CHAPTER 4
DEATH THREAT
The manager got a disguise and called his boss, "Sniper, " through a burner phone, telling her how the operation went. "Ma'am, it looks like they knew we were about to attack." One of my men might be a mole and must have leaked the information about the operation to the Feds. Don't worry, they have no idea who you are. Ma'am, what do you think we should do about those rich folks? They didn't know I was behind the mask," the manager said. The boss said to him, "Go to them like you didn't know what happened, then look for clues to see if they know that you are the one behind the scenes. If it goes smoothly, report back. But if it goes the other way round – kidnap them. Then we will launch the final attack on those rich folks. After that, we'll be mega rich. Don't forget to be armed. The Feds might be waiting for you inside their house."
Sniper saved the life of a mafia boss a few years back, who later showed his appreciation for her kindness. By granting three of her wishes. Sniper said to the mafia boss, "I want to work for you. I want to raise a small army of 200 men. And my last request is that I get to ask you for help when I need it, that's all." The mafia boss kept his promise and granted her request. The manager is one of the 200 men Sniper asked for. She is not a real mafia boss; she uses the title because the mafia protects her. She was respected by people; when she drove by, they would give way to her. No one dares mess with someone who had connections with the mafia especially 'The Black Vault.' Even the Cops have to show some respect – except for a few tough Cops like the SWAT team.
Back at home, Rosa, Nick, and their parents were having a family meeting in their highly secured basement. Mr. Franklin said to them, "Sooner or later, the manager would show up pretending not to know anything and will try to find out. If we know that he was the one behind the operation. So that he can feed your gold-digger aunt information, according to what we heard from the Recorder, bullet or whatever is on his neck. Please play it cool and don't raise any eyebrows, okay? I am also hurt by this incident." During the conversation someone rang the doorbell, Nick said. "Speak of the devil, he's the one who rang – the doorbell at the gate." Rosa and Nick's dad said to them, "Look, we will pretend to know nothing about the person behind the operation. Remember, do not give him any room to suspect we know his plan – either by body language or attitude. Behave normally and do not raise any eyebrows. Nick, tighten the house security with your computer tools. Immediately he leaves, we will see what their new plan is. Remember he's here on a mission from your aunt to know if we know what they know. Nick, open the gate."
Nick opened the gate as instructed by his father. When the manager came inside the house, he immediately greeted everyone in the family, then went to his boss, Mr. Franklin and told him what happened yesterday. "Boss, someone hacked into the CCTV camera during the heist. It means someone in the company was working with the robbers; could it be Jack, by any chance?" Rosa and Nick's dad was about to shout to his face that the man speaking was the real backstabber, when his eye met with those of his wife, who subtly signaled to him that the man was armed and any wrong move could put them all in danger. He replied calmly "Jack is in another country; he is not involved, (Jack was framed for stealing by the manager, but Rosa and Nick's dad learned the truth from an honest employee who witnessed what happened. The employee was told by Mr. Franklin not to tell anyone about what he saw. He rewarded him for his honesty. He pretended to fire Jack in front of the manager but sent him out of the country to start another branch there without the manager's knowledge) don't worry it could be some stupid prank from my rival don't worry." Then he started arranging tighter security, putting the manager in charge. When the manager noticed they didn't know he was the one behind the operation, he told them that he leave. Rosa and Nick's mum (Mrs. Avery) offered him a cup of tea, but he politely refused and thanked her. Nick was relieved the manager didn't accept it – if he had, he would have died from food poisoning. He told them that he was in a hurry. As soon as he left the house, the family returned to their basement and continued their family meeting.
Rosa said, "so he has the nerve to show up after he tried to bankrupt us." Her dad replied, "Take it easy. I myself am also hurt and betrayed." His wife said to him, "It is my fault. I should not have let her into our family in the first place." Her husband replied, "It was not your fault. Your sister had the right to choose – she choose to be the odd one, the bad one, the gold digger of the family." Nick butted in, "Let's listen to their next plan, or we will end up homeless or dead. Then you guys can continue your chat. Besides, I have a match to watch in the next few hours, which is very important." Rose replied, "We are in a difficult situation, and all you care about is watching soccer..." Nick cuts in, "Look, sis, it's not my fault you have to be such a dramatic drama queen. And you are always so emotional, and it's football – point of correction. You think we are not going to come out of this alive, don't you?" Rose was about to speak when their mum cut in "Enough, both of you we need to be united, and yes, we will come out of this alive. So instead of arguing, we need to be on our toes on this one and play our A–game." They all adjusted their seats in the basement and started listening to the evil manager and the boss's next plan.
When the manager left his boss's house and arrived at his apartment, he got to his apartment and he saw some guys at his door. He got cold feet and was ready to draw his gun at any moment. He thought the police had already found out he was the one behind the scenes, and was played back at the house. He played it cool and walked up to them. He asked "Can I help you? Who are you looking for?" They said they came with a package from the mafia boss." He exhaled in relief, masking his tension. "Which mafia boss?" he asked cautiously. "Who else but Sniper?" one of them snapped. "Or are you working for the other side?" He thanked them curtly, then said, "No. I am not working for the other side, just making sure. Watch out for cops on your way back to the hideout," one of the guys told him. "We understand. " And left after dropping off the heavy package inside, and making sure there were no witnesses.
Immediately he entered his house, he checked what was in the box. When he opened it, he was delighted; the box was filled with rifles, shotguns, handguns, revolvers, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles, armor and a kit perfect for assassination. He then called his boss Sniper (who was named Sniper because of her exceptional skill of with the Sniper rifle) and asked "Boss what's the next plan?" The sniper asked him, "Does the family know that you were the one behind the operation?" He replied, "They do not know anything about the operation; he thinks it is just a prank from his rivals." The boss said to him "let the heat cool down, then we will attack. But be prepared and stay out of trouble. Did you receive the package?" "Yes," replied the manager. The Sniper said to him. "Good. Those will come in handy when it is time." The boss hung up, and the manager began preparing himself by starting his own personal assassination training.
Rose, Nick and their parents were devastated when they hearing the news. The room fell into a heavy silence as the last words from the recorder echoed through the basement. Even if a needle had dropped, the sound would have been heard. Rosa's hand shook a little, Nick stared, his jaw tight. Their mother sank slowly into a chair, pressing her palms to her face as tears escaped her eyes. Their father, Mr. Franklin, stood still, fists balled at his sides, breathing deeply to keep his emotions in check. "This can't be real," Rosa said. "He's really coming for us, Dad," Nick added, his voice tight with fear and anger. But Mr. Franklin's voice gave them hope: "Don't panic. We will prepare! "
Rosa and Nick's dad called his friend in the force — the police! He told them that Rosa and Nick would go through training with the police and the SWAT team, then he and his wife would go through basic police training. His friend agreed. He told them that they might also take karate lessons. He asked the family if they agreed with the latest development, and they all agreed. Rosa and Nick were excited about the training with the police and the SWAT team and happily left the basement for their individual rooms. Little did they know that the decision they had made would change their lives.