The Royal Contract

The other man sitting on the other side walked to his side and watched their captive with him. “You trained him well. I don’t think our usual interrogation techniques will work with him.”

He stared at the man that despite his condition, still sat straight, fighting the pain inflicted on him by his men. He believed that it would take extreme measures to make the man sing.

“I am going to talk to him.” The other man was about to open the mike, but he stopped him. “In person.”

He stepped away from the glass and walked toward the exit. The door opened, and he proceeded to the next door. With the same procedure, the door opened. It revealed the only man inside the room.

“Finally, Tim. You have the guts to show your face in front of me.” He smirked at him, biting his lower lip which was still slightly fresh with blood. “After I told you everything I know, you do this to me.”

The man shouted at him, slamming his hand on the arms of the chair where he was chained, trying to get them free. But he was securely bound that he could only barely move from his position.

.....

“Let us get one thing straight, Joe.” Tim circled the other man, inspecting his condition before stopping in front of him. “You only give me shit.”

He stood in front of him, leaning on the glass door, just watching the other man as he writhed in his seat. No matter how much struggle he made, he would not escape those chains.

“No. I did not.” Joe shouted, denying his former boss’s accusation. “I told you everything I know about the organization.”

He looked at Tim with pleading eyes, trying to convince him that he was telling him the truth. He knew that he had to persuade this man to let him go. Else, he would never see the light of day again.

“Bring me a table.” Tim tapped on the window behind him, knowing that his men would be listening to their conversation.

After a few seconds, the door opened, then a small table was carried inside the room upon his request. He had it placed in front of Joe before dismissing his men again.

He slowly moved towards the table, placing the mildly hot coffee and muffin in front of him. He knew that the smell of the two had already wafted into the room. Putting it in front of him would intensify his hunger.

“Wow, this smells good,” Joe responded, sniffing the delicious aroma of the coffee. Then, his nose shifted to the other bag. He instantly knew what it was. It was, of course, his favorite.

“It is all yours if only you would tell me something that I did not know.” Tim continued to walk back and forth in front of him, like a teacher waiting for his student to answer.

“But I already told you everything. I swear.” Joe continued with his act, not wanting to be caught lying.

Last night, he was sure that he had convinced Tim about his story. He let his guard down and even had a drink with his former boss. It was working according to his plan. He had it under control.

After a glass, his men surrounded him and took him into their custody. He fought as hard as he could. But he was no match against four men, younger and more agile than him.

“But it is not good enough,” Tim responded as he stopped in front of him and uncovered the coffee, letting its delicious scent fill the room. Then, he unwrapped the muffin, displaying it in his view.

“I am telling you. I can find out more if you just let me get out of here. The boss still trusts me. I can spy for you and tell you their other secrets.” But there was another thought going through his mind at that moment.

He had to find another way to stay alive. He had to think of a new tactic to keep Tim from blowing his head off. He knew that he said last night that he was not afraid to die. He lied.

“I am sorry, but that is just not good enough.” Tim finally had enough of his lies. He could tell from last night that Joe had a plan. Of course, he had taught him everything he knew.

He quickly drew up a plan, trying to convince Joe that he was starting to believe his every word. While doing this, he alerted his team to scout the surrounding area for possible threats.

He believed that Joe would not simply walk into his office with a threat of a gun on his head. He could only think of one reason he went there. He was a decoy.

“But...” Joe was about to reason with him again when Tim shut him up by striking him on the cheeks with the handle of his gun. This made Joe twist his face in the other direction as a new fresh of blood splattered on the floor.

“Bring him in,” Tim announced to the mike on the corner, and a few seconds later, the door opened again.

A man carrying a file walked toward them and handed Tim the folder. With a nod, he was gone again, leaving the two of them in the room.

Tim dropped the file on the table, together with the food. Then, opened it to the first page. It was pictures of dead men lying in the ditch in the dark part of the alley behind their building.

“You know them?” Tim shoved the files into his view. “They were sent to infiltrate the building last night.” He could see recognition in his face. “They possess a duplicate of your keycard.” He pulled a card from the file and showed it to him.

“You crossed us for the last time, Joe.” This time, he would not show mercy to this man who did not give a damn about them and continued to betray the brotherhood.