The mayor was trembling so much that his knees knocked together, producing a dry, almost comical sound, contrasting grotesquely with the blood splattered on the marble. The metallic smell was already beginning to dominate the room, mixing with the expensive incense and transforming luxury into something nauseating.
Daniela tilted her head, observing him as one might analyze an insect trapped under a glass.
"So?" she repeated, her voice too calm. "Are you going to talk... or would you prefer I resolve this quickly?"
The man opened his mouth, closed it, tried to swallow hard. He failed. A sob escaped.
"P-please..." he stammered. "I-I'm just... an administrator..."
Strax let out a slow, theatrical sigh, clearly bored. He took his chin off his hand and tapped his fingers on the table, a rhythmic sound that made the mayor shudder with each tap.
