House of Skin

MEMOIRS OF THE TEMPLAR SOCIETY (6)

This night, only Stadtler and Zero showed up for the meeting. Zero made them drinks and said, “I’m afraid we have trouble.”

Stadtler’s hand shook as he gulped his whiskey. “How so?”

“Mr. Grimes.”

“Where is he? Has he done something?”

“He’s told someone of our activities.”

Stadtler lost what color he had left. “Shit! I knew it.”

“He told our man Soames everything.”

“That fucking pimp?”

Zero nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

“Why for chrissake?”

“Blackmail, I would guess. Our association with Soames predates that of ours with you. Grimes and I spoke on the phone. He said Soames had photographs of him and… others. Items his wife wouldn’t approve of. Soames wanted to know what was happening to the girls he’d gotten for us.”

“Bastard.”

“I’m afraid so. You shouldn’t worry, though. He’s never seen your face.”

“But he knows my fucking name. Shit, this is just great.”

“I don’t think he’ll go to the police. I have incriminating evidence on him.”

Stadtler was trembling. “It can’t be anything like he has on us.”

“No, but—”

“But, nothing, Zero. If he goes to the fucking cops, they’ll probably cut him a deal. Give him immunity from prosecution to testify against us.”

“I hadn’t considered that.”

Sweat was boiling from Stadtler’s face. “Shit, use your head man. We have to get outta town.”

“Calm down.”

“You fucking calm down.”

“Please, we have time yet. There’s more.”

Stadtler shook his head. “Great.”

Zero refreshed his drink. “Our Mr. Grimes has unfortunately taken his life. The scandal, guilt, perhaps.”

“Killed himself?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s only you and me. You can…” He stopped and rubbed his eyes. “You can do what you want, but I’m getting out of town. That girl upstairs…”

“She knows nothing. Her mind is blank.”

“Yeah… but… she…” Stadtler’s head was swimming. “I have to go… I don’t… I don’t feel well…”

“I think you’ll stay.”

Stadtler rose up, but he had no strength. Zero pushed him back down.

“You’ll stay and in time, you won’t remember a thing.”

He looked into Zero’s eyes and the world went dark and he slumped unconscious. It never even occurred to him that he’d been drugged.

Zero brought him upstairs. “Goodbye, Mr. Stadtler,” he said. “Next stop, a whole new you.”