by Collin Earl
*****
Roman could taste it. While he recognized that it had only been a few days, he was elated that his efforts looking for this infuriating target had finally come to a close. After the old man recounted the circumstances of having the document stolen, Roman had probed further inquiring what the document was exactly. Upon the old man explaining that his native ancestors had buried a sacred sword deep within a nearby cliff and that his family were descendants of those charged with keeping the sword, Roman's target had apparently posed as an archeology professor from a visiting university to gain the man's trust. With the confirmation that the document was stolen and that it led to a priceless relic, Roman was now sure the thief was the same man he had been tracking.
Roman had paid the old native for both drawing a replica of the map from memory, and to come along with the enforcement officers to apprehend the thief. Using the old man and his replicated map as a guide, the group had easily found the spot of interest, and upon discovering the rappelling equipment, Roman could not have been more pleased.
All they had to do now was wait. If he wasn't dead, the target would come up eventually. One of the squads moved in close to the ledge. This was it. Roman had him.
