Chapter 98: chosen thief Aimo
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In a dark cellar, a group of thieves had endured a week of relentless misery. The week was marked by hunger, with only a slice of bread and a glass of water provided each day. The constant threat of beatings and torture by their captors made their suffering nearly unbearable.
Click.
The iron door to the cell creaked open. The thieves' eyes, filled with both longing and fear, darted to the door. They craved food, yet dreaded being selected for another round of punishment.
A burly man stepped inside, scanning the room. The thieves, familiar with this process, huddled in fear, trying to avoid being chosen.
"You, come out!" the man commanded, pointing to one of the thieves.
The chosen thief, Aimo, shrank back, visibly trembling as the strongman grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out. The door closed behind them, and the remaining thieves sighed in relief.
Aimo was led into a different room where he saw a man in a high-quality suit among several others he recognized. This man, Hardy, was now scrutinizing him closely.
"What's your name?" Hardy asked.
"My name is Aimo," the thief replied, stammering.
"Have you been to jail before?"
"Yes, three times for theft."
"Have you ever killed anyone?"
Aimo's eyes shifted nervously. "Yes, I have."
"Where did this happen?"
"About seven years ago."
Hardy, attentive, urged Aimo to recount every detail of the incident.
Aimo began, "One autumn night, I was short on cash and broke into a villa. I heard noises from the bedroom and discovered a man and woman in an intimate moment. I went to search the house, but accidentally knocked over a trophy, making a noise. The man came out with a baseball bat, and when he attacked me, I shot him. The woman screamed, so I shot her too."
Aimo continued detailing the events, recalling how the incident caused a media sensation with the wrongly accused banker being sentenced to life imprisonment.
"Is the gun you used still in your possession?" Hardy asked.
"No, I sold it."
"Do you know to whom you sold it?"
"Yes," Aimo replied.
"Good. Detain him in a separate room and provide him with food. Ensure he doesn't escape," Hardy instructed.
Big Ivan agreed, taking Aimo away as Hardy returned to his office. He then called Henry, the head of the intelligence department. Hardy needed details on a banker named Andy who had been sentenced to Shawshank Prison seven years ago, and also wanted information on the gun Aimo used.
The next day, Hardy attended a trial run for the film "My Assassin Isn't Too Cold." As an investor, producer, and screenwriter, he was keen to see how the project was progressing.
Gary Grant, a prominent MGM star, delivered a compelling performance, while Elizabeth Taylor, in a casual outfit, appeared more relaxed and confident in her role. Her performance was impressive, and Hitchcock, the director, affirmed her as the lead actress.
Hardy was pleased with the outcome, and Taylor's enthusiasm was palpable. She eagerly anticipated filming in New York and seemed to have developed a strong attachment to Hardy.
That evening, Hardy hosted a celebratory dinner for the crew of "Red Dead Redemption," marking the completion of their film. The atmosphere was lively, and Hardy, slightly intoxicated, was assisted by Ava Gardner, who had returned with the crew.
In the clean, well-prepared house, Ava helped Hardy to the bathroom and filled the tub with water. As Hardy opened his eyes, he chuckled and playfully pulled Ava into the bathtub with him.
The two shared a playful and intimate moment in the warm, water-filled embrace, their laughter echoing softly in the bathroom.
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