The Zodiac of PRA V: The Finale

Chapter 31

He was impressed by her abilities “I’m happy to see that you haven’t lost your touch.” Opening the way to the back room as he stepped to the side, his arm abroad “I’ve been expecting you.” She began walking towards the back when a gunshot startled her. She turned in time to see the guy with the pocket knife falling to the ground lifeless “And you call yourself an assassin!” Hung Gor spat disgustedly “Clean up the mess!” he ordered, the men began scurrying to the body and taking it out “Shall we?” he asked with a nonchalant smile.

Reina forgot how cruel he was “I see you are still temperamental.” She said with sarcasm.

He laughed while taking a seat on the leather couch “Yes, they say the older you get, the calmer you are. But I find that old saying to be a bit of a cliché, so I changed it.”

“I want out.” She came straight to the point. Pulling out the check from her jeans, she placed on the table gently “I’ll take whatever punishment.”

Hung Gor was not ecstatic to see his check returned “Even death?” he pointed the gun at her.

She nodded firmly “Whatever it takes. I won’t go down as an assassin, I’ll go down as an agent. My funeral will be full of prestige and mourning friends. As an assassin, I lose everything I ever loved.”

Retracting the gun as he placed it in it’s sleeve on the left side of his leather strap around his back “I see.” Lighting up a cigar, he waved for her to sit “My neck is hurting.” Reina nodded as she sat next to him “I hate losing, you know that being one of my top assassins. Do you know why I chose you out of that whole bunch of wannabe gangster kids that act like hotshots strolling around town killing people for fun?” She shook her head “Because you had no fear. You weren’t afraid of hell! I loved that!” he emphasized “I told you to do something and you did it, no questions asked. And the best part is you did it, unlike those worthless piece of shits that are suppose to be assassins.”

“I’m different now.” Reina replied shortly “It doesn’t matter what you say. I won’t go back, I can’t.”

“Yes…Ah Gam mentioned about a fiancé…” he waved his cigar.

She shook her head “No, there is none. I am alone.”

“You were never a good liar.” Hung Gor shook his head “The lieutenant of the team, isn’t his name Mark or something? No…no, it’s Matt.” He annunciated.

Reina dropped to her knees in a last plea “Hung Gor, I have never asked you for anything. Even when I accomplished all the missions you asked me to do. But I’m begging you now…please, don’t hurt him. You only want me, just kill me, he has nothing to do with this. Please, he can’t die.” Eyes welling with tears as she lowered her head.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…pathetic little Reina. You had the balls to come here to see me, how could you not know the outcome of this conversation?” he leaned forward and pushed her chin up with his finger “No one leaves me.” Sitting back slowly as he waved her away “Now go. I’ll have Ah Gam contact you for a new target.”

“I won’t do it.” Reina replied through gritted teeth.

“Oh, but you will.” Hung Gor grinned, “Because of your precious little Matt’s life, you will do everything I say. So you decide, is his life more precious than a person you don’t even know?”

She had no choice but to leave. Head spinning as she strolled down the streets of the city, his words repeated in her head like a broken record. What did she get herself into? It wasn’t until the sun was rising that she returned home. Changing into her pajamas, she returned to bed next to Matt. He woke up from the stirring “Did I wake you?” she asked.

He smiled but rested his eyes shut “No, did you go to the restroom?”

“Yeah, too much watermelon.” She answered. Holding back the lump in her throat as she reached out and touched his face with her hand. He smiled automatically and covered her hand with his “We have a couple of hours left until dawn, go back to sleep.” she said softly, he agreed with a mumble.

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

“Captain Kwong, please.” Erin said to the receptionist.

“Sure, what’s your name Miss?” the girl asked as she called his department.

“Erin.” She answered. She waved her in after she had the okay from Ted’s teammate to enter. Walking down the familiar halls as she reached the section and almost ran into a girl “I’m sorry…Sara. You’re back?”

The girl smiled warmly “Hi Erin. Yeah, I couldn’t sit home and rest any longer. Are you looking for Ted?” she nodded in reply “He’s in his office. Just knock.”

“Thanks.” Erin moved out of the way for Sara and approached his office. Knocking, she heard him muttering for her to come in.

“Sweetie, could you get me that file on—” he paused, finally noticing it was Erin.

She smiled “I didn’t know you were so close to your teammates?”

“I thought you were Sara.” He explained with a flushed face “What’s up? Anything I could help you with?”

Erin nodded “I wanted to look over the reports for the poisoned bodies at your wedding reception.” He nodded as he got up to pull it from a drawers “I’ve looked over it a hundred times and ran a few background checks on these guys. Nothing, they’re clean.”

“That can’t be.” She skimmed through the pages “Not even a felony?” he shook his head in disappointment “Doug told you about the Commissioner?”

“Yes. Embarrassing as I am for him, I thought he deserved being dumped by Jessie.” Ted was disgusted still.

Erin shook her head “No, not that. They were looking for his key. They want access. Have you guys had any strange occurrences?”

He searched his head for any hints “Not that I know of. Wait…We had a meeting this morning about increasing security at night. The Commissioner wouldn’t give us a reason why but he was certain this would help. You think he…”

“Being threatened?” Erin suggested.

“Worse…bribed.” Ted sighed, “That’s all we need.”

“Can you take me to see him?” Erin requested.

“Sure.” He nodded while motioning for them to leave the office. They came upon the Commissioner’s office and knocked a few times. There was no answer after a few seconds “Kwong Sir!” Ted called and tried the knob but it was locked.

Erin shook her head “Break it down.” She moved aside to let Ted kick the door down. There appearing lifeless on his leather seat was the Commissioner. His eyes opened and facing the ceiling, lips purple and a half cup of coffee sitting across from him “Oh my God…” she muttered.

“I’ll get help.” He rushed away while Erin walked inside. Her eyes searching for clues on how the murderer entered. The window was open but the bars would keep them from entering, unless the person was stick thin, it was impossible to enter. Who ever it was had to use the door, but why would it be locked from the inside.

She turned to a cabinet to her right, the killer had to still be in the room. Stepping closer until her fingers touched the handle. Yanking it open, she found a dead figure inside of a male that too was poisoned. Sighing as she turned in time to see Ted rushing back with a few people, she pointed to the body “Too late.”

The bodies were cleared out, standing behind was the Chief Investigator and Commanders along with some Lieutenants “Captain Kwong, would you escort this young lady to the questioning room?”

“Yes Sir.” He nodded at Erin. They took down her report and eventually his, both matched. He walked her out of the station “Thank you for being so cooperative eventhough they were treating you like a suspect.”

“Its just part of their job. I assume they want to keep this under wraps?” she asked.

“If you can. If you must discuss it with anyone in the Team, it has to be Devin.” Ted advised, “He is the temporary Head of Security and should probably know.” He caught the roll of the eyes as she turned away “Hey, you’re still not liking the guy? Would you rather I talk to him?”

Shaking her head “No, it’s not your job. Anyways, you probably have more things to face now.” She nodded to the station “I’ll tell him myself.” Ted nodded in reply as he called a taxi for her “Thanks.” She smiled at Ted and turned to the driver to give him the address.

It wasn’t difficult for her to get inside his apartment building. The security guard was an old perverted man that stared at any woman that had a pair of legs. She approached his apartment door and pressed the doorbell, she heard jogging as she tried hard to contain her emotions. He opened the door with nothing but a towel over his waist. His hair and body dripping wet “Yes?” he leaned his arm on the door towards her.

Feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden as she shook her head “Clearly this is a bad time, I’ll come back later.” She began.

“Don’t be silly.” He grinned and waved her inside “I was just getting out of the shower.” He closed the door after she entered.

“There’s something that you should know—”

“Would you like a drink? Wine, perhaps?” he cut into her sentence.

“No, thank you.” She emphasized “And if you don’t mind, please put on some…” she faded when she saw a girl standing in the middle of his hallway. Her hair wet and she was wearing a slinky black dress.

Devin turned his head to follow her gaze “Oh, Erin this is Nancy, she’s just leaving.”

“Nice to meet you." the girl nodded as she turned to Devin at the door "I’ll call you tomorrow.” She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Erin felt a sudden jealousy wash over her as she turned away from their intimate gesture. He closed the door and turned back to Erin with a concerned gaze “Are you okay? Is it hot in here?” Erin shook her head “Then why is your face red?”

She snapped her eyes up while he put on a winning smile “I’m fine.” She replied slowly “Anyways, I was saying—”

“Wait, I’m a little thirsty, are you sure you don’t want anything to drink?” he tried again.

“No, thank you for asking…” smiling as she muttered something incoherent.

He returned from the kitchen with a glass of red wine when the doorbell rang “Oh Erin, could you be a doll and get that for me?” she nodded reluctantly as he handed her the glass of wine “I should change since there are guests.” He walked back to his room.

“What am I? Chop liver?” Erin grumbled while getting the door. Not expecting someone she knows but when it was Ryan and Jenna, she quickly slammed the door without thinking twice.

“Erin!! Erin! I know you’re in there!” Jenna pounded on the door.

Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door again. This time with a smile “Hey guys! Sorry, the knob slipped from my hand.” She lied poorly.

“Is that Jenna?” Devin appeared in a pair of sweats as he shook the water out of his head.

Erin turned back to Jenna, who’s eyes were narrowing suspiciously “Red wine…freshly showered…hm…” she scratched her chin playfully.

“This…this isn’t mine.” Erin pointed to the glass wine.

“Oh please, she begged me for one.” Devin teased.

“No! I didn’t!” Erin denied, “Ryan, you know I never drink wine.”

“Yes, that’s true. Ga Jei can’t take the alcohol.” Ryan agreed.

Jenna rolled her eyes at him “Party pooper, she was starting to get hysterical.” Hitting him on the stomach as she entered and popped herself next to Devin “So, what are you guys doing not drinking wine and showering?”

Devin shook his head “I’m not sure. Erin was going to tell me something but you two came in.”

Erin debated whether or not she could tell them. In the end, she decided to honor Ted’s request not to let anyone else know “Eh…I…wanted to borrow some…brown sugar.”

He grinned knowingly while Jenna crossed her arms “You drove across town to my Uncle’s house to ask him for brown sugar?” Erin nodded “Come now, you can do better than that. Why didn’t you use the excuse of…some update about the new mission? Or you were attacked? Or you saw Becca snooping around at the hospital again?”

Red in the face as she turned away, searching her mind for a new excuse but it was useless, she had a brain freeze. Ryan decided to jump in to help her “Hey, stop picking on her. Maybe Ga Jei had something important to tell Devin? High confidentiality stuff?”

“Are you really that gullible?” Jenna asked with a tilted head.

“It’s okay. The stuff can wait.” Erin said hastily as she set the glass on the table and backed away towards the door “I’m sure Jenna and Ryan have more important stuff for you.” She waved briefly and disappeared out the door.

After a few seconds Jenna turned to her Uncle “Well?”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Chase her.” Jenna pushed.

He laughed as he got up and wagged a finger to them “You be good!”

“Don’t worry, I’m a complete gentleman.” Ryan saluted.

“I was talking to Jenna.” Devin winked before disappearing out the door after Erin.

Chapter 32

He found her down the street waiting for a taxi. Taking slow steps as he walked up from behind “If you show some leg, maybe you’ll catch one quicker.” He offered. She snapped her head at him and prepared to storm off when he reached out for her hand “I’m kidding!”

Erin glared down at their entwined hands and back at him. Getting the hint, he let go but continued to smile “Wipe that smirk off your face.” She snapped and turned to walk down the street.

He followed her heels with ease “Didn’t you have something important to tell me? Professing your love to me, perhaps?” he teased.

“In your dreams, Devin.” Erin snickered.

“I don’t have to dream, that look on your face when you saw Nancy walk out of my bedroom, that was my answer.” He continued to push her buttons “Admit it, you’re jealous.”

She halted and turned to him with a sarcastic laugh “That’s what YOU want to hear. But I am not jealous of your little girlfriend. I don’t care what you do with your life. Let’s get that straight.”

Crossing his arms as he nodded “Okay…it you want to deny it.”

Erin rolled her eyes “You’re hopeless.”

He laughed “So, are you going to tell me what’s so important that you had to come personally to my apartment? I figured the first time you ever knock on my door is when your groins were burning for me.”

Calmly, she raised her brows “You can’t be serious for one minute can you? The commissioner was murdered today. I came in to see Ted for information on the suicide assassins. We suspected that Kwong Sir was being threatened, by the time we reached his office, he was murdered. With one poisoned assassin in the cabinet of his office.”

Devin frowned thoughtfully “You think this Hung Gor got what he came for?”

“The only reason why he would finish off the Commissioner.” Erin agreed. He appeared to be deep in thought “What’s next on the agenda?”

“Dinner.” He said casually and turned to walk back to his apartment. She stood there appalled “You coming?” he asked when noticing she was not behind him.

“No, I don’t want to throw up my dinner.” She said before catching a taxi driving by. Getting in, she didn’t bother to give him a second look while he stared until she was no longer visible.

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

Early the next morning, Doug arrived at the hospital to see how Jessie was holding up. She had another patient when he knocked on the door and opened “I’m sorry.” He apologized.

Jessie shook her head “It’s okay Doug, I was just finishing up. Thank you Mr. Wong for coming back.” She said with sincerity. The man smiled briefly and got up to leave.

“Live happy!” Doug cheered while the man stared at him strangely.

She laughed while shaking her head at him “He’s not the suicide victim.”

Doug raised his brows “Oops.” She pointed to a chair as he sat down “So, how are you?”

“Since the last time we saw each other? One day ago? Hmm...I’ve been the same.” She leaned herself over the table “What did you really come for, Doug?”

“I…eh…I was wondering…if you could help me.” He stuttered.

“With what?” Jessie was curious to know.

“With my problem. My fear of women.” He finally admitted “My fear of committing again, of loving again and letting myself be loved.”

She raised her brows, impressed “Wow, I didn’t even have to use psychology on you. How did you come up with this conclusion?”

“A certain female shrink helped me.” He hinted obviously.

“I see.” Jessie grinned happily. She nodded to the leather patient couch “Let’s move to the couch.”

Doug dropped his jaw “Why, Dr. Lai! Do you tell that to all your patients?”

“Yes!” she flicked a brow up playfully “Lie down.” She ordered.

He sat on the couch and looked up at her with puppy eyes “Be gentle.”

Jessie rolled her eyes as she took a seat on the swivel chair next to the couch “Close your eyes.” He did as she said but the sly grin was still on his face “And stop picturing stuff!” she scolded. Doug quickly cleared his throat and put on a serious face “Much better.” She nodded and began the session, her voice soothing and calm “I want you to clear your mind, push out any worries…stress…questions that you might have. It’s a blank sheet of paper ready to be drawn on. Doug, if she was here today in this room, what would she tell you?”

“Watch my back and she would come back to get me in full revenge—”

“No, I meant your first love, Jessie.” She cut in.

“Oh…” Doug’s forehead wrinkled “She would say…I want you to be happy, whatever you do.”

Jessie nodded “How does that make you feel?”

“Guilty.” He replied after little thought.

“Why?” she questioned.

His expression saddened “Because she always wanted the best for me, yet I couldn’t do the same for her. Eventhough she’s gone, I always felt like I never appreciated her enough or did things for her to make her fully and truly happy. Yet, even before she dies, she remembers to leave me a message that she only wants me to be happy.”

She listened intently with a small smile “That’s what unconditional love is. You think this guilty conscience will ever go away?”

“Maybe…I hope it does. I realize how wrong it was being with Becca, I let her control my thoughts and I told myself that I really did like the girl…but in truth, I was lonely and needed companionship. I know I can be a goofball at times, but most of the time it’s just hiding this inner me dying to cry out.”

“What would you say to Jessie?” she whispered, the lump in her throat forming with each confession he made. She had never been touched by a patient’s story until that minute.

Doug sighed, “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.” She pressed. Leaning into his face, she whispered “Open your eyes.” He did as she said “Pretend I’m her…I’m Jessie.”

Eyes intensely staring at him “Jessie…” he stared at all the features of her face “I’m sorry. I never told you how important you were to me. I always regreted not asking you to marry me sooner. From the second I saw you, I knew that there would be ‘us’ in the future.”

“But things don’t always go your way.” She replied, tears welling up as she gulped back the lump.

Doug smoothed the tear away from her cheek “I wished and prayed for a second chance, but I realized after this divorce that I might never get it.”

“You can have it…just be true to your heart. Listen. It talks to you.” Jessie smiled after a long moment of silent as he stared at her “What?”

“I never got a last kiss…” he leaned in slowly and she closed her eyes. Before he had a chance to kiss her, there was a knock on the door. Startling their session as she pulled away and he was snapped to reality “I’m sorry.” He apologized.

Jessie smiled with a lowered head as she got up to open the door “Ted?” she was surprised to see him with a few of his men standing behind him “Is there a problem?”

“Jessie, I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat and straightened his face “Miss Lai, you are under arrest for the murder of Commissioner Kwong and possibly a 26 year old woman by the name of Cheung Ga Lai.” She gasped while Doug stood up and stared in shock “You have the right to remain silent, but what you say or do can be used against you in the court of law.”

“Ted! You can’t be serious! Jessie didn’t kill anyone.” Doug shook his head vehemently.

“There was a girl that recognized Jessie yesterday morning, she came to see Kwong Sir.” Ted said shortly.

“I did. But only to take back my things. He was sitting in with a woman that I didn’t recognize. I left within minutes because they seemed to be in the middle of an important conversation.” Jessie explained.

Ted shook his head “No one saw you leave.”

“I took the back door to the stairs because I was too embarrassed to go to the front.” She shook her head in disbelief “I…I can’t believe this…”

“Jessie…” Ted pulled out the handcuffs, it hurt him to put it on her, but he needed to. She looked up slowly and understood that he did not want to do it “Thank you.” He said when she brought up both hands for him to cuff.

“Doug…” Jessie turned to him “Could you help me call my lawyer? His name is in my rolodex.” She nodded to her desk while Ted began to lead her away.

“Don’t worry, Jess. I’ll get you out.” Doug promised. She nodded while Ted escorted her out. Pulling out his cell phone, he called for Devin “I need to call an emergency meeting.”

Devin answered “Okay, I’ll page everyone.” They hung up and within half an hour, everyone showed up at headquarters.

Mia lied lazily on Darren’s shoulder “This better be good, I was still sleeping.”

“It’s almost noon, Mia.” Erin pointed out.

“She usually doesn’t wake up until one sometimes.” Darren shook his head.

Jenna laughed, “It’s a miracle she can still keep her figure. I’d blow up like a pig—”

“We don’t have time to make fun of Mia.” Doug cut in.

Mia opened her eyes and stared strangely “But you always make time for me. This must be serious. Oh my God…you killed Becca didn’t you? Didn’t you?!”

“No, smartass.” Doug said curtly “I was in a session with Jessie when Ted came in and arrested her for the possible murders of Commissioner Kwong and a 26 year old female.”

Erin and Devin quickly exchanged glances “He was murdered?” Reina asked.

Doug nodded vigorously “That was my reaction too. Jessie didn’t kill anyone. That damn bastard cheated her like twenty times and she never once lost her temper. May God rest his soul.” He quickly did a sign of a cross “We have to get her out.”

“Do they have witnesses?” Devin questioned.

“A girl saw Jessie walking towards the commissioner’s office.” Doug replied “It doesn’t look good.”

"No one heard their conversation?" Carmen asked "Or did they see her leave?" Doug shook his head.

“So you think she did it?” Mia asked in surprise. Doug sighed with exasperation and she quickly put up her hand “Okay, sorry. You’re sensitive today.”

Darren shook his head at his wife to quiet her “Hey, if she needs a lawyer, we have a good one.” He offered.

“She already has one.” Doug nodded gratefully “She’ll be okay right?”

“The law is accurate, I’m sure if she didn’t do it, nothing will happen to her.” Matt assured “Was there anything missing in the office?” he asked looking around.

Erin shook her head “Not that I noticed.” The group turned to her “I was a witness.”

“You were there?!” Ryan asked, “You mean you saw his…body?”

She nodded and turned to Devin “I want to go down the station and see if Ted found anything new.”

“I’ll go too!” Doug volunteered.

Devin nodded “Okay, you two go. Everyone else, lets do some more snooping…”

Chapter 33

When Erin and Doug reached the police station, they noticed a group of motorcycles charging from the parking lot with the sirens on. They stood outside the guarded gates until Ted emerged, putting on his bulletproof vest over his clothes. The two exchanged looks and it was Doug that caught Ted’s attention “What’s going on?”

Ted turned his back to wave to his team to go first as he pulled them away from the gates “We were moving a few suspects to the temporary prison where they wait for their court date or possible bail. The van was attacked and some fatalities. Jessie was in there.”

“Oh my God!! She was shot?!” Doug was near hysteric.

Erin had a sudden gut feeling “No. She was kidnapped.”

Ted tilted his head strangely “How did you know?”

“You mean she wasn’t shot?” Doug screeched. Ted nodded and he sighed with relief “Thank God.”

“Come on, we don’t have time. Follow my car.” Ted motioned as he jogged towards the honking car waiting for him.

Erin and Doug got in the car as she sped off after Ted’s car “Hey, how did you know that she was kidnapped?”

“It’s a gift.” Erin said shortly.

“No, seriously, how did you know?” Doug pressed. After living with her, he realized one thing, she was a closed book that one needed to pry open to get information from.

She glanced at him briefly before looking back at the street “Promise you won’t freak.” He nodded “You remember on Ted’s wedding day. Devin and I caught a guy in the electrical room? Well, it turns out he knew Brad and Carmen back in college, they were like the three musketeers. For some reason, he began working for Hung Gor but he warned me a few times about Time Square and I have a feeling he’s trying to help us.”

“Wow…oh my God…too much information…What are the chances?” he shook his head in disbelief “Why would he try to help us? And Carmen, what role does she play? Is she undercover for Hung Gor?”

“No, she’s just very in love with Brad, I know that much.” Erin explained as she made a sharp turn to the scene of the crime. They pulled up to the turn over van. Bullets holes were punctured into the metal car and a few bodies laid on the ground in different forms. They got out of the car and rushed over to Ted “Did anyone find where that car was heading?”

He nodded “One patrol has a lead on the car, we sent out the motorcycles to block their ways. They’re armed with machine guns.” Ted pointed to the consecutive shots against the van “I’m going to try to block them from the front, they’re heading to Tsim Sa Tsui.”

“Can we go too?” Doug pleaded.

Ted shook his head “No, it’s too dangerous, you don’t have your vests on. I’ll call when we catch them.” He made eye contact with a teammate and nodded to the two of them before leaving.

“She’ll be okay right?” Doug asked.

Erin sighed “For now.”

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

It was mid day traffic when the kidnappers took over the police van. Jessie sat between two men dressed in black while the driver swerved around traffic making her dizzy and nauseated “Shit, they’re catching up!” one guy looked behind and found two motorcycles merging around the cars.

“Let’s go.” One guy announced as he opened the door and pulled Jessie to her feet, her arms still handcuffed. She cried in pain from the yank but moved quickly to keep up with them. Taking her through a maze of alleyway, the men split up to diverge the cops’ attention.

Reaching the end of the alley to another street, the guy realized the cops were everywhere. Cursing as he tried desperately to find a way out. Suddenly a motorcycle came speeding towards them as it halted inches from Jessie’s leg. She nearly fainted as the guy pulled up his helmet lens “Put her on.” Ah Gam instructed. Jessie was forced to climb on behind as she clutched onto his jacket for dear life. Taking off, he drove down the street and entered an old manufacturing company. Jessie noticed it was some sort of a sewing company. Possibly just a cover up for their true illegal operations.

“What do you want with me?” she asked shakily.

“Scared?” Ah Gam asked after he whipped off his helmet.

“Obviously.” She found no reason to lie.

He laughed, “Patience...” Reached for her cuffs, he pulled her like a dog into a back room. It was stuffy and smelled like boxed material. Ah Gam turned to Becca who was sitting behind the small desk, her legs propped on the table “Where’s Hung Gor?”

“He’s doing his daily meditation.” She waved nonchalantly. When noticing Jessie, she pushed her legs off and got up to approach her for a better look “Not bad…it’s a wonder Doug went crazy over you.”

“You know Doug?” Jessie asked.

“I was only his wife!” Becca snapped.

“Still sour from the divorce? It’s a wonder Doug didn’t leave you sooner.” Jessie mocked.

Pulling out a gun as she pointed it at Jessie’s temple “Say it again, bitch!” she threatened.

Jessie moved her head away, eyes closed “Hey…Hung Gor said to keep her alive.” Ah Gam said with a laugh “Women…”

Retrieving her gun, she nodded “Fine, but once he’s done with you. Your ass is mine!” Becca leered her eyes dangerously.

“We sure know how to welcome our guests.” Hung Gor’s voice broke into the room, commanding attention from everyone. He walked by Jessie swiftly “Dr. Lai isn’t it?”

“You are…” she asked unsurely.

“You may call me Hung Gor.” He nodded for Ah Gam to close the door “You must excuse my short absent. I was meditating.”

“How spiritual of you.” Jessie’s remark was sarcastic “Kill people and then hope you can get to nirvana by finding inner peace. How do you sleep at night?”

Hung Gor took over the seat behind the desk as he turned to her strangely “You would think I’d sleep horribly but actually I sleep like a log at night. Dreaming of the people with their heads cut off and floating around me while I laugh. What do you think that means?”

“That you belong in an insane asylum.” Jessie said flatly. Shaking her head at him “You may get away from the police for a few years but one day, it will all end. Even if you can escape the punishment you deserve, you won’t ever escape the fear and conscience that reminds you it won’t be over until you’re caught.”

Clapping his hand as he laughed merrily “Wonderful! I could kill you for that but it’s absolutely true.” Nodding to Ah Gam, he asked “I was thinking earlier in the meditation chamber, who should we kill first? And then it occurred to me…someone that is of value to the team. Someone that they love dearly. I want them to know that I’m not monkeying around, we’re taking them out once and for all.”

“Of course.” Ah Gam answered obediently.

“Say…Becca. I haven’t rewarded you with anything since you started working for me.” Hung Gor turned his attention to her “What’s the name of that ex husband of yours?”

“Doug Chung.” Becca replied coldly.

Hung Gor snapped his fingers “Yes! Him. He’s lucky number one.”

“No!” Jessie turned to him suddenly “You can’t kill him.”

“Because you said so?” Hung Gor asked. He laughed at her pathetically “Looks like someone’s got the hots for your old man.” He said to Becca “What do you think?”

“He gets what he deserves.” Becca said without feeling.

Jessie shook her head vehemently “Don’t, please…he’s a good person, he can’t die…please. Kill me if you have to, Doug can’t die!” she pleaded.

Ignoring her pleas, he turned to Ah Gam “Let’s get our friend in our little plan.”

“Will she do it?” Ah Gam asked unsurely.

“She will.” He replied with confidence. Waving Ah Gam out, he left the room to make his call to Reina. Becca frowned to herself as she wondered what they were talking about “Take her out.” Becca raised her brows and nodded in answer as she pulled out her gun and pointed it to Jessie’s head “What the hell are you doing? I meant take her outside. Her tears are beginning to make me soft.”

Nodding in reply, she pulled Jessie to another little office with no windows. Pushing her inside as she prepared to close the door “Becca!” Jessie cried desperately “Please, don’t kill him. He can’t die. I know you still love him, I know you can do something to stop it. Please…” tears in her eyes as she begged the enemy to spare Doug’s life.

Her eyes distant but empty as she shook her head sadly “What does he have? Girls would die for him…is it all worth it?” Jessie turned away, refusing to answer “Make that a lesson to you people. When you do me wrong, there is no good outcome.” With that, she closed the door and locked it from the outside.

Ah Gam tried calling Reina for the third time, finally she answered the call “Hello?” her voice was barely a whisper.

“Did I catch you at a wrong time?” Ah Gam asked sarcastically.

Reina turned to Matt and covered her mouthpiece “I have to take this call.” He nodded and watched her get up from their dinner table at their favorite restaurant “What do you want?” she gritted her teeth.

“How quick you change your tone. Hung Gor told me how you went down on your knees and begged him to let you out. Anyways, we have a target for you.” He wasn’t wasting any time.

“I’m not going to do it.” Reina said firmly.

“Okay, let me relay that message to Hung Gor and—”

“Who is it?!” she asked in frustration.

“That’s a good girl.” Ah Gam grinned through the phone “No one special. Apparently Becca is still holding a grudge. Hung Gor asked who she wanted dead and naturally she said….”

“Doug.” Reina said flatly “That’s impossible. I won’t do it.”

Ah Gam sighed tiredly “Fine, consider your Matt dead.”

“Wait!” Reina pleaded “I…When?” she clutched her face after feeling a headache crawling around her temples.

“Time Square, three days from today.” he answered.

“Fine.” Reina felt defeated as she hung up the call. Her feet felt heavy against the ground as she dragged herself inside to continue the dinner with Matt. Remembering that she was with him, she put on a quick smile “Sorry about that.”

“Who was that?” he asked casually.

Reina smiled “Just an old friend. She wanted to see when we could go out to dinner.”

Matt looked up strangely “I thought you told me you didn’t have any friends?”

“I was exaggerating. I have a least two outside the team.” Reina explained making it sound normal. He nodded slowly “So where were we?”

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