Note: Okay, this chapter is a little more unusual - - this is a conversation between two people - - two of the main antagonists of the story. You'll find out the name of one of them during the chapter, and as for the other - - well, it's someone that you know. And you'll find out who. . . eventually. Also, this is probably the most ominous chapter ever. So just remember what you've signed up for, here.
Chapter Seven: Deals with Devils (OTHER)
"Did I tell you that I killed a girl in Holland once? She worked in the hotel where I was staying, and I went down to the gift shop and bought a pair of those wooden shoes. Shoved them down her throat. She choked on them."
"Is there a point to this story?"
"The point is, I like to be imaginative."
"And the point of that point is?"
"The point is, I like this job. And the other point is that you shouldn't press me. You haven't forgotten who I am, have you?"
"That's impossible."
"Good. Because the last person who pressed me ended up under a car. Several, actually. I think they found his body two weeks later, covered in motor oil and crushed to death. I had to slide the rose under the tires to get it to stick, and you have no idea how much effort it took. Still, a signature killer can't be a signature killer without a signature, can he?"
"A signature killer. Is that what you call yourself?"
"I call myself an artist, actually. A signature killer is what you'd call me."
"I'd call you a serial killer."
"Then you're being obtuse. I have no pattern, only a signature."
"That much is true, at least. A hit man?"
"I do many things for people. Some involve murder, some don't. No, stick to where you're better acquainted. I'm a signature killer. I'm giving you everything you ever wanted. I'm the devil of your dreams. You hired me to end Gil Grissom, and I think I'm doing admirably so far. We're going to have quite the finale."
"He's doing more than we expected, though. Sending Nick Stokes to Boston - - I never saw that coming. What if he finds something?"
"There won't be anything to find."
"I'm just saying - - "
"Do you want me to kill Stokes, too? You're paying for the flight to Boston if I do."
"I don't know why I should have to. I'm not paying for this in the first place. This is your plan, isn't it? You found me."
"Please. You wanted me to find you. You asked around."
"I don't want Stokes dead."
"That's a shame. See, I've always wanted to do a crucifixion - - they seem so dramatic. I bet the original was spectacular. Stokes might have been a good candidate. He isn't your Christ, but he's one of the disciples, isn't he? Or would you prefer it if I killed Gil Grissom that way?"
"I don't want Grissom dead, either."
"You pursue me - - you spend months looking for me - - and the most you want is a false rape charge? I found you Lizzie Zimmer. You owe me."
"I offered to pay you."
"I don't want money. I want another garden. I want a death. There's your price."
"It's not - - it's not my responsibility, who you choose. I can't be blamed for what you do, can I, Flowers? If you do kill someone - -"
"Keep telling yourself that none of this is on your shoulders. Does it make you feel better? You hired me to ruin him, not kill him, and I like the job, but blood's the price. And that is on your shoulders. I wouldn't even be in Vegas if I hadn't heard the rumors about you. Whoever dies here leaves their blood all over your hands."
"And a rose in their mouth, since you call yourself a signature killer."
"A white rose. Do you understand? Do you know what you've paid for?"
"You're the devil, aren't you?"
"You aren't the first person to say that. Do you understand now? There's no going back. I'm only giving you what you wanted. Everything else is a footnote. Grissom will be completely destroyed by the time this is over, and that is what you spent so long wanting, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Good. You'll get it. I always get the job done."
"Zimmer is unreliable."
"Zimmer can be controlled. It's the one you picked out that I worry over."
"He's a safeguard. He doesn't understand what's happening. I haven't even told him about you, yet. He's just in case."
"Just in case I have to kill Lizzie Zimmer?"
"Would she be the one you kill?"
"I hate Zimmer. She'd be a footnote. Besides, that's part of the job, not a benefit. No - - I get one of Grissom's. I get one of his own. One of his sheep. I'll string them up cruciform. Cut their throats. Paint his name at their feet in blood. He'll blame himself. Won't it be lovely? Won't it be worth it?"
"I shouldn't have gone looking for you."
"Oh, I think it's going relatively well. And at such a fair price. All you had to pay was your soul, right, and that's not too much. It's not like yours was in spectacular condition to start with, was it?"
"You don't believe in souls."
"You'd be surprised what I believe in. But no, in fact, I don't. There's certainly nothing holding me back from doing what I want to do. I don't believe in my soul, anyway."
"Neither do I."
"Oh, look at you, all high and mighty. You dreamed of this. You probably jerked off to it, I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised. You wanted him ruined. You wanted him to crawl. You've probably wished him dead more than once, and I'm giving you exactly what you want, and now you're pulling moral high-ground. You don't deserve that."
"I never did anything."
"You're doing it now."
"No. You are. I - - you're in control of this."
"You're right about one thing. You're not in control anymore. This is my game now, not yours. And if I want Gil Grissom dead - - if I want Nick Stokes dead - - if I want one of those pretty girls around them to bleed for me and scream for me - - then that's my business. This is all my business."
"God save them."
"You don't believe in God."
"- - No. No, I don't."
"Now, see, I believe in God. That's the difference between us. I believe in a God who burned a city. I believe in a God who let His son die. I believe that the best bargain is a blood price, and there, didn't I tell you that I believed some things?"
"You're a monster."
"I'm almost your reflection. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
"What are you going to do to them?"
"To his friends? Stoning actually seems like a pretty good idea, now. And it would add that dramatic touch that counts for so much these days. I'm not sure the symbolism of Saint Stephen is as clear as that of a crucifixion, though, are you?"
"Is this going to be worth it?"
"It's going to be worth everything you paid. I'm not sure if it'll be worth everything I'll take. But you'll never confess, will you? You'll never tell them about me, because then they'll have you, won't they?"
"Yes. Yes, damn you. Did you plan all of this?"
"Some of it. I am, however, surprisingly good at short-term improvisation."