Chapter 4 - Intrigue - Phantom

Phantom was starting to believe this man was not to be underestimated. Firstly he had tracked him to that god-forsaken bar (not overly taxing a relatively skilled tail could of accomplished that), to chase him through the flea-bitten back streets of Berlin (not really a merit of great aclaim as long as you are in good shape and have a head for thinking on your feet) but to appear in his home, that was a feat in itself both in finding it (ahead of Phantom's arrival) and gaining access. It is true that Phantom could not bring himself to install motion sensor equipment or thermal registration software or any of the new-fangled gizmo's his colleges tended to rely on but there was a fair amount of 'old school' security measure, it was evident this stranger knew his craft. "I really wish you'd stop all this nonsense." Phantom, now over the shock of someone daring to violate his inner sanctum, was instantly enraged by such a patronising statement delivered by a man who by all accounts had only just started shaving. "What's stopping me from killing you, right now," Phantoms words dripped with malice and muscle memory had his revolver already in his hand and trained on his target before the sentence had finished echoing around the dimly lit room. "Absolutely nothing but then you won't find out why I was sent." "What makes you think that I care," Phantom strolled over to a small table, sat between two height backed leather armchairs and removed a silencer from a concealed drawer in it. He circled around the second of the chairs, why he had two chairs was a mystery as this stranger was the first to set foot in it apart from himself, and slowly screwed the suppressor to the barrel of the revolver. He looked up from the pistol to the stranger, looking into his eyes, for once Phantom didn't have his spectacles on, so both men stared eye to eye. There was nothing in the man's eyes. A persons eyes are the windows to their soul and this man had nothing. So young yet there was no passion, no fear, no... nothing. Phantom had known many killers in his time, men who had performed hannis crimes against nature, violations against human rights but very few were completely dead inside, this devoid of life. So much potential wasted on a government sap, with training and time, this man could become great. Phantom was now suddenly oddly intrigued. The reason for the strangers visit aside, the man himself was the intriguing part. Phantom slowly lowered his weapon. A tense minute passed, second by aching second, a minute that spanned a century and Phantom eventual broke the deadlock and motioned to one of the chairs. Slightly perplexed by Phantoms motives, he man tentatively accepted. "You will remain here," an order more than anything else and with that Phantom left the room via a side door. With the light from this side door and the artificial glow from the fire place the features of the room could be seen, for what it was worth. Apart from the two armchairs and the small table there was very little else to furnish the room. A hat stand by the door, a writing bureau position itself in a corner and that was it. The only decoration was a rather large painting hung over the fireplace. The painting was nothing special and by an unknown artist, it's subject was of some handsome military type, not overly decorated but what caught the mans attention was the pride and honour in the subjects face. Phantom came back into the room a few minutes later, he had changed his clothes (a smart dark grey suit, similar to his drunks disguise but a more expensive material and slightly better fit), Phantom had neatened up his bandages and he now had a pair of wrap around spectacles that concealed his eyes. He removed a curious silver contraption out of his jacket pocket and placed it delicately on the table next to an ornate crystal ashtray. With that he sat down in the adjacent armchair, placed a thin cigarette between his bandages and began to smoke. The time slowly clicked by and the stranger started almost twitching with the need to engage Phantom with what he had to say, this man, for all his skill was new and eager but his training in negotiations and intelligence gathering was controlling him enough to allow Phantom to start the proceedings, of coarse Phantom knew this and revelled in watching the silence choke his 'guest' into a near fit. Phantom finished his cigarette and with an exhalation of smoke, he spoke in a harsh tone, "No more tricks, no more running, you say your piece and leave, do you understand?" "I understand but once you hear what I have to say you may want to leave with me."