Kim Oh 2: Real Dangerous Job (The Kim Oh Thrillers) by K. W. Jeter Read Free Book Online

problems, all right – we both do.”
     
    “Like what?”
     
    I listened to her as she told me all about what had happened at the club, while Cole and I had been out having target practice at the rock quarry. About her conversation with McIntyre’s head security guy Michael. And what it meant.
     
    “Somebody’s rolled over on Cole.” She made it a simple statement of fact. “Somebody he trusted. So now Michael knows there’s something going on.”
     
    “Somebody he bought some equipment from.” Inside my head, I sorted through the bits and pieces. “Do you know who it is?”
     
    “Yeah –” Monica nodded. “I’ve got a good idea. There’s a kid named Braemer – he’s always had a line going with expensive electronics. Surveillance gear that civilians aren’t supposed to get their hands on. Stuff you need a license from the feds to even think about. Braemer doesn’t even have a driver’s license.”
     
    “Sounds like somebody you know a lot about.”
     
    “I should. He and I had kind of a thing going on for a while.”
     
    “Right.” My turn to nod. “This was before Cole?”
     
    “During.”
     
    “You’re kidding.” I stared at her. “How smart is that? Cole’s a psychopath. With guns.”
     
    “I didn’t say it was smart. I said it happened. You gotta understand – he can really piss you off.”
     
    She didn’t need to tell me that. I already knew.
     
    “And besides,” continued Monica. “It wasn’t the first time I’ve cheated on him. Braemer’s just the first one he let live, that’s all.”
     
    “Why?”
     
    “I told you. He pissed me off.”
     
    “No, I mean why did Cole let him go on living?”
     
    “Because he’s useful. Some of the equipment Braemer can supply – Cole doesn’t have any other source for it.” Monica smiled. “That’s how you know he’s a professional. He doesn’t let the pleasure of killing somebody get in the way of business.”
     
    I looked over to make sure that the bedroom door was still closed, then turned back to Monica.
     
    “So let me see if I’ve got this. What you’re telling me is that this Braemer guy – he’s still hung up on you?”
     
    “Last I heard, yeah.” She looked a little disgusted. “Annoying, huh? I can’t stand clingy guys.”
     
    I could see where that would make Cole perfect for her.
     
    “And that’s why he’d be the one who told Michael about Cole buying new equipment?”
     
    “Sure,” said Monica. “Braemer doesn’t have what it would take to eliminate Cole himself – he’s a weedy little guy. Don’t know what I ever saw in him, except as a way to ring Cole’s chimes. But if he can get Michael to take care of Cole – then his problem’s solved. And he could take another run at me, without worrying about Cole blowing his head off. Not that he’d have much of a chance with me. That’s just the way guys think, though.”
     
    I’d have to take Monica’s word for that. I didn’t have a lot of experience along those lines. Or any.
     
    “And that’s why we’ve got problems, honey. You and me.”
     
    I pulled myself from my own grim thoughts and back to what Monica was saying.
     
    “What do you mean? Exactly?”
     
    “Don’t you get it?” Her patience was visibly fraying as she looked at me. “Now Michael knows something is going on. His job is to make sure it doesn’t happen. The best way of making sure of that is to eliminate Cole – the way he’s wanted to for a long time, except his boss McIntyre wouldn’t let him. And if you or I are in the way when Michael does whatever he’s thinking of doing – then that’s just too bad for us, isn’t it?”
     
    She had a point. It would be.
     
    “Okay,” I said. “Is this the part where you tell me again that I’ve got options? That I can still just pick up and leave? Strap my little brother to my motorcycle and just hit the road?”
     
    “Oh, no.” Monica looked at me with genuine sympathy.