Page 47 of Night Blind

Cherry, in her final act as a Technician, spoke, “I have taught the cranberry to shoot, and her aim is true. She has been assigned a mentor and has begun her coursework. The cranberry is skilled in knives, knows poisons, and can read men. I present the cranberry for the bowl as the replacement for the Cherry on Top.”

Jesús took out his phone. His Technician phone also was pre-programmed with a person on the end when he pressed one. The one on his phone went directly to the Technician God at the Company.

“State the reason for your call,” the mechanical voice said.

“I, Jesús, am calling in the retirement of the Cherry on Top. Her shop is here along with credentials and weaponry issued by The Company,” he said in the line.

“Is there a replacement?”

“The replacement is in training, but has completed two assignments, both of which you are aware of,” Jesús said.

“And this fruit?”

“The Cranberry has been activated,” Jesús added.

“So it is written,” the mechanical voice said.

“So it is done,” Jesús replied ending the call.

Helen, who had moved on to a pomegranate, was oblivious to it all. Jesús made one more call to the switchboard. A voice answered, “How may I direct your call?”

“Calling in a nomenclature change. Deactivate the Cherry on Top. Activate the credentials of the Cranberry, code HM4589,” Jesús said.

“Hold for confirmation,” the voice said. A few clicks were heard in the line, and then the voice said, “Credentials created for The Cranberry, assassin trainee, female, territory Indiana. Anything else?”

“That is all,” Jesús said, looking at Helen. “One. Follow the rules. Two, if you ever have to see me in person again, please know I will be coming to end your life. Three, do a good job, keep your nose clean and only, and only work on your assignment. Don’t shoot any other mutherfuckers because they are wearing clothes you don’t like.”

Helen furrowed her forehead. “What are you saying? Are you saying I am officially a Technician?”

“Sadly, yes. Don’t make me regret this, Cranberry,” Jesús added, rising and looking everyone over. “Good work team.”

Helen looked at her cousin. So much had changed in their lives in such a small expanse of time. Helen was officially a Technician, a badass assassin assigned to take out the trash in the world, well at least in Indiana. She could handle that.

Hell, she was even looking forward to it. “Wait, is that why the entire fruit bowl is present, for me?”

“No,” Jesús said. “Over the next four months, you will be in rotation, You will spend a month with each of your team members to learn how they work, understand their strengths, and how to move as a Technician.”

“But I have a trainer and a mentor, who is my handler,” Helen said.

“Not anymore,” Azreal corrected. “You belong to me. My team, my rules, my training. Welcome to the Fruits of the Great Lakes. I cover Michigan. Your first month you will spend with Bad Apple, followed by Passion Fruit, then Sour Grapes, andfinally me. If an assignment comes through, you will work it with one of your teammates.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re excused,” Azreal added. “Take Cherry home, pack your things, and Bad Apple will expect you no later than Wednesday.”

Helen asked, “You want me to pack up everything and move in with a man I don’t know for a month to learn how to do bad things to people?”

Bad Apple leaned forward. “You already know how to do bad things, Cranberry. I’m going to teach you how to do the job even better and not leave any trace of evidence.”

Helen’s appetite waned, then faded. The food in her stomach felt as if it were forming into a ball of shit destined to clog her butt hole. Her gaze went to Lemon. “What about her? Do I get to spend time with the Lemon?”

Lemon spoke, “I don’t want to be bothered with you, and won’t if I don’t have to. Anything you need to know about what I do, you can learn from that Bad Apple.”

Azreal interjected, “She will get a rotation with you as well Lemon. We need her sharp and ready to work. We have five months to hone every muscle and sense in that body of hers and pack on ten pounds of muscle.”

Helen did not know what to say. She didn’t know what to make of any of it. The timeline would work. Hopefully, if she did well, she’d make it back on time for the arrival of her nephew Luke. If she didn’t, then…well, life would go on.

She was ready for the break.

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