Chapter 139Asher's car pulled up at the hotel, now cordoned off and restricted. The yellow crime scene tape fluttered in the wind, threatening to snap with each gust. The scene was surreal, with policemen scattered throughout the area. As Asher stepped out of his car, the gravity of the situation sank in.The investigator emerged from the building, his demeanor somber. The air was unusually gusty and the wind blew a little more than normal, making the area cold. The once familiar surroundings now stood as a symbol of uncertainty, and the yellow crime scene tape twisted ominously, mirroring the complexities of the unfolding mystery.“Investigator”, Asher said as soon as he was close enough. It extended his hand and the investigator took it in a handshake.“Mr. Asher, you are here”“Yes. I heard about the murder case. What happened?”“The victim was shot in his hotel room yesterday but also seemed to have been poisoned too, so he couldn't have survived either way.”Asher shook his head
Chapter 140“Gauis!”, Vincenzo called from the living room.There wasn't any response.“Franrigo”, he called to the young steward who was standing just a bit far way from him.“Yes Signore”, Franrigo responded.“Please, call in Gaius for me. He's probably outside”“Yes Signore”Franrigo left the living room, headed for the door. Once outside and in the compound, he went round to the garage where he was certain Gaius would be. Luckily enough, he was. He was conversing with the other bodyguards and some of the drivers there. But Franrigo, often intimidated by the sturdy muscular build of the men, never liked to come into their midst whenever they seemed to be gathered together like that. He stood at the entrance of the garage - his presence unnoticed and his voice drowned in intermediary fits of laughter. He moved closer and called again.“Mr. Gaius”, he called out yet again. There was still no acknowledgement.“Mister Gaius!”, Franrigo finally said in a voice loud enough for them to he
Chapter 141Sofia woke up from a nightmare again and this time, it was worse. She panted uncontrollably, the room feeling quite suffocating. She breathed heavily, out of breath like she'd just completed a marathon. By the time she calmed down, it'd been over thirty minutes. Beads of sweat covered her forehead and her neck felt sticky with it. Despite the air-conditioned room, Sofia felt choked, like she wasn't getting enough air. She slipped out of bed with the lighter duvet and went over to the veranda.The cool but cold breeze greeted her as she slid the big glass window. She walked into the verandah and pulled the duvet over herself for warmth. The morning sun was still yet to come up and she stared down at the rest of the city, watching the bustling city life get busier and busier by the second. Calm came back to her after a while but her anxiety still lingered. Walking back inside, she did her bed and decided to get ready and early for work. She glanced at her alarm clock.2.00
Chapter 142The tap rushed freely and the sink was first clear then slowly dotted with drops of blood, intensity increasing by the second. Soon the whole sink was red and he had to leave the water running till it cleaned it up.Wiping his hands with the napkin, he dropped it into the bag. He took his gloves off the table and wore them back, the fresh smell of blood strong in the dark room. He picked up the sniper first, checking to make sure everything was intact. Next, he picked up the pistol gun, the clack sound echoing in the air. He chocked back the bullet and the gun went into the bag. One by one, the weapons dropped into the big bag on the ground that lay at one side of the table."Il tuo volo è pronto, capo. (Boss your flight is ready)”He nodded and picked up the bag. As he opened the door, he stepped into the view, the morning not particularly bright as dark clouds amassed. The strong wind greeted him, blowing strongly and whisking the free end of his long coat. His head warm
Chapter 143The bullet pierced the window, its impact fracturing the glass in a web of cracks that stretched to the frame's edge. Asher, hunched over his office chair, narrowly evaded the shot as the bullet had actually aimed for his neck . Just the day before, he had installed bulletproof windows—a precaution against unforeseen dangers. From the reflecting piece of artwork on his wall, Asher could make out the figure of the sniper. The surprise of the shot had gotten to him but his senses were on full alert.“****The sniper guy pulled the trigger, aiming at the exact spot he'd shot.The glasses shattered upon impact, fragments shooting upward like tiny projectiles. Asher, already crouched beneath the table, narrowly avoided the bullet's trajectory, his instincts honed by survival. Using his legs to leverage, he toppled the nearby cabinet, creating a makeshift barrier against the unseen assailant. Just as he braced for the next onslaught, the doors swung open. Asher's senses sharpen
Chapter 144Garfy got to the house much later than Lego and Asher did.“Garfy!”, Lego called out as he watched the hefty figure make its way to the front . Garfy leaped a little, only just discovering the slight cut to his side.“Hey, hey easy man”, Lego said, saving Garfy from tripping over.“Are you good? Did you get hit?”“Nah, I'm … I'm okay” . Of course not! How could he tell Lego that he had seen Sandton?Asher got up from where he had been sitting as Garfy walked in.“Garfy”, Asher said, walking towards him. Garfy attempted to smile.“Boss”, Garfy said, getting down to the couch.“Is he okay?”, he asked Lego. “Did you get shot?”Garfy shook his head.Just then, Sofia was seen coming down the stairs, her eyes evidently showing she'd been napping for a while. Her eyebags lined vividly, her hair was a bit messy and she clutched to the flaps of her matching grey hoodie jacket.“What's going on?”, She said, a clearly confused expression on her face. “Please Sofie, get the nurse”“Y
Chapter 145The piercing sounds of owls echoing through the air was the only thing keeping Asher company in the dead of night.By past midnight, the rest of the household had gone asleep but Asher stayed awake - restless. As the minutes slowly crept by, his anger and concern grew stronger while the darkness pressed in on all sides.Today had been too close a call. Today, they'd gotten a good shot at him and something seemed to rip in him a little bit. . But he knew in his soul that it was merely luck that saved him. And maybe a bit of grace since he'd survived loads of other attempts. They were becoming bolder and more brazen in their attempts to end him. Had he really let his guard down ? Not a bit. He'd increased his security as soon as he arrived here because he knew Andrea and his mother were more desperate than ever to get rid of him. And more desperate meant more drastic measures were being applied to take him out.Andrea and his mother had made it crystal clear - they wanted hi
Chapter 146Andrea was having lunch when Gwandon arrived. He tipped his wine glass into his mouth, letting the red liquid have its way. The elevator doors opened just as he set the glass down.“Mr. Gwandon, you are here already”, Andrea said as he stepped into the room. “Mr. Andrea”, Gwandon responded as he set down his small briefcase on the center table.“Care to join me?”“Apologies Mr. Andrea. I prefer to pass”Andrea seemed to pause for a moment before he smiled - the kind of smile that made you feel uncomfortable - the kind of smile Gwandon found funny.Andrea rose from the table where he was seated. One of the bodyguards attended to him, bringing him a napkin to clean his hands. When he was done, he took the wine glass and started walking over to the living room area where Gwandon sat.“You said we had a problem?”, Andrea asked as he sat down.“This”Gwandon tossed the tablet across the table to where Andrea sat. The pictures of the previous day's events displayed on the scr