PRESENT DAY

Kane walked into the offices of Sheen and Spytek, where two men in dark suits met him at the door. One of the men stepped forward with a tablet.

“Welcome, Mr. G. We’ve been expecting you. Please enter your code.”

Kane took the tablet and typed in a codeword. It blinked green and went off. He handed it back to the man.

“Excellent. Welcome home. Please, come with us.”

The men led him to an open elevator, but instead of hitting a button, they simply stood and waited. Once the door closed, one of the men took out a key from his pocket and inserted it into the keyhole next to the buttons. He turned the key, which opened a secret door behind them. The man then turned to Kane.

“This is as far as Amber protocol allows us to go. The man is expecting you inside.”

Kane nodded and walked through the door, which immediately closed behind him. There was a row of cubicles lining each side of the narrow walkway, which led to an office directly in front of him. He walked into the office, where an old man was waiting for him. The old man got up and hugged him. Then they pulled back.

“It has been too long.”

“Yes, Ivar. I am glad to be back. Running missions from exile is one thing, but home is home. Now, give me the latest update.”

Ivar sat with Kane. “Operation Hell’s Angels remains on schedule. We’ve blown the island with the two women to bits. Ground checks confirmed that no one survived. We’ve also apprehended the double-crossers. They are on the way to The House now.”

Kane nodded his approval. “Excellent. This is excellent work.”

“I figured you might want to take this one, seeing as you have a personal stake in it.”

Kane smiled widely at Ivar. “Oh Ivar, how you warm my heart. Let me know as soon as they arrive. Not a second late.”

Ivar nodded and went back to his computer as Kane relaxed in his chair.

“Hell hath no fury like a Glazer burned.”

******

FORTY YEARS AGO

Archbishop Benton was praying at the altar in the sanctuary when he heard the sound of uneven footsteps. He turned around and saw a man stumbling towards him. It was a long walk from the door to the altar, but he could tell that the man had been in a fight of some kind. As the man got closer, he recognized who it was and rushed to him.

“Aurelius! What are you doing here!” He got Aurelius into one of the pews. “Let me go get a first aid kit.”

Aurelius held him back. “No, old friend. Sit with me.”

“Aurelius, you have a black eye and a bleeding arm. Let me get a kit to tend to you.”

Aurelius still held his arm. “Sit with me, friend. I don’t have much time.”

Cassius sat with him.

“It appears my brother has betrayed me, friend. I thought you had done a wonderful job with him, but even your eyes could not see what he would become once he travelled abroad.”

Cassius sighed. “I saw trouble, friend. I saw a cloud of trouble and lust hovering over him. I tried to warn him but he refused to hear me. I could not force him to stay.”

“Friend, it is not your fault. My brother was always sneaky and stubborn. But now he has turned my friends against me and now they seek my death.”

“Aurelius, I did not know what had become of you after you left school that day, but it is truly unfortunate that the one you sought to protect now seeks your death.”

“Indeed, Cassius. But I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, old friend.”

“I need you to help me disappear.”

Cassius hesitated. “I am not sure how I can help you in that regard, Aurelius.”

Aurelius smiled weakly. “Yes, you do. I have kept track of your life ever since I left. The prophet who never missed. The Oracle of God. I have been tremendously proud of what you have become. But then I learned that you had found a way to smuggle children who had been betrothed to evil men of inappropriate ages. I was hoping you would do the same for me, as a favor for an old friend.”

Cassius sat in thought for a little while as Aurelius caught his breath. Aurelius knew a surprising amount of information about his secret operation. Aurelius was also a criminal with his hands in a lot of bad pies, including drugs. Based on the words of some of the addicts Cassius had helped to rehab, Aurelius’ killings had a signature which very much resembled the manner in which their headmaster was murdered all those years ago.

Aurelius also had another trait; he wouldn’t touch a woman or a child. The story on him was that he would rather leave money on the street than sell to a woman or harm a child. As much as he wouldn’t help someone in this position, he couldn’t turn away the man who had helped him stay alive after all those beatings.

“Alright, old friend, I will help you. You must promise me that once you are free, you will live differently. I am doing this as a token of gratitude for your kindness before, but I am still a man of God, and I cannot suborn evil.”

Aurelius tapped him on the shoulder. “Reverend Benton, I will not do you the dishonor of lying to you. The best I can do is to assure you that I will try to live right. I can also promise you, as a token of my gratitude, that I will never bring harm to you or anyone connected to you.”

Cassius looked long at him, then extended his hand. “Very well, Aurelius. Where in the world would you like to go?”

Aurelius shook his hand as he thought about the question. “Well, I hear Europe’s been doing some great things in the garments industry. I could do some good in that business.”

Cassius nodded. “Very well. Now, I must tend to your wounds before you drop dead.”

*****

PRESENT DAY

Inspector Kpodo checked behind him three times before he got out of his car. The last explosion had made him paranoid that someone was following him, although he hadn’t seen anyone tailing him in weeks. He was parked inside his compound but one could never be sure as far as he was concerned. He walked around the back with his gun at the ready, making sure that no one was waiting to surprise him once he’d settled.

Satisfied, he walked back to the front and took his bag from the car. He opened his door, turned on the light and was greeted with the most unbelievable sight.

“Mr. Glazer. I don’t suppose you care very much about your presence here being against the law?”

Kane, who was seated on the couch, looked up at him and smiled. “Inspector! Join the party, we’ve been waiting for you.”

A very unamused Kpodo remained in the doorway. “Mr. Glazer, I’m willing to overlook this, but going to have to ask you to leave. If you want to see me, come to the station.”

Kane stood up. “Oh come on, Inspector. I just want to talk with you. This is supposed to be a friendly visit, you know, a chance to speak as men.”

“We have nothing to talk about, Mr. Glazer.”

Kane shook his head. “Oh but we do, Inspector. A little bird told me that you managed to reach one of the prime suspects in the case of my death. A woman named Stella. Ring a bell?”

Kpodo did his level best to hide the surprise on his face but Kane still caught it.

“I see that you remember, Inspector. So, if you have no objection, have a seat and let us reason together.”

As he said that, the guard behind the door took Kpodo’s gun while another held a gun to his head from outside. Outmanned, Kpodo walked in while the man behind him closed the door.

Man, Kane is on a roll right now! I sure hope he doesn’t hurt Inspector Kpodo…