บท 17: An Offer You Can't Refuse
There's a lot of information that Jack doesn't understand—First, he never knew two U.S. senators from opposite political parties are buying lands, and it sounds like they are buying for someone else? Second, this former Green Beret is now killing people to buy lands. How the hell does that work?
"Oh, it helps for sure. Because I scattered dead bodies on the lands Powes wants to buy."
"Um, OK?" Jack has a mocking laugh in his voice, "How is that helping? You're just scaring people with all those dead bodies. People probably want to stay away from the land of death."
"Exactly. Then no one will place any bid and compete with us during the land auctions."
Oh.
Jack is speechless. They are killing people and toss the dead bodies around to prevent people from buying the lands?
Keith laughs, "You might not know this, but these lands are very popular. We are talking about massive virgin lands. Just sitting there waiting. But because they are so remote and in the middle of no where, they are not expensive. But, that also means, they are on very precious areas that no one can get their hands on . Essentially, you don't have to spend a lot, and you can get a large, large vacant field. You can do whatever you want with it."
"OK, so, you have scared off buyers."
"Yes."
"So, you say you are offering me a job, right? So the job is to also kill people and discard them on the land Powes want to buy?"
"No. I want you to get rid of Nitte for me. And I think you are an excellent assassin, too."
"Oh, Nitte?" Jack is taking all this in his head. He can't believe this guy is telling him all of this. Jack is a cop. And Keith just told a cop he wants to assassinate people.
"Yep. But first. I need to just get Nitte out of my way. I have other things for you to help me with, but she is going to be your long-term assignment. I've seen what she's done. She is very capable. But I think it's stupid because she is helping the wrong side."
"How so?"
"Even though Eleanor Abbot also wants to buy those exact same lands, I'm sure her project collaborators will not want dead bodies turning up on the locations they want to buy. Now that I've discarded dead bodies on the lands, Abbot is not going to get the lands. Her collaborators would want to back out. So, Nitte is not even going to win. She is just with a loser right now. Why don't we just do her a favor and take her out of the game?"
"I'm just curious, why is your Senator Powes OK with the dead bodies?"
"Yeah, Powes doesn't care. Powes' project is just to drill oil and build oil pipelines He's not opening shopping malls or apartment condos, so dead bodies don't matter to them. Abbott is not a competition to me right now. But, like I said, I want to get to you first, and I want to make sure Nitte is out of the way. Because she is not someone you want to come across if you've got something you want to do." Keith once again points his handgun at Jack. Keith makes it look like he is only just casually waving his gun.
"Well, I don't know anything about politics, so to me, there's no one right team."
"Powes is the right team. You are going to get huge support. You will get paid and resources. How do you think I found out where you live? All I did was make a phone call and ask for surveillance on you. Voilà, I got the address. All my intel, equipment, and the weapons? Those are just perks of working with Powes and his associates. They have connections you can't even imagine. Energy business, namely, oil business, is where the money is."
"Well, it's a nice offer, but I already have a job."
Keith laughs and shakes his head, "You can't do shit with your NYPD cop job. You are being punished for doing what you like to do, which is hurting people. And they don't pay you enough!"
Jack thinks Keith misunderstood him, "I don't really like to hurt people but I will do so if necessary."
"Exactly. Then why are you being suspended for hurting someone? I have a job for you. You'll be paid. And when you want to retire, you can transition into working as a security detail for a powerful person in the future. You don't have to worry about any higher-ups in the NYPD to bother you, to discipline you about how you do your things. Don't you want that?"
This little speech does hit home with Jack.
What if Jack can do whatever he wants, and he gets paid for that, wouldn't it be better?
"And you won't even have to risk being caught beating people up. We have your back. Even if there's ever going to be any investigation into your killing, we will cover them up for you. I'm actually disappointed that no one even starts to investigate me. I've done so many, no one even notices."
"This is very nice. But I have to think." Jack says.
"OK," Keith reloads his gun and he suddenly aims at Jack.
"Hey!" Jack yells.
"You think I'm going to let you walk out of here with all the information I just told you?"
"Geez, put your gun away!"
Keith proceeds to pull the safety on his handgun. Jack dashes out of Keith's sight and runs.
"Bang!"
Keith fires one shot only, and of course, it got Jack. The bullet grazes Jack's left thigh.
"Keep your eyes on your own damn business, fellas," Keith intimidates the two cowboys at the gun range as he walks past them.
Jack drops to his knees. Keith walks over to him, making some "tsk tsk" noise.
Keith squats next to Jack, "Just FYI, that was a warning shot. I usually don't aim anywhere else but the head. I like brain death. I make sure people I shoot can never talk again, not even when they turn into ghosts."
Keith is an excellent marksman. He never misses. But Keith isn't going to kill Jack today. Keith puts the handgun back to the holster on his waist.
"What the hell, man! You are crazy!" Jack appears to be upset, tossing his arms.
"Calm down. I spared your life. If you need medical attention, I can get it for you."
"Dude, this is insane."
"No. Trust me, I'm not the insane one. That girl, Nitte? She's bat-shit crazy. I'm really saving you from being reached out by her."
"Where is she?"
"That's what I want you to find out."
Jack thinks Keith already wants him to do what he is told.
"Come on, let me help you get up," Keith reaches one arm out.
"No thanks," Jack winces but he stands up.
"Jack, I'm serious. Come with me. You can still do what you want. Don't answer to the cops anymore."
"So I can't leave here alive unless I go with you today." Jack raises his voice in frustration.
"Correct."
"Can I at least go back home first? Can I at least quit my job first?"
"Sure. I'll follow you home." Keith replies coolly.
They walk over to their parked vehicles. Jack unlocks the door, but Keith suddenly blocks the car door from opening.
"Allow me to remind you, there's a bug on your car. Don't try to do anything funny." Keith then opens the door for Jack and walks away.
Jack slowly sits into the car. He makes exaggerated whining sound about his wound. In the meantime, he tries to text Bob but he decides he will not.
There's nothing Bob can do right now. Jack is going to have to go along and see what's going on. Jack can always escape later. Or maybe, Bob will come try to find him.
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