DARK BOUNDARIES
Kaleidopy
Chapter Fourteen
Benedict sat behind an old beat up oak desk contemplating his next move. Erik's brief phone call promising Badger wouldn't be a problem did nothing to reassure his growing fears of dealing with the vindictive customer. Erik was the self-proclaimed leader of this so-called organization. Why wasn't he dealing with Badger?
Why, because the money was too good to disobey orders. He sighed, resigned to his fate.
He grabbed the telephone, dialed a number, and waited for the voice he feared more than Erik. "Badger, I'm going to make this quick and come straight to the point. Erik has received a better offer for the scepter. I'm sorry to be the one to tell…."
"Sorry?" Badger's calm laughter was the last thing Benedict expected. Why wasn't he screaming his lungs out for losing a multi-million dollar artifact? "Oh, my friend, you don't know the meaning of the word." Badger's laughter took on a maniacal tone that made Benedict's skin crawl. "But I'm going to enjoy teaching you and Erik what the word sorry means."
"Badger, I know that you're upset," Benedict said, trying to sooth him. Erik had doubled-crossed Badger, not him. He should be the one to handle this mess. "Erik's not here, but I'm expecting a telephone call from him any minute. Call back in an hour and I…"
"Nobody breaks a bargain with me without paying the ultimate price," Badger threatened.
The line went dead before Benedict could respond.
That did it. His life was worth more than Erik's greed. Benedict opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a leather briefcase. He grabbed his car keys off the desk and headed for the door.
The telephone rang and Benedict froze. In his haste to leave, he had forgotten that Erik was supposed to call. He dropped his keys into his coat pocket and grabbed the phone. "Erik, I want to see you…"
"What a coincidence. I want to see him too."
Benedict's hand started shaking. Never would he have expected the man to call right back. "Badger, listen. I…"
"No, you listen," he shouted. "I want Erik's location and I want it now."
"I don't know where he is at the moment," Benedict lied. He was not about to make himself a target for Erik's wrath. Once this conversation was over, he was getting out of town and warning Erik. "I told you that he's supposed to call…"
"It will be most unfortunate if I find out you're lying to me, Benedict. You never know when the brakes could fail on that new yellow Corvette of yours."
Benedict felt his stomach drop. How long had Badger been spying on him? He had just purchased the Corvette yesterday, and not even Erik knew about the vehicle.
"How did you know about…"
"And as for Erik," Badger continued as if he hadn't been interrupted. "I hear Chinatown is beautiful this time of the year."
The line went dead.
"John, get in here," Benedict shouted at the closed door. "Now!"
Heavy footsteps announced the arrival of a man as the door opened.
"You're taking a trip," Benedict said, tossing the briefcase to him before calling another associate on the intercom system. "It's me. John needs the helicopter. He's carrying vital information that Erik needs for a business transaction. I want you to make sure nothing stops John from getting this information to Erik. Understand? Good." He hung up the phone and opened the center desk drawer, looking at John as he pulled out two hand guns. "Make the delivery to Erik and then, if you value your life, make yourself disappear."
"What's going on, Benedict?" John asked, concern etched in his voice.
"Erik's double-crossed the wrong guy," Benedict answered, tossing one of the weapons to the other man. "We're being stalked by a madman, and, whether Erik likes it or not, I'm getting the hell out of here."
John hurried to the elevator gripping the briefcase handle so tightly that his hand started to sweat. He anxiously watched the digital numeric pad light up the floor numbers as the elevator climbed to the rooftop.
The doors opened and he stepped out to find the helicopter sitting on the helipad. Surprisingly, the rotary blades weren't moving. He quickened his step, expecting the pilot to be waiting for him, but as he reached the helicopter, he discovered the pilot hunched over the control stick.
"Going somewhere?"
John turned to see a tall man glaring at him. No introductions were needed. He knew the man was Badger.
"Give me the briefcase."
John retreated a few steps, trying to distance himself from the taller man. "Benedict gave me…"
"Benedict isn't here. I am," Badger said. He moved closer and repeated his demand for the briefcase.
John kept backing up until he reached the edge of the roof. He looked in all directions, searching for an escape route. Before he could locate the fire escape stairs, Badger grabbed him by the throat and lifted him in the air.
A blast of wind hit him in the face as Badger dangled him over the roof. "I will not ask you again," Badger said, grinning maniacally. "Give me the briefcase."
John didn't hesitate: he handed the briefcase to the man.
"What's the combination?"
"I…I don't have it," John confessed. "Only Erik and Benedict have the combination."
"Then that makes you expendable," Badger replied, releasing the man.
John's eyes widened in horror. He screamed until his body hit the concrete sidewalk five floors below. The last sight he had was the pure evil plastered on Badger's face.