23. On the Job
Illumi sat high in a willow at the rear of her garden. He had just finished making the rounds of the place and knew that there was nothing inimical inside the compound, just as he knew that there was most likely something hostile right outside. He couldn't sense anything outside, and that was a clear sign of something… something hidden. But he wasn't too concerned, because whomever it was appeared to be waiting, and Illumi could wait. He was just insurance against someone seizing an opportunity, stealing a march. He was almost positive nothing big would happen until tomorrow anyway, at the Press Conference.
Groesbeck's murder had been a typical Political removal. Someone inconvenient taken away so that someone more suitable could fill his place. But Dewalt had been a message. And that message had been misread, or misunderstood, or ignored, and now another message was due to be sent. And what better way to deliver it than in a room filled with reporters: Lights, Camera, Boom! They wouldn't get the chance though, Illumi planned to have this chicken plucked and trussed before the early arrivals' credentials were even checked. Once his opponent's client was eliminated the contract would be voided, and the target, Illumi's client, would be safe. He was counting on his partner, but that had never been a problem before, so he wasn't worried, not about that anyway. His mind was troubled with thoughts of an entirely different nature.
What was he doing? A cat may look at a king, but what was a Zaoldyeck doing looking at Padokia's political princess? The other night he had spoken to her as he had never spoken to another; told her things about himself he had never told anyone else. He couldn't keep her out of his head. Instead of leaving a note, he had gone to see her one last time that morning before disappearing into the shadows, because he had to see her. It felt like physical hunger. She had looked a little frightened at first, glancing warily at his vest of pins, although she must have known he needed to be armed to protect her. But when he had said he had wanted to see her… No one had ever looked at him that way before. As if the most precious gift that could be given was a moment of his attention. She had felt so good in his arms that he had held her back when she had tried to turn away.
She was laughing and teasing, and looking for a token to give him, as if he were her hero. And he realized, he wanted that. Even though he was just a useful tool, a highly paid performer, an expertly trained professional permanent solution to uncomfortable exigencies, just this one time he wanted to be the hero. Then she gave him her mother's ribbon.
Was it this tree, he wondered…maybe the one further to the left? He couldn't remember. It had been so long ago, and he had been very young, no more than six or seven… young enough that he could remember still being a little nervous, wanting to make a good impression in front of Grandfather Zeno, who was watching. He wasn't supposed to know that Zeno was there, but Illumi was a smart little kid, and already could sense his presence even at a distance. He needn't have worried, because it went off perfectly. His aim was sure, his pins flew straight and true, and the woman sitting under the tree, idly smoothing the hair of the toddler in her lap, slumped over, not even waking the child, who was fast asleep.
He didn't choose his targets of course. Someone else had wanted her killed and paid for it to be done. Back in those days Illumi wouldn't have known or cared who the client was, performing just for the joy of using his skills and seeking the ever elusive approval of his father. Still, his hands had done the deed; he was responsible. He would never tell her. Zaoldyecks never told others about their jobs. But he wondered, if she knew, would she ever look at him that way again, with that luculent testament from her heart? She'd said she never gave up until she got what she wanted. Would she still want him then?
Someone was driving up to the house. The Minister's top aide, Karl Petersen, age 32, height 181, weight 75. Illumi felt a sudden inexplicable dislike for the man, a resentment…jealousy? This had to stop now. The game was afoot and these kinds of feelings and thoughts were moot if the person contended for was dead. And it was Illumi's job to make sure that didn't happen. And nobody ever accused Illumi of not taking his job seriously.
