Prussia's Violence and the Police

This flow follows Adrian Prussia's transformation into a contract killer, his protected relationship with police, and the eventual violent confrontation that ends his career.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Loan Shark's Method

Debt Becomes Control Time as Currency Adrian understands lending as a way to purchase control over another person's time. His threats and violence make repayment about obedience as much as money. An Expanding Business AP Finance's network of IOUs includes clients in law enforcement. The business gives Adrian access to people who can protect him and to debts that can be used to secure favors.

The Political Contract

Violence Made Useful A Government Connection Adrian is offered work against a politically troublesome target and receives assurance that he will avoid serious legal consequences. His services become a private extension of official power. A Career Takes Shape He learns to create evidence that can support a charge while ensuring that no body or case can fully expose the arrangement. Killing becomes his specialty because powerful clients are willing to pay for it.

Indelicato's Murder

A Detective Is Targeted An Internal Request Police representatives ask Adrian to arrange the killing of Vincent Indelicato, describing the detective as a violation of an internal code. Adrian hesitates because Indelicato is also a customer. Puck Performs the Act Adrian allows Puck to carry out the killing, using the younger man's hatred of Indelicato. Puck's arrest on a minor charge becomes part of the bargain that secures his standing in prison.

A Final Assignment

The Investigator Is Captured A Trap at AP Finance Puck recognizes Doc and drugs him with PCP, then confines him while waiting for Adrian. The conversation reveals the connection between Adrian's police contracts and Puck's personal history. A Violent Reversal Doc escapes, attacks Puck, and shoots Adrian during a confrontation. The event brings the old loan-sharking relationship into the present with lethal consequences.

A Death Made Convenient

The Department's Resolution Bigfoot Arrives Bigfoot is found moving a heroin parcel in the garage and does not seem surprised by Doc's presence. He says that the Department can make use of Adrian's death. Accountability Deferred The police can present the death as a clearance while leaving the larger network unexplained. Adrian is gone, but the arrangements that protected him remain obscure.

Before the novel's present action

During Adrian's history as a hired killer

Before the novel's present-day investigation

After Doc visits AP Finance

Immediately after the shootout