Bows head in utter shame. I realized I did not thank the amazing, loverly people that have encouraged me, made me smile, made my day. I can't believe you're encouraging me to torture these people. *shrugs* I will continue, if you insist…
Rae Kelly rocks! Woohoo! Hehehe. Yes. You're awesome, thank you.
Klover—I noticed you also encourage/review chronicles baily in her story that I absolutely live for right now. That makes you kick butt. Ahh, you rock too! Thank you very much.
My Iolaus-what can I say? What could I possibly say? You're my master and humor sensei, and you're just amazing, and awesome, and so great, and one of my heroes, and no matter what you feel sometimes, you're just such a phenomenal person. Don't ever forget that, and I'm here if you need anything. Ever.
Ch. 3
"I trust you're returning here to tell me you've done what I asked." His fingertips touched their opposites, positioned like a little pyramid facing upward. It lent Pulitzer the paradoxical impression of an impenitent confessor, assuming the pose, but having no real remorse. "Otherwise, leave now. I do not allow those who will not follow my orders in my building."
Jonathon dipped his head in a gesture of confirming submission, looking as if he'd meant a bow, but changed his mind and returned awkwardly to a straightened back. "I do believe it's been done, sir."
"Believe? What is this…believe?" Rusted wheels shrieked as creakier joints forced them to roll around. Pulitzer's imposing leather chair turned to face Jonathon. "You either know or you do not know."
"Well, sir, you see," a tongue darted to moisten the anxious, dry lips, "I did not participate in the apprehending myself—"
"Of course you did not participate," Pulitzer's hands went again into the air by his head, waving in frustration. "I cannot have my assistants seen directly connected…" the thought seemed to drop from the tycoon's mind. He trailed off, making no indicating of continuing. Hazy as fog, Pulitzer's eyes still settled, demanding, on his quivering prey.
"I did see the boys placed and sealed out of your way, and each other's," The words jumped into the air, one rushing after the other, desperate to protect their creator from further harassment. "They're separate, so as not to conspire with one another once they're awake." Jonathon's face trembled, each hand behind his back wringing the sweat from the other.
"They're not together?" Pulitzer nodded his head at the shake of Jonathon's. "Good. Away from here?" This time, one nodded after the other. "Good." Pulitzer reached for his favorite cigar, smoldering from its most recent use, and toyed with it in his fingers. "See to it that the means are provided to keep them there for as long as the need exists."
His neck bobbing forward, Jonathon ventured a question. "How long will that be, sir?"
Swiping a match against the grainy cover of a book on his desk, Pulitzer lit his cigar. "Until I crush this insolent nonsense." His eyes dimly followed Jonathon's frightened trot from the room. He drew a deep breath of the infectious smoke, blowing it into clouds around him. The embers of the charred cigar glowed a devious red.
