“You want me to canvas this joint?” The shook was plain.
“The banquet hall is full, the rest of the building is empty, security isn’t strong enough to guard the perimeter and their guests to the guest’s satisfaction,” the smile condescension made Parker’s thought on this clear.
“Such a tragedy” Andrew said. They both smiled at each other.
The Duke’s announced banquet was a surprise affair, done mostly to lift he spirits of the nobles in a time of “banal” famine. An event mostly of dancing, music, and games for a single night. The guests were the nobles of his region, all gathered in his ducal palace. The lights were bright, the security prominent. The walls and dresses/clothes gleamed. The precious stones sparkled. Laughter and music and joy and distraction, and no food, filled the air. Parker’s withdrawal for the rush, the chase and the danger was to sever; the rumbling in his stomach wasn’t helping. He’d contacted Andrew after several years. Andrew had been out of the business of “extraction” for several years, similar to Parker’s brother. Unlike Parker’s brother who left due to death Andrew left of his own volition. Parker couldn’t make up his mind if he loved Andrew for that beyond reason or if he loathed him enough to want him dead too. Though truly Parker had nothing to do with his brother’s death. Though it was his information his brother used tin that last job. And Parker did choose the target, like today. The trill of befriending a security officer proved better than stealing a random purse with who knew what inside. This, though. Planning, letting, someone else do the work, someone else taking the risk? A thrill unmated. Maybe this high would last better than the others.
Martin Write 