by Dan E. Boy
Chewy slumped back in his chair, wondering how he would manage to contact the Rhymer.
There was a sudden knock at the door.
"It can't be that easy," Chewy said under his breath.
"Open this door, or I blow it up," Dan said from the other side.
Chewy got up and walked across the room. He slid the door's chain off and opened it. "Rhyme Guardian, I presume," Chewy said.
"That's me, Walrus-Boy. Now, I'm coming in, and you're going to let me."
"Even if I could, I wouldn't try to stop you."
The two men contemplated each other for a minute, then Dan entered the room.
"Whoever you work for, they ain't much for accommodation," Dan said, taking in the cheap, cramped surroundings.
"All the better for surveillance work," Chewy simply said.
"This European politician fellow you're working for..." Dan began.
"I assume you know something about him. Something about the chip he's carrying. Something you should probably let me know about," Chewy said, interrupting.
"Something like that. I'm betting you don't know what this guy's really up to. You're just operating on orders. That right, Walrus?"
"That's about the size of it."
"Okay. I'll tell you what I know, but only because I need your trust if I'm going to put a stop to this guy."
"You need my trust, Dan? Does that work the other way around?"
"Of course not. Don't be silly. There's only two people in the world I trust, and one of them is standing in front of you."
"Figured as much. So, fill me in on this chip."