Page 93 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“What is, boss?” Digby cocked his head.
“Oh, poor Digby.” Riphook shook his head sadly. “He didn't tell you, did he? I wouldn't have, if I were him. But that means there's hope for you yet, isn't there?”
Nash felt his gut coiling.Something is wrong.
“Join us boys.” Riphook called out, and his two bodyguards stepped through the door, again locking it behind them.
“What is this, Rip?” Nash snarled.
“Nash, you're a bright lad.” Riphook went on, and flicked a command with his knife. His two guards took hold of Digby's arms, holding him fast. “Sort it out.”
“Nash!” he cried out and struggled, but the two men of equal strength had him dead to rights.
Nash looked around, terrified, but Riphook, who was lightning quick, had already reached over the table and seized his collar.
“I was hoping you would come to me like this, Nash, truly I was, because I knew if you did then I would have found myself a proper replacement. Someone I can absolutely trust. But something else happened, just before you came prancing in, something that throws a wrench into the operation. Do you know what that might be?”
Nash squirmed to get loose, but Riphook had him. The knife pressed up against his ribs, and he knew he couldn't make any sudden movements, or he was dead.
“I will show you.” Riphook squealed with glee, dragging Nash to a panel on the wooden wall. “Watch.” he grinned, and pressed the panel inwards with his elbow. The wall clicked open, revealing a secret room the size of a broom cupboard. Sitting in the secret room, was the unfortunate Dr. Fowler.
His hands were bound and his mouth gagged, but the widening of his eyes said it all.
Nash felt all of his hope fade.It is all over.
“So, you see, Nash.” Riphook whispered into his ear. “I know that you're only here to betray me. What's more, and this, now this I only just learned, and this is delightful!” Riphook spun Nash around and slammed his back against the wall.
Dr. Fowler and Digby struggled, but could do nothing.
“The message you just gave me, do you know where it comes from? I think you do, because it was given in code, a code you don't understand. Now how you have come into business with our well-to-do-friend, I am sure I don't know. But I know something is amiss with this meeting, don't I? And normally, normally dear lad, the message is read: Number Three Firehouse. And do you know why?”
The old rich bastard played me.
“When that last word is missing, it means kill the messenger,” Riphook plunged the knife into Nash's abdomen, and he collapsed onto the floor.
“Nash!” he could hear Digby fighting and screaming. There was so much pain it was overwhelming, to the point where it no longer hurt at all, and instead was such strange numbness radiating out of his core.
“Now, master Digby.” he could hear Riphook carrying on. “We're going to leave now, and deal with whatever little treachery is waiting for us down at the docks. I'm going to give you two options. First, you can fight against me for your boss, who didn't give enough of a shit about you to warn you of his intentions. Or second, when I come back to this room, I can find you here, all cleaned up. Dispose of this one.” Nash could feel Riphook prodding him with his boot. “And the good doctor as well. Are you going to stop struggling?”
Come on Digby, don't get yourself killed if he's giving you an out.
“Sure boss.” Digby's shaky voice could be heard through Nash's encroaching delirium. “I can do that.”
“Good lad.” Riphook said, his footsteps drawing further away. “Take care of them!” and the door slammed shut once more. Then click went the lock, and they were alone.
“Nash!” Digby rushed to where Nash lay, bleeding yet calm. “You ain't hurt bad.”
“Yes, I am.” Nash coughed.
“Hold on.” Digby ran to Dr. Fowler's chair and undid all of his binds. Taking him by his shoulders, the huge man shouted, “You've got to fix him doc! Fix him!”
“I, I–” Dr. Fowler stuttered, frantically looking over the grim wound.
“S'all right doc.” Nash croaked. “You're alright.”
“Shut your mouth!” Digby protested, tears welling up. “He's gonna' fix you!”
“Digs.” Nash raised a weakening arm to grab hold of Digby's shirt. His hand left bloody imprints on the cotton, and he clutched the cloth tight. “Rip don't know there's a judge waiting for him. Go get that son of a bitch.”
