Blake loosened his grip and gave Bunny a look that indicated this would be dealt with later.
“Sorry,” said Bunny. “You were explaining how you were a genius.”
“Mr Blake?”
The carpet in this office was definitely nicer than in the outer one. Bunny had been expecting the punch as soon as he’d stupidly mouthed off, but being prepared didn’t offer much in the way of protection, especially as it hit the same spot as the previous one had. Not for the first time in his life, Bunny considered that he should maybe keep quiet a bit more.
Blake grabbed the shoulder of Bunny’s jumpsuit and pulled him back so he was at least kneeling upright. Hanzus continued as if Bunny had merely sneezed.
“The solution I came up with was to have a system where, at the flick of a switch, a hatch will open in the floor of the top enclosures here, placing its occupant into the live area here. Once there, the snakes can be fed, or indeed mate, before another switch funnels them into these lower enclosures at the bottom, which can then be moved back up to the top. Simple. Elegant design. It also allows our resident vet to examine them too, of course. It’s hard to get a veterinarian willing to treat rattlesnakes, but luckily, Dr Walden killed his wife and is happy to keep his hand in, so to speak.”
Bunny said nothing as he was running out of kidneys.
Hanzus indicated one of the uppermost enclosures. “Elizabeth here is due to give birth soon. An incredible thing. The conception itself is magnificent, watching the competing males engage in a combat dance. As for the birth …” He rubbed his hands together. “Simply incredible. Most snakes and other reptiles are oviparous, in that they lay eggs, whereas rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young after carrying the eggs inside. It is a wondrous sight. I have a tape of Samantha’s birth last year, but I shall not bore you with it.”
Hanzus opened the box he was holding and fished out one of the mice, before placing its cohorts back on the table. He dangled it by its tail for a moment before opening the slot to the “live area” and placing it inside. Bunny watched as the hapless creature scurried about, while the rattlesnakes started moving around, alerted by the presence of prey below them.
“Do you think our little mousey friend thinks he has a chance at freedom?”
Hanzus looked at Bunny, clearly expecting some kind of answer.
“I suppose. There’s always hope.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. Not about the hope existing, but him having it, nevertheless. Rest assured there is no hope.”
Hanzus sat back at his desk, the snakes behind him now writhing back and forth. Bunny guessed this was the favourite part of the man’s day.
“There being no hope of escape is something I wish to convey to all of my charges, Mr Rourke, but given your record, you especially. I designed this prison as well as this vivarium. Neither leaves any possibility of escape. Even if you were to get by all the gates. And the cameras. And all the guards and the other security measures. Even if you managed that – and you will not – twenty miles in every direction is nothing but the most desolate part of the Mojave Desert.”
He pointed behind him. “My friends here aren’t even your biggest worry. Blistering heat, freezing nights. Nowhere that offers any real form of cover. No vehicles are allowed within that exclusion zone without my express permission and we have sophisticated systems looking for intrusions. All that, and a helicopter stationed three minutes away with a sniper instructed to shoot on sight if he suspects an escapee has a weapon.”
Hanzus leaned forward and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “And spoiler alert, Mr Rourke, they are always going to suspect any escapee has a weapon. I guarantee it. So you see, like our little mousey friend, any hope is an illusion. Am I making myself clear?”
Hanzus looked at Blake, who took the cue and hauled Bunny to his feet. The warden sat back in his chair and his tone changed, as if he was done with the prepared theatrics.
“Also, you are in a rather … interesting position. Due to a – let us call it administrative issue – you will, at least initially, be sharing a cell with a man who does not normally share a cell. This individual has certain issues. You will not speak to this man. Nor he you. Neither of you will acknowledge the other’s existence. Do you understand me?”
Bunny licked his lips. “I don’t talk to my cellmate?”
“Correct. He is one of our Latino inmates and his brethren will take a very dim view of you speaking to him. Nobody does. I cannot emphasise this enough – if you’d like for your stay here to be … uneventful, then you will not utter a word or communicate with him in any way. We shall move you to a cell with your own kind in due course. In the meantime, providing you play by these rules, Commander Blake will make sure you are left unmolested. Is that clear?”
Bunny nodded.
“I need to hear you say it.”
“Yes.”
Blake squeezed Bunny’s arm again. This time he spoke through gritted teeth. “Yes. Sir.”
“Excellent,” said Hanzus, turning his attention to the paperwork he had already signed. “You are dismissed.”
Blake spun Bunny around neatly. When they reached the door, Hanzus spoke again. “Oh, and Mr Rourke?”
Bunny turned back, knowing what was coming but letting discretion be the better part of valour.
Hanzus pressed a button below his desk and the rattlesnakes in the top enclosure dropped into the one containing the mouse.
There was a flurry of vicious, predatory motion and a squeal.
“Do enjoy your stay.”
Chapter Nine
She checked herself in the restroom mirror and then glanced around for a clock that wasn’t there, because this was Vegas and casino owners considered time to be their ultimate
