PULP & POPCORN

Page 31
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Felix drove much too fast on his way to the boarding house where Maruf was
supposed to be staying, playing over his conversation with Fleming in his head. It was clear
there was something very strange about the guy, but there was a chance that was just part of
whatever it was that made him such a reliable hit machine for the studio.
Felix was out of the car and on the hoof as soon as he pulled up in front of the
building. He walked up and down the front of the block, looking around to see if there was
any sign of David anywhere. He marched into the building, up the stairs, and then kicked
the door to the third floor room open.
Maruf rolled off the far side of the bed. It only took Felix two long steps to get there,
but Maruf was gone. No sign of him. Felix flipped the bed, but to no avail. Felix looked
around, furious. “You think this is a game?”
Felix kicked over furniture as he walked farther into the room. “I’m missing a friend.
Last time I saw him, he was on his way here to check up on you.”
Maruf stepped into the doorway, but somehow he did it from inside the bedroom,
behind Felix. “David Gordon, right?”
Felix turned quickly, gun up, and Maruf stayed still. “Where is he?”
“I don’t like being followed.”
“I didn’t ask you what you like. I asked you if you know where David Gordon is.
Don’t make me ask you again.”
“I also don’t like people coming into my room uninvited. It’s rude.”
Frustrated, Felix shook his head. “You’re not listening to me…” He fired his gun once,
and Maruf’s left knee exploded, driving him to the ground screaming. “That’s what’s rude.
Because I came in here to ask a few questions and you pulled a knife on me.”
“WHAT KNIFE?!” Maruf howled.