Search for Answers

As he was walking, Rock thought, 'Somebody has to know something about this. How did the General know where to look? Who opened their big mouth and told him about me? This is going to be tough.'

Rock called Balalaika, "Balalaika, it's Rock." Balalaika smiled, "Rock, you're alive. Surprising, what can I do for you?"

Rock said, "The guy who contacted you about the freighter, did you get a name?"

Balalaika responded, "His name is Steven, Steven Chow. He works in one of the markets downtown. Why are you so interested?"

Rock said, "Thanks." Rock hung up.

Rock asked around and found Chow working in the market.

He pulled a gun and put it to Chow's back. "Steven Chow?"

Chow raised his hands.

"Put your hands down. Walk." Rock and Chow walked out of the market and into the car.

Rock drove to the dock. He knocked out Chow and got out of the car. He stripped Chow down to his boxers and duct taped him to a chair.

He then took a car battery out of the trunk of the car. He wired the battery. He threw one end of the wire into the water below the dock and tied the other end to the battery.

He then doused Chow with water and placed a metal halo around his head. He then wired the halo to the battery. The battery was ready.

"So Chow, let me tell you what's going to happen. I am going to ask you some questions. You are going to answer me honestly or I will hurt you. I have this battery wired to your head. Everytime I think you are lying to me, I will turn on this battery and you will fry. I will also raise the voltage up a notch. I know you don't want that to happen, so answer me truthfully and you will not suffer. Okay?" Rock sat down in the chair next to the battery and began his interrogation.

"So Chow, how did you know about the freighter?" Chow didn't answer, "Chow, how did you know about the freighter!"

Chow looked up and smiled and said, "Do you know who I am? I am protected by the Triads. You cannot touch me or they will kill you."

Rock smiled and said, "They are doing one hell of a job protecting you." Rock turned on the battery!

The electricity was very intense as it flowed through Chow's brain. Chow started to scream. Rock turned off the battery. "Answer my question!"

Chow looked up, "I own the freighter." Rock was surprised. "How can you own the freighter on your salary at the market?"

Chow said, "It was a gift from Verchaccio." Rock was interested, "Why would Verchaccio give you a Guatemalan freighter as a gift?"

Chow said, "I don't know." Rock turned up the voltage and turned on the battery.

This time, Chow started to flail like a doll as he was screaming. He turned off the battery.

Chow screamed, "HE SAID HE HAD A FRIEND WHO NEEDED HELP WITH KILLING AN ASSASSIN. HE SAID HIS FRIEND HAD UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH HIM."

Rock asked, "Who was the friend?" Chow started crying since he didn't have that information. "Relax, Chow. I believe you."

Rock paused for a moment. "Why would the Triad want to protect you? Why are you so important to them?"

Chow didn't answer. Rock turned up the voltage halfway up and turned on the battery.

This time, Chow started to smoke as he flailed around in the chair screaming. Blood began coming out of his nose and ears. Rock turned off the battery.

Chow screamed, "THE TRIAD WERE GOING TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS! THEY NEEDED A GUATEMALAN INTERPRETER TO DO BUSINESS WITH THEM! THEY KNEW I WAS GUATEMALAN SO THEY HIRED ME AND PROMISED TO PROTECT ME IF VERCHACCIO DECIDED TO KILL ME. VERCHACCIO KNEW THAT I WAS DOING BUSINESS WITH THE TRIAD! HE SAID HE WOULD LET ME LIVE IF I DID ONE MORE FAVOR FOR HIM! HE GAVE ME THE FREIGHTER AS PART OF THE FAVOR AND THE OTHER PART WAS TO TELL BALALAIKA ABOUT THE FREIGHTER! THAT'S ALL! THAT'S ALL I DID!"

Rock was convinced. For his cooperation, Rock gave Chow a cigarette and lit it for him.

"Well my friend, I have to kill you now. But I promise you, you won't be alone." Rock turned the voltage all the way up. He turned on the battery and got in the car and drove off.

Chow kept screaming and flailing and smoking. Now, the blood was flowing out of his ears, nose, eyes, and mouth.

Then, the electricity finally got the best of Chow and Chow's head caught fire as his brain exploded and eyes popped clean out of his skull.

Rock was off to visit Verchaccio.