Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

Chapter 21

Thursday, 10 March 2022 – 7:00 p.m. SAST

Daniel sorted through his duffle, grabbing the few things he would need later. He had spent the better part of the afternoon basking in the sun and working out in the hotel gym. Now he had work to do, and he had to look and dress accordingly. He knew the Durban night crowd well. He suspected that in the two decades he had been gone, the only things that would have changed would be the volume and the roughness. He expected both to be better.

He wore black shorts, loose and comfortable with enough bagginess to conceal his weapon and his cash. He normally carried a spare set of clothing, but he would not need it this evening. Under different circumstances he might find himself out all night or in another situation where a second set of clothes would be handy, but tonight would be short work. His shirt was contemporary minimal – just enough to satisfy the letter of the law for establishments requiring one. It covered only his shoulders and draped lightly onto his back. On the front, chain mesh loops ran from armpit to armpit at staggered lengths. He pulled some platinum chains from his duffle and connected one end of each to the rings in his nipples and up to the edges of his shirt. He found a few of his favorite lighted rings and chains and added them to his ears and naval.

He turned to the mirror and flexed. He looked good. He pulled one last item from his duffle. It was a small capsule containing an activator he developed. He crushed the capsule between his teeth and swallowed the pungent liquid inside. In moments the activator would circulate through his bloodstream and infuse his perspiration. The artificial enzymes were designed to activate the special inks used in his tattoos.

Ever the non-conformist, Daniel had nevertheless learned the value of appearance. For most business he found that his tattoos earned a disdain that was hard to overcome. Perhaps it was the number of tattoos, or the placement, or the subject matter. In any case, he found it easier to work in the traditional business community without tattoos. His work tonight was entirely the opposite of formal and he intended to make a different kind of statement.

He stared into the mirror for a moment. Slowly the tattoos on his abdomen and chest began to appear. Complex patterns of tattoos on his face and shorn head also appeared. He had invested hundreds of hours and a small fortune in developing the look for his facial tattoos. When fully opaque, the tattoos gave him an almost demonic appearance. In addition to providing the particular look he enjoyed, the tattoos also gave him a bit of anonymity. People who knew him without his body art were unlikely to recognize him with it. He stared at the transformation for a moment longer, then grabbed his bag and walked toward the door.

As he crossed the room, he received a call. It was Sireesha.

“I assume you’re there,” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Just so you are aware, I believe that Quinn has brought Ramesh in.”

“Who?”

“He’s an old friend of Brad,” she answered. “They have a great deal of history. I imagine that Quinn will send Ramesh to Durban soon.”

“Is he a threat?”

“If it is Ramesh, he is no threat. I am expecting some surveillance video to confirm that it is actually Ramesh.” Sireesha spoke with a cold confidence that Daniel had always respected.

“What is the impact to me?”

“None as yet. Just be available and be quick.”

“Fine.”

The line went dead and Daniel pushed his phone into his pocket. He was certain that his job in Durban would be finished quickly. He was at least a day and a half ahead of anyone coming from the states. He was not concerned.