Free The Scorpion's Tale by Wayne Block Page A

business.”
    Charlie shrugged. “He was just one of the
guys in the neighborhood. Summer nights were unpleasantly warm.
Everyone used to hang out in the street where it was cooler. It was
a good opportunity to meet the neighbors.” Charlie pulled out a
vial from his jacket and spilled a few pills onto the table.
“Medication for my heart,” he said, swallowing the pills and
chasing them down with his martini.
    “Do you know what happened to my father?”
    “I don’t.”
    “Well, that’s not important. I didn’t come
here to discuss my father. Let’s talk about why I’ve traveled to
Chicago.”
    “Alberto isn’t happy about this meeting.”
Charlie said. “But he asked me to tell you everything I know.”
    “Thank you,” Steven said, studying Charlie’s
face. Nick had told Steven that Charlie had been a high-stakes
poker player, and Steven realized he wasn’t going to get anything
from Charlie that Charlie wasn’t willing to divulge.
    Charlie leaned back in the booth and locked
his hands behind his head, stretching his neck from side to side.
“I guess it’s time we discussed the illustrious Scorpion. I’m sure
Alberto has told you I never met the Scorpion. That doesn’t mean I
haven’t had interesting conversations with him. I’ve spoken
with him many times.”
    Steven slid back in the booth with heightened
interest. “Tell me.”
    Charlie placed his hands on the table, sat
erect, and moved slightly forward as if delivering an opening
statement to a jury. “After I was disbarred, I hit the lowest point
in my life. My wife divorced me and took my kids, and I lost all my
money. I was having a hard time. Some friends took pity and got me
involved in their business deals. One deal involved a heroin
shipment for two Jamaicans trying to make a name for themselves.
The Jamaicans decided they weren’t going to pay. My client told me
to resolve the problem. I brokered my first hit. One of my
colleagues recommended the Scorpion. I had my contact make the
arrangements; the only hitch was that nobody had ever seen this
guy. This was one of his conditions–complete anonymity. My first
contact with him was at a payphone where he called me. I spoke with
him five or six times during that first contract.”
    “What happened to the Jamaicans?” Steven
asked.
    “They were found floating in the Hudson
River.”
    “How much did you pay him?”
    “A quarter of a million dollars, but that was
a long time ago. His price is now much higher. Rumor has it he got
two million for his latest job.”
    “You mean the job that killed my family?”
    Charlie didn’t attempt an answer and Steven
wasn’t waiting for one. “When was the last time you worked with
him?”
    “About ten months ago.”
    “Another hit?”
    “Yes,” Charlie answered, trying not to say
anything more than necessary.
    “How many hits have you brokered for him?”
Steven asked, an accusatory tone in his voice.
    Charlie didn’t like Steven’s tone. “I don’t
pull the trigger. I merely facilitate the inevitable. The targets
were destined for elimination.”
    “That’s right,” Steven shot back. “Just like
my family. Some guy like you ‘brokers’ the hit. He can sleep at
night because someone else pulled the trigger!”
    Charlie lowered his eyes and sank a little
deeper into the sofa, embarrassed and uncomfortable. “Don’t indict
me. I bring people together. I make telephone calls. That’s all I
do.”
    “Yeah, Charlie, you just set the wheels in
motion and people get killed.” Steven’s anger slowly abated. He
realized it was stupid to belabor the point, especially with
someone who was helping him. “I’m sorry, Charlie. Just tell me
about the Scorpion.”
    “He’s got a distinct, soothing, baritone
voice with a subtle English accent. He is very intelligent and
charming.”
    Steven frowned. “I don’t believe I’m going to
be charmed by the prick.”
    Charlie nodded in agreement. “No, I wouldn’t
expect you