“I cut my arm on a piece of glass earlier.” “Did it hurt?” “It stung.” “Good.” The phone rings. Koralin goes to the desk and exchanges a few words with the caller. “Jan is here.” “Tell him to take the elevator to three.” I pick up my gun and go to the door. “Our deal is still on, but if you get near Aki while I let them in, I’ll blow his head off.” I push open the door just as the elevator arrives. “In here.” Candy comes through first. She throws her arms around me and holds on tight. “He’s dead. Doc is dead,” she says. “That angel bitch Aelita killed him.” “I know. It’s all right. We’ll get through this.” Jan comes in after her with Kasabian’s bowling bag. I gesture to him with the gun. “Go over to the table and let him out. Then sit down next to your wife.” Jan unzips the bag and puts Kasabian on the table. Jan sits down at the far end of the sofa, as far from Koralin as he can. “Fuck you, you Kraut shit.” I set Candy in a chair by the desk. “You all right, Kasabian?” “No thanks to these pricks. That bitch stood there while that crazy-ass angel stabbed Kinski.” “Sit tight and keep quiet. This will be over with soon.” “Excuse me,” says Koralin. “You have your friends. Please put the pistol down.” I look at Aki and then at her and set the gun on the table. “We’re going to do this slowly and carefully so there aren’t any misunderstandings, all right?” “Of course.” “Good. Koralin, stand up with your hands where I can see them. Come down to the end of the table with me. I’ll take the Druj from my pocket and hand it to you.” I stand up while Koralin comes around, put my hand in my pocket, and take out the Druj. I exaggerate my arm and hand movements so she can see what I’m doing. When it’s out, I show her the Druj and that I’m not holding anything else. “Put out your hands.” She does and I set the Druj there. I step back as Koralin smiles and holds it up so Aki can see.
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