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Part 38
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-15 14:54:59
Kaugnay na kabanata
Drengr Part 39
I woke up seven hours later to a quiet house. It was too quiet as I walked down the stairs. There was a note on the kitchen table in Charlotte’s handwriting.“Blake,William and I have gone home. I can’t talk to you right now.”I looked at it and threw it in the dustbin. I started laughing. The one time I had told her the truth, and she didn’t believe me. She had believed every lie I had fed her but it was the truth she was blind to. I couldn’t blame her for leaving, it all looked bad. The photo, the text from Nataly, it all pointed to me doing something that I hadn’t.It hurt though, her leaving and taking the kid with her. It hurt. All the feelings hurt. I felt sad and angry at myself and the house was empty once again. The old Blake would have preferred this, but the real me, I was lost somehow. How ironic life turned out to be.My cup stood exactly where I had left it that morning and I looked at it. I picked it up and threw it against the wall of the laundry room. The dogs jumped
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-16Drengr Part 40
I took the backpack and the two Jericho’s and headed to the garage. I placed the Jericho’s with their silencers in the compartments and put the backpack on my back. The bike was almost on empty and I drove away from the farmhouse, wondering if I would ever return to it.I felt like I had lost something. ‘It’s just a house. You can rebuild,’ I said to myself as I turned onto the Old Highway and sped up slightly. I had taken the bike because it was faster. The truck could drive further than the bike on a tank of gas, but it also made me a sitting duck if I was found.Protocol calls for agents to report to HQ unless otherwise stipulated. We had safe houses scattered all over the world and I had used a few of them over the years. My problem at this stage was that my address had been leaked. I couldn’t help but wonder what else had been leaked and why. I checked my phone when I stopped for gas in Centralia and I called Jack.“Status?” he asked me.“Almost extracted,” I said and I could hea
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-17Drengr Part 41
I dialed Bluebird’s number from the new phone. Jennifer Yang was the most brilliant hacker I knew. She was even better than Jack. She was a silver spoon baby and worked for nobody. We met in college and she did everything for me that I couldn’t do through Jack or didn’t want them to know about.“Hey, Bluebird,” I said when she answered.“Hey Jericho. What do you need?” She was always straight to the point and a no-nonsense type of woman. I smiled.“Phone trace on Charles Huxman, sending his details now,” I said.“I’ll send you everything I find. I assume you want his live location?” dhe asked me.“You know me too well. Send it to this number. I’ll send you four more names,” I said.Jennifer laughed. “You plan on being busy.”“No rest for the wicked,” I said and ended the call. I closed the laptop and put it back in the backpack.“Bo!” I called out to him. He popped his head around the corner, his phone glued to his ear. “Call me with a drop when you’re ready.”“I got you, man,” he sai
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-18Drengr Part 42
I heard the garage doors close and then a car door was closed. The car alarm beeped once as he locked it. The door opened and closed behind him. He walked past the doors that were previously closed. First mistake, Charles. Always remember how you leave things. I had left the doors ajar on purpose and he hadn’t even noticed.Charles Huxman was six foot and weighed one hundred and fifty pounds. He was in good shape, combed his blonde hair sideways and liked to chew matches. He didn’t smoke and occasionally he would finish ten beers while watching the football game.On the wall before you reached the stairs, was a light switch and Charles switched it on before he rounded the corner. He stepped back when he saw me sitting on the stairs. I nudged the gun in the direction of the sitting area and he walked toward it slowly.“Take out your gun, put it on the floor and kick it over,” I said to him as he stood in front of the couch. He took out a gun from his shoulder holster and placed it care
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-19Drengr Part 43
I walked back to where I’d left my bike and drove back over to Skokie. I walked into the hotel and up to my room. I put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door and went inside.A dull headache thumped behind my eyelids and I knew it was exhaustion speaking. I got into the shower and stood there until the water became tepid. I got clean underwear from the bottom zip of the backpack and sat down on the bed and opened a bottle of water from the mini fridge in the room. I sent the next name on the list to Jennifer. Kade Kominski. I took the laptop and opened it again and accessed my emails.There were four from Jack. ‘Check In’ – ‘Are you safe?’ – ‘Bro!’ – ‘Jericho!!’ I opened the most recent one and typed a message to him.‘Extraction complete. Safe.’ I sent the message and closed the laptop. I looked at my watch. It was close to 2 a.m. I wanted to call Charlotte but she would be sleeping and she didn’t want to talk to me. She had great timing though and I was glad she was mad enough at me
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-20Drengr Part 44
“What’s the problem that you need someone like Jericho?” I asked Bo.“There’s this new supplier trying to take over the market in Stony Island. He works from the back of a beauty store on East 95th Street,” he said to me and lowered his voice. “Problem is, he comes out to smoke maybe three times a day but he’s always surrounded by his people.”“Send me the details,” I said and Bo blinked a few times.“For real? How much?” he asked me.“See it as a birthday present,” I said. Bo opened his phone and sent me a picture. I looked at it for a few seconds and deleted it. Bo cocked his head to the side, frowned and shook his head.“I should get going,” I said and stood up. I placed some bills on the table as Bo followed me out.“You’re Jericho, aren’t you?” he asked.I climbed on my bike, my expression not changing once. “I’ll pick up my package after six tonight.”“So, can I call you Jericho now?” he asked and I laughed.“See you, Bo.”I started the bike and drove the three and a half miles
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-21Drengr Part 45
I swung the strap of the rifle across my chest so the rifle was hanging down my back with the barrel downwards. I got up and ran to where the ladder was located. I kept count in my head and I was twenty seconds in. I descended the ladder quickly and ran across 54th Avenue and stood with my back against the warehouse building. I took one of the Jericho’s from the shoulder holster and felt human again.They could come from either side or both sides, there were two of them. That’s what I would do. I’d move in from either side. ‘Left or right, come on, Jericho.’ The left side had more cover. I looked around the corner of the building once more and ran past the construction debris that littered the ground to the next warehouse.I looked around the left corner and the shot clattered against the wall above my head. They were using silencers, a bit louder than mine. I knelt on the ground with one knee and looked around the corner again as Dillinger peeked around the corner and my shot hit him
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-22Drengr Part 46
Tuesday. I woke up at 6 p.m. and I couldn’t believe that I’d slept that long. The migraine was gone and I showered, dressed, drank coffee and checked my phone. Jennifer had sent me details on Ashley Grant.She was five foot two, tiny with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her location showed her in a residential area in Williams Park. I studied the area and drove out to her location. It was forty-six miles to what I assumed was her house and I slowed the bike as I drove past it. I turned right on North Ada Street and parked the bike in an empty yard between some trees. It was almost 9 p.m.I was about a hundred and twenty yards away from her house and I walked quietly through the cluster of trees that bordered the back of the house. At the fence at the rear of her house, was a small shed-like structure. I mounted it and lay flat on the roof. It was level with her back door.I watched the house for a few minutes and saw movement behind the curtains. She wasn’t married and she had no children.
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-23
Pinakabagong kabanata
Drengr Part 60
“Good morning. What can I get for you?” Charlotte asked the man sitting at the counter.“My name’s Jack. I’m Blake’s brother,” he said and Charlotte stiffened.“Is he okay?” she asked him worriedly. Jack knew then that he was doing the right thing.“Can you get away? Perhaps meet me at his house so we can talk?” Jack asked her.“Is he okay?” she asked him again, almost angry now.“He’s alive but he’s not really okay,” Jack said.“Give me an hour and I’ll meet you there,” Charlotte said.Jack nodded his head and left the diner. An hour later, Charlotte parked her car in the driveway next to Jack’s car and walked inside the house. She was still panicking over the man’s words. Blake had only ever mentioned his brother once.“You said he’s alive but not okay when I asked you about Blake. Why isn’t he okay?” Charlotte asked him.Jack was sitting at the kitchen table where Blake always sat. “He’s okay in the sense that he’s semi-functioning at this stage.” Charlotte gave him a look and Jack
Drengr Part 59
I stared at my phone. There was nothing from Charlotte, no texts and no missed calls. I don’t know why I expected her to send a message or call. She’d made it clear. She didn’t want to hear from me. I sent a text to David and told him that I would start the medication the following day and he sent a thumbs up back to me.Go big or go home. For the next ten days I had to take four drops of Lugol Solution three times a day along with methimazole to suppress the functions of my thyroid before the surgery. I knew exactly what was in store for me.It wasn’t a pretty sight. Some days there would be vomiting with headaches, other days diarrhea and fever, stomach aches and the ever awful metallic taste in my mouth that didn’t seem to want to go away. My appetite had disappeared completely and most days I felt drained.On day seven, Jack stopped by because I didn’t have the energy to answer the phone. I knew it was only a matter of time before he came over. He took one look at me as he unlocke
Drengr Part 58
At eight a.m. I had loaded up the truck and I was on my way to DeKalb. It took me just under three hours to drive the hundred and forty-eight miles to Jack’s house. I saw his car in the driveway and parked behind it. By the time I climbed out, Jack stood at the front door.“Hey, little bro. This is a nice surprise,” Jack said, and we hugged briefly.“Where are June and the kids?” I asked him.“She’s visiting her parents for a few days,” he said as we walked inside the house.I sat down on the couch and Jack got a beer for himself and asked me what I wanted. He threw a bottle of water my way and sat down opposite me. I could tell that he had no idea what was going on with me. Lynda had kept her word.“I saw Lynda blacklisted you,” he said and I smiled.“Yeah, we talked about it and decided that it’s the best thing for now,” I said and he frowned.“What’s going on?”I shifted in my seat. “I don’t really know how to say it, but I really need you to keep it between us.”“Of course, Jerich
Drengr Part 57
I opened an online account in Charlotte’s name and transferred the nine hundred thousand dollars from my last assignment into it. The card would be sent to her address. It was the least I could do for her so they would be okay.I closed the laptop and looked at William. He was deep in concentration and had eaten two bowls of cereal for lunch. I washed his dishes and walked out onto the porch and looked around. I should consider selling the farm but the idea made me feel sad. If Charlotte and I could communicate the way we had earlier, maybe I could still come back after my treatment. Maybe we could be friends after all. I called Charlotte from my cell phone so that she could save the new number I was using, just in case.“Should I give William dinner or–”“No, it’s okay. He’s used to eating later now. I’ll bring him something from the diner. I can bring you something too,” she said.“No, that’s okay. I’m fine,” I said.“Okay, see you later,” she said and ended the call. I didn’t take
Drengr Part 56
“Do you have cereal?” The look on William’s face was one of innocence despite his hard life and my resolve faltered a little.“I haven’t been to the store yet,” I said and he shrugged.“Charlotte says that a bowl of cereal is good for the soul,” he said and I smiled.“I’m sure she did, but you’re still growing and you need nutrition more than sugar. Your soul will be fine,” I said and he laughed.“Charlotte also says that sometimes a person just needs comfort food and that your body’s not a machine,” he said as I switched the kettle on for coffee.I turned to look at him. He seemed different somehow and I realized it was Charlotte’s influence. A few weeks ago he’d been quoting me and now it was Charlotte.“Essentially your body is a machine, kid. It keeps you on your feet, takes you through the day. You need to take care of it the same as you would a car,” I said and he frowned.“I like Charlotte’s version more,” he said and crossed his arms over his chest.“What else does Charlotte s
Drengr Part 55
Joe Reiner stood outside, looking at my bike. He was leaning in toward the added compartments and I didn’t need him snooping around. He straightened up when he saw me and I got on my bike and drove away from the station.I kept to the speed limit and parked the bike in the garage. I unlocked the kitchen door and immediately noticed the envelope on the kitchen table. It was blank and I tore it open. It was a letter from Charlotte.I put the letter back on the table and opened the fridge. It was almost bare and someone, I assumed Charlotte, had cleaned out all the perishable food. It seemed like something she would do.I went upstairs and unpacked the backpack and noticed that she’d taken all her clothes, everything that was hers were gone. I felt a sudden sadness as I sat down on the bed in the quiet house. Strangely enough, I also felt more relaxed than I had in the past three weeks while waiting to hear about my diagnosis.I went back downstairs with the cleaning kit and looked at Ch
Drengr Part 54
On a whim, I decided to get on the bike and drive the three hours to Epworth. There were some things I needed to get since the apartment in Chicago was usually just for weekend stays. I would also have to make more permanent arrangements with Quince about the dogs.I opened the throttle and raced down the highway and it felt good. It felt good to drive down this road and know that tonight I would sleep in my own bed. Chicago also had my own bed but it was different in the farmhouse, it felt more like home to me.The flashing blue lights up ahead made me slow down and I was pulled over by a police officer from Epworth. I didn’t know him and wondered when they had hired someone new. Max had talked about getting some extra bodies and here he was.“Good evening, sir,” he said as I switched the bike off and opened the visor on my helmet.“Evening, officer,” I said and dismounted the bike. I took my helmet off and got my ID and licence and handed both to him.“Do you know how fast you were
Drengr Part 53
I hadn’t exactly lied to Jack. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me, although I had an idea. I never got sick, I couldn’t even remember ever having the flu or a headache before the other night. I was pretty certain that my initial diagnosis on myself was correct.I went to see my GP, who was surprised by my visit because he really did see me once a year for a physical. We socialized as well but that was different. We had also gone to college together and he had known Robert too.“What brings you in, Blake?” Charles Roberts M.D asked me. He had a thing about the M.D behind his name and he got constant flak from all of us about it.“Swollen lymph nodes, pain in my neck, trouble swallowing every now and then, it’s not persistent but I’ve had a cough for the last two days,” I said as he looked at me, taking notes of my symptoms. “I’m thinking thyroidism.”Charles gave me a physical and then sat on the edge of his desk and looked at me. “I think you should go see David.”“You think it migh
Drengr Part 52
I started the bike and took my time driving to HQ. Even though it was past midnight, I knew Lynda would be there. She was always there. She would know the moment I swiped my card at the gate and drove into the basement.I went up in the elevator and Lynda stood there in the hallway when the doors opened. She looked relieved, angry and concerned all at the same time. She nodded and started walking toward her office. I stepped off the elevator, thirty pairs of eyes following my movements.“Jericho!” Jack called as he came running down the corridor. He grabbed me in a bear hug and I felt his body relax as he hugged me.“It’s good to see you too,” I said.He let go of me and punched me. His fist connected with my cheekbone and it stung like hell. “Don’t ever do that to me again!” He hugged me again and I wrapped my arms around him.“I have to go face the music,” I said and turned away to Lynda’s office.I walked inside her office and closed the door behind me and was immediately engulfed
