Abacus by Josh Burton Read Free Book Online Page A

security and at the same time addressing the financial and psychological cost of serious crime. The long-term gain was a population who were capable of taking mankind forward on the limited resources the future had to offer.
    As was the case in the USA , the targets identified in Australia generally had reliance upon drugs and or alcohol. Deliver Live followed the lead of America in culling targets by exploiting their drug habits. The Abacus in Australia had a dual role, in that they identified the targets for DL to cull, but also nominated suitable “baits” who would be appropriate for getting in close. Randall learnt that as a DL operative his role was to handle and manage the baits who were sent in to kill.
    When Noel had explained the history of DL and the Abacus, he knew Randall would need more. He knew that DL would have to demonstrate to him how credible and influential they truly were. So Randall was granted a wish. Not just any wish, it was an open wish for anything he desired. The grooming of Randall throughout his teenage years whilst a ward of the state meant that DL knew his every thought, they knew what made him tick and they certainly knew what motivated him. So by granting him the wish, they knew exactly what he would want and they were prepared to give it to him to secure his services.
    Randall would never forget the day Noel offered him the wish. He would never forget the day he was offered the opportunity to exact revenge on the animals responsible for his parents’ brutal murder.
    “So , Randall, what is it going to be? What can DL do for you to show you we are genuine?”
    Randall sat down with the phone to his ear. He knew exactly what he wanted. “So you say you will do anything I choose, anything.”
    “That’s exactly right . You name it, it will be done to the letter.”
    “I want Fleming killed. Just Fleming, leave Jenkins for me , I need to sort him out myself.”
    “Okay , that can be arranged,” Noel said casually.
    “But I want him to suffer. I want him to really suffer before he dies. Let me think about it and we will speak tomorrow, is that all right?”
    “Sure , I will ring again at six P.M. tomorrow.”
    Randall had agonized all night as to how Fleming would meet his end. He had waited for this opportunity his whole life and now that it was here, he wanted to make it as brutal as possible. He longed to kill Fleming himself, but there would still be Jenkins left and he was the ringleader. He figured if he planned a horrific death for Fleming, Jenkins would live in fear thinking he would be next. He wanted Jenkins jumping at shadows and never really knowing who to trust in jail. He wanted Jenkins to know that eventually he would endure the most unspeakable torture before being murdered. After spending the night plotting Fleming’s death, Randall felt ready to give his instructions to Noel the next evening.
    “So , Randall, what is it to be?”
    “You said anything , right?”
    “Just say the word, it will be done.”
    “I’ve decided I don’t want him to die,” Randall said cryptically.
    “What do you mean?” Noel asked sounding a little confused.
    “He is to live o n, but he might as well be dead as he will be living in hell.”
    “Go on,” Noel urged.
    “He is to live on but without his senses. He won’t be able to talk, see, feel or hear.”
    “All right, and how do you want this done?”
    “I want it staged. T he first time I want him held down. He will no doubt close his eyes as the bleach-filled syringe closes in. I want the syringe plunged through his eyelid and deep into his eyeball. Then the eyeball is to be pumped full of bleach. Even if his eyeballs do not explode under pressure, which I expect they will, the chemical will permanently blind him and severely burn the eye socket. The pain will be so severe he should pass out, which will make the next task that much easier.”
    “Okay ,” Noel said, obviously making notes.
    “When you finish with the