Chapter 9 - The Bargain of Blood
"Come on out, waitress," Ponytail called out, his voice echoing off the corrugated steel walls.
Mave stepped slowly out from behind the pillar.
Brutus was uncharacteristically completely still, knowing a single wrong move would mean his death.
The dog's yellow eyes locked onto Mave, silently pleading.
"Slide the notebook across the floor, or I butcher the mutt right now," Ponytail demanded.
Mave knew he was not bluffing.
She reached into the deep front pocket of her ruined, blood-stained apron.
Her fingers brushed against the smooth leather of the black notebook.
She pulled it out and held it up for him to see.
"Let the dog go first," Mave said.
Ponytail laughed, a dry, grating sound.
"You are in no position to negotiate, sweetheart. Slide it."
Mave looked at Brutus, then dropped the notebook onto the slick concrete and kicked it forward.
It slid smoothly across the floor, stopping just inches from Ponytail's expensive leather shoes.
He stepped heavily onto the book, securing his prize.
"Good girl," he sneered.
Then, he raised the serrated knife higher, preparing to plunge it deep into the pit bull's neck anyway.
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A deafening gunshot erupted from the far side of the warehouse.
Ponytail's shoulder exploded in a fine mist of bright red blood.
