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EMPTY EYE SOCKETS CHAPTER 6
Nuevo Marrow.
He snorted in amusement and watched around in the city that had grown so fast and took Rubacava's place as the most popular place of gambling in the Land of the Dead. Now everyone came there to gamble and only those who wanted to find peace travelled to Rubacava.
None of those who knew him believed that Chowchilla Charlie hadn't rushed to Nuevo Marrow as one of the first. He was a small snake to all of them, someone who was always there where he had the best chance to make profit. He was a mere con artist who hung on those who were truly powerful.
He was like a dog who begged a titbit from his master.
But against all odds Charlie had stayed in Rubacava. He was the only one of Maximino's old gang who did that. He hadn't been forced to stay; it had been his own idea.
Because unlike most people thought, Chowchilla Charlie could made independent decisions and create plans. Especially if they had something to do with his own future. He was intelligent enough to understand that though Hector was strong -- almost invincible – now, that wouldn't last forever.
Every strong man had to fall and Charlie was going to be on the side that would reign after him. He also knew that the only one who could fight against Hector and survive was Maximino, so he had been the only one to stay on his side. That way he made sure that he was in favour and the first in line when they started to pay rewards.
Besides, Rubacava had style.
Nuevo Marrow was loud, bright and... well, new. Hector had made sure that every building, block and corner was taken into use and nothing went to waste. Because of that the city had become one huge nest of gambling and a peaceful spot was impossible to find.
But Rubacava... There the old port town hadn't been destroyed but it still existed. The city had few casinos, the Cat Track and clubs, but they weren't very close to each other and dark streets and small shops had taken over most of the city. It was easy to get sprouted in the shadows of Rubacava and the docks just made it all dimmer.
Rubacava was a real place for gamblers, Nuevo Marrow was forced into one and just hearing the name made Charlie feel slightly sick.
Maximino had sent him there to keep an eye socket on Nick Virago and make sure that if he sang to Hector he wouldn't see the next morning. Charlie wasn't actually happy because of the mission, it was way too risky for his liking, but he'd still be pleased to get to know the city a bit better.
And the casinos too.
When he had been alive he had dedicated most of his life to slot machines and during years created a system that had never betrayed him. Every time he had left a casino his pockets had been full of money and that had sure been a nice life.
But there were no slot machines in Rubacava and he had been forced to survive without them and come up with something else, like roulette. That way he didn't win that much and had earned more money by counterfeiting almost anything he had been asked to.
Everything had seemed to be fine until he had got in trouble by printing fake betting stubs, and Maximino had thrown him out swearing that he could never come back.
All that had been just a trick though; he had never actually lost the favour of the leader of Rubacava. At that point all Hector's close men had known about the soon approaching chance of El Marrow and Maximino had known what it meant to him. He had not been ready to lose everything to Hector and had decided to replace him.
Eventually.
And that was why he needed loyal men. Chowchilla Charlie -- a con artist and a gambler -- was most certainly not described as one, no matter who you asked, but Maximino had recruited him anyway. It hadn't even been difficult, Charlie had been intelligent enough to realise that he'd never have a place in Hector's business.
Hector already had more than enough men who could counterfeit money, files and signatures; he didn't need someone like him. Charlie thought he was pretty good, but because counterfeiting was the only useful skill he had ever learned and he was very small and fragile, he wasn't use for a mighty man like Hector LeMans who could afford hiring anyone.
His small size had always stopped everyone from fully appreciating him. He knew how to take care of himself, and yet everyone always seemed to think that he couldn't do anything without hiring some goons to do things for him.
And he noticed that in Nuevo Marrow too. He was treated like he didn't exist and some glanced at him in despise, some in pity. Nothing enraged him more and he enjoyed the thought of how those fools would be surprised when he, Chowchilla Charlie, reached victory on Maximino's side.
Maximino had told him to head to Hector's biggest casino that was called "The Magnificent Apple" and where all important souls gathered to have fun. At the moment all he needed to do was to wait there until Maximino sent further instructions.
When he arrived at the casino he immediately noticed the huge green apple on the roof. Charlie snorted in amusement and continued on, not really caring about the decoration, he thought it was really tasteless and stupid.
"Are you permitted to step in?" he was asked on the door. This system was more than familiar to him; Maximino had demanded a VIP pass or an act of a thick wallet from his customers too. Or that was the way it had been, nowadays he had so few customers that he couldn't afford being picky.
He glared at the guard angrily and drew a pass that Maximino had given him and gave it to the man. He didn't like it that he had to prove himself like that, but it was one of those things that he couldn't change at the moment.
The guard gave the pass a long stare as if he really wanted to find a flaw in it, but then he had to accept it. He gave it back to Charlie who snatched it from his fingers.
"Everything seems to be in order. Have a pleasant time," the guard muttered and it was clear that he didn't want to let Charlie through. Probably because he was pretty big himself. When glancing behind him the con artist saw that the same guard didn't even glance at tall people when they stepped past him and he most certainly didn't want to see if they had a pass or not.
"This city is cursed," he muttered to himself, but cheered up when he saw all the slot machines.
Maybe he could make some extra money while he was here.
---
He had been asked to betray Hector.
After returning to Nuevo Marrow Nick had withdrawn into his office to think and come up with what he would tell Hector. He knew that he would have to meet the man soon or he would become suspicious and that just made him more nervous.
Not just asked, the options had been thrown in front of his eye sockets and nothing was unclear.
Either he would join Maximino or be against him and get sprouted.
It was obvious that if he didn't jump on Maximino's side his feet wouldn't be walking very long on the ground of the Land of the Dead. The man had probably already sent a man after him to make sure he made the right decision, and if he didn't...
Nick flinched despite himself.
He had many times watched as souls were sprouted and he had taken care of few himself. He had a good imagination and he could already feel the pain a soul must go through when flowers eat his bones, and every time he held a gun he felt uneasy.
Yet he didn't have anything against sprouting as long as he wasn't the one to suffer. It was the worst fate imaginable and Nick thought he had already suffered enough. Everyone in the Land of the Dead thought like that, after all, they were the ones who had to walk.
He sometimes dreamed of earning so much that he could buy himself a Golden Double-N ticket and leave the cursed land.
But if he didn't join Maximino he'd never have the chance to do that. And it was actually the same thing if he betrayed Hector. He didn't stand the slightest sign of betrayal and Nick knew he had sprouted souls only because they said something Hector didn't like.
So what should he do?
Nick didn't want to admit it, but visiting Rubacava had made many old memories wake inside him. During the trip back he had looked back to old times, how he had taken care of Maximino's business, sat late in High Roller's Lounge, exchanged a word or two with Olivia...
He shook his head in disgust. He had been in those pictures long enough to create the image that nothing could get through his hard shell, but look where he was now.
He missed Rubacava; it was so different from Nuevo Marrow. More stylish, mystic, older, fascinating.
More romantic.
And Rubacava was his home, the only place in the world where he could relax.
"I don't have time for this," he muttered and headed out of his office to tell Hector what had happened in Rubacava. He couldn't betray him; the afterlife in Nuevo Marrow was way too nice.
He didn't want back to Rubacava; he was just shaken a bit.
Nick hurried to get to his boss before he had the chance to change his mind. Maximino had to be stopped before he could do any serious damage and who knew what kind of reward Hector would give him?
When he arrived at the elevator and saw that it was coming down he could guess who was coming. And when the doors opened with a 'ping' he knew he had been right.
Olivia, again.
Hector probably doesn't survive a moment without his woman, Nick thought not showing his despise. He understood the boss' desire to keep a woman near him, but he thought those activities were for free time.
"If you are going to meet Hector I suggest you do it now. He is on a good mood," Olivia stated stepping past him and not giving him a single glance.
"Well, that one I believe," Nick muttered so quietly that he didn't think Olivia heard.
At least he was sure he wouldn't have to fight for Hector's attention, now the man was certainly alone. It was sometimes really frustrating to wait for hours to just say him few words.
He felt nervous when he knocked at the door and waited to be called in. Olivia had said Hector was on a good mood, but the woman might have lied just to amuse herself.
"Come in," Hector's low voice was heard and Nick gathered his courage and opened the door. Unlike many other powerful men he knew Hector LeMans didn't have guards on the door to his office. Nick suspected he was too afraid of betrayal.
"Ah, Nick. I already heard you had come back from Rubacava. So tell me, what was the trip like?" Hector asked friendly, but Nick didn't let himself be fooled. He knew the man was only interested in what Maximino had said.
"I met Maximino in the High Roller's Lounge. The place has suffered a great deal since I last saw it, there is no way he can compete with Nuevo Marrow," he started.
Hector nodded.
"What did he say? Was he surprised to see you?" he wanted to know.
Nick knew he had to reveal Maximino's intentions. It was the only sensible option right now.
He opened his mouth...
"Yes?" Hector asked.
"I didn't notice anything wrong. Maximino was polite and ready to fulfil your every wish and if he is planning betrayal he didn't say me a word about it," Nick said not actually believing what he was doing. He hadn't been about to say that, the words had just come from somewhere.
Hector looked thoughtful.
"Strange. And I thought he'd trust you, you were one of his closest men after all. I guess I underestimated him, Maximino might not be as stupid as I thought," he muttered quietly.
Nick nodded, but didn't dare to say anything. He felt really hollow and he feared Hector would know he was lying with just one glance.
He was lying to the most powerful and dangerous man in the Land of the Dead!
"You are excused Nick, I think we both have work to do," Hector said and Nick didn't need to be told twice. He nodded and left as fast as possible without seeming suspicious.
He was a traitor.
---
Despite what Nick thought Olivia had heard his muttering. What the man had said amused her greatly, she realised he despised both her and Hector because of their so public relationship.
She didn't give a damn about what an unimportant man like Nick thought, but she was disturbed too because of the way how Hector declared her his own. Maximino had let her take care of her own club in Rubacava and go wherever she wanted without the man's approval. It was her own business when she came to meet him and there had sometimes been days without them seeing each other.
But Hector LeMans was different. He of course loved her, but he had his own rules. He told her when she was free, when not and when he wanted to enjoy her company. Without his permission Olivia couldn't leave Nuevo Marrow and if she was gone for too long Hector sent someone after her.
Olivia was an independent woman and that kind of behaviour really irritated her. If Hector hadn't been her ticket to success she would have dumped him a long time ago not caring how dangerous he was.
She liked danger and had to admit that despite how well things were, she was bored. Olivia wasn't used to being that safe and she felt like someone had imprisoned her soul in a small, safe and soft box.
The woman sighed, she didn't usually do that if she wasn't sure she was alone. She didn't want anyone to get the impression that she could be weak at times too.
But something interesting she had to come up with.
And suddenly her thoughts returned to the man who had made her ponder this.
Nick Virago.
Olivia snorted. Maybe it was Nick who could arrange her some amusement.
Something dangerous.
---
Toto shook his head to himself and had he been alone he would have sighed in frustration.
Imagine, he had sent Lola on an easy and simple mission and she cane back talking like no tomorrow. If what she said would have been something sensible, but now...
"Maximino was a true gentleman. You know, I used to think that he was just as proud and cold as the others in the upper town, but now my opinion has changed. Despite that his business isn't doing well right now he was very warm towards me and I felt really special..." Lola explained excitedly.
Blah, blah, blah, blah... Toto thought tiredly. He sat on his small and dirty bed in his shop and Lola had taken over the chair that was in a decent shape.
"But did you find out anything useful?" he asked not even trying to hide how annoyed he was. Lola closed her mouth glancing at him hurt, but Toto didn't care. This was his home and he had the right to do anything he wanted.
"If you mean if he said anything about betrayal, the answer is no. Maximino is not that stupid, he won't tell something like that to a woman he has just met. He is way too intelligent and clever and I am going to have to work really hard to make him trust me. What do you think, should I get a new dress for the next time?" Lola asked hopefully, but an angry glare from Toto silenced her.
She sighed.
"And we didn't even have much time to talk. Nick Virago showed up and I had to leave," she said.
"Nick Virago? What is he doing here?" Toto asked pleased that he finally got some interesting information. So the money and time he had spent with this project hadn't gone completely to waste.
Lola shrugged.
"Came to talk with Maximino. That snake, first he betrays the most talented business man in the Land of the Dead and then comes back like nothing has happened. He is just the type of man that I despise," she announced her opinion. Toto shrugged.
"He came to see his equal. Maximino is an important part of Hector's crime organisation. I hope you remembered to add that to your fantasies," he said sharply and Lola flinched. Maximino had been so nice that she had totally forgotten that they were enemies.
Remembering that hurt her more than she had thought and she scolded herself for being so stupid. Maximino was on the other side of the war and nothing would change that.
"Do you have anything else to say? Anything that could help?" Toto asked and Lola woke up from her thoughts. She shook her head.
"Nothing," she replied.
"I see. I will write to Salvador and tell him to make someone follow Virago around. And while I do that you are going to change that dress into something more proper. It makes you look like a slut," Toto said.
"Doesn't that fit the atmosphere of this place?" Lola asked sharply.
"You look like a too expensive slut," Toto added not lifting his gaze from the box filled with junk, where he tried to find some paper.
Lola watched her partner's doings for a while before standing up to leave. She was tired and knew she was no use there now. She could as well go home to sleep.
And have dreams about Maximino.
To be continued...
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