Am I making the right decision right now? Those were the last words that went through my head as Blazes Shadow disappeared through the back door. However, the increasingly loud knocking on the door made it clear that I had no time for doubts.
"I'm coming" I shouted and opened the door to my uninvited guests. In front of me stood 4 men, I had no interest in their names, nor would I remember their faces. Nevertheless, I was aware that I would recognize them anytime and anywhere, because they all share the same look that I once shared with them, at least all but one.
"It's an honor to meet you Benjamin Holloway, I'm Max Benett and I'm an advisor to Mr. Wright," the man who stood out in the group greeted me.
"The honor is all yours, apparently Sam thinks his recent success makes him capable of anything, you should be aware of whose territory you have invaded" I replied.
"Of course we know, this is one of the many Redford estates, but invaded? Aren't we all part of the same team?". Team? Even among the men in front of me, everyone would betray each other for their own gain. Although, as a sinner like them, I shouldn't pass judgment. I can see from his answer to my question that my premonition has been confirmed. Something has happened to John. That's the only conclusion I can come to. Since he didn't contact me yesterday like he usually does on Sundays, I should have gone into hiding with Blaze immediately, but I didn't want to believe it and waited another day for an answer and now I have to bear the consequences.
The appearance of Wright's mercenaries and the way they handled the situation. I don't sense any fear from them, so they must think it's okay to invade John's territory and show up here uninvited. As expected, I wouldn't get rid of them at the door, so I have no choice. I looked at my watch and said annoyed,
"Come in, but I'm busy so whatever you want let's get it over with quickly".
"Benjamin dear, what's the rush? Hey, go into the kitchen and prepare some tea, I want to have a quiet chat with him," he ordered his men. He then followed me into the living room where we both took a seat opposite each other.
"I must say it's a remarkable estate, although I can imagine that you must feel lonely after a while if you live here all by yourself.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
"People like us always feel lonely no matter where we are" I replied as I wondered if this comment was meant to test me.
"Hahaha I guess you're right Mr. Wright once said to me that our organization is like a pack of wild wolves, even if we hunt together for our goals, everyone fights for themselves".
"I'm glad to hear that Sam himself also recognizes that he resembles a dog, but let's get down to business Max". After we stared at each other in silence for a moment, one of Max's henchmen entered the living room and served us both tea, while the other whispered a message in Sam's ear, whereupon he smirked slightly and again focused his gaze on me.
"Hmm, I see, then I'll tell you why I'm here. Redford is currently missing and the boss is worried so he wanted to know if you knew anything about it. There was some sugar in the tea, so I took a spoon to stir it and cast a quick glance at my watch again then I replied,
"He's worried hahaha? I have to say Max I don't know whether to be flattered or offended".
He seemed slightly thrown by my answer but then asked, "What do you mean?".
"So you don't understand what I mean? I see 3 of Sam's best men in front of me and yet you think it's necessary to serve me this tea?".
"What's wrong with the tea? You don't seem to have tasted it yet," he replied without letting his astonishment show.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice the poison in the tea? It's dispersed in the air by the heat," I replied as the first effects of the poison made themselves felt through my coughing. Max and his henchmen now knew that they no longer had to hide their intentions.
"I have to say Benjamin is impressive, when I heard that you would be our next target I volunteered for the mission. I couldn't let this mission fail hence the poison I hope you understand, however I must say I thought that even with the poison and your advanced age you would entertain me a little more before I killed you" he said as he pulled one of his knives from his sleeve."It seems you knew why we were here from the beginning and you knew about the poison too, so I wonder did you lose your will to survive when you realized Redford couldn't be alive?".
"Someone like you would never be able to kill me," I said, gasping.
"Oh really, what exactly do you think could stop me now? Do you have any last words?" he said as I fell to the ground and he pressed a knife to my throat.
"I don't need them, I'll see you in hell anyway." I replied with a weak grin. That was the moment Max suddenly realized it, he had felt something was wrong ever since he came to this mansion and now he knew why, it was all a huge trap,
"Quick we have to get out of here" he shouted. As my vision slowly faded I could only see their last desperate attempt to survive, even if it was already too late. In my last moments, I thought about his previous words. Did I decide to follow my savior to his death out of loyalty? No, it's more that in this life my work is done without John. I just hope our boy can spend his life normally, unlike us. That day, a deafening bang tore the air in the mountains and released me.