New York, Manhattan, Walcott S.A.

Sunday. 2/20/22. 10:30

"Sir, Mr. Downes has arrived(...)OK. I'll send him through." She turned to me."Please, follow me"

As I walked down the building, I could see the security making their rounds as usual. Groups of no less than 2 guarded every door and every entry point. Including the elevator we stepped in. That plus the police detachments outside of the building gave the place a safe house feeling. All doors leading to the stairs and the rooftop were locked by an electronic lock. A sensible choice. Although most guards didn't have a key to those doors. So, if anything were to happen, the response would be delayed.

The floor where we ended up was more guarded. The Security personnel held automatic weapons at the ready for any eventualities, and the amount of security cameras indicated that one of those rooms was the security center. The glass on the offices was Bulletproof, and the only place that didn't seem to be protected was the main office.

The secretary knocked on the door and called out for Mr. Wallcott.

"¡Come in!"

The office, as expected, was completely fortified on the inside. The glass Windows behind the desk weren't only bulletproof, but also dark and reinforced with another glass layer, a sniper's worst nightmare. On the side there were book cases against the Wall, with a red tome of Shawshank Redemption that obviously led to a panic room. The desk was at a safe distance from the Windows, with a man in his late 60's, gray hair and a 2 piece White suit with a cian tie, with gray eyes hidden behind a pair of owlish glasses. I suspect that under the table there was a panic button and on one of the drawers he hid a gun, just in case the exterior wasn't enough.

After a quick nod, the secretary went back to the ground floor and I sat on the chair facing the desk.

"Mr. Downes I assume?" He asked with a hint of hope hidden behind 3 layers of fear and reinforced with a half-filled glass of liquor on the bar table. He offered his hand out.

I simply nodded professionally, and the man sat down without making much trouble. His gaze seemed to relax, as if confirming something.

"Alright. Thanks for coming so soon. I hope my security measures are of your liking"

"Making sure the least amount of people can be here including the police, arming your closest guards to the proverbial teeth, refusing to leave your building." I numbered as I rested my gloved fingertips against my other hand's. "I suspect that the threat has made you a touch paranoid don't you think?"

"Oh no, this is pure and reasoned thought!" said Mr. Walcott, his head wet with sweat. "Just look at this"

He then handed me a letter. It was a 10x7,5cm white sheet of paper with a message written on it with a writing machine. Hard to trace.

Mr. Walcott

I am well aware of the deals your partners have had along the years. Despite the opportunity to right your wrongs, it was made clear that you are not going to do so. Therefore, I pray that the divine providence has mercy on you this Sunday at 10:45, the arranged time of your passing. Alas, I don't believe it will work.

Greetings,

A constant enemy.

I handed the letter back. The targetted man seemed to shake at the very touch of the paper.

"This is all? I had expected that a man of your position would have received a thousand and one letters like this along your career. Why listen to this one"I asked

"Well, I didn't really listen to it. I read it" He snickered at his own joke "Get it? `cause you can't hear letters?"

I have never been expressive, but I could hear my teeth grinding as I let out an annoyed breath. He seemed to get the hint and sobered up.

"Well, it was actually the one who signed it. There is only one person who would send this. Diana Burnwood. And when she is involved, it means that…" He looked around a bit "HE is involved"

I frowned and sat straighter. "Burnwood? I thought the ICA was done for. What do you have to fear of a fallen Handler?"

"It is not just that. Is how she said it?"

"What do you mean"

"Errmm…"He scratched his head and hunkered closer to me, lowering his voice "I have heard that, when it comes to security, you are the best of the best. Fort Knox made person. If that is true, then I expect you can keep a secret."

I merely nodded and Wallcott walked up to the bar table to pour himself a drink.

"..." He twirled the liquid twice before swallowing "Have you ever heard of Providence"

I Blinked twice "Yes. An alleged shadow empire conformed by the wealthiest that ruled the world from the shadows. But those are just rumors."

"Oh, no. Not at all. Providence is…or rather was, the most important organisation this world has ever seen. Billions of dollars in resources, personal of the highest qualification and some of the most powerful people ever." His gaze went away from the room, but then came back to the present. "All of it destroyed by Burnwood and his pet!"

"Pet?" I raised an eyebrow, although I already knew the most likely candidate.

And so did , as his burrow was filled with more sweat.

"A backstabbing scumbag with the ability of breaching any defense system. Able to blend in like a chameleon in every environment, the master of disguise. Some say that he is the reaper in person. He does not flinch, does not empathize, and does not fail. In over 70 years, providence managed to lead the world into a comfortable peace with the least amount of blood."He paused for a moment to drink another glass. "In just 3, Those two damned fucks broke it all down. Our most important heads, one of our founders, our heralds, tens of millions of dollars blown away by them. Our constant, the wise and proud leader was found completely devoid of any memory of anything related to his own persona."

He sat down again and took off his glasses to polish them with a handkerchief. "I fear no man. I believe that, at the core, anyone has a price, but that thing. It scares me! The ark society? A fortified island with top notch security and full of armed guards? And we found Zoe Washington's body on Janus' wake altar and Sophia Washington bleed dry on an Iron maiden! Two of our most powerful chairwomen, dead in one night! Without anyone noticing!"

"I see. You fortified yourself in a place with no people to avoid him. Doný you think it is a bit too much?" I asked

"No precaution is too much with him. I heard that he eliminated someone with a Shark! Imagine what he would do to me."

"Kill you." I answered, Flatly

"Gee, thanks Sherlock. I hadn't noticed" As he ended that phrase, his demeanor returned to politeness and he bowed slightly "Sorry. You came here to help."

"Not to worry, I understand." I answered. "Back to the matter at hand, Am I to assume you were a member of providence?"

"NO! No…well, not entirely, no." He grabbed a file from one of the drawers and handed it over.

On it there were details of monetary operations: The movement of supplies from Europe over to the Estates through Walcott's company. The amount was stable and nothing seemed odd. The operation could pass perfectly well for another business transaction.

"I was introduced by Eugene Cobb, and I wanted to get a piece of the cake. But…after his death and after learning of all the deaths that Burnwood and her pet were bringing I kept a security distance." He seemed willing to tell me all this in order to earn my empathy. Or most likely my trust.

"And Burnwood chose that you didn't deserve to get off the hook?"

"If that was the case she wouldn't have sent me or the press that threat. No, she wants people to know of my death."

"'Despite the opportunity to right your wrongs, it was made clear that you are not going to do so'." I repeated inquisitive

Mr. Wallcott was about to answer when a guard barged in through the door. His weapon had the safe off.

"Sir. We found a corpse in the back alley. It's not safe here. Come with us" Said the guard

"¡No!"exclaimed/yelled Walcott "That is his plan: Draw me out in the open! Well, it won't work!" He then proceeded to tilt a painting on the wall, and then said wall opened like a door. "You. Call someone else and guard this room. Mr. Downes and I will continue this privately."

"Alright sir"

The safe room was well protected. 3 layers of steel on the walls and floor. The door, once closed, revealed a lock that resembled a bank vault. Inside there was food, a camera station and 2 walkie talkies. On the far end of the room there was what seemed to be an elevator, that should lead to a special parking with an escape car.

Walcott semed very distressed and sat on a chair shaking, muttering under his breath.

I approached and looked at him "She wants the providence survivors to know of your death"

He shivered but nodded. "A-a-after the fall of Providence, Many came to me for safe keeping. I have taken many in refuge and did my best to scramble them. But they, arrogant fools, started talking about rebuilding under my leadership. I-I…I cannot blame them, but there is no way we can rebuild providence with those 2 out there."

He then looked up at me in hope. "You now understand. Can you help me? Please"

"Don't worry. From now on, you won't have to worry about anything anymore"

At that moment, the phone of Walcott rang.

Walcott's POV

I raised the phone and faced the wall.

"Hello. Mr. Walcott, sir?" Belinda. As always, she tried to hide her nervousness.

"Yes Belinda, what is it?"

"A man came in asking to see you sir"

I was about to hang up when she said: "It's Mr. Downes…again"

I could feel my knees weakening and my phone slipping from my fingers, smashing into the floor. I felt so cold that I could be mistaken for an ice cream.

I felt him. How? How could I have missed him? It was obvious. His cold demeanor. His scalp head. His clothes. HOW?!

A few steps behind me told me everything I needed to know. I felt how a string enveloped my neck and strangled my throat.

The last thing I heard was: "Great job 47. Head for an exit."