A test

'Ah, Tate. You've really landed yourself in it this time. You stupid, stupid man.'

'It wasn't supposed to go like this.'

'I can imagine. You're a poor excuse for a hitman, aren't you? Outsmarted yet again by someone shorter and weaker than you. How in the world do you keep being this incompetent?'

'...The element of surprise. Both times.'

'Indeed. So... it's been a while, hasn't it? You don't look much different.'

'Neither do you. What is it? Did you freeze your age too?'

'Well, it's not moisturiser. It's quite entertaining, seeing people's reactions when I tell them that I'm sixty. I dare say I look quite good for my age.'

'...Why are you doing this? I thought we agreed. I haven't broken any of your rules. I made my fortune legitimately, I didn't take on any jobs-'

'That may be true, but that doesn't make you completely innocent, does it?'

'What do you mean?'

'Vincent's mother.'

'...You never said I couldn't kill for personal reasons.'

'Ooh, clever. You're right, of course. That's why I didn't intervene when you killed Sheri. Although it's not like I was particularly bothered either...'

'Nobody was.'

'Something we can both agree on.'

'But seriously, Miles. What have I done to piss you off this time?'

'Do you need to ask?'

'...Apart from the obvious.'

'The problem lays with you, Tate. You believed me when I said I'd leave you alone.'

'So you never had any intention of sticking to it?'

'I did so for twenty years. I think I've been rather patient.'

'What can I do to stop this?'

'Don't you realise? There is nothing you can do to make this go away, other than kill yourself. Do you honestly think I can ever forgive and forget what you did to me? You killed my father. You went into the home of an innocent man and you put a bullet through his head.'

'It was just a job! It wasn't personal-'

'And, not only did you not stop there, you and Olivia conspired to put me away in an asylum for sixteen fucking years!'

'I'm sorry!'

'No you're not! When have you ever been sorry?! Remorse doesn't come into it at all. You just regret being caught.'

'Miles, please-'

'You can't negotiate with me. There is no getting out of this. The sooner you accept that, the better.'

'...Right.'

'...But yes. I'd been wondering when you'd show up.'

'So you wanted this all long?'

'Oh yes, that's right. You rose to the bait hook, line and sinker.'

'But why Tristan? You could have got your friend to just kidnap me instead. Why waste your time hurting him to get my attention?'

'Because it isn't as fun that way. See now, you've just delivered yourself right to me. Far more satisfactory. And quite poetic...'

'He didn't deserve it.'

'I won't disagree there.'

'So why? I accept that by assassinating John, I killed an innocent person. But what about you? Edward, and now Tristan? What's your justification for hurting innocents?'

'I didn't set out to hurt Edward. I was using him as a bargaining tool. You made me do it.'

'...And Tristan?'

'Oh, there was a reason for choosing him.'

'Well go on, what is it? I'm not here to play fucking guessing games with you.'

'...It was a test.'

'A test? And what were you testing?'

'You.'

'...'

'...It's simple. Your betrayal of Edward is something that struck a nerve with me. Sacrificing your brother like that... you really proved just what kind of a man you are. So, I wondered if there was anybody who could provoke a real, emotional reaction in you. Truly... I was curious to see if you actually could love someone.'

'...That's it?'

'That's right. Because by doing that to you, I could finally make you feel my pain. Make you understand. I knew Tristan was your golden boy, the one who could do no wrong. If you were to love anyone, it'd be him.'

'And I do, believe me. Are you happy now that you've disabled him for life? Have I passed your fucking test? Or do you want me to muster up some tears, see if that's genuine enough for you?'

'Save it. Yes, you've passed. You've passed it as well as you're actually able to, anyway.'

'Wonderful.'

'Of course, to achieve the real effect, I'd have to kill him, and I'm not quite up to murder yet. So I'm not really there at the moment.'

'My grief... it's overwhelming. You don't get it. On the worst days, it even hurts to breathe. I just want to cry endlessly. That's why you can't make up for it, Tate. You can't bring Father back. He's gone, and there's nothing I can do about it. He'll never see his granddaughter... nor his grandchildren on your side of the family. His last memory was one of fear... Seeing you... Hazel. Could you shut the curtains, please?'

'Sure.'

'...So that's why. That's why I'm going to destroy you. And I'll do it bit by bit. As long as it takes.'

'Because I've had to suffer for years, and I'll suffer for years to come.'

'And I'll do the same to you.'