=== In the streets of Tampico ===

The fucking little pickpocket had vanished into the dark. I let my gun slide back into the holster and looked ad Rosa. "What did you think? I was in perfect control of the situation!"

Hastily, I searched a Kleenex for my hand. The dripping blood began to form an abstract ornament on the pavement.

"You would've killed the man", she replied.

"Surely I would! I'm no Missionary of Charity – ah, dammit!" The thief's knife had sliced right across the back of my hand. I clutched the Kleenex tightly around it to stop the bleeding and stood up. "Let's go back to the hotel!"

"You should see a doctor. This looks pretty nasty to me."

"It's nothing serious." No, of course it was serious, because now I could only shoot single-handed! I swore silently while we turned towards our hotel.

=== Hotel Las Flores ===

The moron at the front desk gave Rosa one of these oily smiles, when we entered. I intended to wipe it out of his stupid face as soon as I could. I hated these looks and moreover, the obviously dirty thoughts gleaming behind them! Right now, I had no time to take care of this problem, but before I left this town, I would. I promised myself.

Back in our room, I went into the bathroom, rinsed the cut and tried to apply some sort of bandage. I had only patches in standart size and Kleenex, but it had to be sufficient.

"Should I help you?" Rosa's voice from outside.

"No need." I finally managed the last patch stripe and opened the door. Rosa waited only a step away – ready to jump at my rescue, it seemed. As if I had been a little child! Women were weird creatures, I mused. They always had this caring mother-instinct, this urge to help. However, I did not WANT this care and help! It let me feel weak and exposed like I had been months ago in the car on the run to Mexico.

"Your behavior out there on the street, Rosa…" I said, walking past her and taking seat on the couch. "…was quite… professional. Another person would have yelled and panicked and probably ran away."

She was surprised hearing this. "I got the impression you were angry at me for disturbing your way of getting disposed of the guy."

"Well… it robbed me of my fun, surely. But from the viewpoint of your trainer I have to admit, your composure was good."

"I was afraid." She walked through the room, which was only lit from some faint lights outside shining through the window, and sat down on the chair opposite to me.

"But you let not your fear control your actions", I answered and lighted a cigarette. "This is the important thing. The most important thing for a hunter."

"I don't want to become one", she said after some moments, obviously not sure if she should annoy me with further talking. "I just want a normal life; a decent house, a nice good job, a family… you know, all that boring day-to-day-life!"

"Yes. Boring, indeed." I die of boredom already if I only hear about it! Growing old, fat and dumb like an animal in a zoo! THIS was it, what this huge-eyed antelope next to me WANTED?! This was… yes, an insult of nature, I finally thought having found the exact words for it. Her's was a body made for agility, prowess, strenght, for passion and life, if she only allowed her shell of self degradation to crumble! Not made for slow degeneration in front of a TV or pampering the front garden! I almost felt like shouting at her, but restrained in the last moment. It was not of my concern what this woman did with her life! She must not hinder my hunt for Rafael and his buddies. This was all what mattered. Nothing more.

"What do you expect from life, Pik?" Rosa asked back now and sounding a little embarrassed by my displayed disgust. "Go out for hunting whatsoever until one day the prey or the police or whoever outsmarts you and shoots you down?"

I sensed a little punch in my stomach. "At least, life has been a challenge, then", I said. "We should get some sleep, now!"

She nodded and arose. "I think… you should take the bed, and I sleep at the couch. I'm much shorter than you, it won't pose a problem."

We did so, nonetheless, it took time before I could find any rest. For once, because my hand hurt; mostly, because I watched Rosa again and again. I imagined her in the house and arms of some feeble egghead, imprisoned like a proud wild animal in a cage. With this picture in my mind, I eventually drifted off.

=== Next day / Rafael Perello's estate ===

"Oh, you have had a little accident", Rafael gestured at my bandaged hand. "This won't prevent you from joining us in the hunting party, I suppose?"

No, if you counted on that, I have to disappoint you! "Because of that? Don't be an idiot, Rafael…" I smiled, padded on his shoulder (I knew this was somethin he hated) and added "…old friend!"

"Good to hear!" He grinned, too and immediately I got the special feeling he was up to something. The anticipation for the hunt in Mexico City - and my supposed death in between.

"Ah… before I forget it… I have a very concerned wife. If I do not reappear until morning, she will talk to some friends at the embassy. Just to inform you. So… sadly we can't drag this meeting to long. I hope you'll understand that."

Perellos laughed his false laugh. "Marriage can be an iron around your feet, sometimes, eh, Van Cleaf?! How could you end up with a chick anyway?" While saying this, he embraced one of his little harlots, an Asian girl this time. "Life is so much fun without marriage, hehe!"

"It has its advantages," I answered shortly and strode over to the living room, where the rest of the team already had gathered.

Rafael had twelve men serving as 'bloodhounds', two more than Emile always had employed. Their purpose would be to chase the prey into the firing range of the client. I would be one of them. I studied my colleagues while we sat there and discussed the details, tried to figure out their strengths and flaws. Of course, it was a very risky thing what I planned. I would have preferred having some weeks for studying my opponents and my prey. However, this was not possible. Therefore, I had to observe more than carefully. Every little movement, every little reaction could be of value! Two of the guys wore some sort of military uniform. Could be their casual habit, but could be ex-military, too. If the latter was the fact, they could become dangerous problems… One of Rafaels buddies seemed to like playing around with daggers; he had some of different size on his belt. Creepy freak… People like that posed a threat, too, because they were unpredictable! The others were the usual stuff for this kind of business. Bulky, not too much brain, out for trouble. Four of them had a shotgun over their shoulder; they were part of Perello's guards.

I mused about my own equipment for this enterprise. Normally, when I was with Emile, I carried two or three smaller guns and an automatic for the 'bigger issues'.

Nearest to the table, where a map of Mexico City was unfolded, crouched our client. The sort of men I appreciated most: a slim figure with carefully arranged rest of hair, glasses and a greedy smile. What had Rafael said this guy's profession was? Something in the financial business, I remembered. Fitting! And now he tried to prove himself a man in hunting down children! Nauseating…

Rafael took the word again after one of his henchmen had explained the fastest way from Tampico to Mexico City. "Our prey will be chosen during a little Christmas party for homeless and urchins in a local Mission", he said, pouring new Bourbon in his glass. "I've checked everything out and I know the organizer very well. He will get a little recognition fee for his compliance from me. What's more important: he gets additional administrative funding for his successful integration and adoption program, which helps to get the kids from the street…"

How low can a man sink, you stinky, disgusting piece of shit?

"…Luis told me, he has already some volunteers, who are ready for a little sports competition!" Rafael found himself that funny that he laughed again. The girl in his arms giggled dutyfully and the client did the same. "The winner gets adoption into a wealthy family in the States", he continued. "Of course…IF he is smart enough to outrun us! Believe me; we will not make it easy for the little rats!"

He bowed over the city map. "Our area will be the eastern part of the city, near the industrial buildings."

"What's with the police? Taken care of?" I asked.

"Of course, Van Cleaf! What do you think of me?"

You don't want to know….

"The chief of police of the city is my cousin", the rat-face with glasses answered instead of Rafael. "There will be no problems, young man."

Oh, there WILL be, I assure you! I nodded in the client's direction, playing reassured, and took a closer look on the map. Each one of us 'bloodhounds' would get a copy, but some time more for studying could never be wrong. There was a railway line… and some subway stations… a waste disposal… and a lot of open space, of course. Always the best for a hunt! Not so good for me and my plans, though.

=== Back in the hotel ===

Around 3 AM I was back in the Las Flores again and could not get fast enough to my room in order to see if everything was okay. I heard the man on the front desk commenting with something sounding like "Speedy, speedy, girl is waiting". Really, I could not stand him much longer!

I entered my room with the 'Glock-19' at the ready, in case Rafael had sent me a surprise. But only Rosa's voice came out of the dark: "It's okay."

I switched the light on and closed the door. Rosa sat on the couch, her weapon next to her. She looked very tired and the traits of fear were only just vanishing.

"Did anything happen?"

"I thought I heard something on my door once", she replied. "But I'm not sure. Could be another guest who was mistaken in the number. I saw no suspect down the streets. No one called."

"Good. We will change the hotel tomorrow, nonetheless. I won't take any risks. And I'm getting sick of this miserable place, anyway."

She watched how I took off my shoes and jacket and then asked cautiously: "How… it went?"

I did not want to discuss the details with her, not now at least. It was disgusting enough. So all I said was "I'm having the basics I need to know. We will drive to Mexico City on Friday. I only have to buy a good bike before."

"Ah… I think… I might have seen some offers at a used car dealer's place, a couple of streets to the north."

I could not entirely suppress a smile. Rosa was that caring, indeed! "I have enough money, and I will buy the best available. I'll pay the BMW-establishment a visit."

"Speaking of money… My rent is falling due. I pay weekly, you know… and…"

"We will settle this. Don't worry."

I lay back and closed my eyes. Time to sleep some hours.