After long hours of interrogation, Artemis sighed. Apparently the man knew nothing except being hired as a hit man to get Mulch. Artemis was dog-tired.

“So Artemis, what now?” Mulch asked.

“I’m not exactly sure. Who did you rip off again?” asked Artemis. Mulch never actually told him so he figured now would be a good time.

“The Bellagio Casino. My bank account is frozen now. Although they don’t know I have about five others,” Mulch said with a grin. One look at Artemis’ face whipped it off. “I don’t know what your so pissed about Mud Boy. You live for ripping people off.”

Artemis sighed. He really didn’t know why he was so mad. Usually he would help Mulch with this sort of thing. “I guess it’s for my parents.” His mind replayed their tortured faces in his memory. They looked so hopeful to see him yet so lost and heartbroken. He looked down at the table.

He looked down toward his shirt and realized how horrible he looked covered in blood. Artemis stood up. “I think I should go change now.” Mulch didn’t say anything but got up himself and raided the refrigerator. Artemis shook his head and headed for his room.

The hot shower felt so soothing to Artemis and his strained muscles. He dried off and put on a new change of clothes.

“I don’t know anything except that they paid me good money. They told me to kill him and get out. That’s all,” said the shooter. “Are you sure that’s all,” Butlers voice had said.

“Yes.”

“Who hired you?”

“Nate Lawliet.”

Nate Lawliet. Why did that name sound so familiar to Artemis? He could never place his tongue on it whenever he thought of the name. I know this name, he thought. Why do I know his name?

Suddenly there was a knock on his door.

“Come in.”

“Artemis, we have a small problem,” said Butler. He wasn’t pulling out his gun and he didn’t look anxious.

“What is it?”
“Your parents are coming home tonight and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to come home to a hostage saying ‘I was only told to kill him. Nothing more.’”

Artemis grimaced. Yes that would be a problem. Particularly since he promised both his parents that he would calm down about certain events like these.

“Very well. Any ideas?”

Butler looked him straight in the eye and smiled.

“One.”