Chapter 1
<Gavin Forrester>
In the moment I don't think about all the people that will be effected once I pull the trigger. I don't really think about anything as a matter of fact. The only thing I focus on is the money and the victim that will bring me it. This case is no different. My boss just gave me a file with the person's name and location in it and told me to not come back unless the person was dead.
I position my sniper rifle right at the door of the doctor's building where my next victim works. My finger hovers over the trigger as I wait for him to exit the building. His file says that he usually leaves the building around 3 o'clock which was fifteen minutes ago.
I pull up the bandana around my mouth and put on my aviator sunglasses. The sun is barely visible in the sky because of the dark clouds but it's always safer for me to hide my features should anyone catch my figure on camera.
I squat lower and squint at the people who are walking out of the building. My victim isn't one of them.
Damn it...
I let out an exasperated breath and wait for the next wave of people to come out. I look through my sights again to make sure the shot is still in the correct position. A man with half a head of gray hair walks out of the doctor's building. An old flip phone is plastered to the side of his head and he looks scared out of his mind.
My target runs a sweaty hand over his mostly bald head as he shouts into his phone. I line up the shot and allow my finger to hover over the trigger. The man is looking frantically around the busy streets and for a millisecond I think he might've seen me but that won't matter the minute I pull the trigger.
I take deep breath and check my shot one last time. I only like to take one shot at my victims, more would draw unneeded attention and with the way I shoot one is usually enough. The cold metal of the trigger hits my finger and I prepare myself to end another life. The man continues to look around and for a second I feel a bit of regret for what I am about to do.
I always get this way before I pull the trigger. I think about their families and all of the pain I'm going to cause them but in the end I choose to not get attached. It makes it easier on everyone.
One more breath and then it's lights out.
I take in a deep breath and bring my finger back hard on the trigger. My eyes follow the bullet all the way to the man. I hit the ground the minute I hear the impact. The shock and screams of all the passerby tell me that I've hit my target. I hear the man's body drop to the ground and that's my signal to go back into the abandoned warehouse where I've set up my equipment.
I unload the gun and toss it into my bag along with my leather jacket, bandana and aviators. I run my fingers through my hair, a satisfied smile crossing my lips. I change into a pair of blue jeans and a gray t-shirt, making me look less guilty than my black jeans and t-shirt did. I put on a black Special Ops hat and pick up my bag from the floor.
Time to go report back to boss.
I hop down the back steps two at a time while pulling my car keys out of the front pocket of my jeans. I toss my bag into the back seat of the car and stuff the keys into the ignition. The engine comes to life and I begin to drive down an inconspicuous back road towards the building where my boss works. A rock song blares through the stereo and I turn it up until I can hear no other noise but the harsh guitar solo.
~~~~~
"Name and business." The guard at the entrance of my boss's office says as I drive up.
"Gavin Forrester, I'm here to see Talon Tenebris." I glare at the guard as he opens the gate.
You'd think they'd know me by now...
"He's just finishing up a meeting on the third floor. He should be ready for you soon." The guard gives me a look of disgust as I drive through the iron-gate.
I park the car on the top floor and take the keys out of the ignition, grabbing my bag in the process. I step out of the car, bag in hand and lock the doors as I walk towards the elevator that leads to the office floors. I step in and press the 3rd floor button.
The elevator begins moving and I lean up against the wall, trying to gather my thoughts about the mission I'd just completed. I whistle a little to take my mind off of the person I killed but it's not unusual for my victims to haunt me a little after the mission.
The doors slide open revealing a busy office space. I can't believe that all of these people are willingly working for Talon Tenebris, notorious mob boss or whatever his title is. I didn't really pay attention when he lectured me on his company, I only really paid attention when he told me how much money I could make by doing what he said to do.
I know it's despicable for me to kill for a living but it pays well and when one gets kicked out of their job by the government then one is left with few choices.
I sidestep to avoid Tenebris's little minions as I make my way down the hallway towards his office. He's the largest office on this floor, the one at the end of the hall that has its own security guards. They point their guns at me as I approach the office door. I put up my hands and drop my bag.
"It's me boys...Gavin Forrester, the number one minion at Tenebris Incorporated." I smirk as they pat me down. "You can look but you cannot touch."
"Very funny, Mr. Forrester. Master Tenebris has been expecting you." The guards roll their eyes and open the door.
I salute them and walk through, slamming the door behind me. Mr. Tenebris is sitting in his large leather desk chair and smoking a cigarette, just like usual.
I take a seat in one of the chairs facing his desk and set my bag down next to me. He chuckles and puts his cigarette in the ashtray right in front of him.
"Operative Forrester, welcome back." He spreads his arms wide and grins.
"Glad to be here, Talon." I cross my arms and lean back in the chair.
Mr. Tenebris rolls his eyes and laces his fingers together while putting on a serious face. I do the same and lean forward.
"Is he dead?" Mr. Tenebris looks at me intensely.
"As a door nail." I respond smoothly and give him a heated glare.
Don't question the master, Talon.
"Good, I have another mission that you may find of some interest." Mr. Tenebris slides a manila folder across the table towards me, prompting me to open it.
I do as he wants and a picture of a woman my age catches my eye. She has long brown hair and deep brown eyes. I read through her profile and figure out that she's a few years younger than me and lives in the upper class part of town. Her name is Victoria Grayson.
I look towards Mr. Tenebris with a quizzical expression.
"I'm not going to kill some hot girl because you told me to." I slide the file back towards him and cross my arms.
"I'm not asking you to, I'm commanding you to. She has to die." Mr. Tenebris forces the file back towards me and I grudgingly accept it.
"Care to tell me why I'm going to kill a hot girl with a Sniper Rifle?" I cross my arms, waiting for an extensive explanation.
"Oh, you won't be killing her with that." He taps his fingers together and smirks.
"Then what do you expect me to kill her with? A nerf gun?" I roll my eyes and continue to stare at Mr. Tenebris.
"Funny, but not what I had in mind." Mr. Tenebris stands up and walks over to his gun cabinet, reaching for the 9 millimeter pistol.
He hands it to me and wraps my fingers around the cold barrel.
"Ms. Grayson has to suffer, she has to know it's coming." He whispers and takes a seat once again.
"Why her?" I set the gun down on his desk and fold my hands in my lap.
"She is engaged to Carter Jacobson, the heir of Jacobson Industries. If his little fiancée is murdered than we will be one step closer to bringing down the Jacobson Empire." Mr. Tenebris says slowly, so I'll absorb every syllable.
Oh, I forgot...Jacobson Industries fired you and you want me to kill someone close to them out of spite.
"So, you want me to kill Carter Jacobson's fiancée at close range so she'll suffer and you can take down Jacobson Industries?" I bite my lip and look towards him to make sure I have everything down.
"Pretty much...Oh and I want you to kill her tonight, at her engagement party." My eyes go wide at Mr. Tenebris's proposition.
"You want me to kill her in front of all of her friends and then you want me to get out of there without being caught?" I glare at him and he just chuckles in my direction.
"The last part isn't necessary; I don't give a crap about what happens to you." He continues to chuckle and I feel the sudden urge to use the 9 millimeter on his head.
"Great, anything else I should know?" I ask, standing up.
"Oh yeah, I had your suit dry cleaned for you. It should be ready by five. The party is at the Carlyle Hotel on East 76th Street, starts at 6 and should be done sometime in the morning. Don't bother coming back until this mission is complete. You're my best operative so I want this mission to be the only thing on your mind." He says as he picks up the ringing phone.
"Thank you for having so much faith in me." I mutter while picking up my bag and shoving the pistol inside.
I try to walk off without the file but Mr. Tenebris catches me. He snaps and points at the file. I let out a long, exasperated sigh and grudgingly pick it up.
"Happy now?" I roll my eyes and walk out of the room without getting an answer.
I'm in for a long night.