Enter Doyle, part one, Chapter 1d; Steampunked, part 4.<br />---<br />A click, and a curved blade sprung upwards through the box, accompanied by a spray gout of blood as it tore through whatever was beneath the lid. A scream cut short. A hand, limp. Quiet, as the pool of blood slowly expanded.<br /><br />The lights in the room flashed, the signal that the real show would be starting soon. The patrons began to make their way out of the private room into the main theatre.<br /><br />One stayed behind. He walked up the steps onto the stage and grasped the hand sticking out of the box. Bend down, felt the blood, smeared it between his fingers, then tasted it.<br /><br />Doyle stepped out of the shadows. "Satisfied, Adrian?"<br /><br />The man looked to him. "Efficient. An execution device and a coffin, all in one."<br /><br />Doyle stared at him coldly. "Yeah? Well, we're even now. My favor's paid off. Don't ask for another." He held out his hand.<br /><br />Adrian pulled a roll of money from his pocket and handed it to the imposing figure. Doyle thumbed through it, counting quickly.<br /><br />"Enjoy the show," Doyle said gruffly, as Adrian walked from the private stage towards the main theatre.<br /><br />*****<br /><br />The door opened, and Doyle walked into the green room behind the smaller theatre. He looked at the woman sitting there, putting on a wig. "Mirian. That was a good performance."<br /><br />"Thank you, sir..."<br /><br />"Please. You, you can call me Gunther."<br /><br />Mirian nodded.<br /><br />"I spoke to Adrian. He believes you're dead." He paused a moment. "I hate how I can use my reputation now, but it will give you a clean start."<br /><br />Doyle pulled the roll of cash out of his pocket and peeled off a single hundred dollar bill. "There's my fee. The rest is yours." He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed her both the cash and the envelope. "There's a ticket here to Virginia, a burner phone, and a new ID for you. Plus some cash to start a new life. There's a game store there, they're looking to sell it. I think you'd do well there running it. I'll put in a good word."<br /><br />"Thank you... uh, Gunther."<br /><br />Gunther Doyle smiled. "I'm trying to make amends. And Adrian is a piece of work. I'll have to deal with him in my own time, but the least I can do is keep you safe, Mirian. Or, I should call you Katy now."<br /><br />Katy smiled faintly.<br /><br />"There's an Uber waiting outside to take you to the train station. Slip out quietly, I want as few people as possible to see you. Call me immediately if there's any troubles. I'll make sure they're taken care of."<br /><br />Katy nodded, took one last look in the mirror, and stepped out of the room.<br /><br />Doyle smiled, and checked his makeup in the mirror. "Well here we go. Back to the carney days. Time to give these people a real show."<br /><br />*To Be Continued...*