Twenty-Seven - Happy Death Day

"I have something for you," Richard Nelson threw a file on the coffee table. "I know it's a bit insensitive of me but did you happen to scratch some politician to reopen your father's case?"

Romeo was annoyed to hear that he had a visitor early in the morning. Only hours after they arrived in Washington D.C. from the U.K. He was planning to give whoever had the audacity to disturb his sleep a very solid piece of his thoughts but his former partner in the bureau was sitting near the pool area, where Mr. Smith accommodated Richard Nelson.

He stared at the file then slowly shook his head. "I didn't even know we can reopen a decades-old case."

"With your family's connection, you can. But if this is not your doing, then who did this?" Nelson took a sip of the tea that was served to him. "Read the last part."

Alderige obliged and was shocked to see a familiar face. Technical sergeant Newland Snow was considered a potential source of information of the suspects in his father's murder along with the rest of their accomplices. He leaned back in his chair. A Flood of thoughts bombarded his mind.

"According to the report, after the death of Doctor Alderige, Snow made some investigations of his own. The flight attendant who was the main suspect at that time was even visited by him. His investigation had led him to a lot of people. Surprisingly, after his deliberate attempt to solve the murder, he decided to stop," Nelson raised a curious eyebrow to Alderige. "Which raises the question, what, or shall I say, who made him realize his pursuit was useless? Which is entirely wrong because he had some very reliable piece of information that sadly vanished after his death."

"Are you investigating this?" Alderige asked.

"Fortunately, yes, Mr. Alderige. Another thing, since we've been together in the bureau, I'm giving you a head's up," Nelson put another familiar file on the table. "Former senator Chantel Davis' case. There was a new lead that points to your grandmother as the one who ordered her execution. Aberdeen, of course, knew about this, and will be charged with obstruction of justice if we can really prove it."

"I hate to be this kind of person, Nelson, but you will surely have a lot of time facing our lawyers," Alderige chuckled and massaged his head. "This is a bit early, don't you think?"

Nelson snorted and collected back the files, "Oh, look who is a trust fund kid now? And you're using that tone on me. I must admit, condescension does fit on you."

"Am I, now?" Alderige picked up his cup of tea. "Anyways, I appreciate this. I really want to be on top of that but my hands are full. You know, rich people and their schedules. Can you keep me posted with my father's case?"

"You know we hate those kinds of people who ask that kind of favors, but sure, and keep everything low. Our eyes are focus on your family especially your obnoxious sexy aunt."

"Oh, please. You have no idea," Alderige rolled his eyes. "Remember my assumptions about her? Turned out to be true."

***

France

As the night breaks through the dusk, twenty men emerged from the dark. Trained men with a kill order. Their leader, Malcolm, stood near the window where the residents of the house they were about to raid were currently having their dinner. He signaled with his right hand. The rest of the men slowly covered the grounds. From the garden to the back porch. Until everyone was in position, they waited.

Luthor was not feeling the entire dinner. His senses were giving him weird vibrations. The dinner was splendid as Leonor fully prepared it like she used to do in Sinister Palace, but the young Drax could not force himself to enjoy. Hazel offered him another slice of chicken but he declined. Even his appetite senses something. Lucien noticed his master. The mother and daughter decided to keep their conversation to themselves, picking their visitors' lack of indulgence.

"We have visitors," Luthor suddenly said. The table went eerily quiet.

"What? I didn't hear the door ring." Hazel responded with confusion.

Luthor carefully laid his napkin, "They came with malicious intent, I'm afraid."

The two ladies paled. Leonor held her daughter's hand. Luthor nodded to Lucien to prepare for an imminent attack.

"I'm sorry ladies but we need to cut this lovely dinner up short. Does this house come with a shelter? If there is, I suggest you two hide." Luthor calmly explained. "In the meantime, pretend we didn't notice such activities outside."

All of them left the dining area at a normal but alarming pace. Lucien pitched a semi-automatic pistol to Luthor. The ladies were behind them, protecting themselves with silent prayers.

"Is this all we got?" Luthor whispered harshly to Lucien, waving the gun he is holding.

"You know we left Sinister Palace in a hurry, sir," Lucien sarcastically replied.

Leonor instructed the two gentlemen to track the underground exit that leads to the river. Lucien disabled the main circuit breaker. The enemies that were swarming outside detected the change of atmosphere in the house. Lights were out, but they came prepared. Everybody wore their night vision goggles. The first offense moved to the door. The others were motioned to release a tear gas inside the house.

They all scrambled in panic when the first grenade blasted its smoke. Lucien pushed the ladies through the hallways while Luthor covered them. One after the other and the entire house was covered in lethal smoke. They scattered through the shallow hallways, entering whatever doors they faced to escape the smoke from choking them. Incoherent words pierced through the thick smoke as they were separated from each other. Leonor and Hazel locked themselves in the guest bedroom upstairs while Luthor and Lucien were crawling on the ground floor, searching for each other.

"You need to find the secret passage, master Luthor!" Lucien shouted from a distance.

Luthor breathes hard, focusing on Lucien's voice as he slowly made his way to him. He lost a lot of important people in his life. Lucien has been his security detail ever since he was a boy. He can't afford to lose him.

"I am not leaving without you, or even the ladies. Where are they?" He responded, losing his breath.

The enemies made an entry. Scouring every corner of the house. The small but complex interior gave them difficulties to navigate. They were advised about the capabilities of the young Drax and his security detail. Trained and skilled in different types of weapons. They have specific instructions to terminate Luthor Hubert Drax by any means necessary. Collateral damages will have to be at a minimum.

They have gained access to the rooms, exposing the two scared ladies cowering in the corner. Leonor immediately begged for mercy, especially for her daughter. Fortunately for them, the enemy was not obliged to perform such activity unless Luthor was in the same vicinity. It was to their understanding of how the order should be executed. The team left the ladies as they were.

The hunt continued. Luthor's indiscreet and exhausting conversation with Lucien unveiled their position. Footsteps scorch down the hall giving the two fugitives a head's up. Lucien hushed his master, contemplating how they will defend themselves with low ammunition. They bent down the hall, waiting. The smoke slowly cleared up. The tactical lights of the enemy were their indication. They fired the first shot, startling the assaulting team from making an advancement in the main hallway. A rain of bullets was returned to them. Destroying every object that was covering Luthor and Lucien. They were completely outnumbered with weak defenses. Their cataclysmic activity was put on hold as familiar blue and red lights illuminated from a distance. Luthor smirked, fate favored them one last time.

Uncertainty came. The enemy will have to decide quickly. Malcolm ordered a retreat. They have no solid connections in the government, death will be a better alternative than being arrested. He stopped in the kitchen and look for a gas tank. Blowing the house will be an easy death. He wanted the satisfaction of seeing them crawl their way out of a burning house.

Lucien noticed the smoke begun to grow thicker again. Something was wrong. The smell of burning furniture enveloped the house. He snatched Luthor's arm. "We need to leave! Now!"

"What about Leonor and Hazel? We can't leave them, Lucien, for God's sake!" Luthor protested.

"I'm going back for them!" Lucien insisted.

They encircled the house after they successfully went outside. Shouting for the two ladies to take notice of the fire. Hazel appeared on the second-floor window, deliberately gasping for breathable air.

"You have to get out!" Luthor shouted.

"Stay right here, sir! I'm going inside!" Lucien instructed and rushed inside.

The authorities arrived at the scene. Immediately holding Luthor to stay at a safe distance. Strong hands made his dissent futile. Lucien went back to their position, suffocating from the thick smoke.

"The entire ground floor was already on fire!" He looked at hazel. "You need to get out through the window!"

The authorities helped encourage the poor lady to do such a thing. Hazel nervously stepped outside the window, holding for her dear life while looking back to her dying mother. Tears stream down her cheeks. Leonor, with her last breath, smiled one last time to her daughter. She doesn't need saving. The house she once served needs her last contribution, her life. She placed her right hand on her chest and nodded. Hazel understood. She turned around and looked dead in the eyes of Luthor. For revenge, she will survive. She looked at Leonor one last time then jumped.