Its pitch black by the time Ella arrives in the alley. She leans against the hood of her car and stamps her feet to keep out the creeping damp of the night while she watches the reverse lights of a black SUV come towards her. A stocky man jumps out of the driver's seat and opens the boot.

"Jimmy, how's the family?" Ella greets the man.

"No offence, Oz, but I just want to get this done." Jimmy looks around nervously.

"No offence taken. You seem a little jumpy tonight."

"You tend to have that effect on people. Please Oz I don't want any trouble. Let's just do this thing like civilised people and go home to bed."

"What makes you think I wouldn't be civilised, Jimmy?"

"Are we going to do this thing?" Jimmy insists.

"Answer the question and then we'll deal."

Jimmy reluctantly answers. "I think that you might not be civilised because last time one of my guys came back from a deal with you he was missing an arm and was beaten half to death. Now can we do this?"

"Sure. Show me the merchandise." As Jimmy rummages in the boot Ella continues to talk. "You can't prove that was me. Besides, I only did it because he was trying to up the price from what we had already agreed on, and it was only half an arm, which I was kind enough to mail back to him, remember."

Jimmy shudders. "I remember. I was able to get three light weight Kevlar vests as you requested. I had these throwing knives imported from Germany and there are two Desert Eagles, with two thousand rounds a piece. All untraceable."

Ella examines one of the knives in a gloved hand for weighting, throwing it into a nearby factory wall. She walks over, wrenches it free and returns it to the set.

"Wrap it up. Nice job, Jimmy. I really like these knives. And to get this gear so promptly too. I think you deserve a bonus."

"No really, the agreed price is fine, Oz." Jimmy says handing over the bundle of weapons.

"A good job deserves a reward." Ella hands a black bag to Jimmy who puts it in the boot. "Aren't you going to count it?"

"I trust you."

"Really? Or are you just afraid of me?" She laughs. "I'll see you Jimmy." Ella returns to her car and drives past the SUV. Once her lights are in the distance another man steps out of the SUV.

"Jesus Jimmy I think you're lucky to get away with your life."

"Tell me about it."

She's just as likely to cut your throat with your own knife as to pay you." The man says looking down at his missing arm.

"That's not quite true. She always pays; whether she leaves you alive to spend it is another story."