Cooperate Or Die

Alexander sat at his usual table in the local coffeehouse, sipping warmed chocolate and reading the news. He was supposed to be in the store helping his father wash the dirty baking sheets, but this had become his regular activity instead.

"I need to talk to you."

He recognized the voice and replied without looking up from his paper. "No."

Demenik pulled out the chair across from Alexander and sat down. "Yes."

"You've been coming to my father's house for a long time now."

"Almost a year."

Alexander shrugged, still looking at his paper. "An eternity in hell, if you ask me. I believe that more words have passed from my lips in this exchange than the entire time at the house."

"By a long measure."

"And in a moment, I will resume my silence." His eyes flicked up to meet Demenik's. "Now, leave me alone or I will have you thrown out."

Demenik chuckled and pointed at Alexander's cup. "You're almost empty. Can I buy you another?"

"Hells no."

"Suit yourself." Demenik signalled the waitress and ordered a coffee and an almond tart.

"Anything for you, Alex?" she asked.

"My appetite is ruined." He looked back at his paper.

Demenik leaned back in his chair and watched Alexander while he waited for the coffee and pastry to arrive. When it did, he thanked the waitress by name and spooned sugar into his cup before taking a sip and nodding. "It appears that you and I are to be partners."

"You rave like a madman." Alexander flipped the page. "More evidence for the Keeper when I charge you with harassment."

"We will be speaking with the Keeper together, and very soon. I imagine they will separate us for some of the conversation, which is why I am here now. We need to discuss our story."

Alexander sighed and put the paper on the table. "What are you carrying on about?"

"Finally I have your attention. Excellent." Demenik leaned forward and lowered his voice. "We are going to identify the man responsible for killing Hector."

"What?" Alexander didn't know what to say. Yesterday afternoon, he had met with Riley. The Keeper had told him in no uncertain terms to keep his accusation about Demenik to himself. When he had protested, the Keeper had become stern and warned him that bad things would happen if he were to come forward with the claim. "You want me to come forward and name the killer? With you?"

"That's the plan. I will go first, and name you as a witness. Then you will meet with the Keeper and tell him the same story as mine."

"Story?" Alexander's eyes widened. "You want to blame someone unjustly?"

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you were going to confess."

Demenik barked a short laugh and shook his head. "Why would I admit to something that I did not do?"

Alexander stared at him.

"Well, isn't that prime. You think I did it? I certainly hope you haven't been spreading that kind of slander around."

Alexander pursed his lips and shook his head.

"Oh gods." Demenik lowered his face into his palm. "You're a horrible liar."

"I am excellent at it."

Demenik looked up, the tone of his voice cold. "Then make certain you use the skill properly when we go to the Keeper or you'll get yourself killed."

"I won't be going with you to the Keeper, idiot."

'Do you know the reward for information leading to the solving of this crime?"

"Everyone knows."

"Then what's your problem? We work together and you get a portion of the reward."

"Portion?"

"Sixty gold coins."

"The reward is two hundred."

"Of which you will receive sixty."

"You are mad."

"Fine." Demenik stood up. "You can have zero, then. This wasn't my idea anyway, but now I can at least say I tried. It's on you now." He pushed his chair in and started to stroll away.

"Wait."

Demenik turned.

"Come back here."

Demenik returned to the table, sat down, took another bite of tart, and looked at Alexander.

"I want more."

Demenik shook his head. "You don't like me. That is obvious."

"I had Hector lay the beatings on you."

Demenik cocked his head and narrowed his eyes.

"He offered to do it for free when I asked him." Alexander smiled. "But I wanted to pay him. I wish he had killed you, like the one that used to come before you."

Demenik smirked and then shrugged. "I will approach the Keeper first. I expect he will not believe me, and then I will say you witnessed the event as well. Expect him to speak with you soon after."

Alexander shook his head. "Didn't you hear me?"

"Of course. Did you hear me?"

"You are insane."

"Listen, you had no choice when your father brought me to the bakery. Hiring Hector was an attempt at control over your destiny, but it failed. You want control over your life? I offer you a choice in this matter." Demenik smiled and held up two fingers. "Do this and earn sixty gold. Refuse and die." He shrugged and popped the last bit of tart into his mouth. "When I entered this shop, I didn't care either way. Now I hope you choose the second option."

Alexander shook his head and sighed. "I will need to think about this."

"Why does that not surprise me." Demenik stood and slapped Alexander on the back. "That's the main difference between us, I think. You take too much time to deliberate over simple decisions. Cooperate and live, or don't." He shrugged. "That is the question before us. For me, the choice is easy. I'll meet you here tomorrow. Same time, same table. If you agree, then you will show up and we move forward with the plan. If not"—Demenik's grin was chilling—"I'll ask to kill you myself."

"I'm not sure I will be here tomorrow." Alexander tried to sound confident, but his voice shook.

Demenik sauntered away, holding two fingers up in the air. "I hope you aren't."