98: Four words

Sweat rolled down Maksim’s temples even with the AC on. The tip of his shoes drummed into the tiled floors as he waited for the Mayor in the narrow hallway. The receptionist had directed him to this spot after calling Mayor T to confirm. Camilla had called the man yesterday before he left Sin City to book the appointment, and he had called him again this morning on his way here. He missed his wife, and it had only been a day. How was she doing?

The tote bag was at his feet, and his phone was in his pocket. He had to kill Viktor today. This visit to the Mayor’s house was the perfect cover-up for execution. Up ahead, a red light blinked at intervals. Security had searched him and the tote bag before letting him inside. He was alone in the hallway, seated on a cushioned bench lining the white wall. The receptionist told him the mayor was ready to see him, but ten minutes had passed without the man showing up.

A door cracked open, and the mayor’s bald head po