Conversation · Ruby, the Instigator

"Plenty of broken people who don't come with that kind of body count. Besides, they're paid well for what they do."

"I have other questions." (Conclude.)

"I'm listening."

"You have a gun."

"And?"

"I know you don't like old things, but do you... sell antique rifles on the side?"

"Never really got into weapons trafficking. Especially not old weapons -- they break too often, and you don't want unhappy customers among gun collectors."

"I can't quite tell... what kind of gun is it?"

"A Nachtwey 80 front-loader. Two-barrelled -- not really what you were looking for, I'm guessing."

"That... isn't... it..."

That merc was probably shot from a distance with a military-grade rifle. Otherwise everyone at the Whirling would have heard the shot downstairs.

"Where did you get it?"

"The gun store."

"What gun store?"

"Trigger-Happy Jack's."

"Really? Trigger..."

"What did you think? That I'm going to squeal on my gun supplier? Sorry, I'm not that kind of gal."

"That doesn't... sound like the name of a real store."

(Wince.) "There's other evidence I want to ask you about." (Conclude.)

"Yeah. Evidence."

"Do you... collect guns... maybe old rifles?"

"No, they're not practical. Break too often."

A doubt creeps over you. She sounds so sure of everything. So... not guilty.

"I see it's a front-loader. Do you have another... gun somewhere?"

"Sure don't."

"A breechloader?"

"No."

This is such a wipeout.