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Posts: 848
Join Date: Jan 2008
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“What do you mean it was a trap?” the mysterious employer fumed.
Jade Scorpion slipped out of her leather jumpsuit and stood stark naked in front of her boss “there was a knight wielding a golden sword standing guard in the armory.”
“The Rook” the man smiled grimly “he has been standing guard over the house of Carrion since the 12th Century; we must find out who he is and eliminate him.”
“We can do that later” she replied “let me help you relax” she said wrapping her arms around him.”
“Run along Jade and prepare the bed. I’ll be along momentarily” he replied.
Lifting his phone to his ear he dialed the number that would get him the Greek “I have an assignment for you. It looks like we do need someone assassinated. Find out who the Rook is and kill him!”
The Greek smiled to himself and slipped his Israeli Desert Eagle from its shoulder holster to check that his clip was full. He knew it was, he always keeps it ready, but still he checked out of habit. Marcus Deimus would have to return to Castle Carrion. The only way to find out who the Rook is was to kidnap the Count and hold him for ransom. That should bring the knight to him.
Meanwhile inside Castle Carrion…
Ethan McKnight polishes his armor while watching the news. He hopes to get a lead on these people by watching for their other exploits. But so far everything has been quiet. Maybe they were just after the sword. But it didn’t make sense there had to be more to it. This mysterious third party who had employed both Marcus Deimus and the thief must know that he would be unable to wield the sword unless it chose him of its own accord. Therefore why did he want it so badly?
The Count knew he had to be careful from here on out. If they tried once they’ll try again. But next time they’ll be expecting the Rook to be on scene and would come prepared. That is why he had made a phone call to the States earlier. His friend Seamus Flannigan should be on a plane now headed over the ocean. Now he just had to wait.
Several hours later…
The lights of Castle Carrion were lit and the Count himself could be seen pacing as he passed by the window in his study. Seamus Flannigan hid himself upstairs in the security room where he could watch all of the monitors for any signs of the thief or Mr. Deimus. Neither one of them were sure whether it would be another attempted theft or if this time it would be a more forceful attempt and finding out where the sword was. But Ethan was sure they would attempt something tonight.
It wasn’t long before the Greek stood outside the gate once more. This time he did not look up into the security camera. He kept his gaze on the gate itself and noticed that the Count hadn’t even bothered to have the lock fixed since the break-in. What a fool this man was. He just made it easier for Marcus to get in.
He pushed open the gate and walked silently up the path to the front door. The door was locked however so he moved around to look at the windows. The one to the kitchen was unlocked so that is where he entered the castle. Once inside he made sure to be as quiet as a mouse as he went into the darkened hallway. It took him no time at all to cover the distance to the study.
The Greek crouched outside the room and listened at the door. He wanted to make sure that the Count was alone before he entered. The only sound inside was that of the Count’s footsteps across the floor. Marcus pushed the door slowly opened and entered with his gun held out before him.
“Alright Count, I want your hands where I can see them.”
“Ah so this is how your employer decided to proceed” Ethan said as he turned to face the man.
“I want your hands above your head now” the Greek demanded waving his gun in the Count’s face.
Ethan backed away from the gun and his leg brushed up against the fireplace. That gave him an idea. With his hands still down at his sides and slightly behind him he felt around for his poker. Gripping the handle tightly in his hand he swung the fire poker up knocking the gun out of his assailant’s hand. The gold plated handgun skidded across the floor and came to a stop back near the study door.
Enraged the Greek charged forward swinging his fists. Ethan blocked with the poker and then slammed it down on Marcus’ wrist. There was a slight cracking sound and the gunman howled in pain. The Count of Carrion kicked him in then sending him sprawling on the floor. Marcus was relieved to see he landed within inches of his Desert Eagle. He grabbed it quickly and squeezed off a round.
The bullet struck the poker sending it flying out of the Count’s hands where its sharp point embedded itself in the log in the fireplace “enough shenanigans I want to know where the sword is and where I can find the Rook!”
Seamus watched all of this from the security monitor. He wanted to bolt down the stairs and too his friends rescue but knew that Ethan had the situation under control. This is what he wanted, to use himself as bait until he could find out who was behind this. Seamus just had to observe and if the man made to take Ethan with him then the private detective would just have to follow them.
“Who are you working for?” Ethan asked as the Greek bound his arms together.
“If he wants you to know then you will know, but not a moment before.”
“Do you even know who you work for?”
“I don’t need to know. His money is good that’s all that matters.”
“So you’re just a hired gun? Always taking orders on who you can go after and who you can’t?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about” the Greek replied “I choose who I work for and who I don’t.”
“But you don’t choose your own targets do you?”
The Greek’s face was red with anger now and he struck the Count with the back of his hand “just shut your mouth! I have chosen before and if I so choose I will end your wretched life!”
Realizing he struck a chord Ethan pressed further “you wouldn’t choose to kill me and forfeit your payday. I’ve seen your kind before. You’re nothing but a follower.”
“That’s not true!” Marcus shouted “I’ve taken out government officials before of my own accord! The one in Saint Katherine’s Bay still has the police stumped! And I did that one simply for the fun of it!”
Filing away that tiny revelation Ethan decided to let the matter drop for now. No reason getting shot before he found out who was behind this. So he let the man lead him out of his own house like a prisoner. He looked up and nodded his head to the security camera giving Seamus the signal to follow.
Seamus gathered his brown coat and Atlanta Braves baseball cap and quietly made his way down the spiral staircase. He arrived on the ground floor in time to hear a van drive off down the street. The paranormal detective cast a minor tracking spell that would allow him to follow the van at a discreet distance and opened the garage door. Taking the Count of Carrion’s own Porsche 911 he roared out of the drive and onto the street.
Just on the other side of town the van pulled into the drive of a vast estate. Marcus pulled up the gate and activated the intercom letting them know he had arrived. The gate opened inward and allowed him entrance. Seamus pulled up on the curb of the street just as the gate shut. He locked the doors of the Porsche knowing Ethan would be furious if it was stolen and walked up to the rock wall that surrounded the grounds. Casting a spell of separation the rocks parted enough to allow him to slip through and then they closed back as if they had never moved.
Once inside Seamus looked around for guards. Then he saw something move in the shadows. He made towards it only to find a woman carrying binoculars hiding in the bushes and spying on the house. Seamus stepped on a twig catching the woman’s attention. She turned towards him in fear then relaxed as she realized he wasn’t one of the guards.
“Get out of here now” she whispered harshly “I’ve been at this too long for my cover to be blown now!”
“My friend was just taken inside and I intend to get him back” Seamus countered “so I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t have time for this” the woman complained “Big Frankie is going to make his move soon. I need to stop him before that happens.”
“Big Frankie?”
“You mean you don’t even know who you’re dealing with? You are either crazy or stupid” she replied “he’s only the most powerful Russian crime lord in the world!”
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