A Necessary Kill (13 page)

“Christ… Well, if and when it does, I’m sure GlobaTech will be there to help deal with it. And even Cunningham wouldn’t be able to sit back and let that happen, surely? He must’ve known this was an inevitable side effect of his plan.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“So, how are you holding up, dealing with all this?”

“Well, Schultz is handling most of the bureaucracy, which is good of him. He’s working around the clock to get anyone and everyone on our side. He’s very much the face of GlobaTech at the moment. I’m organizing the logistics in the background. As well as running a sideline in helping you out where I can.”

“Yeah, I appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Josh. That intel you secured in Prague will hopefully be the final nail in Cunningham’s coffin.”

“I’ve got a good team. You’d like them. You know Ray Collins…?”

“Ray? Yeah, nice guy. I was grateful for his help back in Pripyat.”

“Yeah, he’s something alright. And you remember Jericho?”

“Stone? Jesus, how’s he doing after Colombia? I can’t believe he’s not dead.”

“He’s still pissed about his unit turning on him, and he’s not
your
biggest fan—although I think he’s secretly thankful you kept him alive.”

“Don’t mention it. Look, I might not get a chance to call again for a while. I’m heading to North Carolina. Gonna see if I can convince The European to help me.”

“The European? Isn’t he supposed to be a bit of a dick?”

I chuckle. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. But he’s a damn good killer all the same.”

“Fair point.”

“I’ve already got a guy called Jonas Briggs on board. We’ve arranged to meet in Atlantic City in a couple days. I told him I’d keep in touch with him between now and then.”

“Be careful with that, Adrian. Remember, calls and texts from a cell phone can be tracked.”

“Yeah, I know. I use this cell phone sparingly. We’ve both got the log-in details to an e-mail account—we’re leaving messages to each other in the drafts folder.”

“Holy shit, boss! Did you… were you actually paying attention to me all those times I told you things of a technical nature?”

I laugh. “You sound surprised. You know I’m actually pretty talented, right?”

“Yeah, but… y’know… I just didn’t think you fully understood that stuff.”

I shrug. “I don’t. But I know enough to get by. You’re here for the rest.”

“I’m so proud! Well, just remember to keep your head down, okay? Being all covert and whatnot is one thing, but the CIA has boots on the ground actively looking for you. Just be careful out there, man.”

“Yeah, I am, don’t worry. Though I must admit, it’s getting harder to keep a low profile with Ruby in tow.”

“What’s she like?”

I think for a moment. “She’s flashed me twice since I busted her out of an insane asylum.”

There’s silence for a moment. “She
flashed
you?”

I shake my head at the fact he completely ignored the part about her being incarcerated. “Twice.”

“You get all the luck… ”

I laugh. “That’s one way of looking at it. Listen, do me a favor, would you?”

“Keep an eye on Tori for you?”

“Well, yeah, that, too. But I was gonna say, do you have an e-mail account I can contact you with as well?”

“I do, yeah—of course. Why? What can’t you say over the phone?”

“It’s nothing I
can’t
say, I just don’t have the time to say it all. I’ve… I’ve got a plan, Josh. Based on the team I’ve got, I have a plan to end all this. But I need your help.”

“Jesus, this must be big if you’re planning in advance. You never do that…”

“I know, but even
I
know this isn’t something I can make up as I go along. Can I send you the details and what I need?”

“Yeah, sure. Leave me a draft and I’ll get right on it.”

“Thanks, man. I’m hoping you’ll agree it
could
work. It’s easily the most dangerous job I’ve done. If anything happens to me… if I don’t make it out the other side of this thing—”

“Quit with the emotional shit, boss. You’ll be fine. You’ve got this. You’re, y’know… you.”

“Thanks. But I’m being serious, Josh. If this goes south, I want you to go to The Ferryman. Tori’s got the code to the safe there. My last will and testament is inside.”

“Adrian, I… ”

“All the money’s yours, Josh. Every cent.”

“Jesus! Adrian, I dunno what to say… I mean, what about Tori? I thought you’d be—”

“She’s getting the deeds to the bar.”

“Shit… Listen, I’m touched, man. Seriously. But you can’t think like that, okay? Get your head in the game. Forget about that crap for now. You start thinking about failing, you
will
fail. Understand?”

“I hear you.”

“Having said that, if you fail, I’ll be loaded! I think I might start helping Cunningham…”

I laugh. “Fuck you!”

He laughs, too, and I take a moment to remember this conversation. How natural it feels talking with him. If this is the last time we speak, I want to remember the way we were. Everything we’ve been through together, summed up in a few sentences.

“Hey, have you ever eaten in one of these donut places?” I ask him.

He scoffs. “Are you fucking kidding me? Those places are unnatural. They’re like a travesty to all food!”

“That’s what I said!”

There’re a few seconds of silence.

“Good luck, Adrian. Whatever happens, I’ve got your back until that piece of shit is in the ground. Remember that.”

“Thanks, Josh. For everything. See you around.”

“Damn right.”

I hang up and let out a heavy sigh and compose myself before I head back over to the table.

It’s time Ruby and I hit the road.

18:15 EDT

The rest of the journey was uneventful, which I’m grateful for. We borrowed a handy little 4×4 on the way out of town, and we only stopped once for gas on our five-hour trek down Route 29.

I had contacted Jonas via the e-mail account to let him know we were still on track to meet him tomorrow in Atlantic City. He replied saying he was finishing up a contract and expected to be on the road by tomorrow evening at the latest. I also left a message for Josh with my plan, but he’s not come back to me yet.

The rain chased us nearly all the way to Greensboro but gave up about a half hour ago. We’re parked across the street from a nice-looking bar on the corner of West Market and North Cedar, facing the college. The clouds overhead occasionally make room for some sunlight, but mostly it’s just dull.

In the interest of saving time, instead of following breadcrumbs based on Ash’s somewhat vague information on the last known whereabouts of The European, I persuaded Ruby to simply call him and find out where he is. She said she wanted to meet up, and when she was met with skepticism I gave her the nod to say she was with me and we were here on business.

That twisted his arm, and he gave us this address and a time—which is five minutes from now. His only stipulation was that we would both be unarmed, which I half expected, if I’m honest. It’s pretty common when two people in our world meet on business for them to show a certain level of professional courtesy and respect toward each other to compensate for the understandable lack of trust.

So we laid low, grabbed another bite to eat, and eventually made our way here.

As I’ve said, by all accounts The European has somewhat of a reputation for being a world-class piece of shit, but there’s no denying the man’s skills as a professional. He’s an all-rounder, adept in most methods of killing. He’s still young, compared to me at least, but he’s experienced and effective. Potential allies are few and far between at the moment, and if I can get him on board, we’ll be in a good position to move forward with my plan.

And I’m sure twenty million dollars will help convince him, if he’s reluctant.

That said, despite everything that’s happening at the moment I’ve not forgotten the fundamentals that gave me
my
reputation, either. Namely, my almost-perpetual cynicism and overwhelming distrust of anyone and everyone.

I’m looking over at the club, which is a nice building, as I’ve said. It’s a corner plot, with one main entrance guarded by a huge doorman. Presumably there’s a back entrance, too, but that’s it. No other way in or out. I have to assume The European is familiar with the place—Ruby said he’s been working exclusively for some gangster in the city, so he’s definitely going to know the area better than me. I’ll be meeting him on his turf, in his own backyard…

I don’t like it.

I was prepared for Jonas, using myself as bait to get to him. Ruby was pretty straightforward because if I had any doubts about her, I could simply leave her in her cell. But this guy… I don’t know… he’s got my spider sense jumping all over the place.

“You want me to go in and meet with him?” Ruby asks, presumably noting my visible hesitation.

I shake my head. “No, this is my responsibility. I just like to know everything about a new situation before I put myself in the middle of it is all.”

“What’s to know? He said he was interested in the work and said to meet him here to discuss it.”

“Yeah, I know…”

“But…?”

I smile and turn to look at her. “
But
… I don’t like it. Just my gut feeling.”

“Are you sure that’s not you ovulating?”

I roll my eyes. “Because I’m a pussy… Yeah, yeah—I get it. No, it’s because I’m incredibly good at what I do. I haven’t survived at the top of this business for as long as I have by being reckless, that’s all I’m saying.”

Which is a complete lie. I’ve survived at the top of this business for as long as I have because of Josh
despite
my borderline suicidal levels of recklessness.

But I’m not going to tell her that and ruin a perfectly good point.

She holds her hands up. “Alright, take it easy. So what do you want to do?”

I shrug. “I’ve no option but to go inside to meet him. I want you to stay here, out of sight. Give it fifteen minutes, and if there’s no sign. Come in, armed.” I fix her a look, staring right in her eyes. “I hope there won’t be any confusion or misplaced loyalties, should it come down to it.”

She shakes her head and shrugs casually. “Please… I have no loyalty to
either
of you. But you’re paying me a lot of zeroes to have your back, and he’s not. There’s my loyalty, okay?”

“Fair enough.” I reach behind me, take out the gun I stole from the cop, and hand it to Ruby, which she takes without question. “Right, I’m going in.”

18:21 EDT

I nod courteously to the doorman as I pass him and walk into the bar. The interior is artificially lit, but it’s bright and looks pleasant enough. It has a blue and green theme throughout, with neon highlights decorating the bar area. Tall bar stools are positioned around columns to the right as I enter.

There’s a small step down, and then the place opens up, expanding back with chairs surrounding tables down the middle and left side. The right is taken up by the bar, with the restrooms just beyond that.

The bar is half-full. Probably a bit early for the evening crowds to descend. I scan the room and see a mixture of people enjoying their drinks—a group of young women off to the left, some couples on the right, a large party in the middle laughing together… and one man sitting alone with his back to me, wearing a suit I can tell from here is worth a small fortune. Tailored with a shine, light gray in color.

There he is.

I take a breath and walk over, fighting to retain what little diplomacy I have left. I don’t like it, but I need him on my side in this, so I have to play this delicately.

I draw level with him, stopping and pointing to the seat opposite. “Join you?”

He looks up and smiles. “But of course.” His voice sounds slimy and fake, and his accent has a hint of French mixed in with it. “It is good to see you, Adrian.”

I smile humorlessly as I sit down. “I bet.”

“Please… There is no need for any hostilities between colleagues. Can I get you a drink?”

I hold my hand up. “I’m good, thanks.”

He nods. “Of course. Straight to business, then?”

I regard him for a moment. He’s a good looking guy, no denying that. Clean shaven with chiseled, boyish features. Thick, dark, styled hair, and… has he had a manicure? Christ!

In addition to his fancy suit, he’s wearing a black silk shirt with the top two buttons open. Resting on the table in front of him is a set of keys. There’s a keychain on it with the Ferrari logo.

He sees me looking and smiles. “It’s in the parking lot out back. The 488 Spider in British racing green. A beautiful machine. Zero to sixty in a fraction under three seconds. Six-sixty under the hood. It sounds like… like a tiger riding a bat out of hell.” He laughs to himself.

Prick.

I don’t care about your car, you fucking arrogant douche!

I clench my jaw muscles.

Relax, Adrian. You need to stay calm.

I sigh and offer a weak smile. “You should be a car salesman.”

He laughs again, clapping his hands together. “There’s that famous sarcasm of yours. Tell me, how is your British friend doing these days? John, isn’t it?”

“Josh. And he’s fine. Bit busy at the moment, though.”

He nods. “So what brings you to my city?”

“
Your
city? Okay… I’m here to offer you some work.”

“I already have plenty of work, thank you.”

“Mine will pay better, trust me.”

He shrugs. “I don’t know… I am paid
very
well.”

“Not
this
well.”

He strokes his chin for a moment in silence. “How much are we talking?”

I frown. “Aren’t you interested in what the job
is
first?”

He shakes his head. “I am interested in what the job is worth to me. For the right price, I will kill anyone. I do not care who.”

“Okay. Twenty million.”

A slight look of surprise reaches his eyes, betraying his otherwise calm and collected demeanor. “Dollars?”

“Yup.”

“That
is
an impressive payout. And this is just my share?”

I nod. “Everyone on the team gets the same twenty million, yeah.”