M Banner - Silo - Summer's End

So why the girl? Why today?

Fletcher assumed the frizzy-haired young woman recognized him as well. The obvious tension in Summer’s face and her random glances indicated she did, appearing apprehensive in this high-pressure summit.

It’s an obvious conclusion when you see someone sitting with rounded shoulders and slumping in her seat. Even if you missed those tells, an astute observer would spot her trembling fingers, laced together on the table.

So far Edison hadn’t introduced her since his group had arrived in the room. Probably a good thing, since Frost didn’t know who she was. Not yet. A minute ago, Fletcher had considered informing his boss about her true identity but decided to wait to see where this was going, especially with what was planned for the rest of the day.

There are times when a subordinate should keep his comments to himself. More so when the comments are undiscovered facts. Facts that might escalate the bloodshed and ruin a perfectly laid plan.

He could always bring her identity up later, if need be, but once she was outed, there was no way to walk back the reveal. His tactical awareness skills were screaming at him to keep his mouth shut, so that’s exactly what he’d decided to do.

Fletcher was sure his trusted friend Dice would agree. He leaned forward and looked past Frost, catching the attention of the former craps dealer sitting at the other end of the table. Fletcher raised an eyebrow, knowing Dice would understand the inference.

Dice gave Fletcher a nod back, then adjusted his flaming red ponytail, indicating he was ready.

“Everything looks in order,” Edison said, his eyes scanning the last of the inventory list that Frost had given him on paper only a minute before.

“Like I said, we’ve completed our end. Now I need to see yours,” Frost said.

Edison turned to Krista, who’d been quiet since the meeting started, and held out his hand. Krista gave him a folded sheet of paper.

Edison opened it, spun it around, and slid it to Frost with a tentative look on his face.

Frost took a minute to review it before he slammed his fist on the table. “You must think I’m a fucking idiot!”

“On the contrary—” Edison said, not able to finish his sentence before Frost spoke again.

“There were supposed to be six battery packs. Not five.”

“I was just about to explain. We had a small problem with production. The last pack didn’t test out as well as we’d planned.”

“That’s not acceptable.”

“I understand, but sometimes these things happen.”

“Don’t break your word to me, Edison. A deal is a deal,” Frost said, leaning forward.

“My apologies. We should have it replaced for you next week. We didn’t want to provide you with something that wasn’t up to specs.”

“Apologies are for pussies,” Frost said before turning his attention to Krista. “I’m sure your second would agree.”

Krista didn’t hold back her response. “Agree with you? Never.”

Edison cleared his throat, his voice turning deeper and more intense, no longer looking or sounding the part of lowly professor. “You should know by now that we’d never come here without being prepared to offer additional compensation.”

“As well you should,” Frost replied.

“I’m prepared to negotiate, Simon. What’s it going to take?”

Frost took a few seconds before he answered. “For starters, we’re going to hold back half of the fuel we brought.”

“For a battery pack? That seems a bit steep.”

“Not just for that, old friend,” Frost added, snapping his fingers at Fletcher in a hurry-up manner.

Fletcher dug into his pocket, pulling out the paper item he’d brought along. He gave it to his boss.

Frost unfolded the map and slid it forward to Edison. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Edison took the paper in his hands, his eyes scanning it for a few seconds. “Where did you get this?”

“On our side of the No-Go Zone. My men cornered one of yours.”

Edison swung his head around and shot an angry look at the girl slumping in her seat. He held up the paperwork. “What is this, Summer? Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“I knew it,” Krista mumbled, though Fletcher heard the words.

Frost stood in a flash, pointing a finger at the girl. “That’s Summer?”

“Yes, she’s my new assistant,” Edison said, his focus returning to Frost.

Frost fired his eyes at Fletcher. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honestly, I didn’t recognize her. Probably those bandages on her face. Plus, she was all wrapped up yesterday. Never got a good look at her.”

Frost squinted with his forehead creased, bringing his lips together in a thin, tight line. His faced beamed red, looking as though he was about to shoot a bolt of lightning from his eyes.

His expression vanished a moment later, then he put a hand into his pocket and took out the necklace that Slayer had found, shortly before he was gutted and killed.

Frost held it up, dangling it in front of Edison. “We found this, too.”

Edison peered at Summer once again, clearly looking for answers.

Summer shrugged but didn’t respond, scooting farther down in the chair, looking as though she wanted to disappear under the table.

Frost tossed the necklace at Edison. “You broke the treaty, Professor. Now there will be penalties to pay. Steep ones, otherwise there can never be peace.”

Edison looked pissed, but Fletcher wasn’t sure if that anger was meant for Frost or for the girl. Probably both, he guessed.

“I’m listening,” Edison said.

Frost looked at Summer. “Her, for starters.”

“Huh?” Summer said, sitting up in a flash. She looked at Edison. “What does that mean, Professor?”

Frost answered instead. “It means you’re mine, bitch. You cost me two good men. Now get that skinny ass over here, next to me.”

“No! No! No!” Summer said, shaking her head at Edison.

Krista stood with her shoulders back and chest out. “Nobody is touching the girl.”

Fletcher did the same, matching Krista’s stance and posture.

Edison put his hands up as a stop sign indicator. “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement, but Summer is off the table.”

“The hell she is,” Frost said, motioning to Fletcher to retrieve the girl. “It’s my right to demand compensation as I see fit. Those are the rules, Professor. Your rules, or have you forgotten them?”

“I’m well aware of the rules, but we’re not going to start peddling flesh,” Edison said as Fletcher walked around the end of the table, taking a step to their side of the room.

Krista met him, her eyes staring into his.

Fletcher could feel the heat from her breath washing over his face.

Frost slammed the table again. “Bullshit. You must have known I’d demand this; otherwise, why did you bring her along?”

“I brought her along to teach her something.”

“Well then, I’d say she’s learned all she needs to. Failure is never an option.”

“Professor, please! Do something!” Summer said.

Frost continued, “We need someone to handle the cooking and cleaning. Plus, provide a little entertainment for the men. Since she’s the one who broke the treaty, she’s the one who should pay the price.”

“Entertainment?” Summer snapped. “No way! I’m not cleaning up shit, either.”

Edison rose from his chair, his hands in scramble mode, moving air in a panic. “We can work this out. But first, I need everyone to remain calm. There’s no reason for this to escalate.”

“We’re way past that, Professor,” Frost said, his eyes sending a command to Fletcher to move ahead.

“Stand aside,” Fletcher told Krista in a firm tone, his jaw clenched.