Page 136 of Nash Falls

“Until then.”

Victoria rose just as the guard pounded on the door and called out, “Time.”

He opened the portal and Victoria stepped through. She took one last look at her mother and then settled her gaze on the guard.

The fat one. Yes, indeed, she thought contemptuously. But also tactically, for gluttony and greed went hand in hand. And because opportunities were everywhere and one needed to be ready to seize them.

He said, “You will follow me to the exit. Now.”

She surprised him by saying, “There is no need. I know the way. Now.”

As she moved off, she thought that she did indeed know the way. Now.

CHAPTER

66

BYRON’S BROTHER RUNS A BARBERSHOP. Taught him all he knows ’bout cuttin’ hair, right, Byron?” said Shock.

“Yep, but this here job won’t take much skill,” replied Jackson.

Nash was seated on a stool with a towel around his shoulders. Shock and Jackson stood next to him, the latter with an electric shaver in hand. Nash had grown the trim beard and goatee that Shock had requested. And now, after his work was done for the day, Nash had been told that they had other changes to him that needed to be done.

“All of it?” said Nash.

“All of it,” replied Shock.

“Why not leave a little? I’ll still look different.”

“I need the canvas.”

“The what?” said Nash, startled.

“Thecanvas. You’ll see, Walter.”

“I’m not sure about this.”

“Do you trust me or not?”

Nash sighed and nodded at Jackson. Five minutes later all he had left was scalp.

Jackson said appreciatively, “Not a bad dome you got, Walter. I seen worse.”

Shock looked more closely. “That’s good, smoother the better.”

“You mentioned acanvas?” said Nash.

Shock went to a cabinet and pulled out a set of binders. He brought them back to a small table, and all three men sat around it. Shock opened the first binder and slid it across.

“Let me know when somethin’ tickles your fancy.”

“Wait, are these… tattoo designs?” said Nash, glancing sharply at him.

“Skin art, they call it. Amazin’ shit they can do these days. I’ve got some old tats from Nam. Man, they did not hold up all that well. Or maybeIdidn’t. Your daddy had tats, too.”

“I know. I saw them. A knife on his right arm, an eagle on his back, and a spear on his left arm. But why tattoos for me?”

“They don’t change just your skin and appearance. They change how someoneperceivesyou, I mean, below the skin. Mild-mannered businessman disappears when we get some of this shit on you.”