Page 60 of Grace of Spades
"Thank you for joining us. We have a few stubborn tongues and I would like you to show my son how it's done." My dad requests. She gives a stiff nod before a chair and a man are dragged in.
The man is unconscious but has been tied up with zip ties and gagged anyway. The guards place him roughly in the chair before leaving with my father.
"First things, first. Always record your interrogations." She says pointing to the camera in the corner I didn't even notice. Her message is clear though. This is business, we are not alone, and to behave like it. "You never know when you miss something that can come in handy later." I nod my understanding and watch her walk around the unconscious man.
"Fear goes a long way, and so do surprises. If you can shock your subject into slipping up his info it's better. He'll feel stupid and mess up more." She explains. "Interrogation is done with the mind and emotions in mind. The body comes as an afterthought. Keep quiet and watch." She commands before smacking the man's face roughly waking him up. She releases his gag and watches him take in his surroundings.
"Hello, Mr. Vincent. My name is Ace." She smiles as Vincent's eyes go wide.
"But... you're a girl." He stammers. I hear her partner start muttering and I'm with him on that. Just the few times I've seen her work that seems to be people's immediate reaction. It must get tedious.
"Very good. Now I have some questions for you." She starts.
"Fuck you, bitch." He spits at her and I have to hold myself still so I don't deck him for talking to her like that. She however is the epitome of cool under pressure.
"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" She smiles twirling a knife in her fingers.
22
Grace
Ryan Oliver.
That name keeps coming up and I don't like that I don't know it. I know a lot of shitty people in this city but I haven't heard of this guy until recently. Now he's been mentioned by the Irishandthe Italians? I don't like it. I know he could just be some guy that everyone knows. Like a dealer. But I have a bad feeling about this. I'm going to look into him. I know it's not really in my job description as psycho for hire but something just feels off.
I'll keep it to myself for now and I will have to look into it carefully. Ray doesn't think I saw him glare at the man in the chair before he clammed up. But I did.
What does Ray know? I don't like any of this.
I nod goodbye to the Bianchis and Ray and I head out.
"So... Ryan Oliver, eh?" Ray asks as I change in the back. Nope, I don't like it. My gut is turning and I always trust my gut. It has kept me alive far too many times.
"None of my business," I admit. And it's not. Not really.
"Really? You're not even curious?" He asks. Why is he pushing? He knows the rules of this job. Mind your own business.
"I mean of course I'm curious but I also like being alive. It's Bianchi's deal. Let him deal with it." I shrug settling in the passenger seat. Ray nods and I catch a small twitch of his lips in the reflection of the window. Nope. I don't like this. At all.
Ray drops me off and my bike at the warehouse and I set off back home. Kennedy has gotta be livid, I would be. This is the second time I've had to ditch her like this. I decide to pick up a heart-shaped box of chocolates for her on my way back. Chocolate is not only for lovers' quarrels and periods. Chocolate is life.
I run back up to my room with chocolate in hand and see my friend scrolling along on her phone. I get down on one knee and hold the chocolate over my heart in atonement. She laughs when she looks up from her phone.
"Baby, I'm sorry I had to work on girl's night," I say bringing out the puppy dog eyes and an exaggerated pout.
"Oh, sweetheart! Why can't I quit you!?" She says dramatically draping her hand over her forehead channelling Scarlett O'Hara hard. I can't help but giggle as I flop down beside her.
"I really am sorry. I suck." I say seriously.
"It's all good, babe. I get it. Thanks for the chocolate though." She smiles.
"Least I could do. You wanna get ready now?" I ask.
"Sure. Put on some music!" She smiles. I do as she asks and turn on some Fame on Fire. "Oh! I love these guys!" She cheers dancing towards my closet. She tosses out a myriad of clothing choices onto my bed.
"So... about those boys." She smiles like she's biting at the bit for more information.
"Yeah... I'm not sure what's going on, to be honest. It's still super new." I explain.
