HiT 149: Anna Brookes First Chapter (22 page)

“I’ll be there.” So my
mother
is the assassin sent to kill Ben? Lincoln clearly knows that I am at Ben’s house, and Ben is apparently dead.
Good I’m glad Lincoln Murphy believes that
.

I do my research on the restaurant for dinner, and it is in prime position to take out a target. So I can only imagine that someone will be there to take me out after my meeting. I hope it’s after because the way Lincoln just spoke to me all cocky, I think he wants to give me information before he kills me. So now I need to think two steps ahead of Lincoln.

“15” my usual cheerful greeting from Agent, well not cheerful but it is his usual greeting.

“I need Lincoln Murphy’s schedule for tonight, but I need you to keep an eye on it and call me if it changes”

“Hacking into his phone, he has dinner planned at Bella Luna from 6pm until 7pm then he is at the ballet from 8pm”

“Any other information?”

“He has a meeting scheduled tomorrow morning in Minneapolis but the only information on that is the initial Y at 11am. There are some other meetings but they don’t look so cryptic, but I’ll keep searching and call with any information.”

I have a few hours before I need to leave for my meeting so I head on down stairs to Ben’s safe room to see how the Doctor is doing. I walk down the 10 steps and see Ben on the bed and the Doctor stitching him up.

“How is he Doctor?”

“If he makes it through the next 24 hours then he’ll be fine. But I can tell you I don’t expect him to live, you need to get him to a hospital but he is too fragile to move. 15, I’m afraid I can’t give you any better news. The choice is yours.”

I stand next to Ben just smoothing his hair and running my hand down his face. “He stays here. I expect you to stay with him for the very least the next 48 hours and tend to him.”

“Of course,” Doctor nods his head whilst he finishes the stitches in Ben’s chest. “He is very lucky because whoever shot him missed his heart by centimetres.” It has nothing to do with luck, a good trained assassin would not have missed that shot. Ben was standing in that position for a few seconds, enough time to kill him. There was no wind outside and there were no obstacles in the way, so if Natalia shot Ben, which I think she did then she’s clearly not such a seasoned assassin. Lincoln knows about my mother, which means he sent her to kill him seeing as Hunter Inc was contracted for the kill. But why would he send an assassin not skilled to kill Ben? Was she also expected to kill me for the bounty? Did Lincoln know she was not that good? How did she become an assassin? So many questions dancing around my head about this situation.

Natalia.... What am I going to do
about
you?

Lincoln...... How am I going to
end
you?

Ben...... What am I going to do
with
you?

Chapter 32

I know what I need to do to clear this situation up. I have a few hours left before I need to meet up with Lincoln. I give the Doctor clear instructions on what he needs to do and that he is not released to leave here until he gets the go ahead from either myself or Agent. The Doctor knows how I work and doesn’t question me on my very specific words to him.

I also call Agent and give him specific instructions on what I need him to do to make my plan successful. It’ll be tricky, but I can make it work.

I head into Minneapolis early to set up and get the supplies I need. First stop, a new outfit for myself, a tailored feminine suit will do. Next stop, supplies. Some supplies I can’t exactly purchase in regular stores however some I can. Once done with my supply shopping I drive to the Hilton Hotel and ask for the best suite available. I don’t get the same welcome I got back from reception chick over at Embassy Suites, this receptionist definitely knows how to look after his clients and he promptly goes about finding me the best suite they have available. I have the key in my pocket and carry up several bags. Time for me to go to work.

First things first, I need to scope where I will do my finest work tonight. An hour later I am back in my hotel room and I start with the rest of my plans. I have all the equipment I require and get to work. I have limited time available but if I push myself I can get it all done.

Time to play.

My BMW is gliding at a reasonable speed towards the restaurant and I find a parking spot right out front. It’s 5.45pm and I make my way inside I instantly know the man sitting over at a table on his own is Lincoln. He looks exactly like Roman but much younger and a lot less stressed. He is wearing a suit that is fitted to his body and he sits back in his chair with an air of authority to him. I make my way over to him and he puts his hand up to halt me, a guard comes over and stands behind me.

“I’m not carrying....” I open my suit jacket open and turn slowly fanning the back part up. “Of course, your whatever
HE
is can pat me down,” I say as I chuckle because Lincoln’s guard looks like a joke and certainly doesn’t even know how to hold that Winchester he has in his hands.

“Pat her down,” Lincoln obviously dubious that I may be carrying my Glocks on or around my torso.

The guard pats me down and moves down my legs down making sure he spends a little too long around my crotch and arse.

“If you don’t remove your hands from me I’ll be sure to kill you slowly when it’s your turn.”

Guard has a very hearty laugh obviously considering my threat an idle one.
You’ll learn.

“Please Anna, I insist you join me for dinner. What would you like to drink and eat?” Lincoln is ever so gracious in his invitation for me to take a seat opposite him. I have been watching everything around me since I pulled up in front of the restaurant and see we are the only ones in here, other than his guards.

“Tell me about my mother Lincoln.”

“Ever so keen to get right into it Anna. I thought we would talk about you for a while.”

“I know everything I need to know about me Lincoln and I have no intentions on sharing it with you. So tell me about my mother.”

“Anna, do you really think you can control this meeting? I am in control here. I do not live in fear of you because I know, there is one person out there better then you. She is extraordinary”

“What exactly DO you want Lincoln?”

“I want you to come work for me, do exactly what you should have done all those years ago when my father sent those two idiots to collect you.”

“I’m sorry but I am unable to accept your offer.” My menacing smile causes Lincoln to sit up a little straighter.

“It’s actually not a request.” His eyes holding a warning.

“I’ll give you my answer to your proposition by the end of our meeting.” Lincoln seems satisfied with this and brings his arms up to the table. He leans his elbows down, links his fingers together and steeples his pointer fingers bringing them to his mouth.

“Your mother is so talented, I wanted to bring her for re-introductions but she’s on
assignmen
t at the moment.” I have a feeling I may be the assignment he is referring to.

“How did she become involved in this lifestyle?”

“She was strung out and flying high one night when she attacked me with a spoon. She did however manage to catch me off guard and stabbed me in the arm with it. She was in an alleyway one night when a man approached her and offered her a hit of heroin to take me out; she had no idea who I was and tried to do it. I, of course, didn’t see her as a threat, but I saw her potential. No one has ever been so bold as to attack me with a spoon before. I took her off the streets, cleaned her up and trained her to be the best assassin in the world. Sorry Anna, you have been knocked off your perch.” He seems like a proud husband
. Hang on, is he???

“And you’re married to her?” It’s a question I think I already know the answer to but I need confirmation.

“She is an astounding and wonderful woman Anna.” Sounds like confirmation to me. No employer would talk like that about their employee.

“Well I must offer you my congratulations Lincoln. Do you mind if I get my phone from my inside pocket in my jacket? I am waiting for a very important call.” I wait for the go ahead from Lincoln and slowly reach into my pocket showing him I’m not a threat and it simply is my phone. Once I have it on the table I restart our conversation “I would like to discuss the issue of the bounty on my head.”

“Well if you work for me then I am happy to remove it, if you don’t then unfortunately Anna the bounty will remain.” His face says nothing more, but his eyes are telling me that he has something planned. I have a feeling that Lincoln will be ending my life tonight no matter which way I decide to play this. Time for me to have some fun....

“Dear Lincoln, I’m sure that the bounty will never be erased and you will leave it there no matter what happens here. You obviously enjoy people fussing over you and making sure you are centre of attention, so how about I hear those orders given right here whilst I sit opposite you to withdraw the Bounty and my answer will be yes.”

“Oh but sweet Anna, what stops you getting up and leaving once the orders have been given?”

“Lincoln do you think Natalia will let me get more than 2 steps outside before she blows my head off? She is right across the road in the last window on the left in prime position with a sniper rifle following my every move. What do you have to lose? Nothing. I on the other hand will die tonight so please humour me and lift the bounty to make me a happy woman before Natalia kills me, like she killed Ben.”

“Yes yes, I did want to pass on my condolences to you for your friend Ben. I do believe you had a special kind of friendship with him.” He’s waiting to see my reaction.

“You did what you were paid to do by Anthony Mancini. Ben was more a stepping stone for me to find out the truth, his death was unavoidable, so please refrain from condolences.”

“Of course Anna I really shouldn’t insult your code or your intelligence. Now about this bounty,” he leans all the way back in this restaurant chair and brings his arms behind his head resting his hands on the back of his head. “I think I can make a dying girl happy.” He stays in the same position for a few minutes watching me whilst I give him nothing with my expression. He reaches into his pocket and takes his phone out, he presses one key and brings it to his ear, “The bounty disappears and is not to be reintroduced” and with that he ends the call.

I do look down at my phone and see I have a message from Agent, I have instructed him until he hears from me this is the only form of communication I want from him. The text reads “Brown” that is our code word, I’m ready to work now. Agent has been monitoring Lincoln phone and listening in to the call, he has certainly revoked the bounty and Agent has also activated my next part of the plan.

I smile over at Lincoln and stand up with force tipping my chair over. Lincoln’s face looks relieved and he says, “Anna you killed my father and as grateful as I am that you did it and I didn’t have to, I still need to send a clear message to everyone that if you deal with me that nothing goes unanswered. I need people to know
I
am at the top now, not you. So as much as I could use your talents I need to end you more. I am sorry about that,” he almost seems sincere that he doesn’t want to kill me but needs to make an example of me.

“Lincoln I am at the top of this game for one reason....” I trail off

“Past tense Anna not present.”

“Oh no Lincoln, I can assure it’s current not past”

Lincoln looks confused and slightly worried.

“I don’t understand”

“Of course you don’t Lincoln” I take my jacket off and lift my blouse showing him my ribs on the left side. There is a strip of adhesive on my skin.

“Why are you showing me a bandage?”

“It’s not a bandage Lincoln. I was busy this morning making some bombs that I have placed all around this restaurant and one on myself. The ones all around the restaurant are phone operated, so what that means is if anyone in this restaurant goes to make a call on their phone then the place blows up. My contact activated it the moment you hung up from your phone call giving the orders to revoke the bounty. You can’t be sure where I have put them, but rest assured if you make a call right now we ALL die. I may have placed others in or around places you frequent. You will never know I suppose, now the one strapped on me is my favourite. If Natalia takes that shot I’m positive you told her to take when I leave, once my body drops to the ground that will be enough of a jolt to activate not only this bomb but I’m sure all the others I’ve placed. Now I know you would have given Natalia specific instructions or possibly she’s listening with anticipation waiting for your go ahead; let’s hope she’s listening and lets me walk away because we will both be involved in a very large BBQ where we will be the guests of honour. By the way, you may have a small issue getting out the back door.”

Lincoln’s face has gone white and he reaches for his phone. “Really Lincoln, you want to try it? Go ahead, I have nothing to lose.”

He rethinks it and his feet seem cemented in the one spot. Suddenly he starts barking orders “DON’T TOUCH YOUR FUCKING PHONES.”

I turn and leave. I get 2 steps outside of the restaurant and look up at the window that I assume Natalia is in, I can see her sniper rifle. I wave up at the building and see the sniper rifle retract. Yep she was certainly listening. I turn and see Lincoln still stuck in the one spot and his guards furiously trying to find where I have left the bombs. I smile and I give Lincoln a small nod indicating that we will meet again. I get in my car and leave. Once I am at the hotel I deactivate the bomb strapped to myself. Of course I didn’t have any other bombs because I didn’t have the time to make them and get them into the restaurant, but Lincoln needed the illusion that they were there. My reputation must have been enough for Lincoln to believe every word I said.

I call Agent “Any changes to Lincoln’s itinerary for the next few days including today?”

“Lincoln has moved the meeting up with Y by 2 hours tomorrow but all else seems the same.”