Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 21

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first!

Fandom: Fake

Rating: X

Warnings: none really

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: The curtain finally falls.

Author's Notes: Thank you for reviewing, MissDL, hellcat805 and desertblue. It's always nice to hear what readers think. I hope you continue to enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to the creators of `Fake', nor am I making any profits from it.

 

 

 

Chapter 21

 

The first address he went to was empty; the dark, boarded-up windows visible past the securely locked wrought iron gates at the start of the driveway a good indication that there was no-one at home. The security cameras were still working though, but as Ryo had no intention of undertaking any such clandestine activity as breaking-in he wasn't particularly worried about them. The length of weed growth pushing through the ornately arranged pavers around the bottom of the gates showed that no-one had come this way for some time. Scratch one.

 

The second address also yielded no results. This time the house was occupied, but not by the person that he wished to find. Instead the door was answered by a snooty-nosed butler, black suit crisply pressed to within an inch of its life, who responded to his query with universal disdain as he looked Ryo up and down, clearly tallying up in his head the cost of his attire and finding him dismally lacking. Over the butler's shoulder Ryo could see into the elegant lounge room where a sedate well-to-do family of parents and one child sat, ignoring what was occurring at their front door. That was why they had servants - to deal with the riff-raff. Ryo gathered he wasn't going to get anything more out them, and it was unlikely anyway that they would even know anything. They most likely bought or leased this home through an agent and so would have no idea of the whereabouts of the previous owner.

 

He sat in his car and drew a line through the second address before looking down at the third. He was beginning to get a little anxious, which was beginning to turn to anger. He only had one more chance. If he couldn't get anything out of that one, then he was right back to square one. The longer this took the more chance he knew there was of something going wrong. He wouldn't let anything ruin his plan!

 

He drove to the third address on his list, hoping against hope that this time luck would be on his side. He was able to find parking not far from the frontage and took only a moment to reach the door. Even before he walked in he knew, with complete certainty, that he had found the right place. The two dark-suited men standing silently in the shadows down the hallway were a pretty dead give-away.

 

He walked through the doors slowly, carefully keeping his hands in view and maintaining one wary eye on the sentinels. They made no move towards him so he made his way over to the name listing by the lift. Glancing over it he didn't see the name he wanted and his heart plummeted again.

 

Think, Ryo, he scolded himself, trying to bolster his spirits again. Just because the name isn't listed doesn't mean that she isn't here.

 

He looked again and noted that only a few floors were not identified, their tags remaining blank. This included the very top floor; the penthouse. He pursued his lips for a moment and then raised his hand to press the shiny gold button against that blank tag. He held it for a moment and then released it and waited. This was one of those places that you could not enter the lift unless you had a special keycard. Visitors were therefore required to announced themselves and be collected by the residents. It maintained a fairly high level of security this way. He raised his hand to press the button again when a voice crackled over the intercom, startling him.

 

“State your name and your business,” the voice was sharp and completely impersonal. Ryo wasn't even sure if it was an actual person or an automated voice.

 

He spoke clearly as he answered the demand, “Mr. Randy Maclean to see Ms Alicia Grant.”

 

“What's your business?”

 

“Please just let her know I'm here.”

 

“Ms Grant is not taking any visitors,” and the connection was cut. Ryo's hands curled into fists as a burst of rage swept though him. He would not be stopped, not after having come this far! He leant on the buzzer, putting his whole weight behind it, grinding his teeth in frustration.

 

“Answer, you bastard!” he ground out under his breath. “Don't you dare think you can frigging ignore me and get away with it! You're nothing but a two-bit lackey. Answer the fucking bell!”

 

Warning bells went off inside and he noticed only just in time out of the corner of his eye that the two previously immobile guards had now moved and were just about on him. One took a swing at his head, but he leapt back, dodging the blow and turning to face the two of them. He was breathing heavily although he had been doing nothing to exert himself; the cause was the fierce rage that was pounding in his temples, a rage that had been building for the past day and was threatening to consume him alive.

 

He glared at the men though narrowed eyes, wanting them to come at him, wanting the fight. One rushed him but he slipped to one side and kicked the man hard in the stomach as he passed, dropping him to his knees. As Ryo turned, the swing from the other clipped his chin, jerking his head to the side with a sharp crack in his neck but he had managed to avoid the full force behind it. He lifted a hand to capture the follow-up swing, slipping inside the man's guard and burying his fist with all the force he could muster into the not-so-soft abdomen, yet still feeling it cave under his hit. The air rushed out of the man's lungs at the impact and Ryo followed it up with an uppercut that snapped the head back and the man toppled like a felled tree to land on his back, woozy from the punch.

 

An agonizing punch to his kidneys painfully reminded Ryo that there was a second man to still deal with and he staggered away, turning to put his back against the wall, giving him some protection from that direction. He breathed through the pain radiating from the small of his back. He didn't think anything had been ruptured but it still hurt like hell. His two assailants lined themselves up in front of him, both bearing signs of their run-in so far in the way of swelling and blood trickles. Neither looked happy - not happy at all.

 

Ryo saw them reach inside their jackets and withdraw pistols. Damn, he thought, just feeling angrier. He had hoped that they would avoid using firearms due to being on premises with other residents. Obviously they had no such qualms. Damn it, he had screwed up big time on this.

 

“I don't think that is really necessary, do you?” A quiet voice cut the tableau, making all three of them turn to look towards where the lift was. The doors were now open and a lithe woman stood there, elegantly dressed, arms crossed over her chest. She looked upon the scene quite calmly.

 

“I don't think there is a need for any more unpleasantries. Claude, Ken, thank you. Please return to your duties.” She turned her back and took the two steps that would take her towards the rear of the elevator. She turned again and her eyes met Ryo's. “Mr. Maclean, won't you join me?”

 

Ryo straightened up, tugging his jacket back into place and walked over to the elevator to enter. The doors slid shut quietly behind him and he leant back with a small sigh as he felt it begin its ascent.

 

“This is quite an unexpected visit,” the woman said.

 

Ryo looked across at her. She was still quite beautiful, his eyes tracing over the profile, down the long slim throat as her head was raised to watch the rising numbers of the panel above the doors. “I'm sorry,” he said just as quietly. “I know it's late. I hope I haven't disturbed you?”

 

She dropped her head to look over at him, tilting her head slightly to the side. “Not at all. I find that most of the…work I have to do tends to be at night these days.”

 

There was a soft chime and the doors slid smoothly open and she stepped out. “Come this way,” and Ryo followed her down the hall, his shoes sinking into the plush carpet as they walked.

 

Two more suited men stood on either side of the large double doors at the end of the short corridor and as they approached they were opened to allow them to continue on their way without pausing. On the other side was a large sitting room, ornately furnished, almost Victorian in style, and every item screamed out `Money!'. There were three men in the room when they entered who all immediately stood as they did.

 

The woman waved them down. “It's fine, boys,” she said, continuing on her way. “Just wait here.”

 

“But…” One of the men began half-standing again and looking quickly from her to Ryo following, concern evident on his face.

 

She looked over her shoulder to him with a smile. “It's quite all right, Bryan. He's an old…friend. This way, Mr. Maclean. Oh, Bryan, could you order some tea and something light to eat, please?”

 

“Yes, madam,” was the answer as they entered another room and the door closed behind them.

 

“Do sit down, Mr. Maclean,”

 

“Ryo,” he said, “Please call me Ryo.”

 

Alicia smiled at him. “Very well, if you insist.”

 

He gingerly sat on the lounge, wondering if he was going to dirty it. A peal of light laughter brought his head up in surprise. “Don't look so worried, Ryo. It's only furniture. It can be replaced. And believe me, it will no doubt at some point or another see a lot worse than you sitting on it!”

 

Reassured he leant back and let himself sink into the welcoming softness. It felt good on his aching muscles.

 

“So what brings you here?” Alicia said, sitting elegantly across from him.

 

He looked her over; time hadn't seemed to have changed her. In many ways it didn't seem that she had changed at all, yet there was…something different. Then he realized what it was. Her eyes…..her eyes no longer held that fire that he had noticed when first he had met her. Now her eyes were…sad.

 

“I need your help,” he said forthrightly.

 

She raised an eyebrow, “What with?”

 

“I'm looking for someone,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out another folded sheet, opening and spreading it out on the table before them. “This man,”

 

She glanced down at the picture for but a moment and then back at him. “Why do you come to me? Surely you can find this person through your usual channels?”

 

“Not this time,” he replied.

 

She didn't say anything more and the silence stretched between them. “Ryo,” she finally said, “If you want me to help you, you have to be completely honest with me.”

 

Ryo chewed the inside of his cheek worriedly. Should he tell her anything more?

 

“This is personal,” he said finally, “I can't use my work to do this.”

 

“Why not?”

 

Ryo couldn't answer.

 

There was a quiet knock on the door and Alicia turned her head to call out, “Come in,”. The door was opened and one of her men entered wheeling a serving tray. Alicia leant forward and picked up the picture and without a word her man laid out the order before leaving just as quietly.

 

Alicia stood and poured the steaming tea, lifting the cover from the plate of sandwiches as well. “Here you go,” she said, holding out a cup for Ryo to take.

 

“Thank you,” he said, accepting.

 

“Have a sandwich,”

 

The thought of food made his stomach turn so he shook his head, “No, thanks. I'm fine,”

 

Suddenly a strong hand gripped his chin, tilting his face upwards. He could feel the strength in those slim fingers as Alicia gazed down at him. Her eyes seemed to be taking in every line on his face, boring into his soul.

 

“Ah,' she finally said and released his chin, moving to return to her seat, before picking up her own cup. She took a delicate sip and looked back at him. “So you've lost someone too,” she said.

 

Ryo felt a lump form in his throat at her simple guess. How could she have known?, he wondered.

 

She seemed to be able to read his mind for her next words answered his unspoken question. “I can see it in your eyes,” she said quietly, “You have the same look that I see in the mirror every morning - ever since that day.”

 

Ryo remembered that day also. It had been the closure he had needed in one way for the deaths of his parents, yet in another way he wished that it all could have ended in some other way. How he didn't know, but afterwards he had been unable to shake the feeling that he wished that he could have done something more.

 

“So,” Alicia continued, “Is it your partner? That dark-haired, good looking one?”

 

“Yes,” Ryo almost whispered, staring into his cup.

 

“Ah, I see. So something has happened to him?”

 

“Yes,” Another whisper as he fought against that lump that threatened to turn to tears.

 

There was silence again. “What do you need from me?”

 

Ryo looked up, almost unbelieving. Alicia gazed back at him calmly. “Just…I just need to find out where that man is. You don't have to do anything more.”

 

Alicia glanced back down at the picture that rested on her lap. “I should be able to do that,”

 

She placed her cup on the table and rose to walk to the doors. She opened them and Ryo could see the three men get to their feet and draw near. There was a quiet interchange, words spoken too softly for Ryo to hear but he saw Alicia hand over the picture to her men. They all looked at it carefully, one asked a question which Alicia answered and then, with nods, they left the room. Alicia returned to her seat. “They'll start looking now. It may take a little time though, and I can't guarantee we'll be able to turn up anything.”

 

“I know,” Ryo acknowledged.

 

“Still,” Alicia said, picking up a sandwich and nibbling delicately on one corner. “We do have the connections to make it a good possibility that we'll find the person.”

 

“I…I was,” Ryo said a little hesitantly, “A little surprised that you were still here.”

 

“You mean, involved with the `family'?”

 

“Yes,”

 

“I didn't really have a choice,” she said, putting the sandwich down. Her eyes took on a distant look as though she were gazing into the past. “With the fall of the leaders, the two `families' were in a shambles. Like any organization, it is the heads that control the rest; there are plenty of rabid snakes amongst the lower levels who would just run amok without that control. That is not good for business, nor is it good for the economy. Too many disruptions in too many economic areas can cause chaos in the business world. That was what New York was facing.”

 

“I gathered some of it,” Ryo said, “From our end we were kept pretty busy for a time there, and not just with the mopping up - quite a few new problems arose.”

 

Alicia shrugged slightly. “That is the nature of the beast,”

 

“So what happened?”

 

Alicia stood and walked over to the sideboard, running a well manicured hand over the smooth top. “I was requested to step in and take up the reins.” she said.

 

“But why did you?” Ryo asked, “You didn't want to have anything to do with the family any more. You wanted to get out.”

 

She looked over at him with a sad smile. “I did - more than anything. But with Leo gone I didn't have anything anymore. I was the only one who knew all there was to know about the business. I knew all the contacts and they knew me,” A small laugh escaped her, a bitter laugh. “Can you believe it but it was the way I took down both Leo and the other that made me even more suitable to take up this position!”

 

She looked over at him, her mouth twisted in distaste. “That showed the rest just what I could do, just how ruthless I could be, and the lengths that I would go to; all those qualities that would make me the ideal head. Because of that, all the remnants from both families began to gravitate to me seeking leadership. I had to make a decision. Sit back, walk away from it all and watch it degenerate into a hundred small gangs in outright war with all the resultant destruction that would come with that. Or accept what they were offering and try and put a leash on what chaos might erupt.”

 

Alicia returned to her seat. “As you can see,” she said waving a hand to encompass the luxury of the room, “I chose the latter.”

 

“Are you happy?” Ryo wanted to know.

 

“Happy?” Alicia responded, hand halting in mid-air, before falling heavily to her lap. Empty eyes looked back at Ryo. “I will never be happy again. All I wanted was Leo to show that he loved me more than anything else. He was all I ever needed, from the time I first met him as a young child. He was my entire world - and now he's gone. No, I'm not happy. But I still live.”

 

“How?” Ryo asked softly in an anguished voice, his heart being squeezed in his chest from his own internal agony. “How do you still go on?”

 

Alicia took another drink from her cup. “Because I could do nothing less. Anything else would have been a mockery of what Leo had given to me.” She carefully placed the empty cup back on the table, leaning back in her chair and looking up at the ceiling.

 

“You know what I did,” Ryo knew that she was referring to setting up the families, killing Bennett's son and also killing Leo himself. “Still Leo took it all upon himself to protect me. He still wanted me to go on.”

 

She dropped her head to meet Ryo's eyes, “I wanted to walk away. I wanted to leave all this, and I could have. Leo left me more than amply provided for, although I didn't want any of it. However, part of it was simple self-preservation. I knew too much, so whoever may have risen to take over the families could never have just allowed me to continue to live with all that knowledge. They would have had to silence me to maintain their authority. Although I wouldn't have minded dying, that would have been a betrayal of Leo's last wishes. I couldn't allow myself to be killed, I had to keep going. For his sake.”

 

A single tear slid down one smooth cheek. “It is so ironic,” she said, still looking steadily at Ryo. “Now I understand so much better just how much Leo struggled as head of the Family, and how hard it had been for him. I mean, I always knew about the work-related matters but there are….personal issues that he was struggling with also that I became blind to.” Her shapely lips turned up in a small anguished smile, “It is just so ironic that it is only now that I truly understood what he had been going through.”

 

Her hand lifted and one long finger delicately brushed the tear away. She looked at the gleam of moisture for a moment. “All he had ever tried to do was to protect me. All my life that was his role, from the time my father brought him into our home. He had wanted to protect me so much. Yet if he had let me help him more, let me be more involved so we could have shared more and been together more…..perhaps things would have been different.”

 

Her hands returned to her lap as she met Ryo's eyes once more. “I hadn't wanted to remain part of the family, but I wouldn't have minded so much if Leo had shown that I was as big a part of his life as the business. I know now that he did show me that, but it was in such a way that I just couldn't see it. I failed him, Ryo. It wasn't he that left me - I had left him. I forgot the trust and faith that I had once had in him, that had been built up over so many years together. He hadn't forgotten it, but I had. I was the one that failed.”

 

Ryo didn't know what to say to her, there were no words that he could offer her, no condolences and he didn't think that she was seeking sympathy by telling him this. Her words had been simple and matter-of-fact, that single tear the only indication of how much pain was there inside.

 

Alicia stood and glided over to where Ryo was sitting silently. He looked up at her as she gazed down upon him. A small smile touched her face, this one warm. “That is why I do this, Ryo. I do this for Leo, for his memory. I will stay alive - at any price if I must.”

 

There was a flash of fierce fire in her eyes that Ryo remembered seeing the first time they had met, the first he had seen since meeting her again this night. Alicia Grant still held that fire inside - and it still burned so brightly for just one man, her husband Leo Grant. That he could understand, all too well now. His heart burned for just one person also, and forever would - Dee.

 

“It's getting late,” she spoke again, “I'll see you out.”

 

She held out her hand to him which he took as he stood. Her skin was warm and soft within his grasp, but there was strength there. There was nothing weak about Alicia Grant. In many ways, Ryo realized now that she and Leo really had been so well suited as partners. It was all due to simple misunderstandings that had lead to that dreadful day when they had destroyed themselves and all hope of happiness. Is that what he had done?, his anguished thoughts cried out. Had he let pointless misunderstandings waste so much time until it was now too late? He felt more of an affinity to Alicia than he had ever thought he could, or would - and it tore his heart to pieces.

 

He felt a gentle touch on his cheek and realized that Alicia's hand rested there. Now he also felt the dampness tracking his skin as he unknowingly shed a tear.

 

“Don't worry, Ryo,” Alicia said quietly, “I'll find what you need. I owe you for all that you did for me at that time. You didn't have to follow Leo's wishes, but you and your partner did. So I thank you for that. If I can help you in this, that at least makes us even.”

 

Ryo nodded, unable to speak just at that moment as he had to keep swallowing past the lump threatening to suffocate him. Alicia turned and made her way to the door and he followed silently. There was no-one in the room beyond this time, but the two guards were still standing at their posts outside the main doors. Neither he nor Alicia spoke on the way down in the lift, yet it wasn't an awkward silence. It was the silence between two people who understood each other very well.

 

As he stepped out of the doors Alicia spoke to him, “As soon as we find out anything I'll let you know. Where can I reach you?” He handed over the hotel card, scribbling his room number of the back. Alicia glanced at it briefly and then pocketed it. “Take care, Ryo.” she said, as the doors began to close. “I hope you fulfill your heart's desire.”

 

Ryo stared at the closed doors for a moment longer and then made his way slowly out into the darkness. It was late, very late now, actually early morning and he felt bone weary. He made his way to his vehicle and it was with great relief when he reached his hotel room and could fall back on the bed. He knew he had to try and sleep. He had to keep his senses alert, he couldn't afford to become befuddled from lack of sleep. With a heavy sigh he stripped off his clothes and slid under the covers, drawing them around him tightly, like a lover's embrace.

 

Oh, Dee, he thought as further silent tears leaked from his eyes to soak into the pillow. Why did you leave me?!

 

************

 

The emergency ward staff were always busy, there was never a quiet time for them; gunshots, stab wounds, beatings, drug overdoses, you name it, they had seen it. Every hospital was the same, no matter where you seemed to go. Many of the people would be anonymous; the homeless, the gangs, people with no names, and sometimes no backgrounds, it could take such a long time to find out just who they actually were.

 

When another John Doe arrived the staff simply did their job. The first thing was to operate, removing the three bullets embedded in the body. The pulse was weak and erratic, and twice it stopped on the operating table. One new intern, the first time he had been in an emergency ward, had said out loud why did they bother with such people when the chances of them living were so small? He had been sharply told to just get on with his job and do it right. The dressing down he received later by his superior behind closed doors put him in his place in no uncertain terms.

 

When the patient was safely ensconced in a room, monitors reading every bodily function and all that could be done for him had been, the ward sister made the necessary call. All gunshot wounds had to be reported to the police which they diligently did so, though it was sometimes many hours after the patient had arrived with them. Still they followed through. After that, it was in the hands of the police as to what they did with the information. The hospital's job was to try and keep him alive. And that looked like it might be an impossible task in itself.

 

**********

 

Ryo woke the next morning to sunlight. The flimsy curtains over the windows did nothing to shut out the light and the brightness made him squint a little. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. He knew he had slept, if you could call it sleeping. Although he couldn't remember anything he knew that he had been plagued by nightmares, the tangled mess of his bedding attested to that. Looking at the clock he realized that he had managed about five hours sleep, although his eyes felt gritty and his head hurt. He didn't think he had really rested much during that time.

 

He dragged himself into the shower. At least this place had a decent hot water system. He let the warmth soak through his skin, feeling as though it was trying to thaw out his very bones. He felt so cold inside. He scrubbed his hands over cheeks that were stiff with salt, clear evidence that more tears had fallen during the night.

 

He gathered his defenses together. During sleep they had obviously crumbled, allowing his emotions to leak out. Now, in the light of day, he had to get them back under wraps. He pushed all thoughts away that could distract him and took a deep breath to balance himself once more. When he felt in control again he left the shower and returned to dress for the day.

 

He wandered downstairs and slipped out to a nearby café to grab some breakfast, taking it back to his room. He set it down on the small corner table and then lifted the gun case onto it. Unlocking it, he carefully removed each portion of the weapon, laying them out carefully on the table. He picked each piece up, examining it carefully, checking it for flaws or faults and pleased when he found none.

 

He took a gulp of the still hot coffee and unrolled the small cloth bag near his elbow, carefully removing the array of small tools. Using these he began the painstakingly slow process of making a few small modifications to the gun, the main one being to distort an additional gun barrel so the striations left on the bullet after firing would not match the barrel that he intended to replace. He would be disposing of the weapon after, so the harder he made things for anyone trying to track the rifle down, the better. He also made some additional marks on the bullets themselves to further confuse the issue, which was a delicate process.

 

He worked diligently, occasionally making coffee with the kettle and sachets provided, although such instant type nearly made him gag it was at least hot and kept him going. It was mid-afternoon by the time that he completed all that he wanted to do. The rifle was now completely the way that he needed it. He stretched his arms and back, feeling joints pop as they were released from the hunched over position he had been maintaining for so long. He turned his head and noticed with surprise the white envelope half under his door. He was surprised because he hadn't heard anything.

 

He sat there looking at it for a moment before standing and making his way over, bending to examine it carefully. It was blank, nothing written on it, and just what appeared to be a plain white envelope. He pursed he lips and backed up a little, thinking. Turning he quickly assembled the rifle, slipping a cartridge into place and quietly clicking the safety off. Moving back to the door he reached out with the end of the gun case and slowly slid the envelope further into the room, all the time watching only the door, waiting to see if someone would try to burst in now they had established he was inside, and carefully standing to one side and half crouched down to give as much protection as possible if shots were fired through the door.

 

Nothing happened, all remained quiet. He didn't relax his guard, brining the envelope right to his feet. He waited another moment but still nothing. He let out a small breath, flicking the safety back on and placing it on the bed before picking up the letter. He carefully slit it open, still a little wary, and pulled out the small slip of paper inside. There were a number of names and places listed, with a small note below saying that these were known places the person he was seeking frequented. He would probably be able to find out exactly where the man was now staying. It was signed in an elegant scrawl, `Alicia'.

 

Ryo felt a wave of relief. She had done it. He felt he was so much closer now. He looked through the list again. Many of the places wouldn't be open now but once evening fell he could follow through with them. A few of the names he could probably check out now and he might just have some luck.

 

Quickly he packed his things, carefully going over every part of each room to remove anything he may have left behind and wiping things down meticulously. Once he was satisfied he left, checking out and making his way back to his vehicle.

 

His attempts to speak to some of the people weren't always successful. Some actually had grudges against Ryo's prey and mistakenly thought Ryo was a friend. Those altercations resulted in blood and bruises until the misunderstanding could be cleared up. However each time he felt that he was getting just a little closer. Evening fell and he moved onto the other places indicated on the list. Again, things didn't always go smoothly, however a few extra bills pressed into a hand loosened more than one tongue and he moved onto the next step along the path to revenge.

 

Finally he found someone who claimed they knew exactly where the man Ryo was seeking was living now. With some `persuasion', Ryo had convinced the informer to take him to the place. It was an apartment building, one of the larger ones.

 

“What number?” he asked quietly.

 

“Dunno,” was the surly answer.

 

Ryo didn't flinch as he slammed the man's head into the wall, ignoring the dark smear left on the plaster. He dragged the head back by the hair to look at the bruised and bleeding face. “I'm waiting,” he grated out.

 

The thug tried to roll his tongue around in his battered mouth, wincing at the pain that small motion gave him. “Apartment 131,” he mumbled past split lips and loose teeth, a bubble of blood at the corner of his mouth.

 

Ryo didn't release his hold but drew the face in close to his, ignoring the fetid breath, staring stonily into the eyes of the beaten man. “I suggest you find a hole to crawl into and stay there until this is over,” The man shook a little as Ryo's hands tightened further, fingers digging through flesh and pressing against bone. “For if I find that you have said anything about this to anyone, I'll come looking for you.” Ryo jerked the man even closer so their noses almost touched. “Understand?”

 

The man nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

 

Ryo let the man go so abruptly he crumpled to the floor. “Go,” Ryo snarled. The man scrambled to obey, disappearing into the darkness in a slumped, stumbling run.

 

Ryo turned away, already forgetting the man, his attention now focused on his new prey. He crossed the street and stopped at the entrance to the apartment building. Raising his eyes, he looked around, ranging from street level to skyline, taking note of everything.

 

He entered the building and mounted the stairs, walking slowly. When he reached the desired floor he walked along the passageway passing by the door with the required apartment number. When he reached the end, he turned around, retracing his steps until he was at the door of the apartment next to the one he sought.

 

He knocked and waited a moment, glancing at his watch. He hoped it wasn't so late that it would make the occupant too nervous to answer. He heard the sound of steps on the other side, a pause, and guessed the occupant was looking through the peephole at who was in the passageway, then the rattle of the lock. The door cracked open a fraction, the chain lock still on.

 

A female face peered suspiciously at him, “Yes?”

 

Ryo put on his best smile, hoping the false warmth would allay their fears. It obviously worked for the lady smiled tentatively back. Sometimes it paid to be young and good looking, he thought, for once not feeling guilty about this advantage.

 

He held up the badge, not his real one which he had left back at his apartment, along with his standard issue handgun. If he had run into trouble at any time on this journey he hadn't wanted anything to do with the Force present on him. This was a cleverly forged one, and easily enough to fool the standard citizen who wouldn't know any better. “I'm sorry to trouble you, madam, but I was wondering if you could perhaps help me? Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

 

The lady glanced at the official badge and visibly relaxed. “Sure. What can I do for you?” She was already releasing the chain and opening the door wider, waving him inside.

 

He smiled his thanks as he entered, waiting till she had closed the door behind him and waved her to precede him gallantly. As he followed her, he took in everything about the layout of the apartment. Yes, it was as he expected. Next door's would look the same as this.

 

He made up some pretense for his visit, nothing serious that would cause her concern or upset her enough that she might make phone calls to follow-up on it, just a simple ruse that required him to ask nothing more than a few questions which she happily answered. After thanking her he left; he had what he came for.

 

He exited the building and made his way quickly to the car parked down the side alley. He didn't think anyone would take any notice of it here, there were other vehicles parked in the darkness. Even if it was reported it wouldn't be followed up till probably the next morning by which time he would be long gone. Besides, once the job was done it would be dropped straight into the crusher back at the wrecker's yard and long gone before anyone could think to trace it back to this location.

 

Popping the boot, he withdrew the long bag inside and slung it over his shoulder. It looked like nothing more than a long sports bag, completely innocuous to any passerby - except for what it contained. Turning he made his way to the building opposite, walking around to the back and out of sight of the general pedestrians.

 

He mounted the fire escape climbing towards the roof. As he clambered over the edge, he turned and surveyed the area across from him. He would have to ensure he could conceal himself from any prying eyes at the higher windows opposite. The last thing he needed was a call going into the local police station about a peeping-tom on a rooftop.

 

Nestling himself low at the roof edge he unzipped his bag to remove the long case inside. He laid it gently on the ground, unlatched it and raised the lid, surveying the contents for a moment. He reached in and lifted on piece out, placing the scope to his eye to view the windows opposite. This brought the scene into startling clarity for him, seeming so close he felt he could reach out and touch the pane of glass.

 

He carefully scrutinized the view. At present all the windows were still dark. He knew his quarry was not at home yet so he settled down to wait patiently. He blew on his cold hands to take the chill off them for a moment and then turned back to his work. Quickly and efficiently he fitted the other rifle parts together, leaving the scope till last. Once it was completed, he ensured it was loaded though the safety was still securely on. He didn't want any mishaps, not at this late stage.

 

He slipped his hands back into his gloves to keep them warm. The last thing he needed was to have the digits get numb and cause him to miss his mark. He pulled a clean cloth from the bag and carefully wiped down the gun. After he was finished he would again dismantle the weapon, wiping down each individual portion. But that was later.

 

He watched the building intently, thinking of nothing, letting his mind remain blank and uncluttered. He remained relaxed as the time ticked on, not allowing such emotions as nervousness, fear or worry to disturb him. Suddenly one curtained window brightened as a light went on inside the apartment. A shadow drifted across that light briefly and then Ryo could see a shadowy figure walk into the adjoining room where no curtains were drawn.

 

He raised the rifle to his shoulder, nestling it comfortably, sighting through the scope as he followed the movements. The figure moved out of sight again and a light went on at another window, again where the curtains were drawn. He waited patiently as the man returned to the lounge area once more, light spilling around him, placing him in clear view.

 

Ryo looked intently at those features magnified in the scope of the rifle, taking note of every shape and line, then glanced down at the picture pasted to the lid of the gun case. Yes, it was definitely him, no mistake. He raised his eyes and re-sighted down the scope once more, biding his time. The rifle muzzle tracked the man as he walked around the room, removing his jacket and tossing it over the back of the sofa, pausing to pour a drink. As he stood there drinking, Ryo settled his finger comfortably on the trigger. It would be soon; very soon.

 

He suddenly felt a vibration against his leg, disturbing his concentration for a moment. It was his mobile phone; he had forgotten to turn it off leaving it in silent vibrating mode. He half wondered who would be calling him. Bikky was safely at Carol's for the night. He didn't know anything about this and Ryo had told him he wasn't to be disturbed unless it was a real emergency.

 

Could it be work? Generally he didn't get a call unless it was urgent also. He knew he had gone AWOL and probably should have called in sick but he had had other things on his mind. If it was work then let it ring. They could wait a little longer until he had finished what he had come here to do.

 

The man in his vision placed his empty glass on the table and poured another. Ryo watched these movements, his finger beginning to tighten on the trigger, squeezing gently. The phone continued to vibrate against his leg. It was beginning to irritate him a little. Whoever was calling wasn't giving up easily. No matter.

 

The man turned and walked towards the uncovered window, drink in hand. He reached out to hold the edge of the curtain as though he was about to draw it. He was clearly in Ryo's sight now, standing in the light so he was illuminated as clear as day, no shadows hiding him.

 

You're mine, Ryo thought as his finger drew back, whilst the phone continued to ring.