Chapter 1: The Beginning Of The End

Augustus walked into Balalaika's office at noon, escorted by Boris. The American was looking around him curiously. Not only was the office of Hotel Moscow's boss immaculate, it was also fit to receive the pope should he choose to visit. Though that seemed wildly unlikely, in Kells's mind. Once he was done marvelling at the interior of the office, he looked forward at Balalaika. She offered him a smile in greeting and waved Boris away.

The fact that she was willing to be alone with Kells was an incredible sign of her trust in him. Or, more plausibly, perhaps she was simply formidable enough in her own right to defend herself should the scar-faced man prove to be untrustworthy. Nevertheless, he extended his arm in greeting and smiled back at her.

"Balalaika," he began. "So you're the mastermind behind that business in New York. Quite the feat your man pulled off. What was his name, Okajima?"

"We call him Rock," the Russian corrected him. "And, yes, he is quite something, isn't he? Nobody better for the job."

"Seeing as I'm here, I'd have to agree." They both took their seats. "So, how can I help you? What's the word on Hunter?"

"We want you to provide us with any information you can," Balalaika told him firmly. "Anything that can give us an edge over these Dead Men. As for Hunter, the word is the same as it has always been. No sightings, no activities that we know of. Nothing. The man is a ghost." Augustus chuckled knowingly. Having worked with Hunter for years, he knew just how capable the man was.

It did not surprise him in the least that a criminal organisation as prolific as Hotel Moscow had no idea where he was or what he was up to. It seemed they needed Augustus far more than they told him. Without his help they could be at this war with Hunter for months. In that time, he might do unspeakable damage to the city and the operations of the ruling factions. It was a good thing they called on Kells when they did.

"Well, you can start by telling me what you've been doing to try and take Hunter down," Augustus told her. "I imagine a woman such as yourself has access to resources most governments would envy."

"You're very kind," Balalaika replied in false gratitude. "Suffice it to say that I've had constant patrols doing rounds of the city since my last encounter with Hunter. All the local apartment buildings have been searched thoroughly and my people watch the exits to Roanapur daily. On top of that, the Triad's leader, Mister Chang, has been lending his aid in a similar fashion. His own people toil day and night to try and sniff out the Dead Men."

"Impressive," Kells told her with a smile. He would fit in well in this city. "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you. I mean this in the nicest way possible, Miss Balalaika, but your people are wasting their time." The Russian woman raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

"Is that so? Do elaborate."

"Alright, down to business. I've known Hunter for a long time. During my service in the Dead Men, I learned a lot from him. I was as good as his second in command. That means I know almost all of his strategies, his tactics. That is, if he hasn't changed them."

"Anything you can tell me would help," Balalaika reiterated, growing impatient with Kells's roundabout way of speaking. He would do well to make a point soon.

"First thing's first," he went on. "Transportation. Hunter himself drives around in an armoured grey Dodge Challenger."

"I've had my people keeping an eye out for it," Balalaika piped up to save Kells the trouble of boring her further with redundant information.

"But he rarely travels anywhere personally," Augustus continued, adamant that what he was saying would be worthwhile if Balalaika persevered. "More often than not, he'll be sending groups of his people into the city to do his dirty work. But they don't use their usual silver jeeps. And they won't be wearing their usual outfits either. The Dead Men use normal taxis to drive around. The reason your people haven't spotted them is because they blend into the traffic. I doubt your subordinates would look twice at a cab."

That was actually quite useful. Hundreds of taxis passed in and out of the city every day. If the Dead Men hijacked a number of them and used them to transport their people, it would be frustratingly easy to pass by Balalaika's patrols and Chang's scouts without being detected. That way, they could sneak around Roanapur all they wanted and do who knew what, setting their greater plans in motion.

"A clever tactic," Balalaika said calmly, masking her urgency. She was eager to update her people about this, but she needed to see this meeting with Augustus out. Whatever he could tell them would be appreciated. They needed to catch Hunter and couldn't afford to waste any more time. The trip to New York had already taken four days away from Hotel Moscow, four valuable days they needed to use wisely. Regardless, Kells was here now. Balalaika just hoped he would be worth the trouble.

"And one he's used before, have no doubt," Augustus told her. "It's been keeping his people safe and undetected for years, any time he needs to get a group passed enemy territory. But I'm sure you're eager to know what his plans are."

"You know what his next move will be?" Balalaika asked, incredulous. It was doubtful Kells had that kind of information, seeing as how he had cut all ties with the Dead Men five months ago.

"Not specifically," Kells said. Balalaika supposed she couldn't have hoped for anything better. "But I know how his mind works. And I know how he deals with his enemies. I've seen it all, from taking out petty gangs to toppling ancient criminal empires. He's done it all. So believe me when I tell you my insight will be valuable."

"I have no doubt. So, enlighten me. What is the man's next move?"

"Before I say, tell me…what was it that pissed him off? I don't imagine he just up and decided to try and take a slice of the criminal underworld here."

"No, nothing so foolish, I must admit," Balalaika told him. "He came in search of a girl. Usagi, I think her name was. She fled here to get away from him and her father. Apparently, she stole documents of some sort in the process. Hunter showed up and demanded that I give him what he wanted. In response, I put a price on his head and told him he wasn't in charge." Augustus whistled. It was unsurprising that he was impressed by any act of resistance against the Dead Men. He certainly bore no love for them.

"Goddamn, you don't fuck around," he exclaimed. His expression turned forlorn, then. "But you say Usagi came here? That's unfortunate. She's a good kid. Pity she got dragged into this shit because of Hunter. Just another reason to take him down, I guess." Once he noticed Balalaika's disinterested expression, he cleared his throat and sat up straight. "But, uh, I'm sure you're wondering about the documents. You don't know what they are?"

"They didn't interest me," Balalaika told him simply. "I assumed they contained information on the Dead Men's dealings."

"More or less," Augustus confirmed, though his expression and tone of voice suggested there was a bit more to it. The mystery surrounding these documents rose by the day. And Balalaika could not have cared less. "He keeps records of his negotiations and transactions with foreign companies. There's some other shit in there, too, but it's mostly files on people he wants to kill or ally with." Augustus produced a cigar from his pocket and lit it as he thought about the situation. He had to take recent events into consideration if he was going to understand where Hunter's path was leading. He certainly wanted the ruling factions taken down, though Hotel Moscow certainly must have ranked higher on his shit list than the Triad or the cartels.

According to Balalaika, he had come after Usagi, likely to retrieve the documents she stole. If Augustus remembered Usagi, she would have taken money too. That surely pissed Hunter off. Kells had to resist chuckling at the thought. Hunter was a dark, cruel, aggressive man but one with his own code of morals and ethics. He likely wanted to take Usagi back to Hong Kong to punish her and use her to serve as an example of what happens when he is disobeyed.

If Rahul was still a loyal subject of the man in black, he would be in the city now, too, in an attempt to get his daughter back. "It's a tricky situation, a bit different than what I've seen before. But there are parallels. If I'm right, you'll want to get on tracking down these taxis soon. Hunter will be using them to get from wherever he's hiding to particular spots in the city. That way, he can position kill squads of his people and order them to remain hidden until he gives the order. When that time comes, you won't want to be in this office. I imagine one of these squads is near this building right now."

"I appreciate the warning," Balalaika told him genuinely. "I should have assumed he'd know where I'd be during the day."

"And this Mister Chang you mentioned will be at risk too," Kells warned her. Wherever he hangs his hat, you'll want to do a sweep of the surrounding area."

"And that brings us onto the topic of where it Hunter hangs his hat," Balalaika hummed. "I'm sure you won't be able to provide anything concrete without significant knowledge of the city, but your deduction skills seem remarkable already so I'm listening."

"I'm flattered," Kells told her roguishly before his face turned serious. "He'd want somewhere quiet. A place that's secluded and out of the way. That probably rules out an apartment block or hotel room, but have one or two guys posted just in case. If he's smart, which I think past experience has proven he is, he'll have the bulk of his manpower somewhere remote. That might mean he's not even inside the city. You might want to broaden your search a bit."

"I see," Balalaika remarked. It struck her as odd that she hadn't considered the notion that the Dead Men might be out in the country somewhere. That would give them the perfect advantage, especially considering their people would enter the city using taxis, effectively making the forces of Hotel Moscow and the Triad useless. Hunter was a clever man, indeed. If Balalaika was any younger or less experienced, he would actually frighten her. "I'll have to have eyes outside Roanapur at all times, if your assumption is correct."

"I'm sure it is," Kells told her confidently. "I've known Hunter since we were nine years old. If there's anyone on this planet that understands how his mind works, it's me."

"I'll remember that," Balalaika assured him before producing a cigar of her own. Upon noticing this, Kells immediately leaned forward.

"Can I offer you a light?" he asked, a roguish, cheeky glint in his eye. Balalaika couldn't help but chuckle as she, too, leaned forward and lit the end of her cigar with his own.

"Well, aren't you sweet," she muttered, leaning back in her chair and inhaling deeply. "I dare say you would have made a fine leader of the Dead Men yourself had you taken the mantle from Hunter during your time under him."

"Maybe," Kells said. "But I sure as hell wouldn't want to be associated with the organisation that took on the great Balalaika. I have no desire to be on your bad side." Balalaika smirked at him.

"Aren't you sweet," she repeated.