"???"
Kamen stared for a beat, then tugged a smile across his face, a vein jumping on his brow as his eyes narrowed.
"Ah, that. I'd already forgotten. Don't tell me you still remember? Hahaha." He played it off, teeth clenched hard.
He knew that at this point Reiner had no reason to lie to him. But why bring this up now, of all times?
Bastard!!!
Kamen wanted to slap Reiner across the face, but the hand he raised came back down.
In prison, assault meant extra time—no upside for him.
Besides, his assets had been all but confiscated. Even if Reiner hadn't stolen anything, the MPs would have seized it anyway.
Sigh.
With that thought, Kamen sagged, slumping onto the bunk beside Roger Eikam.
Seeing Kamen's face, Roger didn't share the despair. It actually amused him.
"Kamen, out of moves already?" Roger asked with a smile.
Kamen shot him a furious glare. "Wipe that grin off, you petty snake! After everything I did to raise you—and this is how you repay me? Don't forget, without my gang, there wouldn't be a 'Scorpio Group' at all! You—and those wilted greens you call subordinates—were all propped up by me! Where's your conscience, Reiner!"
Roger laughed.
"I'll admit it: being a Kamen affiliate brought Scorpio plenty of perks. But we've paid you, year after year. You took a cut of every deal. Call it what it is—we bought those 'perks.' Since when does business run on conscience?"
"You—!"
Kamen choked on the words.
Think on it and it's true. Even as Scorpio grew, Kamen's outfit skimmed a fat share. "Help" wasn't the word.
And that banner of his wasn't worth much in the end—otherwise he wouldn't be sitting in an MP cell.
"Heh." Out of ammo, Kamen pivoted to save face. "Awkward, isn't it? All that pride, all that lip—and look where you are. Same cage as me. What are you so smug about?!"
He laughed, pushed to his feet, and waved the other gang bosses over, inviting them to enjoy the spectacle and laugh at Roger.
Roger couldn't have cared less.
"If I wanted out, I'd walk. But there's one thing I came here to do."
"Keep blowing," Kamen sneered. Roger hadn't shown him respect; he saw no reason to play "big brother" anymore.
Ridiculous, really. Kamen beckoned the others closer to gawk at the "idiot."
Roger just listened, smiling, and lay back in the corner to wait for the person he expected to show.
Sure enough, just as he drifted into a doze, the cell door clanged open and a group of men walked in.
The one in front had a cigarette in his mouth. He looked at Roger and grinned, even gave a little wave.
"Yo, Roger—doing time?"
"Mm." Roger yawned. He'd been waiting a long while for Kenny to show, and had almost nodded off.
Kenny snickered. He hadn't expected Roger to be this dumb—delivering himself on a platter.
He hadn't bothered to grab him before because it hadn't been worth it. Now a bunch of militia had done it for him. That told Kenny that this Roger had no clout at all—just a trinket hanging from "Scorpio's" belt. If the organization couldn't even keep its boss free, it wasn't much of an organization.
"If I'm not wrong," Roger tested, "those two old friends you mentioned should be on their way."
At that, Kenny drew long on his cigarette and flicked the butt to the floor.
"No. You're overthinking it. Those two ladies haven't been stirred—yet. But they'll be along soon enough to do some terrible things to you. Hope you're ready."
"You mean they'll eat me?" Roger smiled. "I figured as much. But I'd prefer not to wait. I want to see them as soon as possible."
"Oh?" Kenny raised a brow. "Why?"
"I miss them terribly." Roger put on a theatrical whine. "They must have told you—we were classmates once. Took different paths and drifted apart. It's been a long time. I get sentimental, Kenny. You know how it is?"
"Nope. Never went to school," Kenny shrugged. "But sure, I 'get' you, Roger."
He said it like he meant it, but he was only amusing himself; he didn't buy a word.
The gang bosses stared, baffled.
What the hell?
Who was this guy, really?
How was he chatting so chummily with Scorpio's head?
An insider?
An MP?
Kamen blinked, then half-caught it: so Reiner's real name was "Roger."
"I'm asking you, Kenny—please." Roger shifted to an earnest tone. "Have them come tonight. I truly want to see them, and I have something important to say."
"What thing?" Kenny asked.
"Something important."
"Important how?"
"Very important."
Roger pressed it, looking anxious.
Kenny thought a moment, then shrugged, indifferent.
Fine. He'd come mainly to confirm that this was indeed Roger anyway.
If the man insisted he had a secret, they could let him spill it.
"You've talked yourself hoarse, huh. All right, Roger. I pity you—so I'll do you that favor," Kenny said, as if reluctantly. "Tomorrow they'll see you and you can spill your secret to your heart's content—before you die."
"No," Roger shook his head. "It has to be tonight."
"Why?"
"No reason," Roger said, serious. "This secret concerns the future of all humanity. If I don't see them tonight, then… I will kill myself in this prison"
"Oh? That dire?" Kenny toyed with him—until he caught Roger's scowl. "Fine. I'll try."
The door shut with a scrape.
He left.
By dusk, as dinner was served, someone came.
But it wasn't Pieck or Annie. It was a slightly portly minister.
In the cell's dim yellow light, Roger made out the face, let a satisfied smile slip, and spoke the man's name.
"I know you, Lord Rod Reiss. An honor—if unexpected."
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