VIII.

Aleph nodded to the elf in front of him and then said, “Anything new?’

“After observing the subject following a woman to her house, which you have pictures of, he proceeded to perform oral sex on her,” Simon said. He was nervous because Aleph was the top guy in the unit and was talking directly to him. “We have a video link up so we’ll be able to show the subject’s wife.”

“Okay, good,” Aleph said. “But let’s cut the shit. You can call him Mr. Claus and his wife Mrs. Claus. Sometimes the professionalism wears a little thin.”

“Yes sir.”

“Mrs. Claus is leaning towards termination of her husband so once she signs the papers, it’s a go.”

“Did she say how she wanted it done?”

Aleph shook his head. “No, but in most cases, the wives don’t usually bring that up. I’ll give her a few choices. I imagine she’ll probably just tell me to make it quick, but to also let him know why it’s happening.”

“And the mystery woman?”

“I have to think about that. There’s something strange about her and I’d like to investigate further before we do anything rash. But if she gets in the way, I will not hesitate to give the order for termination. We can’t afford another slip-up like last year.”

Simon gulped. “You mean St. Petersburg?”

“Yeah,” Aleph said. “If that happens again, we’re all fucked. You’ll be fired and I’ll be licking the pecker snot off the floor of the Yuletide whorehouses. I’m not doing that.” Aleph turned and started to the door. “Never again.”