Free Poisonous Kiss by Andras Totisz

now.
    Â Â Â Â Â "There is only one way to do it, Captain," he says at last. How could he say that? Why isn't he indignant?
    Â Â Â Â Â "Yes." Ericsson bends forward, an artery bulges out on his neck. "Shoot the bastard as soon as you see him." He's panting, as if he'd just run a mile. The captain's face is so red, that Arany worries he might have a stroke. Ericsson loosens his tie and pulls at his collar. The top button of his shirt falls loose and drops softly into his lap. "It'll be self-defense," he continues. "This man killed a policeman already, and he'll have a gun on him this time. Self-defense, pure self-defense, son. Shoot him, without a second thought!" His eyes sparkle with fire, but his voice goes softer. "I don't want to take law into my hands. I respect order and democracy as much as anybody. You have to know your place. But there comes a time when you have to break the rules. I was a lieutenant in Korea, and my commander—" he stops his story and waves it away with his hand. "Do you have a gun?"
    Â Â Â Â Â The question comes as a surprise to Arany.
    Â Â Â Â Â "Of course."
    Â Â Â Â Â Ericsson looks at him and shakes his head.
    Â Â Â Â Â "I don't mean your service revolver, son. I mean another gun. One without connections to you or …anyone."
    Â Â Â Â Â Arany understands clearly. A disposable gun, the kind he could plant on somebody. He could kill Frost, put the gun on him and claim the man was armed. Or he could just kill Frost, throw the gun out and slip away …
    Â Â Â Â Â "I don't," he answers.
    Â Â Â Â Â Ericsson stands up slowly, like an old man, and moves to the safe in the corner. Arany looks at his sparse hair, his coat, the dandruff on his shoulder as Ericsson fiddles with the lock. Impossible, he thinks. I'm dreaming. The captain turns around, holding out a small caliber pistol. He reaches again into the safe for a spare clip. He smiles at Arany with a childish face.
    Â Â Â Â Â As if still dreaming, Arany watches the captain sit down, wipe the gun and the magazine, and use the cloth to push the gun toward him across the table. I'm not a killer, Arany wants to say. He knows he ought to report this. Ericsson must have gone mad, that's the only explanation. But his body ignores his will again. He bends over and picks up the weapon. It's light, but feels good in his hand. He checks the magazine and cocks the gun. He turns toward Ericsson. The captain's face is stone.
    Â Â Â Â Â "Catch him, son!"
    Â Â Â Â Â Arany nods, just barely. "I will, sir."

CHAPTER 13

    This time I didn't pity the mouse. I just watched Martin as he calmly picked up the animal, caressed him, and reached for the syringe. There was a light colored liquid in it that didn't look like blood. Though basically it was blood. Arany's blood.
    Â Â Â Â Â Martin gave the shot. He was fast, a few seconds and it's done. He put down the mouse and turned on the video camera, sighing. Usually he turned it on later. Next he reached for the chronometer. I almost hated him for being so calm and professional.
    Â Â Â Â Â The mouse looked around calmly, his little nose twitching. Martin put on a glove and prodded him a little. The mouse moved away, offended. Martin and I both glanced at the chronometer. The seconds passed and I began to relax. Then the mouse started staggering and I turned away, not wanting to see the end.
    Â Â Â Â Â I thought of John Arany. He had looked worn out this morning. He was silent while I took blood from him and Ellen performed some basic tests. He cast furtive, searching glances toward Martin as they shook hands. It had been strange to see them together.
    Â Â Â Â Â I thought of yesterday, when I made love with Martin in this same place. My face was flaming, my hair was still disheveled when I left. Hatred blazed from Ellen's eyes.
    Â Â Â Â Â I thought