Chapter 4 - Debts of the Syndicate
A single shot echoed from the perimeter gate, and the third operative crumpled into the mist.
Elena did not lower her weapon. She kept her back pressed against the fountain, listening through the hiss of running water and the low rumble of idling diesel engines out on the county road. A tall figure emerged from the gatehouse, stepping through the dense fog with relaxed, measured strides. He wore a dark woolen trench coat over an unbuttoned dress shirt, an antique silver lighter clicking open and shut between his scarred fingers.
""You're late, Marcus,"" Elena said coldly, emerging from behind the stone masonry.
The man paused, snapping the lighter shut with a metallic clink. His face was weathered, carved with the scars of two decades spent running black markets across Eastern Europe. ""Traffic on the highway was terrible, Elena. Besides, I assumed you wouldn't want me interfering with your family reunion.""
Marcus glanced down at Nolan, who was shivering violently in the mud, staring at the newcomer with unmistakable terror.
""Marcus Moreau..."" Nolan whispered, his voice trembling so hard his teeth clicked. ""You were supposed to be in Geneva. The board declared you rogue.""
""The board is currently suspended in various stages of liquidation, Nolan,"" Marcus said smoothly, nudging Nolan’s shoulder with the polished tip of his dress shoe. ""You shouldn't believe everything the quarterly newsletters tell you. Victor was very good at faking balance sheets—and obituaries.""
Julian crawled out from the alcove, grasping at Marcus's coat hem. ""Marcus, please. We were partners. I funded your initial transport lines through Rotterdam! Tell her to call off her dogs!""
Marcus looked down at the old man with mild disgust, stepping backward so Julian’s hand slipped into the puddle. ""You funded a supply line that killed three of my best couriers, Julian. And then you tried to kidnap Victor’s children to ransom his offshore keys. You are not a partner. You are a bad investment.""
May you like
Elena approached Marcus, her pistol held securely at her side. ""Did you secure the perimeter roads?""
""The local police received an anonymous tip about an industrial gas leak three miles out. They’ve blocked the highway,"" Marcus replied, his smile vanishing into grim business. ""We have twenty minutes before the clean-up team's secondary unit arrives. And they brought heavy armor.""
