CHAPTER 5. 5. A SPECIMEN OF NAIVETY

"If you don't obey me and do exactly what I say, either she'll be imprisoned for your murder from jealousy, or you'll be wanted for killing her in self-defense. From this moment I'm your commander, and any insubordination will be punished instantly under martial law. Call home and listen to your wife tearfully begging you to show sense."

He had to reactivate his phone and confirm they indeed had guests at home.

"Now you'll change into clothing from this bundle, and we'll leave so I can give you a comprehensive answer to your question," declared the new superior.

"Please turn away," came the request with hope of getting a chance to strike this creature from behind with something heavy. "Why be imprisoned for murdering a beloved wife when one could be imprisoned for murdering such vermin?" flashed through his mind like lightning.

"I won't be embarrassed seeing you naked. And I advise you not to be shy while I snap a couple selfies against such a handsome backdrop for my personal archive," replied the face begging for a brick.

"Take your pictures — and shove the phone where the sun doesn’t shine," he responded and changed clothes.

After changing, she ordered silence and stillness, beginning makeup application.

"You possibly know the feudal formulation: 'My vassal's vassal is not my vassal,'" she began explanatory work.

"Between us exists only one difference: I received specialized education, you didn't. Otherwise we're very similar: I was given an assignment and execute it, and you receive assignments to execute. Just as I was trained in discipline and professional ethics, you need learning the same. The story with your family can unfold differently. Currently my people work with them gently and tenderly, ensuring your successful relocation to where you'll begin assignment execution. Had these been not my people but those who assign me tasks, your wife would indeed be imprisoned for your murder, and your son placed in boarding school. Thus they'll maintain your subordination if I fail through kindness," she performed her "bad cop" routine.

"Now what means 'through kindness'?" she posed the inevitable question and began answering herself:

"Nobody knows what occurs here behind closed doors, and we could spend this time not on briefings but making love. You'd exit here caressing me with adoring gaze and joyfully fulfilling my every whim. In such case they'd control you through me, not wife and child. Your family would continue normal life with my people watching from afar. From you only elementary respect for me is required and a loving gaze, which you can begin practicing now. In our language such relations are called 'honey trap.' Blink if you agree."

Thoughts about his wife's and son's fate filled his consciousness. His relatives' fate was immeasurably more important than relations with a strange woman, especially one working for his tormentors. He swallowed the bait and blinked.