” He snapped his fingers. “Help me out, that guy in Philly who said he wanted out because his wife was pregnant. The software programmer?”

“Dale Arkins?”

“Yeah, him. Send it to him, with a little personalized note that we don’t appreciate him attempting to breach his employment agreement before the renewal date.”

“Will do, sir.”