Nicolette leaned in the doorway, the bib of her white overalls smeared with either blood or food. Zealand turned down the corner of the page he was reading. “Not particularly.” He reclined in the armchair beside the bed. The room they’d provided him was nicer than the one at the hotel where he’d been staying. “Come help, or you don’t eat,” she said. “I hate seeing a killer with time on his hands.” Zealand sighed and rose. “I don’t kill without recompense.” “Apparently you don’t kill even when we pay you half up front, judging by your performance with Marla. Besides, I just want you to throw a scare into this guy. He thinks he’s got me outsmarted, but I’m gonna show him otherwise.” She led him down the hallway. “Is this a boyfriend who cheated on you, Nicolette?” “Nah. Just a well-connected little fuck who owes me money and thinks he doesn’t have to pay.
