The assignment was considered an easy one. Knock off the transporter and acquire the package. My trusty knife and a kind face were the tools needed to pull it off. Someone I knew a long time ago gave me this knife when time ran short for them. It’s gotten me out of some pretty tight spots. My backup was a silenced .22 pistol holstered under my jacket.
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A man came around the corner with an arm load of groceries. He was attempting to get keys out of his pocket, without much success.
Tension ran deep into my veins. I stepped toward the man, “Hello. Here, let me help you with that?”
The man smiled and nodded, “Thank you. I’m not very organized today.”
Almost there, wait for the right moment. Remember to smile, “I have days like that. No matter what you do, everything is inside out.”
He got his keys out and unlocked the door. “Hey, Thanks again.”
I handed him the grocery bag and produced another fake smile. “No problem. Can I help you with anything else?”
He sighed, “No. I don’t plan on doing anything else today. By the way, I’m Joseph.”
“Neil,” I shoved him into his apartment with my left hand while my other hand sprang into action. My knife slid up inside his ribcage and twisted about, as though I was trying to grab his heart with the end of the blade. The door behind me closed as I pulled the knife from his chest. Joseph stood there as though he was in shock. He turned loose the bag of groceries spilling them onto the floor. After a few moments, his mouth opened and gasped for a breath of air. He tried to grab his chest in a haphazard manner. Without warning, he rocked back plunging to the floor. The man lay there helpless. Every muscle in my body was taught. The world had no sound, other than the pounding of my heart. My eyes searched for any sign of life from the man. No movement at all. At last, the deed was done. Josephs’ jacket performed well at removing his own blood from my knife. The adrenaline rush was an intoxicating drug. One was left with a certain satisfaction of fearlessness, and power.
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Joseph’s apartment held a couple of things of interest. A laptop computer would be useful, and the package. This package was my assignment. The computer was nothing more than a bonus.
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On my way out, a noise sounded in the bathroom.
“Damnit! He was supposed to be alone.” I drew my gun in anticipation. This wasn’t a good time for a knife. Step by step, I eased toward the door in an attempt not to be heard. I swung the door open. There sat a man on the toilet half asleep. His eyes widen and he sat himself up a little. He had to be twice my weight. I couldn’t help but notice the pills strewn across the bathroom counter. It reminded me of a junkie’s room. The naked man took the opportunity and lunged at me. The tackle knocked the gun out of my hand and shoved me backward until I fell to the floor. It was a wrestling match, twisting, and rolling about on the floor. My hands couldn’t wrap around his throat to cut off the air supply. So I managed to unsheathe my knife, and stuck it as hard as I could into his gut. Then pushed and twisted the blade in farther. He yelled and got off me. As soon as I got up I sliced his throat with the knife. The naked man struggled with the lack of air, and the major loss of blood. After a period of time, he either suffocated or went into shock. The loss of blood would do the rest. “That was close. Never take your eyes off a naked druggy, you idiot.” I checked myself for open wounds and had to clean up. “What a mess.”
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I went down the elevator to my floor. After reaching the door to my apartment, a noise came from behind. Casually, I pivoted to see who was there. “Hello baby.”
Carrie, was my squeeze. Not only was she affordable, she was also low maintenance, and reliable.
She gave me a quirky smile. “Hey. Where have you been?” She put her arm around me and ran her hand along my shoulder, in an attempt to be sexy.
I had to come up with a story, or she would know more than she needed. Anyone who did would have to be killed. “I’ve been out shopping for a few items.”
She eyed the package, and the computer. “What is in the pack?” She grabbed at it, but I kept it out of her reach.
I shook my head, “It’s not for you, so don’t worry about it.”
Her shoulders slumped with the news. “I thought it was a present for me.”
I handed Carrie my key, and she unlocked the door. When she gave me my key back, “Are you lonely tonight? I can make you a nice dinner.”
Dinner sounded good. “Alright.”
She always had a way of being somewhere at just the right time.
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I hated the wait. There was too much time to think, to reflect on the dangers involved. Wasn’t the phone ever going to ring? About then it did. The phone was in my hand after the third ring finished. “Hello?”
The caller had deep voice. “Has the package arrived yet?”
I replied, “The package has been received. Do you have the funds?”
They stated, “Change of plans. You’ll get your money after we inspect the seals. If they have been tampered with in any way, then you will leave empty handed.”
The change of rules made me nervous. 5 million dollars was a lot of green for this shoebox sized object with unusual writing.
My tone turned bitter, “So what are the new plans?”
The caller chuckled, “Patience. If all goes well, you’ll get what you deserve, in due time. I’ll call you once more later.” The phone fell silent.
I opened the package to see the box riddled with finely detailed markings. The seals were indeed still intact.
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Carrie brought me a wonderful dinner followed by a thorough massage. She was good about not asking too many questions, or rooting in my things where she didn’t belong. But she always had a way of being there when I had deals going down. Just like this time. Maybe I’m paranoid, or just getting old. I needed to conclude this assignment and retire. This one would give me the funds I needed to do that. Unless they planned to retire me with a bullet, instead of paying me off.
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The caller left a message to meet them at the dock on 125th Street at midnight. Need to pick up a few items before hand. My stomach had churned itself into knots. A few years ago, this would have been a walk in the park. But part of me had changed. Was it age, or experience or perhaps it was just anxiety taking over.
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The junkyard on the other side of town had an old 1952 ford car with a locked trunk. Inside, sat a few bags. The trunk needed rearranged so the proper bag was on top. The zipper on it was stiff and the bag held what appeared to be odds and ends. Very useful stuff when the occasion arose.
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Three black SUV’s were parked near an old freighter at the dock on 125th Street. They displayed government tags. The catwalk which led up to the deck of the freighter was lit, and someone stood near the top. Past experience assured me there was no doubt, this was a setup. A casual scan around the dock proved it was time to start some action. The ramp was long and with each step, the ramp seemed to grow longer. Finally, I reached the top where a big man stood with his pistol drawn and slightly behind him. He motioned me to the left of where he stood. I turned, and headed in that direction, my ear caught the sound of metal behind me. As I spun around my reflexes took over. My knife found its way into the man’s chest in a second. With my other hand, I took hold of his pistol placing it in my belt for later use. Heading towards the main cabin, I paused long enough to hear extra footsteps which paced mine. My right hand found the pistol in my belt and brought it with authority at point blank range in the man’s face. In shock, he dropped his gun and took a step back.
“Enough of this hide and seek garbage. Where is your boss?” My gun hand wiggled a bit still in the man’s face.
He looked toward the main cabin, and then shook his head. “You can’t do this.”
My emotions ran wild. “You people set me up, and now I’m supposed to have a heart? Do you think I’m naive?”
The man shook his head again, more deliberate this time. “You won’t get paid if you don’t play the game.”
My fist clenched the pistol grip. “This isn’t a game you moron.” The man was tossed down the walkway when I pulled the trigger. His face became a disfigured and bloody pile of raw meat.
The answers to my problems were inside that main cabin. Footsteps grew louder as the other men got closer. The meeting was nothing more than a trap. The ramp was overrun by three men waiting for my return. So, I went toward the bow of the freighter, which took me past the main cabin. I stopped to see who was inside. Four men waited inside. One was dressed in an expensive suit compared to the rest. That one was the boss. They got paid way too much. These type people also believed they were untouchable.
The boss snapped, “What the hell is going on out there?”
Suit number two kept a sharp eye on the door, “There are five men on the job. They will take care of him.”
The boss retorted, “I didn’t ask how many. We need that package.”
Suit number two glanced toward the boss, “Bull said Neil didn’t have it with him. He could have stashed it nearby, or Carrie might have it with her.”
The boss looked at his watch. “Where is she? Has she checked in tonight?”
Suit number two shook his head, “No sir.”
The boss raised his finger toward suit number two, “We have one guy out there that has something I want badly and all you can say is there’s five guys on it. There isn’t by the sounds of things. Bull hasn’t checked in and Redd isn’t either. It’s only been ten minutes. You know I’m not paying this guy.”
Suit number two, “Yes sir. I’ll go take care of this myself.”
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They were going to terminate me and keep the money for themselves, and why did they mention Carrie? Her timing was always exquisite. She has some explaining to do. This unique box’s price just doubled.
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Footsteps were pounding in my ears as the men ran past where I hid. I crept back to the ramp. The freighters shadow provided good cover for me on the dock. It was easy to hear people as they hollered on the freighter, “Man down.” Things had become complicated.
My car was parked behind the building about two thousand feet away. There was enough commotion on the freighter that no one noticed my exit.
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The phone in my pocket began vibrating. Carrie was calling. I’m sure she wanted to know I was dead. My pocket is vibrating again. Mr. Silver was calling this time. My finger pushed the accept button, “Hello.”
Mr. Silver, “Having fun? Spies are all around.”
My curiosity peaks, “Yes. May I ask why?”
Mr. Silver, “You may ask, but no answer. Do you want to be rid of that deadly box?”
I stop breathing for a second, “Deadly box, explain.”
Mr. Silver, “You have killed for it, and people have tried to kill you for it.”
“yeah, That’s true.” I sighed.
Mr. Silver, “What’s your price?”
I pondered this thought for a minute, “10 mil.”
Mr. Silver, “That’s steep.”
Chuckling, “You did say people were dying around this thing. That’s my price, and every time there are tricks, the price goes up again. You people want me dead anyway. I might as well dream big.”
Mr. Silver, “Very well. 10 mil it is. But remember, you have not dealt with me as yet.”
“Then why do I have your number in my phone?” I snapped.
Mr. Silver, “Carrie is your angel.”
“What are you trying to pull? You just said we haven’t dealt and now you use the same girl as the other people who tried to terminate me.”
Mr. Silver, “She was placed with them, so she could be placed with you through them to watch the package for me. Now, bring me my box and I’ll give you your money.”
I asked, “Where?”
Mr. Silver, “Find Carrie and she will bring you to me.”
The call ended.
Cell phones were devices that could be traced. A trash truck passed by and I happily tossed the phone inside. It eluded me how Mr. Silver’s number got into my phone without my knowledge. He was a man I had never met.
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Carrie had a room in the hotel about a mile up the road. The room she claimed to be hers seemed to be rented to someone else. Not a surprise since other parts of her life was a lie. No one had seen her in a couple of days either.
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There was a little restaurant on the corner down from my apartment. Upon arrival, I scanned the area outside for signs of trouble. Not seeing any, I went inside and checked around quietly. There she was, sitting at our old table. She seemed nervous but then, she probably didn’t expect to see me walking up to her either.
Her eyes were wide and her hands were clutched together. “What’s up? I didn’t expect you just now.”
My brows furrowed and with an angry voice, “Expecting company, baby? I want to meet him. Now!”
Carrie looks surprised for an instant, then catches herself. “Meet who? I’m not seeing anyone else Neil.”
“I’m talking about Mr. Silver. We just had a talk. He told me you’re the key to my problems.”
Carrie raised her hands in surrender fashion. “Okay. What exactly did he say?”
My eyes never left hers as I pulled out a chair and sat down. “He said you would take me to see him.”
She tilted her head a bit. “Is that all?”
She noticed, I had my hand on my knife all this time. It was apparent I was irritated, and that seemed to make her tense. “Carrie, he said something about you being a double plant. You were planted into the people I saw earlier by Mr. Silver and they planted you with me. Who do you work for anyway?”
She smiled a little. Her hands relaxed, “I work for Mr. Silver, which is a code name for someone. No, I don’t know who it is either. It doesn’t really matter since everyone is on the take. We get a message to do a job. Then, when the job goes well, we get lots of money on a card spend-able anywhere. If the job doesn’t go well…well you get the idea. You’re in the same shape.”
I motioned for her to get up and come with me. When we went around the corner onto the side street, she grabbed my arm. I turned and shoved her up against the wall with the knife pressing against her throat. My breathing had intensified, making me sound like a hungry beast ready to pounce on dinner.
Carrie slowly reached up and put her hand on the opposite side of the knife. “Take it easy Neil. I’m on your side. Up ahead, there are men waiting for you to go into your apartment. They do not belong to Mr. Silver. Let’s go the other way and forget your place. Okay?”
I scanned the street ahead quickly, and then darted back to her. “Where are they? You’re lying.” Then, I scanned again and there he was, a textbook agent standing with a paper.
I pulled my knife down and relaxed a bit. “Don’t they realize, no one reads papers anymore.”
I took her arm and we went the other way like she had suggested.
After making a couple of streets down and turned onto another side street, I turned to her and asked, “When are we going to see Mr. Silver?”
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She checked her watch. “It’s too early right now. That’s one thing about him. He never meets at midnight. That’s too text book for him. There’s a library, let’s go in there and wait ‘til time.”
The good thing about the library was, it was close to the package. So we went in and found a place to read some literature while time moved along. We would be out of sight from the goons on the street and in a fairly controlled environment.
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We’ve been in one place for too long now. “Carrie, let’s go somewhere else.”
She gazed at me brightly, “Why? He is here.”
“What?”
She smiled, “You wanted to meet Mr. Silver.” She motioned in the direction of a man who had been sitting in the lounge area when we arrived.
I looked cross at her. “Are you pulling some kind of joke?” That man couldn’t be him. He was too small, and it appeared he was alone.
Carrie walked over and pointed me out before I could get over to the man. He stood up and reached out his hand to shake mine. “Hello Mr. Gourley. It’s good to finally meet you.”
My nerves were on edge. “How do I know you are the person I’m supposed to meet?”
The hair on the man was somewhat gray, but his face seemed to belong to a younger man in their mid 40’s. “Mr. Silver at your service. You want me to give you my number, or perhaps tell you how much you now want for that piece you carry. It’s 10 million because of the heartache you received with the other parties. They were not supposed to be that way. They were trying to cut me out of my own deal. Carrie was to help keep things on proper course.”
“How do I know you won’t double cross me now?”
He chuckled, “You don’t know. Just as I don’t know what you will do. So, in effect, we are even. I have the money transfer ready for the amount requested whenever you are ready.”
“I don’t have the package right here. I have to go get it and meet you later for the exchange.”
His face became stern, “No sir. You won’t go anywhere until I say so. I already know where the package is. I need the code from you to retrieve it properly. See, we trade one code for another code.”
This man was smooth. I nodded in compliance, “Okay. The money transfer first. Then I give you the code.”
Mr. Silver smiled, then dialed a number on his cell phone. He punched a few numbers in between listening to the machine on the other side. When he ended the call, “It’s done. You should check your balance now.”
The librarian was kind enough to loan me a phone to check my balance. Satisfied, I scanned the room to make sure no one else had entered. I went back over to Mr. Silver and handed him the code.
He smiled and nodded, “Thank you sir. It’s been interesting. Perhaps our paths will cross in the future. There is more where that came from.”
Carrie and I stood there together as the little man turned and ambled out of the building.
She gave the neatest smile, “How do you feel about dining out tonight, on you of course.”
I couldn’t help but snicker, “What, you think I will forget all that’s happened in the last couple of days?”
She took my hand in that kind way, giving me those wanting eyes. “Well? I thought we had something together. A mutual bond.”
My hands caressed Carrie’s shoulders briefly. “How much did you get paid.” I whispered.
She giggled, “3 mill..ion.” She stopped talking, and glanced down to find a knife wedged into her midsection with my hand still attached. It’s pretty bad when you can’t trust a woman you’ve been seeing for three years.760Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfryhoAdBo4
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