Disclaimer: I don't own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement.
Guerrero's bespectacled eyes studied her with cool, no-nonsense precision. No unnecessary display of emotions. "Still don't get it. Why did you call me?" He slightly stressed the "me", as in You do remember the kneecap incident, don't you?
"Cause you're working side jobs, too. You won't give me the "We gave you a chance, Ames!"-litany."
He had to admit, she had a point.
"What makes you think I'm gonna help you?"
"A share in the profit?" Ames' self-confident I'm not totally stupid-tone was betrayed by the slight tremble in her voice. She hadn't forgotten this was Guerrero she was dealing with.
Good.
"Now we're talking. Explain again. Line was bad. Think I misunderstood you."
"I … acquired … this box of beetles…"
"I didn't misunderstand you..."
"Stag beetles. All more than three inches long, that's extremely rare." Ames walked to the table to show him the box she had accidentally overturned. "They've got these antler-like mandibles and if you step on them they make a very characteristic…"
Squish.
"Oh no! Not again! They're 5.000 $ a piece!"
One eyebrow arched, Guerrero watched as she slowly withdrew her high heel-shod right foot, revealing a sludgy dark spot on the floor.
He sighed.
"We need cinnamon, honey, rosemary, balsamic vinegar and a spoonful of that expensive body lotion you bought on the company credit card."
When her eyes lit up in shock, he allowed himself a smile.
Half an hour later the beetles were all back in the box.
"How the hell…?" Ames couldn't believe it.
"Lucanidae like certain scents. Once knew a guy who had entomophobia. Came in handy when he forgot to pay his debts."
Ames had noticed that the mixture was spreadable. She imagined a tied-up and gagged more or less naked man on the floor of some remote place, covered in this stuff… and a large box full of not-so-expensive beetles. Well, maybe not on the floor… Guerrero thought in terms of effectiveness. He had probably used a bathtub.
Guerrero saw the expression on her face and knew what she was thinking. In a way he was glad she concentrated on the gruesome details instead of wondering why he had shown interest in her body lotion.
It was not good to mix emotion and business. Ames was on the verge of becoming emotion, he couldn't afford that. So far he hadn't found the right remedy yet, and playing white knight for her probably wouldn't help. Guerrero decided he needed a job out of town.
"I take cash", he reminded her before leaving.
"Could use someone to help with the negotiations…", she mumbled quietly, apparently not sure if she was pushing it too far. "These bug guys are weird…"
Out of town job….
He told himself it was the 5.000 $ a piece that made him agree.