Tanner scrolled the list on the laptop as the music played in the background and the vent fan pulled the fumes from the bullet room. She twirled Stabby as she did, blowing a bubble with her gum and popping it, annoying Mike mildly as intended.

  “I hate that you carry your murder weapon around. You should let me regrind it so at least the stab marks won't match. It's dull as hell anyway.” he sighed.

  “Okay you are not grinding on Stabby, she’s rainbow coated, you’ll take the plating off."

  “At least leave it here and let me give you something better than mall-ninja stainless, or something disposable enough to regrind. If you insist on using a knife, at least don’t use the same one and keep it in your purse.” Mike insisted.

  “Fine, Stabby stays here. You can supply me with some of those meltable barrel metal ones instead. But they gotta have the ninja style point. That’s part of my whole thing.” She said, scrolling the laptop.

  “Anything odd stand out to you?” Asked Mike.

  “Aside from the old guy in doctor gloves playing porn music while re-stamping bullets?” she smiled.

  “It’s not porn music, it’s called Blues. Shocked why you know don’t know what porn music even sounds like, and disappointed that you think this counts, does anyone on the list stand out”?

  “Joseph Richards. Aside from his name just literally being Joe Dick, he looks familiar. I think he worked at a school I went to for a while. Why’s he on the list?” She asked.

  “Hacked police records. He works as a janitor at a local high school. He reported a stolen 45. He’s not even supposed to have a gun, because he’s on record sexual assaulting a boy after class, they didn’t even press charges, he just moved him to another school because his uncle is a Mayor. 23-year-old, dropped out of the same high school he works at currently. Someone is covering his ass. The question is…why does a Mayor risk his reputation to bail out a degenerate nephew? Most politicians would deny even knowing the guy because it could affect election numbers.”

  “I remember him now. Tweaker too. We sold a few stolen Glocks from the same guy. That’s our mark. He’s the one. He’s a piece of human shit, and that’s coming from me.” She said with a huff.

  “The reason he made the list is because I just took out 4 guys with a 45, and the next day his gun was reported stolen. Nobody stole it. If you didn’t commit a crime with a gun, why wouldn’t you want cops looking around? Sounds like he’s hiding something. Sounds like his uncle covered his ass, so the police don’t even need to ask him any questions or snoop around. He’s the bottom tier, Uncle Dick is the real target”

  “So we kill him.” Tanner shrugged, sipping his energy drink.

  “Can’t kill a mayor over a hunch, we need more information, and we can’t just ask him. His security is heavy. Now, little Joe, may have information and be easier to take in.”

  “And then we kill HIM.” She corrected.

  “Once we confirm with thermals, and he’s said everything he knows. Yes. Problem is that he never leaves his trailer except to work at the school, and hit the gas station between them. It’s a pretty dense trailer park, cameras his uncle definitely paid for at his door. We can’t capture or kill someone that close to residential and under surveillance.” Mike noted.

  “So let me do it. I met him once, he knows another tweaker when he sees one. I’m good lookin, not exactly a suspicious preacher.” She smirked.

  “Too dangerous. First kill, solo, near a school. Don’t like it.”

  “You don’t like that I’m the honey trap.” she smirked.

  “I’m not fond of that aspect, no.” Mike admitted.

  “You don’t see how perfect this works? You’re an old preacher, and I’m a street trash nobody hooker that can pass for underage. You could pass for a child predator, no offense, and I can pass for bait for a real one. You know the big political players, I know the thugs and meth heads because I ran with some. You’re a respected man of society with a reputation of trust, and I’m honestly hard to resist, even if the targets don’t like girls.”

  “How do you know?” Mike asked.

  “Do you really wanna know the details?” asked Tanner.

  “You got me there. I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Hey…it’s fine. The point is that one of us can get into any door or circle, the other can’t. I can get in close, you can back me up from range. Maybe God had a point picking me.”

  “Are you insane? I’m not using you as bait.” Mike scoffed.

  “I’m not 16 and innocent, I’m a grown woman and a serial killer." she said as Mike gave her a look. "Okay grown may not be the best word for my size, but I'm an adult woman and a serial killer. I handled one 200 pound predator with a knife, while unarmed, and barely got a bruise. That’s where I learned I’m good with stabbing. Yea I was lucky, or God was helping, but now I’m a killer with a plan and a gun, and backup. I trust you to cover my ass, even if you pretend you're not looking at it. Can you trust me to risk mine?” she asked, taking an attitude stance, waiting for his answer.

  “This is a terrible idea. I’m gonna have to pray about it. It’s hard to intimidate with a knife, and you can’t conceal Rachel. I can’t back you up if I can’t even see you. That means the kill has to be outdoors.”

  “So? We could just use my snatchgun.”

  “Can we please just call it Carrie?” he sighed. “And I don’t trust that thing. I’m making you something custom, but I don’t have the parts and I can’t have the paper trail ordering them.” He said getting his jacket.

  “Can’t you do your barrel trick and make it whatever caliber you want?” Tanner asked.

  “It’s an insert, not a magic wand. It only makes the caliber smaller, and I’m not a gunsmith, I’m a plumber with a Chinese lathe/ mill combo that only works because I added an A-frame and put digital readouts on it. That gun is designed to handle about 250 foot pounds of energy, and 450 is about the minimal for hydro-shock in the human body. You really need a 9mm.” he insisted. “MINIMUM 9mm.”

  “But Carrie fits me perfectly, and I’m used to this gun’s shape and size. ”

  “And you’re stubborn as a brick, which is why I’m rebuilding her as a 9mm. The barrel inserts like mine, means you’ll be shooting anything from 4.6mm mp7 rounds to 7.62 tokarev, and I’m adding a muzzle brake. Trust me, it’s gonna be better. Same shape and size, little heavier, same spirit. She’s just getting a makeover. Let’s go shopping.”

  “Oh, I love shopping, but you just said we can’t buy parts?” she squinted.

  “I said shopping, not buying. Buying implies money and a receipt.” He said reluctantly. "Let's go shopLIFTING." he corrected.

  Old frank shook his head, staring at the counter.

  “Good morning.” Mike said, strolling in bright and early just as they opened, Tanner following behind him, trying to not look suspicious.

  “Not a great one, apparently. Someone broke my window and stole one of my guns.” Frank sighed.

  “That’s terrible. Did you report it to the police?” Mike asked.

  “Not yet. I just opened the shop and found out, haven’t looked for anything else missing yet, but after that I will.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Damn. Must have been some addict, they just stole one? Almost not worth reporting it.” Mike sighed.

  “Isn’t that illegal not to report it?” Frank asked.

  “No, heavens no. Only reason you need to report is to claim the insurance, and your deductible is probably higher than what they stole, unless it was gold plated and limited edition. Was it anything expensive?” Mike pried.

  “No, just one of the little Sig 9 mils. I don’t understand why they just took the one gun.” Old frank pondered.

  “Between the two of us, Frank. Prostitutes.”

  “Hookers?” Franks gasped, as Tanner rolled her eyes.

  “You know I volunteer at the youth house, that’s where I got this little tag-along. She’s a good kid, but no family. Some of them, however, are real brats, but it’s not always their fault. Lotta young prostitutes trying to survive will steal something like a little 380 or a 9.”

  “Shit, Mike. Good thing she stole the 9. Between us, these 380’s don’t stop shit.”

  “Really?” he gasped, panning his eyes to Tanner, who looked unhappy about her entire day.

  “They’re more toys than personal protection, that’s why I carry a 9 and plus-P hollowpoints. Shame they gotta steal though.”

  "Most of the poor girls are underage and homeless. They can’t buy a gun, they’re broke and under the pimps control, they just need something for protection. Otherwise, if they stole for resale, they would have gone for the expensive guns like here. Kinda hard to conceal a Desert Eagle in a miniskirt, I bet.”

  “What a shame we live in this kind of world anymore, Mike.”

  “You know I bet I can fix that window in no time, I get contractor deals on those, new one would cost you like 300, I can get one for almost nothing if the paint is scratched. It’s gonna get repainted anyway to match the store, I’ll do the labor myself. How much does a little basic 9 cost these days wholesale?”

  “Maybe 500.”

  “Oh yea, your insurance deductible has to be that or more. They probably won’t even pay out. Here, take this.” He said getting some cash out. “If you report it, the police won’t do anything, but insurance HAS to be contacted then. Insurance will pile you with paperwork. God forbid someone hurts someone with it, and they tie it back to your shop, the red tape will be a nightmare. You don’t need this mess. Some poor kid’s life may depend on that gun. Just take the money.”

  “Noooo, Mike. You’re a good man, I can’t just take your money.”

  “Now you saved me at least 300 bucks on the HK when I got it, Frank. Out of the goodness of your heart, because I didn’t have the money on me back then. Now the other day I went to the casino and made 1700 dollars, and you know what I do with those winnings? I give back to the community. That’s not money I worked hard for, that’s a blessing to spread. God doesn’t give me that kinda luck so I can get rich, he does it so I can help people like you who can’t afford things. Consider it God’s money to make up for a legal system that doesn’t work and crooked insurance scammers, I’m just delivering it. If God wants to pay me back, I’ll get lucky again at the casino on Friday. I’d say the odds of me making it back are higher than the insurance claims, giving you the full amount and not raising your premiums. People steal every day. You got the guns to sell, so, now got money, the gun is gone…what’s the difference in the long run?” Mike reasoned.

  “I can’t thank you enough, Mike. It’s so hard to make an honest living anymore. With people the way they are now, kids on the street hookin, insurance companies raising rates and my damn fixed income not goin up with inflation, I just can’t afford the troubles. Bless you. This is why I let you shoot here free and never charge you a membership. Thank you.” He smiled.

  “Thank God for it. I’m just the delivery boy who listens to my boss.” He said, winking at Tanner.

  The sounds of Jazz played as Mike finished his lathe work, lightly blowing the metal chips off the new barrel insert.

  “So that’s my gun?” asked Tanner.

  “That’s your gun. Reinforced slide pins, heavier spring, the muzzle brake threads tighten the barrel inserts in. If you think you’ll get caught, toss that and burn the barrel. Flair in the backpack, as well as a flashlight.”

  “My phone has a flashlight, gramps.” She muttered.

  “Your phone doesn’t lock onto the muzzle brake and act as a suppressor.” he noted.

  “Oh. You know, you’re so convincing as a nice guy that I forget you do this for a living. Does the flashlight work?”

  “Yea, pulls right out, guts still work, just pull that out in front of the cops. Now Tanner…are you sure you can handle this alone. It’s a lot to take into-”

  “Hey…I got this. Stop worrying.” Tanner assured, admiring the black gun with the little red accents. “And for a garage mod, this is a sexy little gun. You do good work.”

  “Get some sleep. I gotta put a few test rounds through it and work on the trigger. In the morning, you’ll have your official kill on this team.” He nodded nervously.

  Tanner sat outside the school, getting up from her bench as the students let out and filed from the building like ants. She took a hit from her joint and grabbed her backpack, ready to work. She strolled her way through the building, keeping her head down and blending in like any other student after hours. Avoiding the teachers in the rooms and making her way to the janitor’s closet, checking Mike’s map to be sure. She knocked and waited for an opening. The door opened and a scruffy young man answered.

  “Wrong room. No students allowed back here.”

  “Um, actually I’m not a student, I’m friends with Tommy, you know Tommy?”

  “Kid, I don’t know who the hell Tommy is. If you’re not a student, why the backpack, and why are you in a school?”

  “Hey, it’s a free country, I got stuff to carry. Stuff to…buy maybe. Look, Tommy said you had the hookup. You got Adderall, Oxy?” She muttered discreetly.

  “No, not on property. My medication is not your problem. The fuck you think I keep drugs on premise? Get out, little fucking nark.”

  “You don’t recognize me? Man, we did some shit together like a year ago.” she said, taking a dramatic pose. "I had longer hair."

  “Wait, you do look familiar.” He paused.

  “Tanner.”

  “Right, right. Couple of Glocks. You were a blonde back then.”

  “That’s me, and I got some friends looking for the hook-up, couple of boys I know, they prefer to be anonymous at the moment, we’re gonna hang out in about an hour. Tommy knows a cool place to hang, it’s discreet. You wanna make some money, bring the shit, these kids got parent’s cash, you could make about 2 grand.”

  “How many boys?” he asked, suppressing his grin.

  “I dunno. 3 and me if nobody pussies out. I’d say at least 2. If they don’t show, I’ll buy everything you got myself and resell.” She said, flashing a wad of cash. “Deal?”

  “Okay, fine. I’m not really supposed to be around kids, so fuck off, but where’s the place?” he asked. Tanner slipped a piece of paper in his pocket and winked. “These kids like to party with cash, don’t be late.” He whispered.

  Joe looked at the paper, printed off map with marker directions. He sighed nervously and made his way to his things, packing up and making a quick trip home.

  He waded through the overgrown grass to an abandoned shopping center, small, abandoned and covered in very old worn graffiti. He felt uncomfortable, checking his bottle of pills and looking for the kids. He spotted movement in the building and made his way to a slightly cracked open back door, slipping in and looking around at the dusty old surroundings.

  “Anybody here?” he asked, feeling like he got scammed and almost leaving.

  “Just me, Tommy and his friends texted, they are on the way, they got delayed. Come on in.” She greeted, waving him on, joint in her mouth and energy drink in hand. Joe stepped into the office, an old, musty room with moldy chairs and broken glass separating the waiting area. Tanner whistled a jazzy tune as she discreetly locked the door and pulled it shut, the knob looking slightly newer than the door itself, and on the wrong way. Lock on the opposite side. She gave a playful spin as Joe stood, looking curious.

  “What is this place?” he asked.

  “Old abandoned dentist’s office. The whole little strip mall got canceled; they rented out the buildings for storage for a year or so and just left it. Place got looted and trashed. There are so many abandoned buildings it’s unreal, but this one is very special. I know it looks like shit, but the back room has been spiffed up a little. She said, leading him along.

  “I see what this is.” sighed Joe. “Please tell me you at least brought the money?”

  “Oh, I got it, I got plenty.”

  “Look, I get that we got some shit in common, but I’m not going to jail over this, and you’re not even my type.” Joe huffed. “Nobody’s showing up, are they?”

  “Ya got me. It’s just me. I figured we could hang out, catch up, I’ll still buy from ya. I just had to sweeten the temptation a little.” Tanner winked. "What, you don’t like a little alone time with a cute thing like me?” she batted, dramatically so.

  “Honestly, you’re too old for me.”

  “Hey, I’m fucking insulted. I’m cute as hell and carrying cash.”

  “This whole thing just feels like a trap. High school kids, parents money. Cops flipped you, something is wrong. I’m out of here.”

  “Yea, I... don’t know that you are, Joe.” Tanner smiled.

  “Look, if you were a little more my style, a little less cocky and didn’t give off a huge vibe like you’re wearing a wire, maybe we could hang out, but I’m leaving.” He said, turning the knob and realizing it was locked. He sighed, leaning back with annoyance. Turning and raising his shirt to flash the 45 tucked in his holster. Tanner casually drew her pistol and pointed it at his crotch and grinned.

  “You really shouldn’t flash what you can’t unsnap in a hurry. Now you’re gonna hold perfectly still, or I’m putting a hollowpoint in your dick, got it buddy?” Tanner asked as Joe slowly held his hands up and Tanner unsnapped and removed the 45.

  “What is this, a robbery or a bust?” Joe asked. “Take the gun, It’s not registered in my name. I got nothing on me. Petty cash, some cigarettes, You got no proof I did anything except trespassing, which you are too. Bust me on a 200 dollar fine, bitch.”

  “I’m not with the cops, dumbass. And I’m not robbing…well I am technically robbing you now, just the gun, that’s not the main point here. This is a sweet piece actually. Uncle bought this for ya?” Tanner said applying the silencer to Carrie and tucking the 45 in her belt, covering with her shirt.

  “What do you want? You got my gun, my smokes, I didn’t bring any pills, you got no evidence I did anything.” He asked as Tanner got out the thermal binoculars, checking him head to toe with a big cheesy grin.

  “Well, you made one mistake. You’re just too damn hot to throw back.” She said with a sinister tone. “It’s playtime.”

  “Put the gun down…let’s play fair.” Joe instigated.

  “You’re bigger than me, I kinda prefer not playing fair. So…” she clapped devilishly. “Let’s play a game called fun with duct tape.”