Jackson Rippner could still hear the sound of his mother screaming, the remnants of a reoccurring dream. Stupid therapist, Dr Lechunga had assured him that his much-needed vacation, along with his new medication, would ensure that the nightmares went away. He was now a month into his year off work and the nightmares had only gotten worse. Jackson slowly rolled out of bed and onto the soft-carpeted ground as his cell phone began to ring.
He growled and slammed his fist down on the small in table next to where his cell phone sat vibrating. For a moment, Jackson debated ignoring it and simply moving onto breakfast; the ringing stopped for about five minutes and then started again. They send me away and then call me back! "Rippner," he snapped pressing the cell phone to his ear.
"There has been a change of plans," the smooth voice of his nameless and faceless employer drifted from the phone to his ear. "In the state your in, you won't be of use for much longer."
"So what?" Jackson fell back on the bed and rubbed his eyes, "You want me to commit suicide?" Nobody retired from his line of work at his age unless it was in a body bag.
"No," the man on the other side of the phone chuckled, "You're lucky, we're able to cut you a deal; one last job and you're a free man."
"What the hell are you talking about?" he said groggily as he worked his way into a sitting position without the use of his hands. "A free man at my age means a dead man…"
"Not this time, Rippner, you see, we've got a girl here who is essential to our plans, and she needs some… managing."
Jackson debated this for a moment as he poured himself a glass of scotch, "I don't handle woman, you know my rule about women and children." He said taking a sip of his drink and wincing.
"Well, Jackson, that's just to fucking bad. This plan is bigger then you would ever dream of, Rippner, and if it's botched you're won't ever see the light of day again." Jackson clenched his jaw but refused to answer the man, "I'm sorry; I didn't realize I wasn't speaking English. I'll repeat: you are taking the job and if you fail, you die. Clear?"
"Crystal." Was Jackson's short reply, "Send the file over."
"Don't worry, it should be there any moment," Jackson's gaze flicked to the door of his condominium as the sound of someone knocking caught his attention. "You have eight weeks for observation and then you must execute the orders inside the folder."
"I need less then a week," he said as cradled the phone between his shoulder and head so her could sign for his package. Jackson nodded his thanks to the UPS man and closed the door.
"Want and need are two different things, you did not want to kill your father however you needed to kill him, didn't you?" Jackson clenched his jaw and tossed the package onto his bed before he reached for a shirt.
"That's none of your concern."
"Indeed, Rippner, indeed, but judging from the picture I have with me here, you will want eight weeks of observation."
"I don't do that sort of thing," he set his shirt down and debated hanging up his employer so he could put it on.
"Consider it a retirement gift, bye-bye, Jackie."
Jackson growled as the line went dead. He tossed the phone onto his bed beside the brown package he had just received; shrugging his dress shirt on, he made quick work of his buttons before he acknowledged the package again. For a moment, he thought about going about his business and dealing with it tomorrow, the sooner I start, the sooner I finish. He mused as he picked up the package and tore it open; holding it upside down, a red folder fell onto his bed.
Four papers fell from the folder and scattered across his comforter. He gingerly picked up one the papers and scanned through it to find the address of his new 'Partner' for the next eight weeks plus. A smirk graced his lips as he realized that she only resided two streets from him.
xXx
Jackson could hear the sounds of a woman laughing as his new job stepped from a small black BMW and onto the sidewalk in front of her house.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Lisa." One of the women from the car called as they pulled away from the curb, Lisa smiled and watched them disappear. The moment the car turned the corner, her smile faded and was replaced with a looked of anguish before she turned and continue towards her house. Jackson tapped his index finger on the steering wheel in front of her, could she have been faking a happy emotion?
Because it was only the first day on the job, he had not bugged her house yet. Jackson smirked and turned back to her house.
"Hello, Miss Lisa, I'm Jackson and it's a pleasure to meet you."