THE WHITE...
Another missed call. No, I don't intend to answer.
The last three days have been like limbo, displaced from my reality. Normally, I don't allow myself to hesitate. My decisions must be instantaneous. However, I spent three days trying to make up my mind, and opted for the simpler solution. Therefore, the more fool.
For the first time since I started my jobs, I quit one. I discovered that it was good to solve people's lives. Like Daniel, for example. He was an obstacle for his son, and I helped him. Someone is always hurt, indeed, but my job is not to judge who is right. Come on, it's my job.
But I was wrong. I usually don't admit my mistakes, as they are rare, however, now I have to. I was wrong to agree to work for Margot Donneli. I was so sure it was going to be an easy job that I didn't think about the job until I had a decent alibi. I wanted to be the last suspect, but the girl hates me. I became the first.
Rule number one: never contact the service. Don't create memories. It's human nature to dream your last thoughts, and I don't want to dream about the people I sent to heaven.
I broke that rule with Angelic. I came up with a plan that didn't work, so I had to improvise. I simply did not count on his curiosity and courage. She learned her way to me; at the church, in the Bronx, at the White House. I have never gone unnoticed in your eyes.
The phone vibrates again. I will not answer.
It could be Inspector Pierce wanting to know something about the latest bombing. It could be Elliot yearning to fund his campaign. Margot may want information about the contracted service. In any case, I will not answer.
I walk to my car after leaving the warehouse. I know Angelic was here yesterday, and the day before yesterday, and the day before yesterday. She came to see me because she learned to do it whenever she has a question, or is curious and bored. She loves the Bronx because she only comes when she feels like it. It's all one big amusement park.
I get in the car and leave. This girl is so naughty she found the gun under the seat. What else would you find? What else would even look? However, I must admit that she catches my attention every time she interferes in my affairs. I can almost say that your curiosity saved your life.
As I drive away from the Bronx, I begin to notice the smell inside the car. That smell of strawberry shampoo and cologne, its lingering scent in the seats. I screwed up badly. I shouldn't have let a job come so close to my personal life. Now I have to deal with her scent every time I get in the car, until I send her to the wash. Yes I will do it.
I head to the car wash. I need to get Angelic out of my system and get rid of his tracks.
Some people who do what I do tend to hide something from their victims. Strands of hair, a tooth, a piece of jewelry... not me. I want to keep myself as far away as possible from anything that reminds me of the services I have rendered. I am not a psychopath.
Arrived at the car wash, I notice a line of cars of a kilometer. It's Saturday, so everyone decides to wash their car for the week. Excellent!
Two options: wait for hours or get your perfume in the car. Changing cars would also be interesting, however, I plan to return to Europe soon. It wouldn't make up for it. In this case, I make the most difficult decision of my life: to wait.
The cell phone rings again, and this time I answer.
- Hello.
- Hello Bruce. I thought you wouldn't answer me. You are a busy man, I understand.
Elliot Donelli.
- Elliot - I salute - How can I help you?
- The campaigns of most politicians started last Monday, as you know. I have a few ideas for the committee. I would like your opinion.
The car in front of me moves forward, advancing the line. There are still five cars to go, so I have time to listen to Elliot.
- I listen.
Elliot remains silent. I pull the phone away from my ear and look at the screen to make sure it hasn't turned off. The call continues.
- Elliot - I'm calling. If he chose this day to test my patience, he chose well.
- Bruce - his voice is low. He seems to walk into a room, because a door is closed and all sounds are muffled - I know I'm not the fairest man in the world. My actions say so. But, you see, money and power do not fall from the sky.
Is he saying that to me?
- Yes, I confirm.
- When I found out I was sick, people started abandoning me. The politicians, the public, my friends... I lost everything. Suddenly, I also lost influence, then my money.
The queue is getting a little longer.
- And even? - pretending to be interested.
- Yes - he sighs - Life has not been kind to me. But when I was at my lowest, a light came.
I'm too old to roll my eyes, though, that's my wish. Elliot still has a wife and servants, he doesn't need to take it out on me.
The line advances, and now there are three cars in front of me.
- I found out that Margot was sleeping with the family lawyer, Antony Louzada - Elliot continues - At first it wasn't a light. I felt even worse, even more consumable.
I'm not the most empathetic man in the world, but I have time, so I put myself in Donneli's shoes. I would probably kill the lawyer, and not necessarily because I love my wife, but because I have a basic concept about marriage: a married woman is forbidden. Mine especially.
- But Margot confessed to me that Antony had access to the fortune my late wife left to Angelic - Elliot stops for a drink - He was the family lawyer for years.
The line keeps moving and I now find myself paying attention to Elliot's story.
- I'm not stupid, Bruce. I'm a sick old man, but not stupid. I knew that Margot was lying to me, that she probably slept with all the rich men in our social milieu, all that to have a second option when I died - he continues - I told her that I had forgiven her. You know, it's better to keep enemies close. But after that, I dug deep into this story. I wanted to know if this fortune was real, and what it was about.
- And found out? - I ask.
- My dear friend - Elliot laughs - A hundred pink diamonds in a safe in Spain.
For a minute, a smile crosses my face. This story is as Oscar-worthy as a soap opera. So Margot wants the same diamonds as Elliot. I admit, I'm curious to know who will be able to open the safe, in the end.
- That's the amount Margot told me, there's probably more. Thing is, she was sleeping with Antony to get to the safe, but she can't. No one can - Elliot takes a deep breath, preparing for his next words. I know what he will say; that only Angelic has access to the safe, but still, I want to hear him say - Angelic is the only person in the world who has access to the diamonds.
- So what? - incite.
- Do you remember what I said at the beginning? Who was far from being the straightest man in the world? - he asks - Bruce, if Angelic were to die, then another Donneli could receive the inheritance. I don't know what Margot and Antony had planned, but it probably involved my death and that of my daughter.
It's not false.
- So I had to get ahead - he continues - In recent weeks we have suffered two attacks. In all of them, Angelic was the primary target. The men had specific instructions to enter and take his life. You know why?
I look straight ahead, seeing only one car in front of me. Elliot stays quiet, so I can tell he's waiting for my response.
- Nope.
- Because I hired them. I paid to have Angelic killed.
I, in particular, am at a stage in life where few things surprise me. Families killing each other for money are more common than you might think. However, I can't help but think that's wrong. Margot was insensitive, but Elliot is even more so. He is his father.
And when I think of Angelic, a woman completely detached from money and all that that means, I feel even more wrong. Elliot could easily get those diamonds with a conversation. Angelic would hand everything over to her, she was raised to be obedient and do whatever it takes for the family. Either way, it's none of my business. No more.
- You must think I'm a monster, but no. I love her, she's my only child - Elliot continues talking - But, in my position, it is essential to have a good financial situation, no matter what.
To like.