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Chapter 17.
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'Bargain'
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Doug swallowed uneasily and pressed his back hard to bars wishing to get far away from the sight before his eyes.
Guardian, on the other hand, looked at the content with smile and appreciation. He grabbed long handle and gently took out the thing hidden inside the case. With nightmarish jingle sound of metal pieces clashing to each other showed in its whole terrifying glory a strange construction 'whip'. Then he shifted his gaze and looked at his prisoner curious how big impression he made with the presentation.
"Scary, isn't it?" He commented satisfied. To give more meaning to his words he shook his hand causing the bunch of rawhide thongs attached to a long handle wake into life. Small metal pieces of twisted wires and hooks started moving cheerfully again. "I purchased this beauty during my journey in Russia. They call it 'knout'. It's amazing how inventive were those people in eighteenth century with creating toys serving for delivering corporal punishment. I would say they were masters, don't you think so?"
"You are sick!" The words shaped in Doug's mouth quicker than he realized it and he didn't have time to stop them. He knew it wasn't wise to annoy Guardian with stupid and useless insults but it was only what he was able to think of to comment the man standing before him. Though, after earning strong blow into his ribs he decided not to speak any more in favor to spend his energy for fervent prayers. It was high time now to start begging all known and unknown gods for his friends to arrive quickly to their aid. The situation was heading into very wrong direction, and looking at the 'whip' there was growing in Doug's head a bad feeling that if somebody won't help them soon, Fuller and rest of the gang will find here just some unrecognizable piece of flesh in a big puddle of blood.
"You have nerve to insult me in front of this." Guardian pointed at the 'whip'. "But I will give you one last chance before I ask this beauty for help. You know what I need." He said and waited expectantly.
"What exactly do you want to know?" Doug asked looking at the whip fearfully. He would give five years of his life only not to have anything to do with that bloody thing. Unfortunately he didn't have anything to say, at least not what Guardian would find useful. He just hoped he manages late the beating meaningfully, making circles around Guardian questions.
"Please Captain, be on your way." He prayed fervently in the same time.
"Who blew my transaction in the docks? That with van Hoffen." Guardian demanded.
"Who?" Doug asked dumbfounded.
"Van Hoffen, you should know him better as White Grandfather."
Indeed the young man heard about him. The mentioned man was something like legend now. Grandfather of drug business in this part of America, the most wanted drug dealer. But according to the rumors he retired and decided to spend rest of his life somewhere in South America. Police didn't hear anything about him from about five years now.
"He is still in business?" Doug asked. "I thought he is basking his old bones in the sun in some unknown beach far in the south."
"Don't you try to fool me pretending ignorance." Guardian warned.
"But… But it is true."
"I am loosing my patience, cop." He shook the 'whip' warningly again. "Think about this."
"Shit" Doug cursed and thought desperately about what to say. He had to delay Guardian somehow.
"Well…" he started pretending he was searching his memory. "Taking into account that we, I mean the Police, didn't know anything about the old man back in business and… taking into account that you insist that you had some business with him short time ago and… taking into account that your meeting with him was blown by FBI I think… Ouch!" Doug stopped abruptly his loud thinking as all air in his lungs was brutally pushed out by another strong blow into his midsection. "If it happens one more time I will have broken rib." He thought simultaneously fighting for breath.
"It's not wise to play with me, cop." Guardian hissed irritated. "Maybe you need some inducement to start talk with sense." With those words he turned towards Jimmy and opened mouth to give orders. Doug knew what that bastard was going to do and startled interrupted him quickly.
"No! Please." He begged. "I honestly don't know anything about your and White Grandfather doings, and who blew your meeting. You have to believe me."
"Liar!"
"No! It's FBI case, you should ask somebody of them."
"I will." Guardian approached Doug closely, so that all his vision was covered by hooded head in front of him. "But a bit later. For now I have got you, my friend, and I am going to pull everything out of you. And I can see you need some encouragement."
"No!"
"Jimmy! Take him!" Guardian ordered aloud not turning his head back and still keeping eye contact with the police officer. Doug could swear he was smiling under the cover, God, that madman was enjoying this. The young cop tensed as soon as he heard behind Guardians back somebody's steps. He closed his eyes and swallowed a desperate cry for help arising in his throat. He waited nervously for Guardians men to grab him, all his body rigid and ready to fight with them as strong as possible. Though, to his utter surprise nobody came. Though his relieve was short living because instead he heard tossing in another part of the cell and Tom's groans of pain.
"Lemme go!" The young man shouted hoarsely fighting desperately as two men caught him by arms and dragged on the middle of the room.
Doug looked at the scene and with growing horror realized what was going to happen.
"No!" He shouted terrified. "Leave him alone!"
"Why?" Guardian asked while walking up towards waiting for him men. Between them in their iron grip and forced on his knees was immobilized battered form of Tom.
"You already said he didn't know anything, he is useless to you. Please!"
"Wrong! He is perfectly useful. Thanks to your delightful friend I am going to get all informations from you." Guardian smiled. "Besides, I am curious how much you care for him."
"God!" Doug shook his head wildly. "Please tell me it is not happening. It can't be real!"
"God doesn't have anything to do with it!" Guardian answered with dark tone in his voice. "You are on my mercy now."
"Please don't do this." He pleaded. "You will kill him."
"Certainly." The older man agreed, but then looking at Doug seriously he asked. "It will be a waste though. Do you want to change place with him, cop?"
Penhall didn't answer and watched the man with open mouth realizing his answer could be taken as ultimate. It wasn't what he wanted at all. He never considered himself as hero, but he wasn't coward as well. He shivered nervously. It wasn't the problem what answer to give Guardian. He instantly was ready to throw himself protectively between Guardian and Tom, if only Tom was left safe and didn't have to suffer any more. He knew Hanson would do the same for him if their places were reversed. It's just…. it wasn't simple do voice this one word which was: 'yes' in front of that 'knout' knowing that the whipping will be extremely painful, and could kill him in the end. So, why he couldn't answer at once? Why did he hesitate? Doug finally took quick breath and refusing thinking about results he spat out:
"Yes!"
"Excuse me?" Instantly it became obvious to Doug that Guardian was enjoying tormenting him with the talk.
"I said 'yes'! Take me instead of Tom!" Doug shot a quick glance at his friend, and was surprised by his highly conscious look. Hanson was absolutely focused on the talk, though his expression was unreadable.
"Ooo? So, you really care for him. It's very… how do they call it… heroic." Guardian teased. "But in my eyes it is stupid, you know."
"But don't harm him."
"Hmm…"
"Please?"
"No."
"What!"
"Unfortunately it doesn't work like that."
"Why? It is me who you are going to ask the questions. So what's the difference?"
"Exactly, and because it is you who has the informations to share with, I don't want you to faint from pain or blood lose. You know, I don't have time for such plays. There is ceremony soon."
Doug thought intensively. He couldn't let Guardian to touch Tom, concluding from his friends' state he won't be able to survive it at all, even if the help would come soon. There was one last argument left.
"But you wanted him to take part in your ceremony. If you will kill him…"
"…There will be you in the stock." Guardian finished the sentence amused by Doug's surprised expression.
"?"
"Let's have a deal." The older man started conversationally. He seemed to have some new thought in his mind and clearly he was amused of it. "If you will give me free willingly what I want I will spare your partner the pain of whipping, and you will be permitted go free. But if you will be stubborn like before I will treat him with this" he waved the whip in front of Doug's eyes "and he will die. Then I will be forced to replace him with your person." Then Guardian watched Doug carefully moving his gaze from his face towards wide chest and further more down. "Well that is even good idea. Taking into account your friend's sorry state he won't be any fun for me, unlike you. Are you up to this?"
Doug listened to Guardians words and couldn't believe his ears. This man was completely mad. And what was the worst, the young cop was forced to bargain with that nut for Tom's life. It was ill.
"Are you really going to let us go free when I will tell you what I you think I know?" He asked suspiciously.
"No. There is not us. It is you who I said will go free."
"But that's not deal! Let Tom go free, instead of me."
"Unfortunately it is impossible. Unlike you he knows my face and my most guarded secrets. He is not allowed to live."
"Not allowed?" Doug repeated furiously.
"Yes. And it is only up to you how much he will suffer before he will die." Guardian took quick glance at his hand watch and then urged impatiently. "Come on, decide."
"…" Doug lowered his head feeling completely forceless, he couldn't say anything. There was nothing he would offer to Guardian. "Please." He pleaded utterly drained.
There was silence in the room.
"So that's what you've chosen." Guardian finally spoke and then turned and walked to the middle of the room. "I thought you will be better friend. Jimmy raise his shirt."
"I am so sorry, Tom." Doug whispered painfully and raised his head just in time to see his friends' scared face before he was forced forward to give better access to his now exposed bruised back.
"Just for your information." Guardian said to Doug. "After every lash you can change your mind and you are free to speak. But don't wait too long. They say a man can stand thirty, forty lashes of knout but keep in mind that your friend in his current condition is able to take about twenty lashes, probably even much less." With those words he raised his arm and with paralyzing whizzing sound of flying whip he delivered first blow.
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