Chapter 23
Frank felt it happen.
The old coldness crept in, like it used to back when he hurt people for a living. Numbed detachment flowed from his head down to his feet. He felt his face go flat, his eyelids dropping halfway. He straightened, back stiff and hands relaxed at his sides.
Showtime.
“How you want to play it, Boss?” Horace said, the usual humorous edge gone from his voice. His old friend was all business. He could read Frank like a book, and probably felt the same changes in his own body right now.
Frank didn’t answer. Instead, he tapped Fred on the shoulder.
“Stand up, kid,” he said. “Nice and slow. Look at me.”
“Hey, mister,” Fred said, getting shakily to his feet. “I did everything you said. Please don’t hurt—“
“It’s okay, Fred,” Frank said, stepping back to give th
