I
15 Years Ago
My eyes scanned the local park I was seeking refuge in. I could hear children playing a couple hundred feet my south, the wind was blowing slightly east, and the tension in the air was slack, carefree. My target had just purchased hisself a latte from the coffee cart a couple yards northwest of my position, a hazelnut mocha if he stuck to routine. He would sit on the park bench to my left for about ten minutes, reading the daily newspaper before packing his things up and heading towards his car parked in the south parking lot, just passed the playground where his child and wife played cheerfully.
He positioned himself on the bench and I made my move. Getting up from my spot on the bench, I made my way over to him, head pointed downward slightly and my hand stuffed in the pockets of my trench coat to make me appear smaller, invisible. I took a seat next to him, to which he looked up from his paper, curiously at first but then in fear when I positioned my gun up against his ribs, the view obscured by the positioning of my purse.
"Hello Dr. Ferai." I greeted softly. I didn't make eye contact, instead opting to take in the view of the children playing.
"Who are you?" It was a typical question. One I received often from my targets.
"When I was a child, I was never allowed to play with my mother, let alone any other children. But, I had always heard the sound of the other children laughing, screaming as they played tag or red rover. I yearned to be just like you're little girl. Olive, isn't it? She has such a pure soul, wouldn't stop going on about how her daddy was taking her to the ballet this weekend to watch the pretty ballerinas in their pretty costumes and tutus. Gosh, my mother used to take me to the ballet too, but for a much different reason." I let my gaze float to the eyes of Ferai. He was shaking softly, out of anger or fear, maybe even both. His eyes were a lit with a dim but loathsome fire.
"Stay away from my family. They have nothing to do with this." I cocked my head slightly, giving him a soft smile as I shook my head.
"I have no need for your family, Gerard. God knows I want nothing more than for that little girl to grow up and have a life outside of the dark one you live in. But that's unfortunately your problem. Your life." I shifted slightly in my seat so that I was facing him. "My contractor has notified me of a bit on, how should I put this, infidelity on your part. You've been selling secrets to the United States government on operations that are vital to my contractor. Now, I know in return for these secrets, the FBI had you put into WITSEC but, you should know there is no place to hide from Azrael. For I, am the Angel of Death." I traced my fingers across the side of his face.
"Now, this is going to hurt, and I do apologize for the commotion that will happen. Your daughter will be very well taken care of, but as for your wife, she will be going down for your murder. You see, I may have put a little something in that latte of yours. Hazelnut mocha, right? Well, I got a few friends that can place you at your babysitter's house while Margaret over there is at home with your child. Just what were you doing there, Gerard? Well, Margaret, so overcome with rage after finding out about your infidelity- oh! How symbolic! Infidelity with your business partners, infidelity with your wife. Lord, you are on sneaky little bastard. Anyhow, she decided to get her revenge in the best way possible. We have placed evidence to point things towards her, and I will have been nothing but a ghost." I concealed my firearm before getting up from the bench, watching Gerard's eyes go wide as he begins to struggle to breath. He begins to seize as his brain stops receiving oxygen and he thuds to the ground. Hurriedly, I crouch next to him, trying to help.
"Help! Someone call 911! Help, someone, please!" As the masses begin to make their way towards us, I crouch low to his ear.
"Save a spot for me in Hell, would ya?" I move out of the way so that others may try and help assist him. I whip out my burner as I get to an appropriate distance, hitting speed dial one.
"It is done." I ended the call and dropped the phone into the trashcan nearby. I approach the south parking lot when I sense someone's eyes on me. Turning, I see Olive, her eyes sparkling in questions as they gaze towards me. Giving her a sympathetic smile, I pulled the locket I kept around my neck off, walking towards the little girl. I knelt next to her, the locket a pool of chains in the palm of my hand.
"One day you're going to have questions. And I will have the answers you are looking for. When you are ready to have those questions answered, you'll know where to find me." I tied the locket around her neck before giving her a smile and walking back to my car. Getting in, I peeled out of the driveway, speeding to the extraction point.
