Redemption by Danny Dufour Read Free Book Online

Victor’s head with the tray of needles and began to dip them, one by one, into first the peanut oil, and then his back. After a dozen needles, he started to react and convulse. Ming Mei broke the silence, whispering into his ear:
    “I hope you choke slowly like my sister did when you shamefully strangled her to death. Remember Yanling? She’s the reason you will die tonight. I was her sister.”
    Victor continued to spasm and wheeze anaemically; he was running out of air. Ming Mei didn’t know if he could hear her, or if he even remembered Yanling. All that mattered was that he felt what she had felt before she died, and to pay for all the suffering she’d worn around her neck since then – she knew it couldn’t return her sister. She wanted this garbage to die so that he could never do anything so evil to anybody again. She continued to puncture him and the convulsions became wild. It wouldn’t take more than a few minutes to die, and she was keeping track. Just before his last breath, she whispered:
    “ Bon voyage. ”
    She left as calmly as she’d entered, taking care to slip through a slim crack in the door so no passers-by could see the gruesome tableau inside. She returned to the bathroom (which she’d taken care to lock), changed and put the clothes back on the nurse, and left the building in a flash. She had immediately realized Andy was following her and elected to string him along to a discrete place where she could deal with him without witnesses.
    “Once again, I’m sorry we met this way, and that we took out your target,” said Namara.
    “Victor was a sadist and an unscrupulous criminal with a pile of victims. My heart is not broken,” Andy retorted.
    “Now, we’re agreeing on something! You’ve changed...”
    “Yeah, we all change. That’s life, isn’t it?” Andy responded.
    “True. And I don’t believe in chance by the way... We meet each other after all these years, don't you think there is a meaning behind it!?” said Namara, challenging him with his deep, fixed stare.
    But Andy had already made the link back to Schwartz’ offer. Namara can’t possibly know about it… can he? Despite himself, he agreed with Danny Namara, that the timing was no coincidence. It seemed to indicate a set-up, a collaboration, perhaps, between Schwartz and Namara. On the other hand, Namara did seem to be the person for the job.
    “Well... Maybe... I don’t know. What about the fact that I am looking for let's say... skilled professionals.... to perform a complex work?”
    “Ah, you see!? What sort of work exactly?” asked Namara. He seemed interested.
    “ Your work, Danny, the same you always do. Just like Victor tonight!”
    “And who are you working for?”
    “Influential people. That’s all I can tell you for now.” Literally .
    “That’s a good enough answer,” Danny offered. “I can live with not knowing my employers. What concerns me is their credibility, because no matter how little work the job entails, it will cost them dearly. Do we understand each other?
    “There’s no fear of that. Money is not the problem. The problem is if you are good enough, and if you’re qualified for jobs that are a little more… complex.”
    Danny Namara began to pace. Then he stopped and smiled at Andy.
    “What you mean is, you’re not convinced of our efficiency, even though you know very well where I come from and what I’m capable of. Is that correct?”
    Kamilia stepped forward. “Do you think we really care about what you think, dork!?”
    Shinsaku and Ming Mei, who stayed back in the shadows, declined to comment. Shinsaku didn’t move at all. Behind his hood, his stony face, dark smooth hair and black almond-shaped eyes made him look fake, like a wax figure of a samurai.
    “Andy’s question is legitimate,” said Namara. “I would do the same. Never rely on statements, take nothing for granted. Well. What kind of proof are you looking for?”
    Andy shrugged. “I don't know