The hallways grew narrower, and Howard started to see cameras everywhere as they were led along. This was definitely a high-security prisoner. The thought of having to partner with someone like that did not sit well with Howard.

“James Tillman is the man who we are going to see next,” Sanders explained to Howard, “He led a small but influential underground gang in North California. Obviously, he got busted, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a successful one.”

“A radical teenager with a gun?” Howard asked in disbelief. Why would they want someone like that?

“Wrong type of gang,” Sanders told him, “He is a grown man. He knows his way around politics, business, and places you don’t even want to think about. He is the leader of the type of gang that could walk down the street and no one would be any wiser. That is unless someone got in their way.”

That didn’t help Howard’s opinion of the guy at all. “Are you trying to kill us?” Howard asked.

“Actually, he has claimed that he turned over a new leaf,” Sanders explained, “With lots of proof to back him up, so this is the chance we decided to offer him.”

“You are trying to kill us,” Howard concluded.

“I am going too,” Sanders reminded him, “and last I checked, I am not suicidal.”

Their guide suddenly stopped in front of a door. “This is where you will meet him,” he said and opened it. It was a bare room, save for chairs bolted to the ground. There were artificially lighted windows high enough up that a giraffe might not be able to reach. Everything about the room gave Howard chills. He should have gotten more details before he signed the contract. Unfortunately, it was too late now.

They waited for several excruciatingly long minutes before a man was led in flanked by four guards. Sanders gestured for the guards to leave, and they did so with great reluctance.

“They still hate me,” the man commented. He didn’t sound like a man who was beaten or even worried at all. In fact, he seemed fairly confident and pleased with his current situation. He knew why Sanders was there, and he probably planned the whole thing somehow.

Howard tried to stop his thoughts from wandering into such dangerous prospects. It was hard not to, though. Even in a prison uniform, James looked like he belonged on the top. Whatever he did, he would always be the best at it. That was the impression he gave.

Sanders took out a copy of the contract. “We are here to offer you a deal,” he told him.

“I know,” James said, “I’m in.”

“Are you sure?” Agent Sanders asked, “You don’t even know what the deal is yet.”

“Do I need an explanation to accept a once in a lifetime opportunity? If I was chosen, I am sure I will be able to handle it. I’m in.” James insisted.

Sanders hesitated but handed over the contract and a pen. James signed it and handed it back. It was so easy that Howard wasn’t sure what had just happened. He felt like it wasn’t good, though, that may have just been the influence of the creepy room. James had to be up to something.

“Who is this?” James asked, turning his piercing gaze to Howard, “He doesn’t seem like one of your kind.”

Agent Sanders smiled. “This is Howard Lox. He will be on the team with you.”

“What kind of crime is he in this for?” James asked, his interest piqued.

Howard didn’t want this conversation to continue. “Just the wrong place at the wrong time,” he replied sharply, “Of course, that wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t decided to discuss top-secret matters in my house.”

There was a moment of silence, then James burst out laughing. “This is going to be so much more fun than I thought!”

For some reason, the idea of James having fun sounded more menacing than anything else, despite his incredibly cheerful laugh.

‘Wonderful,” Sanders said with a wide smile of his own, “I will have Natalie and yourself escorted to the helicopter. Howard, why don’t you go with them. I have something I need to take care of.”

Going with James was the last thing Howard wanted to do without the protection of an agent, but he didn’t think he actually had a choice. He got up out of the ridiculously uncomfortable chair and waited.

The door opened and Sanders said a few words to the guards before he slipped past. The guards came in and escorted them out. Howard couldn’t help but feel like he was a prisoner himself, and he felt even worse when he saw Natalie being escorted by a single guard on the way. If this was just the beginning, what kind of people were next?