GUN MAN

Chapter 6

I closed my eyes and let the hotel's natural sounds and rhythm relax me as I imagined the various international security agencies.What had changed about each of them to the point where I could cause them embarrassment or difficulty?I would, of course, be embarrassed if my activities were revealed for the majority of them, but that had been the case for years.Not only did I protect myself, but also the organizations for which I worked.I couldn't shame them if I didn't exist.I was a legend.However, Simbine's activation had been triggered by something, so something specific must have occurred.

In the worst case, I would have to go through all of my primary contacts one by one.Time would be required.I had been cultivating them for years.Naturally, they were unaware of my identity.Although simple, it had not been easy.As a civil servant, get a low-level, part-time job at a government agency.I would use my credentials to gain access to a more secure location and then just act like I worked there, using nothing more than charm and confidence.I'd spend my mornings accomplishing toil work in organization yet my early evening time meandering the passages of elsewhere.People grew accustomed to seeing me and never inquired as to why I was present.I only required an urgent stride and a file folder stuffed with papers.I would begin to develop a friendship after frequent encounters with the right few people and developing friendships with them.They considered me a partner and a companion to have a tattle with over a feast, a glass of wine or a brew, contingent upon where I was and who my contact was.I sometimes played the love interest.I didn't care if the person was male or female.I wasn't bisexual; it was just a way to get somewhere else.The fact that my contacts weren't disclosing any state secrets was the best thing for them.I didn't require that kind of data.I wanted to know who the state's enemies were, what they were up to, and other details.They all enjoyed talking about those to a man and a woman.After I had established the right friendship, I quit my job and moved to a different country, telling them that I had been transferred when they asked.Friendships persisted.

Obviously, once I became George, I had to quit all of my jobs.I started a business that sold imported goods and gave me the opportunity to travel the world.It was totally mysterious that I could work from anyplace.I used A****n's "Fulfilled by A****n" service and traded on the platform.This indicates that they supplied the warehouse space.I did not meet anyone.I always traveled with my "legitimate" passport, providing an additional layer of security.Although it was not actually my name, it was the closest thing I had to an authentic identity.It matched my rental apartment and business.My operational legend was it.However, I never traveled directly to the nation where the contract required me to be.My official identity, Jack Tweed, went to a nearby country, and I continued my journey, either by sneaking across borders undetected or by using a one-time identity to get in and out of countries before throwing it away forever.Patterns never existed.I was unreachable.I was never discovered.

unless someone contracted me and hired another assassin to try to doubt me.Although Simbine stated that she had tried a few contracts, the obvious response seems to be that the architect set the contract.It ought to be simple, but given that I approached other people with offers for contracts, it made no sense that she knew about multiple.Contracts that were directly offered to me I never accepted.I went backwards.I took care not to sign too many contracts with the same agency.To get a couple of agreements from my last client would have required years.The last few, if she could have tracked them down, were for different nations.It was impractical.No, something else must be present.Even though the last few contracts I had worked on were the most shady in various agencies, someone knew about them.To identify that person, I would have to put in a lot of effort.However, as Sherlock Holmes used to say, sometimes the most difficult problems are the easiest to solve because there are fewer possible solutions to them.

The worst case scenario was working on my network.If I could make it work, there was a better way.I had to choose an intelligence agency that might be aware of what was going on rather than meeting with my mole in each intelligence agency, which could take months.one who was up to date on everything.There were only two candidates for that, and Mossad was eliminated once more.Mossad had never penetrated me.

It was time to head home, then.To Britain.

In London, I sat in the booth of Jewel, a bar on Glasshouse Street's corner.A large group of people filled the front bar, but they only made it to the corner of the L-shaped bar.I waited in a booth I had reserved in the back, around the corner.Hastings, as usual, arrived late.I thought Hastings was the most vile person I had to deal with.He overflowed with vainglory and he had a lot looser tongue than was shrewd in somebody in the security administrations.

I was also irritated by his impolite behavior, but I concealed my dislike for him.

“Hi, Jim.Sit down here, and I'll bring you a drink.You appeared hurried beyond belief.Reduce your weight.What might you like?"

"Get me a Long Island Iced Tea," she said.As usual, no please or thank you.

Two for one happy hour had begun.I had chosen Jewel because of the regular happy hour there.Hastings was unable to drink.I hydrated, spruced up to seem to be a mixed drink.It would have no bearing.Since Hastings was a narcissist, he wouldn't have been aware of my drinking.Everything revolved around him.It fit me.After all, that was why I had groomed him.

Jim, how are you doing?You appear to be carrying the world's weight on your shoulders.Take a deep breath; they won't need you for more than an hour, won't they?

Oh, you don't know.The foolish incompetents.If I wasn't there to wipe it for them, they wouldn't be able to find their arse with both hands.

The muddled metaphor passed me by.I didn't want to interrupt him now because I'd set him off.

"The dickheads have no idea.I have no idea how they managed before I arrived.That department is my sole responsibility.

His first drink had already consumed half of it.

"What's happening now?"I pressed.

Hastings conspiratorially leant forward.If I told you, you wouldn't think I was lying.Since this is truly high-clearance material, I shouldn't say anything at all.

"No, I think you're right."I listened to nothing.

Hastings finished his first drink and started the second right away.

I'll tell you this, well.You probably don't believe this actually takes place, but there are hit men operating worldwide.

I exclaimed, "No way!"I had hoped to find a hint of a path I could take, but it appeared that I had already found the gold mine.Hastings has always been a free-flowing source of information.

With a pityful expression on his face, Hastings shook his head.You are one of those people who goes about your day without knowing what's going on behind the scenes;of the things that people like me do to protect you.

It's unbelievable to me.

"Ignorant fools.going about your meaningless lives while a covert conflict simmers beneath the surface."The second beverage had vanished.Two more people came.I had paid the waitress in advance to get more when they ran out.My sparkling water had barely touched my hands.If it had been alcoholic, it would have been irrelevant.

"It must be very stressful," I think.

"You don't know.It might have been more enjoyable if I had a little help and wasn't carrying the entire department.However, I am responsible for everything.You wouldn't believe what's taking place right now."

"With the killers?"I initiated.

That is correct.There aren't a significant number of them, however one of them has denounced any and all authority.I've said too much, actually.

"Of course,Even with me, you couldn't break into security.

"I know I can rely on you.Simply put, this is truly classified information.

"Of course,We ought to discuss something less private.What's your love life like?Hastings was unsuccessful with women.He simply lacked anything that made him likable.He only addressed himself.I am aware that he would like to switch topics.