He played a finger along the rim of his glass, watching the others in the pub. The seat before him shifted slightly and he tried to keep a lock on his jaw to prevent it dropping in surprise. She set her small handbag to the side and pulled her gloves off her fingers. When he did not speak she raised an eyebrow.

"I was told you were dumb but I didn't think they meant it literally."

He gawked, "Who said I was dumb?"

She shrugged, "Doesn't matter since he's dead now."

He smiled, "Defending my honor?"

"No," She sat back. "Someone else hired me to end him so I did. It's a simple business that I run and he was on the wrong side of it."

"I'd hate to see what that side is for me."

"That depends on you." She crossed her legs under the table. "I was surprised to get your call."

"Why?"

"You're organization's never called me before."

He lifted a shoulder, "We usually prefer to use our own efficiency."

"I don't mind the idea that in-house work is usually best. You avoid betrayal that way." She took a breath, "what made this time different?"

"This time we needed someone to do a little cleaning for us that is less trust based."

"Nothing builds trust like money and blood."

"Indeed." He ground his jaw, "We can't take care of this in-house because it's like the itch you can't scratch yourself."

"You need someone to scratch your itch?"

He nodded, "If we do this ourselves it'd incite internal strife and we're not in a position to withstand the destruction that would beat us to the ground should that happen."

"Who do you want blamed for this?" She took a peek around the pub, "I did notice you came alone. What'd you tell everyone?"

"That I was meeting a friend for a drink." He looked her up and down, "Though, if it's not too impolite to say, you're far more attractive than any friend I currently count in my contacts."

"Oh?" She smiled, "I'm flattered."

"I hope so."

"But I return to my previous question, who do you want blamed for this death?"

"He's had some suspected dealings with the Albanians." He swirled his finger over the rim of his tumbler. "If you think you could manage to make it look like their work that'd be helpful."

"It's what you pay me for so it's not a problem."

"Good."

She moved a strand of her blonde hair away from her face, "You realize, however, that if I do make it look like an Albanian killing they'll start a war with you, yes?"

"It's part of the plan."

"What? Turn the anger of your men toward rubbing out the Albanians instead of investigating too closely into the idea of an internal coup?"

"That's the plan."

"And what else?" He shook his head in confusion. "Are you doing this to feel good about driving out a foreign enemy from the isle like you're a good guy in all of this mess?"

"Maybe we are the good guys?" He winked, "We could be good people."

She laughed, "We're not 'good people', Mr. Bates. It's why we do what we do how we do it." She reached across the table and took his drink, sipping from it. "I'm assuming you called me for a cleaning and not a philosophical discussion."

"Why not both?"

"Because I'm not philosophical." She finished his drink and handed the glass back, "Do you need someone to clean the scene afterward as well?"

"No. We've got a man on retainer for after. Some French bloke who works some considerable wonders in terms of cleaning. A true artist."

"I like artists. They tend to make life more interesting."

"But not philosophers?"

"I've no time for them." They sat in silence a moment before she continued speaking. "So if we're discussion the 'before', I take five thousand flat for even entertaining this discussion. Another five for successful completion."

"What about failure?"

"I don't fail."

"Never?"

"I wouldn't be here if I failed." She gathered her gloves and handbag as he chuckled. "Something funny?"

"Just…" He waved to the table between them. "That's the end of the conversation?"

"Unless there's something more to discuss but I don't feel there is."

"What if I have a private offer?" He leaned forward, "A more personal inquiry?"

She paused, "I don't take money for those."

"What do you take?"

"Pleasure, if you can give it." She sighed, "Not many can, as experience has taught me."

"If you've an hour I could prove your previous experience wrong."

"I've no doubt." She eyed him up and down, "But I was hoping it'd be more than an hour."

"Clear an afternoon and find out exactly what I could do for you, Ms. Smith."

She grinned, "Only after I show you how good I am. I don't mix business and pleasure."

"Never?"

"Never." She stood, nodding her head at him. "Send the details to the same address as before, Mr. Bates, and you'll get your desired result within a day. I expect the other half of my payment within two days after that."

"I can't wait to see what you can do, Ms. Smith."

"Nor do you, Mr. Bates." She headed for the door, "Thank you for the drink and have a good day."