“And who the hell are you supposed to be?”
But John interrupted.
“Forget about him Al. He’s just here to assist in case you refuse to be reasonable.”
“Oh don’t worry. Of course he’ll be reasonable,” Jessica purred seductively. “Wont you babe? Please? For me?”
Al shook his head in anger.
“I have no fucking idea what you guys want me to do, but whatever it is, you’re not getting away this. I swear.”
“But we aren’t even here,” John pointed out with a mirthless laugh. “Did you see Jess’ car anywhere for instance? No you didn’t, because right now we are attending a party with several witnesses who will swear that we never left. Unfortunately you are less lucky old pal. Because while we were out, you experienced a vicious home invasion robbery by unknown assailants, and your injuries were too severe for you to survive.”
John leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Of course that scenario doesn’t need to happen, as long as you are reasonable.”
“Cut the Godfather act John. I’m not impressed. What is it exactly that you want from me?” Al sneered in response.
John sat down in the chair across from him.
“We aren’t stupid you know. We are aware that you started liquidating some assets as soon as you found out about me and Jess. Probably a mill or so judging from the low savings accounts and the recent mortgage. Jess simply wants her fair share. That’s all.”
“I deserve it Al,” Jessica added. “It’s not fair that you take all that money for yourself. It’s my money too. I have the right to it.”
“What money? I don’t have any fucking money,” Al almost shouted. “But even if I had, you guys were fucking around on me for months. And on top of that, you planned to strip me of everything I own and leave me with nothing. How dare you talk to me about fairness? Do you take me for a god damned fool or what?”
John rose slowly with a tired expression.
“Guess you aren’t willing to be reasonable after all Al. Too bad, but trust me – you will talk eventually. We’ll just have to do things the hard way instead. Jess, maybe you should go to another room and put on some loud music. This could get ugly.”
With a volcanic rage rising inside him Al watched his wife give John a kiss on the cheek and leave the room without a glance in his direction. If he’d had any doubt about her feelings before, he now had definite proof that his marriage was long over. She knew perfectly well what was going to happen to him, and she not only didn’t care. She was part of it. Maybe even the instigator.
Al stared daggers at John, wondering why he didn’t feel afraid at all. These two men were clearly preparing to torture and murder him, yet all he felt was a pounding rage. Not a hint of fear. Not a trace of apprehension. Only anger and a rising desire to tear them limb from limb in a bloody carnage.
“Ok,” John declared. “Time to get this show on the road. Shoot out a kneecap Carson.”
Without hesitation the bearded man lifted his gun and Al heard a loud crack followed by a flash of the most excruciating pain he had ever felt in his life. It was as if somebody had just crushed his knee with a mallet, which in a way wasn’t far from the truth.