Here the next chap...

Chapter 3

At exactly eight pm a car with dark window glasses halted in front of the orphanage. Alex sighed when he stepped out into the rainy afternoon. He ran over to the car and the door was already opened from inside. He stepped in and the car started driving. He recognized Mrs. Jones sitting in front of him.

Smilingly she asked: "How do you do, Alex?"

"What is this all about?" Alex paid back directly.

"Let's wait with explanations until we arrive somewhere more safe," she answered and leaned back.

Alex looked out of the window, not interested in how and why but in the fact what Blunt and Jones held back from him this time.

They drove for about twenty minutes before they entered a huge parking lot somewhere outside of Washington's downtown. Neither the driver, nor Jones or Alex noticed that they were followed by special agent DiNozzo the whole time.


I lead The Gentleman into through the bar. It is late night and all kind of guys and nuts are hanging around here. We go down the staircase until we arrive at another door.

I nod to the bodyguard who unlocks it and lets us pass. We arrive in a small room with a roulette table in the middle and a bar at the end. On the left there are two couches and a small table.

Ryan already awaited us, he knew I was successful in persuading the hatchet man to listen to him. He pours in three glasses with some Scotch, his preferred liquid. I hate it, it tastes awful but he never cares.

The Gentleman sits down on the opposite side and I sit down next to Ryan.

"My name is Ryan McCain," the dark-skinned, twenty-five year old man started.

He was already bald, but muscular and had like nothing in common with his father but the skin and his grey eyes. You didn't need to look twice to see the anger and hatred in his eyes and define him as a very violent, brutal and cruel man with no respect or limits.

"So I was told," the assassin answers in expectation.

"I've heard much about you. My father spoke very highly about your skill."

"You have a task for me?" he asks directly and I would love to smile. But I don't. I like him, he's very direct and a profi in his profession. The public authorities know nothing about him and that's something to admire. Especially for a person like me who has been on the radar and under surveillance for the whole life. Until I broke out.

"I want you to kill someone."

"That's what I am for."

"It will be difficult."

"I don't care. As long as the price is correct."

Ryan sips his Scotch. Price is no problem for him. Even after his father died, most of his money hasn't been found and now was his.

"500.000 US Dollar for the killing of a seventeen-years old school boy. Sounds fair?"

"It does," The Gentleman says but looks a bit confused. So he adds: "A school boy? That's who killed your father?"

I see his lips curl in anger. Ryan doesn't like to be humiliated and anybody else he would have thrown against the next wall. But he need the assassin. I offered myself to do it but he denied. I would love to kill Alex and when he fails, I'll take over.

"Yes. And he killed a lot of other people. But this isn't your business. Kill Alex Rider. But leave his body intact. As soon as I read the official Autopsy report of MI6 I'll pay you."

"Autopsy report of MI6?" he asks surprised.

"Not your matter. Just kill the boy...but I shall warn you. He's not easy to kill," Ryan says and raises his dark eyebrows.

I don't know what The Gentleman thinks but he nods. "He'll be dead within two days," he says and stands up. He leaves the room and the door shuts again.

"I want you to stay with me until Alex is dead," Ryan says and puts his arm around my waist.

"I wanted to kill Alex," I hiss and stare at the empty seat of the couch in front of us.

"I know. But it is too dangerous. MI6 is hunting you madly. They suspect you turning up near to Alex."

"They should. It is something personal between us and I need to see the life leaving his eyes," I whisper.

His hand glides through my hair and puts it back behind my ear. "It is also something personal between Alex and me. But it is better to let it do The Gentleman. He's efficient and he'll succeed."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"And why isn't Alex already dead then?" I ask and look at the man. His cruel eyes stare down at me and pure hatred is forming his words.

"My father underestimated Alex. I won't," he answers strongly and his voice is now full of the wish of seeing death. "But he'll pay for what he has done," he adds and grabs my chin. His big hand is squashing my face and slowly he pushes me down on the couch. "And then Alex Rider will be history," he hisses and starts kissing me while pressing his enormous body onto me.

A very short chapter but therefore directly the next one follows :)