Yesterday’s Betrayal, Today’s Scars

Chapter 4 - ANGERING THE MARINO’S

Chapter 4

Star

After leaving Alice’s office, I grab my go bag. I slipped the thumb drive, the prewritten note for Tony and Max, and the voice distorter. Throwing the bag over my shoulder, I head to the underground garage.

When I entered the weapons room, Alex was there checking the weapons I requested. With a nod in my direction, he watches me as I load up. Blades strategically placed in my boots and one on my side. Glock slipped into my thigh holster and extra clips in my right cargo pocket. I grab the tranquilizer darts and gun, placing them in the left cargo pocket of my pants.

Alex is a man of few words. He always has been, even as a teenager. I give him my classic mischievous smile and say, “Don't have too much fun while I'm gone.” I'm trying to lighten the mood because he worries about me. He returns my banter, “Seems like you're the one going to enjoy a party without me.” He may not be my blood, but we were raised and trained together. I don't have to tell him he's my brother, and I love him. He knows it.

I give him a nod as my departure. I jump in the newly outfitted Hummer and take off down the right tunnel. I'm heading to the Marino’s first. Holding the phone against my lap, I snap the voice distorter in place. I dial Alice, and she picks up on the second ring. Her voice is all business.

“Talk to me,” she says. “Route to the first location. I'll call when the package is dropped, and I'm out,” my voice sounding computerized. “Got you covered,” she says. “I'll be tracking you and erasing camera footage as you go,” then the line goes dead. I slip the disposable phone back into my bag.

During the hour and ten-minute drive, I went over in my mind their estate layout and mansion from the security footage Alice sent me to review. With my entry and exit plans in place, I feel confident.

Once I get close, I park a mile from their estate, hiding the Hummer out of sight. Grabbing some night vision goggles out of the glove compartment since the sun has set, I throw my bag over my shoulder and quickly scout the area, ensuring it’s all clear.

I make the haul to their property, stopping short by one hundred feet. Silently going to my stomach, I scan the area using night vision. I see three guards in a circle talking fifty feet to my left. However, nothing to my right. They are such undisciplined amateurs.

Scanning the large mansion, there are a few cameras I didn’t expect. I sigh. Sliding my phone out, I dial Alice. “Talk to me” is always her greeting when I work. “Can you capture cameras at my location running a 15-minute loop?” I ask. “Is that a rhetorical question?” she laughs. I hear clicking on her keyboard. It's all quiet for five minutes. Then I hear her say, “Loop is playing. You are a go.” “Thanks,” I mumble, hanging up.

I toss my phone into my bag. The guards haven’t moved; they are still running their mouths instead of doing their jobs. I run right, staying low in the cover of the night, around to the back staff entrance. While listening and observing through windows, I ease in through the door.

I hear voices from the front of the house, by my count of 3 to 4 men. While staying in the shadows, I quietly make my way to the office.

A large mahogany desk sits at the back of the room. I slip the note and thumb drive out of my bag, placing them in the desk's center. Then, quickly move over to the window. I silently flip the lock open, seeing no wiring for an alarm. I quickly opened it since it was all clear on this side of the house.

Like a silent predator, I drop to the ground and close the window. My head is on a swivel as I scan the area, running low. I'm off the property with 2 minutes to spare. With long strides, I run back to the Hummer and dial Alice as I drive.

“Talk to me,” she answers. “I'm en route to the second location. All silent until touch down.” I informed her. “What did the note say?” she asks through a laugh. I can't help but chuckle thinking about it. “A gift for a client. Call me. I signed it with my typical lightning symbol.” I laugh. “When they call, patch it through to my disposable.” She giggles. “will do.” The line goes dead.

I return to our compound, driving straight to the small airplane hangar. I open the doors, storing the hummer inside. Knowing I must get airborne quickly, I grab my go bag and board the small twin-engine plane.

In the middle of running through my preflight check, my phone rings. Smiling to myself, I accept the call but say nothing. “Who the f**k do you think you are breaking into my home?” Comes a very pissed-off Tony’s voice.

I can also hear Max in the background cursing. I don’t answer him immediately, making him wonder if I've hung up. After another minute, I speak sternly. “I've hand-delivered an invaluable gift to you, and you dare insult me?” “What the f**k are you talking about?” He yells.

“Watch the videos on the thumb drive, all of them. Next, learn some manners and thank me. Lastly, apologize to me for your rudeness or find someone else to handle disposal for your family,” I state with finality. I hit the end call button and tossed my phone back into the bag.

My flight to Texas was quiet, with only the hum of the engines. I land effortlessly four miles from town in a field. Rolling the small plane to a stop, I quickly grab my bag and exit. I've planned this out to the letter with my three escape plans. Two of those plans are leaving without my plane. The thought of that angers me.

I have to focus. Taking long strides, I make the four-mile run to the motel on the outskirts of Brownsville. The aerial photos show a bar across the street. Making my way to the back, I use a dumpster to boost myself up, climbing onto the roof.

I look closely. Six rooms have curtains drawn. The rest are open, and the rooms are dark. I dial Alice. “Talk to me”. She answers. “At a secondary location. Do you have a number?” I ask. “Twelve furthest from the office,” comes her reply. “Got it.” I end the call.

Tucking everything back in my bag. I diligently make my way to the back of the motel. Once I find the small bathroom window to his room, I listen. The TV is playing, but the bathroom is quiet and dark.

I slide a knife out of my boot to pop the lock on the window. Once I quietly get that accomplished, I ease the window open gently so as not to make any noise. It's big enough to fit through, but I have to drop my bag.

I hold the knife between my teeth for easy access and climb through the window. With silent, trained effort, I lower to the floor and ease into the main room. He is focused on the TV. He looks to be wearing dirty clothes like he has been in them for days.

Reaching into my pocket slowly, I pull a dart and the gun from my pocket while I hide in the shadows. Loading it smoothly, I aim. With a smooth motion, I squeeze the trigger, hitting him in the stomach.

He barely lets out a squeal before he is out. I hope he gets what he deserves, betraying Hector, I think to myself. I retrieve my bag, cuffing his hands and feet with zip ties.

In under five minutes, I found his keys and loaded him in the trunk. I make my way back to the plane. Everything went smoothly. Before takeoff, I call Alice.

“Talk to me,” she answers. “Leaving secondary location. I'm camera shy.” She laughs and says, “Don’t worry, I've got you covered. Catch you later.” I end the call with a smile on my face.