BEAUTY AND THE ASSASSIN

ANTONIO Carlo and I are sure we are walking into trouble this Monday morning. We have failed miserably in the assignment our boss Mr. Carter had given us and we knew only too well that the boss never entertains failure. A few months earlier the boss had lost a lot of territory to a new business man and this made him mad. He had tried diplomacy but that failed too. The new guy told him to go to hell if he couldn't handle competition. Mr Carter was not a man who could take that lying down. He ordered us, Carlo and I to take out the problematic new guy. It didn't look like a big deal since we had worked for him for many years and had we taken similar assignments for long. We were experts in the field. But the new guy had taken serious precautions. However much we tried we couldn't get a perfect opportunity to eliminate him. We had tried to do surveillance around his home and found it impenetrable. His business premises were guarded round the clock by serious men, armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons. Efforts to waylay his car also bore no fruit as he travelled in a large entourage and it was difficult to pinpoint which car he was traveling in. We finally decided to give up. *** We are now walking into Mr Carter's office to announce our failure and we know only too well what that means... Death or punishment! “What is the worse thing that the boss can do to us?” Carlo asks and I almost snap. This guy is still new in this business and it's crystal clear he knows absolutely nothing about Mr. Carter. He doesn't know what that old man is capable of. Has he forgotten that Carter is a mercenary and such people don't have human instincts? “Didn't you hear what I just asked?” he pesters more. “Listen here man!” I snap, forgetting that I brought him into this job. “Can't you just shut the f**k up and wait to see what might happen? I won't be surprised if one of us leaves that office in a body sack!” “You worry too much man! Just relax and in any case one of us comes out of there in about sack, trust me, it won't be me!” Carlo brags.  This guy is definitely underestimating the boss. I hope he won't put me in trouble with his big mouth! “Just shut up, okay? You talk too much!” I say and pretend to mind my own business. The boss is expecting us too so at the reception we are cleared immediately, the receptionist ushering us to the expansive office where I had visited before. I notice that the wall to wall thick carpet is missing today. At his office we remain standing as the boss is talking to someone on his phone. A very nervous moment, like a boy being summoned to the principal's office prevails for a while. Finally we are ordered to sit. Mr Carter walks to the wall closet, opens it and removes a silver coated humidor, then walks back to his seat. He opens it and retrieves a long and fat Cuban cigar, trims the end with a pair of scissors, then lights it. Still on his chair, he crosses his legs over the huge mahogany table and continues smoking in utter disregard to us as we're seated there awaiting his judgement. Ten minutes pass without any word from him. We keep quiet too. Finally he rises from his chair, throws the half smoked cigar into the dustbin then dons his fedora hat. “What a waste!” I think. I'm going to empty that dustbin and retrieve that cigar, then I'll go and smoke it at my regular bar and my friends will respect me. “Young men,” the boss thunders, disturbing my thoughts, “tell me why you failed!” he orders, though calmly. A moment of silence prevails as the boss who's in his fifties paces around the office. I am the first to speak. I explain the circumstances surrounding the new guy's security, his fortified home and his entourage and the factors that made it difficult to take him out. Carlo adds that it was unwise to take the guy out as he was not an enemy, only a fair competitor. I turn to face him and bite my lip angrily. Does he know our boss? No one states the obvious in his presence! He has sincerely opened a can of worms! “Is that so?” Asks the boss, now walking in circles near the door that leads to the reception. We can not see him as he is now behind us. From the corner of my eye, I witness as he quietly slides the deadbolt into place at the door then quickly moves behind Carlo, produces an army knife and slits his throat, severing a very important artery. Oh God! See what kind of trouble this guy has gotten himself into! I warned you Carlo, didn't I? The victim who has been caught unawares reacts instinctively by kicking and throwing his ribs around in a futile attempt in saving his life then stops and slumps on the floor with his eyes wide open in death. I stand petrified. I am a mess. Blood has spattered everywhere as the arteries keep on splashing, staining everywhere. I have seen people dying but not this violently...so quickly. Mr Carter is an expert in slitting throats! This I conclude as I stand there, certain that I am next. To my relief, the boss goes back to his seat then takes out another cigar and lights it. Blue cigar smoke drifts towards where I am standing motionless. Carlo is gone, now it is my turn. “Young man,” the boss says, “clean this mess. And when you're through remember to go out and have that new guy dead. I suggest you hire a professional now and I'll handsomely pay.” With those words Mr. Carter rises from his chair and walks to his private elevator which would take him directly to the basement parking. I thank heavens for sparing my life and then start my work. I have a body to get rid of!