The warehouse was in a decent part of the city, but it was secluded and private. Mike waited for his driver to open the car door. When he got out, he quickly glanced around, straightening his vest. Two men were waiting by the corner. He gave them a nod. They responded by leading the way into the narrow street. Someone opened the warehouse doors. The two men entered, allowing him to follow. Two more men closed the ranks. Both carried guns, as did he.
"He in here?" Mike's dominant voice echoed through the empty hall.
Lights were switched on, revealing a man strapped to a chair. It was the only piece of furniture in the room. The man's clothes were torn and covered in blood. His face was pale and moist, and his left eye was swollen. One of the men removed his gag.
"Mike …" he pleaded. "… I didn't talk. I swear."
"Somehow," Mike responded, "an assistant D.A. got hold of some very sensitive information. Information you oversaw."
"I don't know how that happened," the man hurried to say. "You've known me for years, Mike. We grew up as brothers. You know I'm no snitch."
Mike sighed.
"Well, someone is. Can you tell me who, Tim?"
The man shook his head. Little drops of sweat fell from his hair.
Mike pulled his fingers through his short, raven black hair. His eyes seemed to have the exact same color.
"That's unfortunate, since I put you in charge of security."
He moved closer, crouched down in front of the chair and sighed again.
"You were my brother," he agreed, "and I trusted you."
"You still can," Tim insisted. "I wouldn't betray you, Mike."
"Someone did though," Mike mused aloud, "and seeing how you can't tell me who it is I have to assume that it's you."
"No …"
The man started to tremble.
"… please, Mike. You know me. Please …"
Mike got up, wiped some wrinkles out of his trousers, then hid one hand behind his back.
"Even if that's true," he said, "you swore to protect that information with your life. Seems only fitting …"
He pulled his hand from behind his back, holding a gun. Before Tim had a chance to scream, he shot him upfront in the chest.
"… you should pay with your life."