by Aman Gupta
Bruno told them that he was already on his way to meet the mayor and would arrive in a couple of hours.
Pete greeted Karen and Bill after opening the door.
“Vik is attending a call outside. He will be right here,” said Karen.
“Oh, okay,” said Pete.
He took them to the study room.
Karen untied Emily and Emma, and whispered to follow her lead. She didn’t know that Emily didn’t need to pretend to be injured. She already was.
Emily wouldn’t walk a step.
Karen asked the mayor if he had a walking stick. Pete was a little confused as to why Emily couldn’t walk. When he went upstairs to get a walking stick, Vik emerged from the study room and ran to the main doorway down the hall. When Pete came down the stairs, he saw Vik standing at the door.
“Come in,” said Pete.
“Your floor looks messy,” said Vik.
Pete picked up a bag. He opened the red box and tried opening the steel box inside it. Vik grabbed it from Pete’s hands.
“Allow me,” said Vik.
“Of course,” said Pete.
Vik unlocked it and showed it to Pete. Pete could only see the shiny blue stuff inside the box.
“Yeah, stupid stones,” said Pete.
Vik locked the box and put it in the bag. Pete had fallen for the plan’s most vital trick. Deception. Emily’s entire plan hinged on one simple thing – the blue stones found on West Gate looked eerily similar to the fuel pellets in terms of color and texture. A complete fuel belt could fit inside a bowl. Emily believed they could fool the mayor to mistake one for the other. The storage belts were made of a malleable and ductile substance, which could be rolled to fit a small circular box. The fuel pellets, attached to the slots at the surface of the belt, were as small as a man’s finger, yet could power a sedan for almost 200 miles. Emily had told Emma to put the belts in such a way so that the blue pellets were visible when looked from the top.
“Want me to get these out of here?” asked Vik.
“Yes, please,” said Pete.
Vik made a call to Kate. “Take the stuff. Pete wants to get rid of it ASAP.”
“Be there in 5 minutes,” said Kate.
She sat in a truck parked in West Gate town and drove towards the mansion. Joey followed her in a truck of his own.
They entered the compound. They were dressed as sanitation workers and told the guards that they were here to pick up the gifts for the town.
Karen and Bill took Emma and Emily to Karen’s car. Emily hopped with the help of the stick. Vik took his leave, saying that he had received an urgent call. He gave a piece of paper to the mayor, giving him directions of the secret warehouse. In reality, they were directions to a part of the maze where Vik had hidden the stones. As he occupied the mayor, Bill picked up the bag containing 5000 belts and put in his car.
Kate and Joey put all the gift bags in the trucks. The guards inspected the trucks while it was leaving the compound. They recognized the gift bags, as they had seen them last night. Kate and Joey were let through without any trouble. So was Karen and Bill. Vik had accompanied Karen, while Emily and Emma sat in the back.
They drove to West Gate to lay low.
Around 12 PM, just as when she was about to leave, Karen had a conversation with Vik.
“So, it’s time for you to put your money where your mouth is,” said Karen.
Vik handed over a piece of paper to Karen containing access code to the cloud server, where Vik had transferred all the files.
“You’ll find all the research files that Olivia had. They are encrypted,” said Vik.
“I’ll get them decrypted,” said Karen.
“So you’re leaving?” asked Vik.
“Yeah, I’ve gotten what I came here for,” said Karen.
“Which was what?” asked Vik.
“Clarity,” said Karen.
She kissed Vik, got in the car, and drove away. He felt a sudden uneasiness in his mind as she drove away. A few minutes later, his mind recuperated as he felt like his normal self. Something he hadn’t been every time she was around.
Karen smiled as she looked in the rearview mirror. When she couldn’t see him anymore, she made a straight face before smirking. She looked at the piece of paper in her hand and cackled.
*********************************************************
Vik and the rest returned to Morrow around 4 PM. Vik had received a call from Xavi, mentioning that he would reach around 7 PM. Vik unloaded 5000 gift bags and gave them to Eric at the precinct.
Kate and Joey went with Vik to the meeting location around 7 PM, around 10 miles outside Morrow Town.
Xavi had already arrived, but Vik could only see five trucks. He got out of his truck and approached Xavi.
“I thought you said 50 trucks,” said Vik.
“Yes, you’re getting 50 trucks worth of the shipment. I just saved the delivery costs. Look at the size of the trucks. They could fit 10 cars in each one of them,” said Xavi.
“Fair enough,” said Vik. “Did you get what I asked for?”
“Yes,” said Xavi.
He handed over a packet to Vik. Vik opened the packet and took out a small rubber device and a small remote.
“Stick it on any surface like chewing gum. Then press the remote,” said Xavi. “I could only get my hands on one of this. So use it wisely.”
“What’s the lead time?” asked Vik.
“1 hour. Maybe 2. Final location matters, so you need to be sure where your target is likely to be in the next hour. 3 blocks radius guaranteed. The impact might be felt over 5,” said Xavi.
“And the other thing?” asked Vik.
“I asked around. He’s dead. But I think I got you someone better,” said Xavi.
He gave Vik a photo of a blonde woman getting out of a car, with an address written on the back.
“Who’s she?” asked Vik.
“Goes by Natasha. Used to be a Mortova Assassin,” said Xavi. “You know about them?”
“Yes. What do you mean, used to be?” asked Vik.
“She was thrown out because she went rogue,” said Xavi. “Trust me, she’s much better than Adreno.”
“How did you find her if she’s that good?” asked Vik.
“Trade secrets, man. Can’t reveal them all,” said Xavi.
Vik smiled.
“But trust me, whatever you’re planning, your chances of succeeding would improve if she were on your side,” said Xavi. “Like a thousand times.”
“Good to know,” said Vik.
“So, is that the truck?” asked Xavi.
“Yeah, two of them,” said Vik.
Xavi whistled. His men stepped out of their refrigerator trucks. Kate and Joey opened up the back door. The men randomly inspected the packets and saw everything was fine. They gave the thumbs up to Xavi.
“So how much for the information and the chewing gum?” asked Vik.
“2000 belts. You already owe me 500,” said Xavi. “Let’s round it off to 3000. For old times sake.”
Vik took out a bag from the front seat of the truck and handed over to Xavi. “3000 belts. Hope she’s worth it.”
“Trust me. She made the Mortova Assassins. Now, they are hiding like cowards,” said Xavi. “Make the right offer, and she’ll help you.”
“Okay,” said Vik.
Xavi hugged Vik. His men took the keys from Kate and Joey, and drove away the trucks after picking up Xavi.
Joey, Kate, and Vik were standing in the middle of nowhere with five huge refrigerator trucks. Joey and Kate looked at each other, curious about what was in the trucks. Joey decided to take the plunge.
“So that’s it?” asked Joey.
“Yeah,” said Vik.
They looked into the trucks. Vik opened the crates and saw the firepower. He smiled. It was worth the risk that he had taken. Each of the trucks had firearms, ammunition, and sophisticated equipment that Joey had never seen before. They were almost identic
al in terms of their contents. Xavi knew it helped with the state tax.
Vik told Joey and Kate to leave with two trucks.
“Park them in the parking lot next to the police precinct,” said Vik.
Joey and Kate drove away separately. Vik stayed behind, looking at his watch.
An hour later, he saw a couple of SUVs coming towards him.
“Here we go,” said Vik as the cars stopped few yards away, flaunting its high beams straight into Vik’s eyes.
Bruno Sera and Chad stepped out of the car along with their men. Vik was stunned. He didn’t know Bruno and Chad had reconciled. But he decided to still carry on with the plan, though he didn’t have a choice. Bruno asked his men to inspect the trucks. The men climbed into the trucks. They hadn’t seen anything like it. They congratulated each other for securing such a high-value shipment.
“Say hi to Tony for me,” said Vik.
“How did you get this stuff?” asked Bruno.
“Some guy owed me,” said Vik.
“Or you found the treasure,” said Chad.
“What treasure?” asked Vik, acting innocent as per Emily’s plan.
“She was tough too. Then I broke her,” said Chad. “Right before I set her building on fire.”
Vik didn’t know what Chad was talking about.
“Grab a truck,” said Bruno.
A guy hopped on one of the trucks and drove away towards Morrow.
A few minutes later, Vik received a call from Emma. He didn’t pick it. She called him again.
“Sorry, excuse me,” said Vik.
Vik picked up the call.
“What’s wrong?” asked Vik.
“Where are you?” asked Emma.
“I’m busy as per the plan,” said Vik.
“Hurry to the hospital. Emily..she..” said Emma.
“Emily, what?” asked Vik.
“They burned down her restaurant. Emily has been shot twice. She’s been injured badly. We’re on our way to the hospital,” said Emma.
“Is she with you?” asked Vik.
“Yeah, just hurry,” said Emma.
Vik returned and stared down Bruno and Chad.
“Something wrong?” asked Chad, laughing.
“No,” said Vik. His heartbeat spiked as he tried to hide his disgust.
“You look like you heard some terrible news,” said Chad.
“I changed my mind,” said Vik.
“About what?” asked Bruno. “We already got your truck.”
Vik headed to the second truck. He took out the rubber tracker from his pocket and planted it inside the back of the truck. He stepped down from the back.
“Keep this one as well. A sign of good faith,” said Vik.
“Okay,” said Bruno as he chuckled.
Bruno whistled, and one of his men sat in the truck. Bruno offered to shake Vik’s hands, but he denied it. Bruno and Chad left a minute later. Chad couldn’t help but smile the entire time.
Vik took out the remote and pressed the red button. The remote’s screen flashed ‘Sending command’.
A few seconds later, it flashed ‘Confirmed. 79 minutes’
Vik sat in the last truck and headed towards Morrow. His eyes were wet, but he was furious and angry. He slammed both his hands on the steering wheel a hundred times in frustration and screamed. It was pain masked with anger.
“No. No. No. No. NO!” he kept repeatedly saying while he drove. “NO!!”
He brushed away his hair in anger, frustration, and emotional turmoil. His face was red, his hands were shaking, and his heart was sinking.
He drove the truck to the Morrow precinct. He saw Kate and Joey were waiting by the trucks. They mentioned about Emily. Vik told them to go door to door and clear civilians within five-block radius of 23rd street.
“Why?” asked Kate.
“You’ll see. I’ll call Eric. Only innocent civilians!” insisted Vik. “Do it quietly.”
He quickly got in his car parked at the precinct and drove towards the hospital.
He called Eric en route. “Do you know anyone who lives in the 3 block radius of 23rd street and doesn’t work for Sera Crime Family?”
“They pretty much drove the civilians away. Most of the nearby area is abandoned and acts as a warehouse for their operations. There’s one woman, Elina Smirnov,” said Eric.
“How about 5 block radius?” asked Vik.
“Around 50 families,” said Eric.
“Where are you?” asked Vik.
“I’m heading to the hospital. I got a call from Emma,” said Eric. “Bill and she are already there.”
“Get Elina Smirnov out of there. Coordinate with Kate and Joey. Get people to abandon their homes. You have 45 minutes,” said Vik. “50 if you’re pushing it.”
“Why?” asked Eric.
“Eric, stop wasting time and get them out of there!” yelled Vik.
Eric immediately applied the brakes and turned around his car, nearly causing a collision between two other cars. He called Kate and Joey, who were already heading that way.
“Where are you headed?” asked Eric.
“I’m taking 20th. Joey is going to 26th,” said Kate.
“Okay. Get everyone to 18th and 33rd,” said Eric.
“What is happening?” asked Kate.
“I don’t know. Just do what he told you,” said Eric.
“I’ll get them out of there,” said Kate.
She called Joey and told him to get everyone to 33rd.
It was a 30 minute ride to Elina’s home on 23rd street. Eric reached in 15 minutes, driving at crazy speeds. He rang the doorbell repeatedly before Elina opened the door. He told her that she needed to come with him.
Elina complied after Eric told her that it was urgent.
Eric looked around and saw 23rd street was getting ready for a celebration. He also spotted two refrigerator trucks parked in the middle of the 23rd street.
He immediately took Elina outside the radius mentioned by Vik. A few minutes later, he got a call from Kate.
“I got them all,” said Kate. “I’m over at 18th. Joey says he got everyone running to 33rd. I think we’ll get them out of the radius in time.”
“Take them someplace secure,” said Eric. “In an empty parking lot or a park.”
“Okay,” said Kate
Eric felt a rush like never before. He liked the feeling. He called Vik.
“I got her,” said Eric.
“What about Kate and Joey?” asked Vik.
“They’re nearly done too,” said Eric.
“Tell Kate and Joey to cordon off the area,” said Vik. “Tell everyone I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” asked Eric. “What exactly is going to happen in the next 20 minutes?”
Vik hung up. He could smell the ashes in the air. It was Emily’s restaurant going up in flames while the fire trucks were rushing to the spot.
A minute later, he reached the hospital. He immediately ran to the reception and asked about Emily. He headed to the second floor after being told about it. Emma and Bill were sitting on the bench outside OR 3.
Emma was nervously shaking her legs, while her hands were still shaking. Vik ran towards them. Emma got up and immediately hugged Vik.
“How’s she?” asked Vik.
“We don’t know. They’re still operating,” said Emma as they stopped hugging.
Vik looked through the window and saw the doctors and nurses had surrounded Emily. Pacing impatiently for several minutes, Vik finally saw a doctor emerge from the room.
“How is she?” asked Vik.
“She’s going to be fine. Unfortunately, we had to amputate her left leg below the knee,” said the doctor. “Otherwise, the infection might have spread in the entire body. The bullets to her leg made it worse.”
“Is she awake?” asked Vik.
“No, she’s still under heavy medication,” said the doctor.
“Okay,” said Vik.
Vik walked inside the room
and saw Emily resting on the bed. He cried when he saw the amputated left leg. He blamed himself for her current condition. He was right to blame. It was her plan, but he was the one who went ahead with it. She did it all for him. She had saved him twice now.
“Emily?” said Vik as he touched her wrist.
He kept rubbing her forearms with his fingers. He was stopping his tears from rolling down his cheeks. A few minutes later, her fingers moved, and she opened her eyes slowly.
“Emily, I’m sorry,” said Vik.
“It was Chad,” said Emily, barely.
“I know. Do you want to see fireworks?” asked Vik.
Emily nodded.
He pointed her to the window on her right. “Keep looking.”
She kept looking like a patient student, tilting her head towards the right. He kept looking at her.
A minute later, Vik could hear a fighter drone in the sky. It looked like a flying saucer that appeared in the night. It dropped something in the middle of 23rd street. It looked like a lightning bolt from afar. A few seconds later, the place exploded. Xavi was right. It did take out a five block radius. Vik had saved it for Sierra. But at that moment, it felt like the right thing to do.
He could see the mushroom cloud in Emily’s eyes. The impact and its ripples shook the entire town.
“Who’s that?” asked Emily.
“Sera Crime Family,” said Vik.
“Chad looks beautiful,” said Emily.
“He does,” said Vik. “Have some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Okay,” said Emily as she kept looking.
Vik stepped outside, and he saw everyone was looking outside any window they could find. Bill came over to Vik.
“Hey,” said Bill.
Vik nodded.
“Did you do this?” asked Bill.
“Yes,” said Vik.
Bill offered to shake Vik’s hand. Vik shook his hand.
“Anything I could do?” asked Bill.
“There are some left in West Gate. You could always visit them,” said Vik.
Bill nodded.
Vik took the stairs and went to his car. He could see people had come out on the streets. They were looking at the sky and the cloud of smoke, fire, and dust. Emma followed Vik outside.
“I just got a call from Kate,” said Emma.
“And?” asked Vik.
“Everyone is safe,” said Emma. “Except for the people in 23rd.”
