John kicked the door down, his mind running through all the lists Alice had drawn up. The only other person that knew that list was Ricky, if he spilled, they'd have gotten enough time to change hideouts and set up the surprises he met. It made a sinking feeling in his gut. Alice held her earpods for a moment and looked at John, “The other locations,” she whispered. “They're all empty,” The sinking John felt deepened, Alice reached out to him to make him reduce his steps and progress slowly but he brushed away her hands. Moving further up they came upon the first body wearing a Spectre symbol and paused. Alice looked down at the dead man with a frown. John glanced at her and kept on moving. They came upon five more bodies, all wearing the Spectre symbol. “What happened here?” John whispered, training his rifle at the shooting range. Passing eight more bodies added to the tension John felt in his bones. After six more in deadly silence they heard it. Loud and clear. Two gunsho
“Why am I here ? '' John asked the man he had come to know as Mark. The head of the police precinct he sat in. They were in a holding room with two chairs and a table in between them. Mark held a file with a series of gruesome shots of men nailed to walls. “Do you know the buildings each of the men were nailed in were recently bought by your company?” Mark asked. “No, I do not,” John replied.“Mr Draken, I need you to cooperate with me here so we can all go home,” “I can't agree to something I know nothing of. I have countless managers under me and the purchase of little buildings like those wouldn't need my stamp,” John said. “ If I had to be on every stamp I'd die young,” Mark folded the paper, tapping them on the desk. “This isn't funny Mr, Draken,” Mark said. “ Thirteen buildings were purchased in your name and a total of thirty people were killed within those walls.” John's eyes widened. “Thirteen buildings ? Thirty people,” John repeated. Mark frowned, his eyes narrowed a
With no idea of the time passed since he was on his knees with his shoulder heaving with sorrow. John stood up and walked across the room, following the path of the blood that led him into the room his father had advised him. There were blood stains on the sheets, the window by the side was broken, and the dresser overturned with all the contents spilled to the floor. He looked around searching for a body and found none. Both his mom and Dad were gone.John's shoulder slumped, his feet dragged and his eyes were beyond red.Walking out of the room, he located a smaller room which acted as a security room with various screens mounted on the walls that overlooked the lobby. All the screens were static and a single blank monitor was connected. From the cursor blinking on a blank page, John could tell its content was wiped. He thought of Alice crying and slumped into the seat. The state of the system did not bother him, his hands moved nimbly on the keys and within minutes the screen wa
The drive over to the address was not tedious because it wasn't a hidden location, but on the contrary, it was a very large villa that was one of the most prestigious locations in the city of Los Angeles. Many actors from around the world dreamed of being cast at such a location. John stepped out of the car that Sara sent to pick him up after he was sure his mother's condition was stabilized. He looked around admiring the luxurious fountain and pampered flowers. Sara walked out of the house in a black dress that showed her curves with a file of documents. Her dark hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, one look from men would have them lustful. But John's eyes seemed not to pick those details, he looked like one watching a stranger. It made Sara question her looks, for him not to give any attention. She quickly shifted the thoughts aside once she remembered why she called him. “You need to see this,” she said in a business-like manner and shoved the documents into his hands. Looki
“I think this is a very bad idea,” Sara advised. “We can do any other thing but please don't call that man to our hideout.” John turned to see Sara walking down the stairs, she had overheard their conversation. “I'm not going to call him,” John replied. “I'd pay him a visit. With him on board I'd be able to draw in the rest with ease,” “And how do you propose to accomplish that?” Sara asked, folding her arms. Rita and Gladiator watched John close his eyes in silence. The grin on his face deepened when his eyes opened. “Are you ready for some adventure?” John asked Sara. Sara looked at Gladiator and Rita who both shrugged. “I guess so,” Sara responded. “Not like there's anything I'm doing here,” “No,” John said with a smile. “You've done a lot here and I'm sure Alice is proud of you,” The statement brought a smile to Sara's face. “Gladiator, I have an errand for you at Rockbed. Take one of the cars on this property, I'd text you the details. Delete it after you receive. Underst
John is crouched in front of the garage awaiting Sara and Rita. In the background men are carrying the bed Gladiator bought for his Lisa. Lisa herself is in Elijah's arms, cradled like a child and rocked gently. Elijah looked so happy that Jack grinned. A life like that wouldn't be so bad. You and your love. If only that's all there is to it. “None of this is your fault,” Gladiator said, crouching beside him. “Huh? It's that obvious,” John sighed, looking back at Elijah. “I want to be happy but at what cost?” Gladiator shrugged. “I don't know the answer to that but you'd only find the solution by moving forward and daring to be wrong.” John bumped Gladiator’s arm and laughed. “Never knew you could be wise,” “What I'm saying is… I trust your decisions. Go ahead and make them. It doesn't have to be perfect,” “Yeah, I’ll do that, thanks.” John replied. “John,” Elijah called and Sara's car pulled up in front of the garage. John briefly waved at them before he went to Elija
“Sir,” Sara looked at her tablet and called John's attention. They had decided to return in a single car, the men: John and Gladiator in front and the two ladies: Rita and Sara behind. Gladiator was the one driving. “Twelve of the major shareholders are requesting to withdraw their investment by selling their stocks. Our shares are plummeting due to the rumor circling around that you're responsible for those deaths. It's on every news channel,” “Is that so? Let them sell their shares,” John grinned, he looked so unbothered that Sara frowned. Rita sat beside Sara with her palms locked and her head down. She still felt the embarrassment of being dragged around like a dog. She hated it so bad her teeth were gritted.“John, I think we need to do something, we could go bankrupt and lose everything,” Sara voiced her fears. The thought of the Draken falling to rags made Rita smile. But with her head down, no one saw it. John actually chuckled, he'd make them regret abandoning the boat a
“Give me six more bottles!” Tommy Murphy ordered and the bartender, a hot female, fresh from college and serving for the little pay, hurried to fulfill his order. Tommy Murphy grabbed a wad of cash from his wallet and dropped it into her hands after she presented his order. Using his big hands, he lifted all six bottles of beer. “Pay for the bottles and keep the change. Any of these folks try to take it, let me know. I'm in the media,” Without waiting for a response he bounced out with the bottle hoping for an interference, a reason to rage but no one moved. They knew him well enough to stay clear from his path once he drank. No one wanted to wake up in the hospital from the beating of a bull-like bulked male. The only thing of value to him in his car was a picture of two girls with a very bright smile pasted on his dashboard. His car slid into the garage and he jumped off. Proceeding into the kitchen, moving without turning on the lights because he had mastered the layout of his