"Kill you?" repeated Gabriel, looking quizzically at Friesen. "I believe the going rate for rubbing someone out is $5 grand. I'm prepared to write you a check for twice that amount," Friesen said, taking a sip of his coffee. "You're serious? You expect me to murder you?" Friesen nodded. "This is nuts," Gabriel got up from his chair. "I think you should leave." "Don't you want to hear why? I think you might change your mind." Gabriel made a show of looking at his Casio before shaking his head and sitting down. He reluctantly nodded for Friesen to continue. So begins a roller coaster ride involving crazed killers, civic corruption and the Russian Mafia.