Chapter 31: Four Things You Don't Touch - Dog, Daughter, Package, Friend!
David's words confirmed the suspicion gnawing at Harry's mind.
He'd known for some time that after being exposed to public view, the Bratva would definitely eliminate him to avoid future complications.
He'd just held onto a sliver of hope, thinking the forces hunting him belonged to his target's associates.
However, David's words laid this harsh reality bare before him.
Facing Bratva pursuit, his only option was to immediately change his name, his face, and disappear completely!
Furthermore, he couldn't remain within the United States. Best to cross the Atlantic to some country with no organized crime presence!
Thinking this, Harry disregarded his injuries, immediately engaged the safety on his weapon, tucked it into his waistband, and began frantically packing.
Seeing Harry's panicked state, David calmly sipped his coffee before continuing:
"Actually, you know deep down you don't have enough time to run.
In fact, they should've located you by now.
The reason they haven't come yet is because everyone's been reassigned to provide security for a certain VIP."
Harry's movements froze. He looked up sharply:
"VIP?"
"That's right. Wesker, the Bratva's High Table representative, staying in the penthouse suite 8808. Just finished tumor resection surgery.
I imagine once the situation stabilizes, they'll come down to find you.
So... I'll take my leave now."
Hearing David's words, a dangerous glint flashed in Harry's eyes.
He completely grasped the subtext in David's message.
They wanted him dead, so he could absolutely strike first!
When those enforcers came down hunting him, security around Wesker would be at its weakest.
That would be his golden opportunity!
Once Wesker was eliminated, the various factions within the Bratva would tear each other apart fighting for the High Table seat!
At that point, no one would care who Harry was or where he'd gone.
He'd have adequate time to complete his transformation and get a shot at a new life!
The only obstacle restricting his mobility was his deteriorating condition from his injuries.
The improvised one-way valve David had created hadn't been replaced yet.
Moreover, blood was continuously seeping through the gauze wrapping at this very moment.
The rest crucial for traumatic pneumothorax was precisely what Harry couldn't afford right now.
Suddenly, David—who'd walked to the door—paused and placed some items on the entry table.
"Oh, right. These are the painkillers and epinephrine I'm leaving you from the treatment.
If you still need to move around later, these can help you temporarily forget everything."
After speaking, David opened the door and exited without looking back.
The piece had been positioned. Whether it would take root and bloom depended on how determined Harry truly was.
Although he projected confidence, David couldn't actually maintain complete composure.
This was a critical moment determining whether he could acquire substantial lifespan extension.
Ultimately, David decided to head to the underground lounge for a drink.
He couldn't access the Continental's surveillance center, but he could gather real-time intelligence at the underground lounge where information flowed most freely.
After paying one gold coin, David returned to this bar saturated with an atmosphere of decadence.
There, he unexpectedly encountered an old acquaintance—John.
Thus, an additional figure materialized beside John, who sat alone at the bar drinking.
"White Russian, please."
Hearing the familiar voice, John turned slightly and recognized David. He smiled and greeted him:
"Hey, Doc."
"Hey, John. What brings you here for drinks today?"
John drained the bourbon in his glass in one motion and pushed the empty tumbler toward the attractive bartender, signaling for a refill.
"I'm retiring, Doc.
Today should be my last time here."
David, receiving a White Russian topped with dense cream, casually congratulated him:
"Ah, congrats on getting out.
I hope I never see you again."
John grinned again, his eyes filled with nostalgia:
"Doc, you think I'll see her again someday?"
David smiled and was about to offer John some philosophical comfort when he suddenly noticed the phone beside Winston ringing.
Winston, answering the call, his expression transformed dramatically, then he quickly stood and walked toward David.
David sipped the rich, sweet White Russian and thought to himself that Harry must have made his move.
Indeed.
Winston wasn't seeking him, but John.
He first glanced at David, who'd successfully survived two days and remained vibrantly alive.
Then he turned his attention to John beside David:
"John, I know you've retired.
But there's been an incident at the hotel, and you're the best operator I can reach right now.
I'm hoping you can do me a solid.
Naturally, your compensation would be substantial."
John shook his head in refusal:
"No. My marker's cleared. I've got no reason to step back into this world."
Winston sighed but didn't press:
"Alright. I wish you a peaceful retirement."
David watched Winston's retreating figure thoughtfully.
At this moment, he couldn't completely confirm whether Harry had succeeded.
Because he hadn't received the lifespan extension notification, and he didn't know if influencing Harry's decision qualified for gaining lifespan.
Everything remained to be seen.
John seemed to detect David's unease.
He smiled, finished his drink again, stood, and clapped David's shoulder, advising him:
"Doc, if you get a chance, walk away from this life.
This isn't a good place. Everyone who gets involved ends up damaged.
Sometimes I wonder—if I hadn't been an assassin, if I could've had more time with her, would things have turned out differently?
Unfortunately, I'll never know the answer."
After speaking, John didn't wait for David's response and departed with somewhat unsteady steps.
David watched John leave, and an even more audacious idea crystallized in his mind.
Once an assassin, always an assassin!
John would absolutely never escape this world!
If Harry failed this time, it would confirm that only individuals who once possessed protagonist status could eliminate High Table representatives!
Then David could completely recruit John as his enforcer!
And since John existed in the House M.D. universe, this world might also contain Frank Martin the Transporter, Bryan Mills the overprotective father, and Robert McCall the silent Equalizer!
If he assembled these operators as his strike team with House's diagnostic unit for medical support, then dismantling the High Table didn't seem so impossible anymore.
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