Withstanding the Enemy

Four Chance

Chance…

The piles of papers lay scattered across the table—a puzzle with missing pieces. I scan them again trying to make sense of it all. “Just report back” was The Lieutenant’s one and only command. But I can’t help but try to piece it all together myself. It is in my blood to try to solve the puzzle. For fifteen years I was in the military and it was my job to take down the bad guys. Much like this job, I was always undercover. But after my last high-risk assignment, I was still fighting the nightmares and I needed the change in pace and that’s how I landed this job.

Just report back.

The alarm sounds off on my military watch signaling it is time to leave. An uneasy feeling washes over me, and I know this isn’t going to be good.

Standing at the main entrance to the second floor of the penthouse, I hear the door handle rattle. An elderly man dressed in what appear to be a butler’s uniform steps out to greet me.

“Mr. Fletcher, we have been expecting you.”

I extend my hand. “We haven’t had the pleasure of meeting.”

He looks down at my hand with no interest in shaking it. “Yes, we have not met. Although, I have heard a great deal about you from Ms. May.” I drop my hand. “I must say, Mr. Fletcher, I do not approve of you sneaking around. But, unfortunately, I have no say when it comes to who Ms. May entertains in the kitchen.”

In a sharp turn, the old man steps into the foyer. I quickly follow him and shut the door behind me. I fall a few steps behind as I take in my surroundings. With being accustom to the third floor of the penthouse—the kitchen—I haven’t had an opportunity to explore the top two levels of the penthouse—at least not since I did an override on the card system allowing me access to the full penthouse.

Shit, maybe that’s what this meeting is about. He knows I did an override on the key system.

I am led into a generous-sized foyer with grand stairs lining both sides. An ornate chandelier hangs low and is the main focal point of the room, casting a warm glow making the gold flakes in the black marble floor flicker.

At the next door on the right, the butler stops and slips into the doorway, shutting the door and leaving me behind.

I am too impatient to wait, so I follow the old man to find him talking to Rick—who is sitting behind an oversized, antique wooden desk. The desk is placed in front of floor-to-ceiling shelves that are stacked with books.

“Master, Mr. Fletcher is here for your meeting,” the older man says.

Rick, who is in his mid-forties, makes it apparent that he takes pride in his appearance with his build and sharp clothing. He is sittings there staring at the older man with his cold emotionless eyes.

“Brutus, is Andy Marshall here yet?” Rick demands.

Brutus takes a step back. “No, he is not here yet.”

I watch as Brutus visibly shrinks and curls his shoulders. His demeanor is quite different than when he was speaking with me. What I find more intriguing is seeing the inner dynamics of Rick’s household, causing a few more puzzle pieces to fall into place. But I don’t see Lenny, Rick’s assistant and constant companion…? Those two are always together.

Rick waves Brutus off. “I want to speak with Mr. Fletcher first. Do go get Emma; tell her it is urgent that I see her. She will be at the pool.”

“Yes, Master,” he says with a bow before disappearing through the doors.

“You wanted to see me?” I finally speak.

“I’m sure you have noticed the extra men I have hired. I will be demoting some of the guards we currently have. New guards will be placed in their positions.”

“Yes, Sir. I have noticed the extra bodies on guard. If I may ask, why?”

“Yes, you may. There has been a compromise in our security operations. And until I find the rat in the building, only a select few are to be trusted. Stakes are high right now. I am putting a team together—guards I trust. These select few will be working closely alongside me.”

What is he hiding? What does he not want people to know?

“Sir, what is it that you need from me?” Adrenaline surges through my body.

Rick spins in his chair, stands, and rounds the desk. He straightens his back to meet the five inches I have on him.

“Well, as for the select few, I want you as one of them.”

He relaxes a bit and walks around me. As if to size me up.

“I also want James Burns, Dean Hopper, Brett East, and Andy Marshall as my select few. I know you are associated with a few of these men. Does that work for you?”

His question is more of a statement as he seems to try and gauge my reaction. Do I finally have his trust…?

I stand erect, holding my position. “Yes, Sir.”

“You will each begin specific job training which is essential to protecting the future of this company. Can you handle such responsibility?”

I nod my head to acknowledge him.

“In fact, the two most important positions will be yours and Mr. Andy Marshall.”

There's that name again. At one point or another I’ve worked with all the other men, except him. In fact, I knew all of them well. But I’ve never heard of Andy Marshall before.

Rick walks back to his desk and takes a seat. “Mark Nash will now be in command of the security department taking over your position. He will already be briefed with the details.”

Now there is a name I know, Mark Nash. He is one of Rick’s new goons, and worthless if you ask me…

“What is my new position, Sir?”

Rick shuffles through a stack of papers on his desk. “I have a few things to check before going into further details. Go ahead and have a seat for a minute.” He gestures to the chair.

What game is he playing? I take a seat and begin studying the room. To my left are more bookshelves filled with volumes that appear to be centuries old. I wonder if Rick has them for decoration or if he actually reads them. I hear the door open and close behind me announcing someone’s arrival.

“Thank you, Brutus. You are dismissed,” Rick says before I have time to turn around.

I hear Brutus close the door behind him and I glance to see Emma standing by the doorway, wide eyed. I follow Rick as he stands to greet Emma. I watch him round the corner of his desk, quicken his advance on her, and backhand her across the face. The slap vibrates through the room with enough force to knock her to the floor, halting me in my tracks. Emma curls up on her side as if expecting another blow.

My fists ball with so much volition my knuckles go white. I dig my fingers hard into my hands to control my impulse as images of different ways I can hurt Rick flood my mind. I can kill him in a split second… My training kicks in, I relax my fists, and I evaluate the situation.

Instantly, I notice the taser in his hand and the f*****g smugness on his face. This was a test, a f*****g test … but why…? A blank expression covers my face and I remove all emotion and tension from my body.

“Ah,” he says walking over to me with a nasty gleam in his eyes and a smirk on is lips.

He shoves the taser into the pocket of his slacks and places his filthy hand on my shoulder. “Now I know I can trust you. You are now part of the select group,” he says as he walks back to his desk.

My eyes land on Emma who still unmoving. In that moment, I make a silent promise to her. You will be free of this asshole, even if it is the last thing I do.

“Emma, leave now and go to your room!” Rick demands.

Emma quickly picks herself up and rushes out of the room.

He glances at me for a brief moment. “Your assignment is different than the others and is critically important.” He pauses for some reaction, but I gave him none. So he presses on. “I have heard that you’ve been paying Ms. May visits from time to time and you have even eaten meals with MY Emma. Typically, this is an act I would have disciplinary action for. However, it seems that you have Ms. May impressed.” He sits straighter in his chair. “Do understand NOTHING goes on in this building that I don't know about … and Emma is mine to control…

“I have purchased the library for Emma. She will be busy with the renovations. I'm concerned for her safety. You will be assigned to ensure her safety at all times. I will be sending you an email with her schedule and what I will be expecting of you. Do you understand what I am asking of you?”

“Yes, Sir. When am I expected to start my new assignment?” I say rather robotically.

“Bright and early tomorrow morning. You are to report to the kitchen, no later than 8:00 am I will be meeting with Mr. Marshall in thirty minutes. We are going over the final details. For now, you will report to him for further details and training. He is strategizing a meeting for all the men to meet sometime this week.”

Rick stands and makes his way to me, then extends his hand out. I rise to my feet and meet his hand and shake it firmly. He wants me to protect Emma… But how will I protect Emma from him…?

He stares into my eyes. “Don’t f**k with me and screw this up. I only give you one chance to do this right.”

He drops my hand. “You may go.”