CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kennedy and his son, Josh were discussing. This time, they were alone and it wasn't in an underground. They were in Kennedy's office, which was sound proof.

"I love the way we acted fast son". Kennedy said to Josh . "We would have been found out. But the only problem is that Lincoln survived, which wasn't supposed to be. When did our executioner become a lousy shot"?

"That's what baffles me dad, our executioner has trained for years and never missed. It's likely the bullets didn't hit Lincoln's vital organs. Be it as it may, we have this dad". Josh said , trying to reassure his dad. "We could always sneek in to finish the job, after all, he is still given sedatives".

"But how did he get this far, unto us"?Josh asked rhetorically.

Just then, Kennedy's phone rang. It as the executioner. He picked up.

"I'm here sir, please let me in".

Kennedy was already annoyed with the messed up job and wasn't looking forward to seeing the 'lousy shot' anytime soon.

"No" Kennedy said. "You failed , this has to be given to some other person".

"Please sir, I shot him three times".

"I do not want to go into that. What was so important that you interrupted my meeting"?

"Sir, I found something you would love".

There was silence and the executioner continued.

"I got what Lincoln wanted to give to Derek. He was really unto us. So I had to look into it and to my surprise sir, someone among your staff was feeding him information".

Kennedy closed his eyes for a moment and looked at Josh. Josh heard everything , after all, the call was on speaker.

"So who is this someone"? Josh asked.

"It's Malik, one of your bodyguards. His cousin is married to Lincoln's daughter. They are practically in-laws sir".

"Oh good, you know what you have to do , right"? Kennedy asked.

"Yes sir".

"What has to be done, has to be done. Lincoln should not disclose his findings to Derek . Is that clear"?

"Crystal".

"But as usual, people must not know what's going on . It should be a sneaky job, my reputation must be upheld".

"Definitely sir".

"Any other thing"?

"I removed every evidence in Lincoln's house. He even had footage of our meetings in the woods".

"Hmm. It's really over Malik" Kennedy said quietly.

There was a long pause.

"Hello sir"? The executioner said.

"Okay then, … before you go, I must commend your skills".

"Thank you very much sir".

"I have already credited your account".

"I'm so delighted sir. I promise to do everything possible to make sure this operation is successful".

"I will take your word then. Yeah… and this time, do not be lousy in dealing with Malik and Lincoln".

"I won't let you down sir".

Kennedy ended the call.

"So Malik ratted us out, just wow!" Josh said.

"He pretended to be with us. He's little to handle".

Josh nodded in awe, he couldn't believe, anyone would have the guts to do that.

"He'd wish he hadn't betrayed me". Kennedy vowed.

**********

Zach sat down typing on his laptop . His demeanor seemed urgent. In fact, he was annoyed at the delay. What was keeping him? Zach wondered , checking his watch. He wasn't particularly patient, so was not happy waiting for someone this long.

As he sat there, his phone rang, At last! He thought. But when he checked, the caller wasn't him. What the hell! He just ignored the call, as he wasn't ready to chat with someone who was not him. The call persisted, he sighed, controlled his impatience with an effort and picked up.

"What!" He barked into his phone.

"It's me" the caller said. Zach breathed in deeply, he was glad. It was him.

"I have been waiting and you had me worried. So how did it go? And why did you call me with a different number"?

The caller gave his reasons, Zach listened to what he had to say, which was a very tiring one .

"Why did you involve him"?

Zach was furious at the caller , this didn't go as planned. What sort of messed up plan was this ? He wondered. And now, the caller was in trouble. This meant that both he and the caller were in trouble.

The caller kept ranting and this increased Zach's anger. He had to speak up to halt the annoying talk.

"Just meet me at …"

Zach disclosed where they would meet.

The caller agreed and hurriedly hung up, for fear of Zach's anger. People who can't stick to a simple plan ! Zach thought.

***********

Two days after Lincoln was shot, Derek sat by Lincoln's bed in the hospital . Lincoln had the answer , he thought. But he wouldn't start his questions now. That would be when he felt that Lincoln's condition was better. For now, Lincoln just slept , he was on sedatives. He hadn't gone to see Tessy, since the day Lincoln was shot. Derek hoped she was faring well. He would check on her tomorrow.

The doctor seemed to have taken a liking of Derek and Lincoln, and always came over to Lincoln's bed, to talk to check on them. Derek had gone to Lincoln's home to search for evidence but he found none. Although, when he got to Lincoln's house, the whole place was a mess. They had been here! They had taken away the needful things. These people are always ahead of me! He thought. He didn't look at Zach as someone who would be this fast! Now the proof he needed to arrest Zach and the others was gone. His only hope was Lincoln . He had all the answers , Derek was searching for.

He knew Lincoln's survival was already known , he had to be careful, as he shouldn't trust anyone aside himself. It meant he and Lincoln were in trouble. So, he swore to keep an extra watch on Lincoln with his life. After all, he put Lincoln in this mess.