OldBoy 1/4

Following Marie's route guide, the Dodge Challenger drove quickly down the road.— What's wrong with your friend? —Ethan asked curiously, grabbing the wheel.Marie shook her head.—I don't know.Ethan looked at her with his somewhat puzzled peripheral vision,— What's up?She held her middle briefcase in her hand and replied timidly:—Strictly speaking, he is not my friend. I met him yesterday, he had an argument with someone from the medical team and I went to calm them down and that things did not get out of control, that sometimes happens. I saw that his face was pale and he looked dehydrated, so I gave him my business card and asked him to call me if he needed medical assistance.-And he just called you now?—Yes, his call came as soon as you left my office, I received a call from his friend saying that he had passed out in his Bar, he thought it was his acquaintance for my card that he brought with him.Ethan changed lanes, following his words.— Is it something strange don't you think?Marie nodded, took the cigarette case out of her pocket, and after asking Ethan for permission, lit a cigarette. Ethan hit the wheel with his fingers several times.— The part about his fainting? —Marie arched an eyebrow, looking at him —. Or is it the part about me helping strangers?Ethan turned the wheel, passing another car.—A little bit of both to tell the truth, I know it's none of my business but as a police officer we usually always think of the worst in people. I can see that you are a good person, you offer your time and help strangers without expecting anything in return, but now a subject talks to you about nothing and you run away regardless of the danger to help.—My father passed away when I was little and my mother also has certain mental disorders, so she rarely communicates with strangers. Get to where I am thanks to the kindness of many people, so I promised myself to help others as much as I can, and I know that many people do not understand what I am doing and think I am too naive.Marie shook her head to herself, outlining an ironic smile.Ethan looked at her and said seriously — No, you don't have to worry about what other people think. What you do right, I'm a little more selfish, so I admire you.— Really? —Marie raised her head, looking at him with confusion.Ethan nodded firmly.—Actually, I want to apologize for what I just said. I shouldn't have questioned your reasons or even your altruism. Ethan turned his head again and smiled at Marie.—No, worry, but I don't think you're as selfish as you think, look at you —Marie replied with a smile —. Aren't you helping me, a stranger, now?Ethan shrugged.I will not lie to you, my plan is to impress you with my charm and kindness, until you have no choice but to invite me to a coffee.Marie laughed as she heard what she said.After more than ten minutes, the Dodge Challenger slowed down. When Ethan stopped and parked the car, Marie took the small suitcase in her hand and wanted to get out of the car.—Wait a minute —Ethan said, holding his hand before turning off the engine and unbuttoning his seat belt.Seeing Marie's confused gaze, Ethan added:—I will accompany you, you did not think I would let you go alone, did you?—I'm not as naive as you think, I have this.- he said proudly, then took a spray can out of his pocket.Ethan smiled and raised his coat, showing a silver revolver in the holster under his arm, where he hung from Beretta which glowed intimidatingly.He raised his eyebrows at Marie. — I have this, I bet it will impress you.Marie then remembered Ethan's identity and had to put the spray back in her pocket angrily.After getting out of the car, Ethan looked at the sign above. It was obvious that it was a pub. The two looked at each other and Marie nodded, confirming that this was the place.It was still early, the pub was not yet open, and there was a small sign on the door indicating that they were not receiving customers at the time.Ethan walked to the glass door of the tavern, raised his hand, and hit it hard several times.The door frames collided, producing a muffled sound.After a while, the bamboo curtain that covered the glass door was raised and a man dressed in a flower shirt appeared behind the door. He had a prominent nose and his long, messy hair fell down the sides. He reached out and said through the glass:—Man, we haven't opened yet. Come back later.Marie pushed Ethan away and stood in front of the door, answering anxiously:—Hi, I'm Dr. Sebastian, you called him a little while ago for your friend.The man in the flower shirt looked at Ethan, then Marie, and asked:— What about him?—He comes with me —Marie replied as she raised the box in her hand, making it clear that if Ethan was not allowed in, she would not stay.—Come in, quick. I'm Chucky by the way.After hesitating for a moment, the man in the flower shirt opened the door, allowing them to enter, then looking around for no suspicious movements.Once inside, several people stood still, looking at each other.— What's up? —asked the man in the flower shirt, raising his hands.— Where's the patient? —Marie asked, somewhat impatient.The man in the flower shirt hit his forehead and said timidly:—Upstairs, follow me.He walked up the stairs behind the tavern and Marie looked at Ethan, worried.Ethan nodded, taking the initiative to walk in front of her. As they climbed the stairs, he kept his hands under his armpits, alert to any movement.They reached the second floor, a room at the end of the hall. The man in the flower shirt opened the door and entered. Ethan followed closely. It was a small room with a clear view. There was a bed and a coat rack.The man leaned against the coat rack and pointed to the bed.—He is here. I don't know what happened to him. I found him passed out on the floor this morning.Lying on the bed was a man in a black suit, without even taking off his shoes. Ethan looked at him and blinked, surprised.The hand that he had extended towards his weapon relaxed instantly. The person lying in bed was the one who had rescued him yesterday before arriving at the clinic. He had short hair and a pale face, as if he hadn't seen the sun in a long time.At that moment, Marie entered behind him and quickly opened the box he was carrying. He pulled out some simple medical tools and started examining the man in bed.Chucky sighed and then had a bottle of wine from the counter next to him, give him a big drink straight from the bottle, he felt nervous.He looked at Ethan and offered him the bottle. Ethan shook his head, focusing his attention on the man lying in bed, without expecting to meet him again in such unusual circumstances.After Mary connected the man's IV, she removed her gloves.—Dr. Sebastián, it should be fine, right? —Chucky asked—You can call me Marie, and he's Ethan —she replied, throwing the gloves in the trash. — Don't worry, he'll be fine. You have symptoms of malnutrition and dehydration, you simply passed out from exhaustion. I put an IV drip on it, just wait until it wakes up —Chucky exhaled relieved, put the bottle aside, and started looking for something in his pocket.— How much is this going to cost?—It is a free consultation —said Marie, shaking her head.— Free? —Chucky raised an eyebrow, incredulous.Marie just looked at the unconscious man in bed, saying nothing else.—You are a good person. I've never seen anything for free in my life —Chucky said with a bitter laugh.Ethan, who had remained silent, finally spoke.— What happened to him? —asked as he sat in a chair.Chucky was excited to hear the question. He took another sip of tequila, shook his head, and began to tell the story.—Joe and I were college buddies. I don't know what happened to him, he suddenly appeared at my door, I hadn't seen him in over 20 years.He paused, taking a breath before continuing.—I didn't recognize him at first, after I came in, he started saying things to me that left me puzzled.Marie's curiosity intensified.— Is his name Joe? What did he say? —asked quickly.Chucky stopped for a moment, then looked at Marie suspiciously.—Sorry, I don't know what your relationship is with Joe, I don't think I should say things that don't correspond to me —he said.Mary looked at Ethan before answering.—I met him yesterday, when he was providing medical assistance, I gave him my business card.—It's a lucky guy —Chucky said with a forced smile before changing the subject —. I appreciate your help, but I've already talked too much. I do not know you. If you have questions, you can ask them yourself when you wake up.At that moment, someone knocked on the door below.Chucky got up and headed for the stairs.—Wait here, I have to open the door —he said hastily.— Where's the bathroom? —Ethan asked, standing up.—Across the hall —Chucky replied, disappearing down the stairs.Ethan looked at Joe, who was still unconscious, and then Marie.—I have also seen it, yesterday I save my life.Marie looked at him, confused.— What are you talking about?—Yesterday before arriving at your clinic, a dog pushed a pot from the balcony of a building. This guy saved me.Marie opened her eyes wide, surprised.—You know because of Joe's discussion with the medical team yesterday, it was that I wanted to smoke and it was that I saw you smoking next to the gardenerAn unexpected coincidence. Ethan, more concerned now, quickly asked:— Are you sure it will be fine?Mary kicked him lightly, irritated.— Do you doubt me? "He said kicking his calfThe kick barely tickled Ethan, who just smiled.—I wouldn't dare —replied — I'm going to the bathroom, stay here —added as I left the room.Marie stared at Joe, still asleep, intrigued by the coincidences that had brought them up to that moment. He noticed a white cloth bag at the foot of the bed, open, hinting at several cards. Driven by curiosity, she slowly approached and reached out to the bag.Meanwhile, Ethan washed his hands in the bathroom when a noise alerted him. He ran quickly back to the room and saw Joe awake, pushing Mary against the wall.Ethan reacted immediately, grabbing Joe's arm. The confused and scared man tried to strike, but Ethan dodged him with agility, standing between the two of them. With a strong push, Joe backed away, while Ethan protected Mary behind him.—Easy, man, we don't want to hurt you —Ethan said, trying to calm the situation.Joe ignored him, holding a letter in his hand and yelling at Marie.— You had no right to take my things!—Sorry, I shouldn't have —Marie repeatedly apologized.Joe, still furious, picked up the letters scattered on the bed and put them back in the bag. He looked at both of them suspiciously.— Where's Chucky? Who are you? I don't know them.Mary tried to explain herself.—Chucky called me. He said you passed out and asked me to come help you. I'm a doctor, I gave you my card yesterday, remember?—Well, I'm fine now. They can go —Joe said coldly.Then he looked directly at Ethan.— What about you? What are you doing here?—Chucky mentioned your name. My name is Ethan. I came with Marie, but we met yesterday you saved your life yesterday morning. Do you remember about the pot that fell from the building? —Ethan said.Joe shook his head, upset.—Damn Chucky never changes. Yes, I saved your life, so what? Just be done.Marie, still sorry, extended her hands in an apology gesture.—Please excuse me. I shouldn't have read your letter.Joe, taking a deep breath, looked at Marie sternly.—You didn't call the police, did you?Mary was puzzled, looking at Ethan for help. Joe, seeing his hesitation, got up quickly.— You called the police! I'm going to kill you!—I didn't call the police —Marie said, raising her hands in peace.Ethan stepped in, taking her behind him and facing Joe.—She did not call anyone, but I am a police officer. What's going on here?Mention of the word "police" made Joe's eyes panic, looking nervously toward the door.Ethan, noticing his reaction, raised his coat to show his weapon.—I advise you not to do anything silly.—Not what you think —Marie intervened, rushing to calm the situation —.Joe is not a bad person. He was in prison for 20 years and has just been released. He's just looking for his lost daughter.Joe, sitting on the bed, lowered his head silently, holding the sheets tightly. Then, he looked up at Ethan, his eyes reddened like blood. In front of him, Joe, with red eyes and an expression that alternated between pain and despair, pressed the sheets so tightly that it seemed that they would tear.—I don't know what happened to you, but first calm down —Ethan said in a firm but compassionate voice —. If you need help, we will help you. I owe you a favor and I always pay my debts.Maria, who had been watching from a corner, got up slowly and, with a look as serious as the words she spoke, added:—Joe, let us help you.Joe finally released the sheets. He sighed, defeated, but still cautious.—Sorry, but I can't involve the police in this, they have my daughter kidnapped, — she said in a dull tone.Ethan nodded and raised his coat, his expression more determined than ever.—I don't have a badge and this is not my jurisdiction. Now I'm just a civilian, don't worry.— Why should I believe you? —Joe asked, his eyes still full of mistrust.Ethan looked him directly in the eye, and with a sincerity that he had rarely shown, he replied:—I already told you, I owe you a favor.Joe looked at him for a long moment, evaluating each word, and finally, with a sigh, he leaned against the wall, resigned.—Okay ... I'll tell you.What followed was a story that none of those present could have imagined. Joe related how, twenty years ago, on his daughter's birthday night, he had had a heated argument with his wife. The work had consumed him, taking him away from his family at crucial moments. Drunk and depressed, Joe ruined the celebration, and after leaving the restaurant, he was kidnapped without warning.He woke up in a small windowless room, where his only company was a television. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into years. During that time, Joe could only see his family's devastating fate through the screen. He witnessed his wife being brutally murdered, and authorities singled him out as the prime suspect. Everything indicated that he, disappeared without a trace, had been responsible for the crime. Meanwhile, her daughter, just a girl back then, was given up for adoption, losing any connection to her family.—I lived in hell all those years —said Joe, his voice trembling —. But all that kept me alive was the hope of finding my daughter. Every day, for twenty years, I wrote him letters. But I could never send them to him.Joe recounted how, after years of failed attempts, he managed to escape his prison, only to be mysteriously released in a park, with cash, a cell phone, and a suitcase full of letters for his daughter.—Man, if they ruined you. —Ethan said, crossing his arms.Joe gave him a tired look.— Do you believe me? —he asked, still incredulous.—I believe it —Ethan replied firmly — Because I know, a father is capable of doing anything for his son, even enduring hell in life.Ethan thought of Blake and the love his own father had shown him, and how that same love seemed to reflect in Joe's eyes.—No matter who did this —Ethan said, lighting a cigarette — What is certain is that death did not seem to be enough for them. They wanted to see you suffer.Maria, who had been listening in silence, frowned.— And do you have any idea who I may have done this to you? —asked.Joe took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over to Ethan.—This is a list of all the people who might hate me enough to do this to me —he said, pointing out the names crossed out —. Chucky and I already checked some, but there are still some.Ethan examined the list, the names crossed out with a firm line.— What about the phone you mentioned? —asked Ethan —. I don't think they gave you a phone for no reason.Joe nodded slowly and pulled out the device.—I got a call last night. That person ... wants to torture me for everything I did wrong. I cannot involve the police, or my daughter will be in danger.Ethan leaned towards him, his relentless gaze.—I will help you find it — said firmly —. I promise that I will do everything in my power, so that your daughter is safe.Maria also came up and placed a hand on Joe's shoulder.—We are with you —said in a firm voice —. Let's catch that damn.Joe looked at both of them, his eyes wet and full of gratitude. For the first time in a long time, I had hope.— Now what? Where we started —asked Maria, looking at them both.—Now we start with a call.Under the gaze of both of them, Ethan pulled out his mobile phone.—Before dialing the number —he stopped and looked at Marie —. Joe has been through everything and will be mentally prepared for what he will face next. But I'm not sure I want you to get involved in this.Ethan reached out to stop Marie's desire to speak and continued:—Whoever has kidnapped Joe, or is behind his confinement, must have enormous financial resources and, in addition to being incriminated by the death of his wife, requires an influence and power that not any organization possesses. If we try to find them, we will be entering extremely dangerous territory.After finishing talking, Ethan picked up the phone and looked at Marie. The room was silent, except for the breathing of some people. Marie who had a cigarette in her hand took a long drag, then dropped the butt to the ground and turned it off:—I will help Joe get his daughter back, I already said it and I will not take my word away.Joe said gratefully to Marie:—Thank you.—Okay, but what happens from now on you won't be able to tell anyone, and especially Siobhan, she should never find out about this. agree?She just nodded silently.Under the curious gaze of the two, Ethan dialed the phone. After a while, the phone went online.—You fucking bastard, because you bother me so early in the morning, I hope someone is dying so you have to get up.Ethan looked at them, turned around, and left the room.—Hey, I'm Ethan and I need help.Job suppressed his violent anger and said:—I know you're your bastard, I hear you.—I need a clean car and a couple of weapons.—Fuck, now what kind of problem have you meditated on? Weren't you just going to the doctor? —Job said, powerless —. You are equal to Hood, they always cause problems wherever you go.—Then we talk about it, can you help me with that or not.Job could rent more than a dozen houses in a city and live in different places. He said he had no alternative plan. but Ethan did not believe him.—I'll send you an address, there you will have what you ask of me and stop fucking me the damn morning. — After Job told him the address, he hung up the phone.Back in the room, Marie looked at him and stuttered:— What's going on Ethan?Apparently the Doctor had been eavesdropping on him to speak, what Ethan said made her feel a little scared. —Joe now has bare hands and you have a pepper spray. What will you do if you find the ones who kidnapped Joe? Are you going to reason with them?After a conversation that left Marie speechless, Joe got up neatly and put the cloth bag in his hand on the shelf.—Ethan is right, please we can not only go out without a backup plan.Twenty minutes later, Ethan drove to a parking lot with a wide view and entered according to the location provided by Job. After a while, she saw the gothic man leaning against the back of a 2001 Corolla, shaking his head and chewing gum.Ethan gently pressed the horn, drove the car forward more than ten meters, and found a place to stop. He pulled his Beretta out of the holster under his arm, pretended to put it in the storage compartment of the car door, but kept it in space. After turning off the engine, he saw Marie sitting in the passenger seat and Joe in the back, still sitting.—Come on it's here —Ethan said, getting out of the car and walking towards the Gothic man.Marie and Joe didn't know what was going on, but they quickly got out of the car to follow him. The gothic man walked over to Ethan and they both moved their wrists at the same time, causing the two car keys to fly next to each other in the air. Ethan crossed his hands, took the keys to the Corolla, nodded at the Gothic man, and walked forward.Marie watched the gothic man climb into Ethan's Dodge Challenger and walk away at full speed. She took a few steps, confused, and walked towards Ethan. Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, Ethan smiled.—He is a friend of mine.After reaching behind the Corolla and confirming that no one was around, Ethan pressed the electronic key and the trunk opened. Inside the trunk, a silver suitcase appeared in front of everyone. Ethan looked at her, then unbuttoned the suitcase and lifted the lid.Inside the silver suitcase were four Colt M1911s, four replacement chargers, several boxes of .45 pistol bullets, and several translucent soft plastic masks. Marie looked at the contents of the suitcase.— Are you a vigilante? You know, one of those who go out at night to fight crime.Ethan shrugged.—A man should always be able to get what he needs.He took a gun out of the suitcase and checked it out. The firearm was in good condition. The spare magazine and magazine for the gun were fully loaded with bullets. He nodded with satisfaction, Job was always trustworthy.Ethan handed the gun in his hand to the side and Joe grabbed it unceremoniously. Ethan looked at Marie again. She hesitated, then took the initiative to grab a gun, lifted her loose gray shirt, and shoved it around her waist.— Can you use it? —Ethan asked him.Marie took out her cigarette case, took out a cigarette, and put it in her mouth.—Yes, when I have free time I go to the shooting range.—That's good, I hope you don't have to use it.Ethan took the remaining two M1911s with both hands, inserted one into the cover under the ribs, and placed the other in the lower back. After separating the spare charger and the soft mask, Ethan closed the trunk tightly and asked Joe:— Where are we going now?—Bernard Sharkey, my former boss —said Joe solemnly, holding the list — I screwed up with his great client, he had reasons.Soon after, Ethan drove to a senior service center. Marie looked at the old man on crutches and shook his head:— How about we go to the next target?Joe clenched his teeth, opened the door, and got out of the car.—No, I have to see it with my own eyes.Ethan said to Marie:—Follow it. If you encounter any difficulties, don't be impulsive and call me first.After seeing them approach the service center, Ethan waited patiently in the car. After a while, the two of them rushed out. Marie, who was following Joe, shook her head at Ethan.—The next target —Ethan said without flinching, knowing that things would not be so simple.The black Corolla then continued to roam New York City as the names on the list were crossed out one by one. Joe's eyes grew darker and Marie more apathetic.On the way to the next destination, they passed through Chinatown. Joe looked at a Chinese restaurant on the street, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly slapped Ethan on the shoulder.—Stop the car, I have another idea.After Ethan found a parking spot, he and Marie turned to look at Joe, sitting in the back seat. Joe scratched his head with both hands and said with a depressed look.—When I was incarcerated, I ate the same thing every day, over and over, without rest, year after year. That taste ... I will never forget.— What food? —Ethan asked, curious.Joe clenched his teeth and replied:—Dumplings.