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Chapter 35 - L&D

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Tadeus couldn't sleep all night, wondering if everything had turned out as he expected. He watches the news about what had happened, but the fact that Alexander hasn't called, makes him think that maybe his father's men have attacked the wrong place, so he decides to call him himself — Tadeus? — he hears Alexander's voice on the other end of the line.

— I guess I woke you up. I just wanted to call to make sure you're okay — Tadeus says.

— Yes, I'm fine.

— I saw the news… Are you okay?

— I'm good, don't worry — Alexander says with a smile — Actually, I'm on a flight. I won't be around for a while, so we won't be able to see each other for a few days.

— Oh… you didn't tell me you were traveling — Tadeus says — Where are you going?

— It's just a business trip for the pharmaceutical company.

— Just let me know when you're about to return.

— Okay. You should go to sleep now.

— Try to sleep on the flight, you too — Tadeus says and hangs up. He finally feels some relief, confirming that everything went according to plan.

A few hours later, Tadeus receives a call from one of his father's men. After this, a van picks him up and takes him to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. To his surprise, Edwin accompanies him, bringing a tailored suit — Wear this — he advises — If you want them to talk, you have to make a good impression. They need to know you're not just some criminal who kidnapped them.

— I'll just ask her to delete any copies of the videos — Tadeus says — Wait, did you say 'them'? 

— Obey me — Edwin says.

When they arrive at the location, in addition to the suit, Tadeus is wearing a pair of dress shoes, leather gloves, and a gray coyote scarf around his neck. A couple of men lead him to a large room at the back of the warehouse where he sees a man tied to a chair.

His face is completely covered by what appears to be a black cloth sack. Tadeus is confused when he sees this isn't Dove and goes to his father — Who is he?

— He's the Animal's confidant — Edwin says. This makes Tadeus remember the man he saw a few days ago at Alexander's house.

— Where's the housekeeper? I need her to delete the videos of…

— That doesn't matter anymore — Edwin says. Tadeus is about to say something, but his father continues — The Animal has gone to Greece, and we have a contact who can facilitate the entry of the merchandise with the help of another organization that doesn't bow down to Strauss

— Then what am I doing here?

— I need you to go and get the information out of him — Edwin says — Earn your freedom. I'll forget you're my son if you get me the next date for the Greeks' arrangement with the Animal.

Tadeus sighs, exhausted both mentally and physically. He returns to the room and gestures for the man to have the sack removed from his head while he opens the briefcase his father gave him. Inside are a gun, fifty cartridges, and what appears to be a metal baton, all nestled in a rigid foam insert designed to hold the items securely.

Tadeus tries to hide his confusion and approaches the man. He removes the gag and the rubber ball stuck between his teeth, preventing him from speaking — I recognize you — the man says — Did he send you? Is it because he suspects me?

— When will the next delivery be? — Tadeus asks, his expression as neutral as possible — When and where will the next delivery be?

The man remains silent for a long moment and then says — I don't know.

Tadeus sighs, stares at the ceiling, trying to think for a few seconds, and leaves the room — It's not working — he tells his father — He won't say anything.

— It's obvious he'll be a tough nut to crack, you have to be more assertive — Edwin says.

Tadeus returns to the room, takes the gun, reloads it, and points it at the man's head — What's your name?

— They call me the Animal.

— That's not true — Tadeo says — Can't you at least be honest with your last words?

— Go to hell — the man says and spits in the shoe. Tadeus impulsively shoots him in the shoulder. 

— Where does your merchandise come from, and where do you receive it?

The man does nothing but groan in pain, Tadeus shoots him a second time in the knee.

— You have four more bullets. I'm sure I can take them — the man says.

Tadeus takes a step back, trying to think of what to do when he sees so much blood. He hadn't expected to go this far, or to feel no pity for this man. Even though it's his "freedom" in exchange for Alexander's secrets, he only expected the obstacles to be losing his dignity, not staining his hands with someone else's blood.

Tadeus heads for the door, but runs into one of the men carrying a woman on his shoulder, followed by Edwin. The man in the chair has a terrifying expression when Coyote comes into sight.

Tadeus goes to the farthest corner of the room behind the chair in an attempt to distance himself from the situation — Put her down — Edwin orders.

The thug removes the black sack from the woman's head and undoes her gag. — Please, let me go! — she cries through her tears. Edwin leads his sight at the chair, which she follows, but the beaten man nods to her as a signal.

— There's no need to pretend you don't know each other — Edwin says — We know she's your wife. 

Upon hearing these words, Tadeus turns around, revealing his face to Dove, who begins to cry desperately when she recognizes him — Please, I won't say anything, let us go, please! — she begs

The beaten man gives up the act, face falls with a grimace of disappointment as his wife confirms Coyote's suspicions.

— What is she doing here? She has nothing to do with this — he says.

— I won't say anything, I won't! — The woman pleads.

Tadeus curses inwardly and approaches her, pointing the gun at her forehead — NO, NO, PLEASE, NO! — She shouts, almost tearing her throat out. 

— Shut up! — Tadeus angrily utters and she immediately obeys at his behest, closing her eyes trying to control the spasms brought on by her sobs. Edwin looks proudly at Tadeus, who, amidst the silence, tries to process his thoughts — I won't ask again, I want answers or maybe we'll find out if she can withstand the other four bullets. 

— You won't know anything — the man spits. Dove looks at him outraged, and when she looks back at Tadeus, he shoots her in the thigh, making her scream — You damned bastard!

— It's a real shame you don't remember the question — Tadeus says and fires once more, but misses.

The man looks up with a furious expression — Is he your son? — he asks — Did you know he spends nights with your enemy? — Tadeus fires again. This time he shoots her in the abdomen.

— Leonard, why are you letting them hurt me! You promised me, you promised me! — she screams through her tears.

Leonard can't help but cry at his wife's sobs and says — I only know about the shipping of delivery when the boss tells me! I swear I don't know anything about the next one!

— He's lying — says Coyote when he notices his son's hesitation. Tadeus refuses to fire again. Edwin makes a mannerism for the thug to untie Leonard, who crawls to his wife and takes her in his lap. 

— You promised me, you promised me everything would be alright — she sobs weakly — He can't protect us, not from Greece. He can't...p… p… he can't

— Please, if you bring a doctor, I'll tell you everything you want about his operations. She doesn't deserve to die like this, here — Leonard pleads. 

Tadeus nods in agreement. — Go — orders one of his men.

As the man leaves, another approaches Edwin and whispers something in his ear — We don't need him — Coyote tells his son.

— What? — asks Tadeus, frightened by what that means.

— That can't be true! I'm the only one who runs the Animal's business! Leonard says.

— Kill him, son — says Coyote. Tadeus freezes with a blank mind. 

— You can't let him go. We can't trust him not to tell the Animal your identity.

— I won't! I'll disappear! — the man begs. Dove starts coughing up blood, making Tadeus even more tense. The doctor enters through the door, but Edwin blocks him with his arm. 

— What are you waiting for? Do something! — Tadeus orders the doctor. Leonard, seeing him distracted, lunges to take the gun, but this alerts him, and he shoots multiple times.

The supposed Animal falls on top of his wife as she exhales her last breath.

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