Art and Murder Read Online Free PDF

we weren’t convicted, we’d lose our jobs. Let’s take Brandy and leave.”
    â€œA real pimp wouldn’t go yet. He’d have his rep’ to consider. He’ d want to scare these guys so badly that not only wouldn’t they ever do it again, but they would also be too afraid to retaliate. Right now, Klaus needs an attitude adjustment. If these assholes ever figure out who we really are, they’ll kill her. Besides, maybe I can shake Clive up enough to learn something. I’ll go back in and see if I can remember the lines from all the tough-guy movies I’ve ever seen.”
    â€œOh, man. Don’t you think he’s already shook up —” Laura fell silent as Brandy returned to the bathroom with a fistful of money and her purse.
    â€œYou two stay in here,” ordered Jack loudly. “This could get messy.”
    Jack returned to the room and ripped the pillowcases off Clive’s and Liam’s heads, then gestured at them with the shotgun. “Do either of you two dumb fucks know what an Italian silencer is?”
    They both shook their heads.
    â€œIt’s a way to muffle noise,” said Jack. “You’re in for a special treat because you’ve got the best view of Act One of three acts. Watch this,” he said as he knelt behind Klaus. “The only bad part is cleaning the barrel after.”
    Klaus lurched and tried to squeeze his ass tight when Jack slowly pushed the tip of the shotgun barrel between the cheeks.
    The looks on Clive’s and Liam’s faces were ones of absolute horror. Klaus’s head jerked and he gave a pitiful moan from inside the pillowcase. Any thoughts he had of being defiant had evaporated.
    â€œI can’t believe what you did to her,” said Jack angrily. “Eye swollen shut, burns on her ass … she won’t be able to work for at least a month!”
    Klaus cried out in response, “Mein Gott, mein Gott!”
    â€œToo late to be praying to some god,” said Jack. “Besides, I’m an atheist.” He gave Clive a hard look. “How about you? Do you believe in some god? Wanna meet him?”
    Clive shook his head as panic clouded his ability to speak. He stared at Liam, who was babbling and pleading for his life.
    â€œHey, big nuts, quit staring at the bawl-baby and watch.” With that, Jack locked eyes with Clive’s once more.
    Clive’s jaw twitched, but no words came out. He panted twice, then said, “Please, I can make all this up to you. How about I give you a half-pound of coke? High quality … totally uncut.”
    Jack did not want to appear anxious. He was hoping to get a lead on the fake passports, but knew he couldn’t bring up that topic himself. He looked at Clive and hesitated, then ripped the pillowcase off of Klaus’s head. “What do you think? Should I take him up on his offer?”
    Klaus coughed and sputtered, blood drooling out of his mouth, as Jack turned back to Clive. “What makes you think I’d be interested in coke?”
    â€œHow about diamonds? Full carats!” Clive offered.
    Diamonds? Didn’t expect that. Probably glass or zircons. “You’ve been watching too much television. Who the fuck do you think I am? Some goof who walks around with gold chains and eighteen-carat fucking diamonds stuck in his ear? Yeah, cops, here I am. Come and bust me.”
    Clive spoke rapidly, stumbling over his words. “Sorry, I … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I can see you got more class than that.”
    â€œYou’re damn right I do. A lot more class than to be bought off with a half-pound of blow. What else can you offer?”
    â€œCoke or diamonds is all I can get. How about I make it a full pound?”
    It wasn’t the answer Jack was hoping for, but he knew it would get him in the door. “How long will it take to get it?” he asked.
    â€œI delivered it to these