“Let me tell you something, Champ.” Sheri leaned in a little closer, almost whispering now. “You can sit there and claim that being tight-lipped is your modus operandi, and that’s fine, but maybe you should know something about how I work. I didn’t have to come here and ask you to explain a damned thing, I chose to do so out of respect for you, and for what you did for me in Colombia. Call me crazy, but the idea of snuffing out the man who could have left me to die in that hotel room but went ahead and dragged me out and saved my life without so much as allowing him to speak a word in defense just didn’t quite sit right with me. That said, I have very little tolerance for bullshit, especially when it affects me personally. Bottom line, you fuck me over on this, and you might find that I can have a very short memory when it suits me. The fact that you helped me out doesn’t mean anything to me if you’re willing to throw me under the bus now.”

Those grey eyes hardened as she spoke, glinting almost dangerously.

“I think you’ll also find that what you saw in Colombia, well... it’s been a while, and what you saw there were mere parlor tricks compared to what I could do to you now if you cross me. Just take my word for it.” She straightened up, those eyes still sharp and almost daring him to argue before relaxing back into her seat and taking another sip of beer as if they had been talking about something as mundane as the weather and not about hinting at his demise should the contract not be carried out.

Deadblood stood up, making it clear that he’d had enough of this uninvited guest and her antics.

“I already told you, it will be handled. This sort of thing takes time, and sitting there and making poorly veiled threats isn’t going to make it happen any sooner. In fact, if you keep it up, you won’t have to worry about a visit from anyone else, you’ll have me to contend with. There is the door, I’m sure you can find your way out.”

Sheri stood as well, sending her now empty beer and it’s cap across the room to the kitchen trash, almost daintily depositing it into the can.

“I can find my way out, thank you, and I hope that I won’t find it necessary to return soon, if ever. Unless you wanted to take me out for a drink or something, after the job is finished.” She flashed him a teasing smile, and started towards the door. “Oh, and Deadblood? I was serious. I’ll be watching. And I won’t be the only one, I’m sure. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

With that she was gone, the smashed bottle and the beer slowly soaking into the carpet pad the only evidence she’d ever been there.