Page 33 of The Silencer

It's Lawrence.

He's hunched over a laptop, his face illuminated by the screen's glow.He looks haggard, nervous—a far cry from the funny, loyal man I once knew.

"I have visual," I report to Maverick."He's alone, working on a computer.Likely transferring the data."

"Shit," Maverick hisses."We need to move now.Can you take the shot?"

I line up my crosshairs, centering on Lawrence's head.It would be an easy shot.Clean.Final.

"Emmanuel," Maverick's voice is urgent in my ear."We're running out of time.Do you have the shot?"

I take a deep breath, steadying my aim.I have the shot.

Just as my finger tightens on the trigger, Lawrence's head snaps up.His eyes seem to lock directly on my position.

In that split second, I see recognition in his face.Then fear.Then resignation.

The shot rings out, shattering the silence of the night.Through my scope, I watch as Lawrence crumples to the ground, a clean hole in his forehead.The laptop tumbles from the table, clattering to the floor.

"Target neutralized," I report coldly into my comm, my voice steadier than I feel.

"Copy that," Maverick replies."I'm securing the area and retrieving the laptop.Meet me at the van in five."

I quickly break down my rifle, but my mind is reeling.The look in Lawrence's eyes in that final moment...He knew.He knew it was me.

As I make my way back to the van, I can't shake the image of Lawrence's face.The fear, the resignation.With this job, I’m an unknown, until now.But Lawrence could have betrayed us all.

Maverick is already waiting when I arrive, the laptop tucked securely under his arm."You good?"he asks, studying my face.

I nod.“I’m good,” I assure him as we climb into the van.Maverick starts the engine, pulling away from the scene as sirens begin to wail in the distance.

"Jer," Maverick says into his phone as he drives, "it's done.We've got the laptop too.We’re heading to the safe house now."

As we wind through the empty streets of London, the adrenaline begins to fade, replaced by a hollow feeling in my chest.I've killed before, many times.But never someone I knew.Never one of our own.

"You did what you had to do," Maverick says quietly, as if reading my thoughts."He was a threat to all of us."

I nod again, staring out the window at the passing city lights."I know," I finally manage to say."Doesn't make it any easier though."

Maverick glances at me, concern evident in his eyes."This job, it takes a toll, Emmanuel.Maybe after this, you should take some time off.Clear your head."

The suggestion catches me off guard.Time off isn't something we usually get in this line of work.

"Yeah," I say slowly."Maybe you're right.”But even as I say the words, I know it’s not something I’ll do.This job is who I am.It’s what I need.Having time off isn’t going to do anything but make me antsy.

We arrive at the safe house to find Jer waiting for us.His face is grim as we brief him on what happened.

"You did well," he tells us, taking the laptop."Both of you.I know this wasn't easy, but it was necessary.Go get some rest and tomorrow we’ll work out who Lawrence was working with.”

As Maverick and I head to our separate rooms to get some rest, I know that sleep will evade me.I want to know why Lawrence did this, why he betrayed the Houlihan Gang, and who he betrayed us for.

Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully it’ll bring the answers we seek.

THIRTEEN

emmanuel

Walking into the kitchen,I spot Jer sitting at the counter hunched over the laptop Lawrence had last night.

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