He stared at the cup of coffee, observing the still, black liquid. Personally, he never cared for the stuff himself, but Claude knew that his brother, Henrik, had been drinking it for twenty solid years; and that was all that mattered.
"Are you having fun?"
Claude turned to Gertrude, his sister-in-law and Henrik's wife. She looked absolutely beautiful in an emerald dress that revealed her, what he believed to be, gorgeous breasts and just a slither of leg.
"I'd thought you'd be onstage with Henrik." Claude said.
"It's too hot up there. I told him not to use too many lights. He ignored me, of course."
Gertrude leaned closer to Claude, slipping her hand just below his belt, her fingertips teasing at his buckle.
"It's a little warm here to. Let's step outside."
"Not right now, Gertrude. I have something that I need to do."
Gertrude looked up at Claude and smiled. "You mean you're going to tell him."
Claude just smiled. "We're going to be together."
Gertrude kissed Claude and touched his cheek before leaving to step outside. Claude listened to the closing of Henrik's speech.
"Copenhagen is the finest city in all of Denmark, and if I'm re-elected as your mayor, I will be certain that our country's capitol is run with a firm and loving hand."
There was scattered applause and cheers from the audience, and the sounds of cameras clicking. From where he stood, Claude could see Henrik standing at the microphone and smiling. The last time he saw him smile like that was when he first became Lord Mayor ten years ago. In fact, he was sure that he hadn't seen him smile like that at his own wedding. Of course, his attention had been on the bride and not the groom.
He hated himself for being jealous of Henrik, and he hated himself for what needed to be done. Then again, he thought, it was all for the greater good. Henrik, in his opinion, had not been a good mayor and was leading the city in the wrong direction. Under his control, Copenhagen could be a utopia; and with Gertrude by his side, he couldn't fail. Their love would be the envy of all couples.
Henrik stepped away from the microphone and walked backstage, with a painful look on his face.
"The trouble with getting old. Everything aches." Henrik said.
"I have your antacid."
Claude handed Henrik a Tums and then his cup of coffee. He watched nervously as he took the pill and then took a few sips of his coffee, watching for a reaction.
"It tastes horrible. Where did you get this coffee?"
"I-it's the same brand. I probably just forgot to add sugar."
Henrik shrugged and downed the rest of the coffee. It didn't take long for him to start perspiring.
"Rick, are you all right?"
Henrik took out his handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead. "I'm fine. Just a little warm."
Just like that, Henrik dropped to the floor, his eyes rolling in the back of his head, his body shaking severely. It was when the foam came to his mouth, that Claude knew his brother would soon be gone.
"Help! Help! My brother's having a seizure!"
Soon, a crowd surrounded Claude as he dropped to his knees and took Henrik in his arms, sobbing. Everyone watched in shock, as though a horror movie were unfolding before their eyes. To Claude, it was just a damn good performance.
"It had to be done, Rick. It had to be done." Claude whispered in Henrik's ear.
With a long, exhaling breath, Henrik Skov's life drained away. Claude calmly laid his brother down on the floor, and began to weep openly. All he was thinking, however, was that he had killed his brother and had saved Copenhagen.
