Viewed from a different angle, the idea of traveling was a complete waste of time. This was how he saw it now that he was nursing an injured shoulder. If there was a way to get home without the interminable way of waiting, he would have chosen it.
But it´s a perfect opportunity, however, to recall the past, and to find time to put some order in his life. Clarity of mind was what he needed. On his way back to New York, JC used all the waiting time rebuilding his past to find answers to his questions.
He was transported back to the time when he was going to school with his mother by crossing the park on foot. It was a five-minute walk daily from home and she took pains in teaching him the four mathematical operations. She was indefatigable. First, she taught him simple addition. Then as time rolled on, they slowly progressed into the more complicated ones like divisi
Time to go. JC would have to travel to the farthest point in the south next to Borneo. From there he would have to cross the big sea to be on the mainland. The American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had already been advised of his coming. Jerry, his friend at the Office in New York will meet him in Kuala, Lumpur. From there they would take him back to New York. Freedom and Father Sin went with him, making sure that he would arrive safely. They gave JC a habit to wear so that he would also look like a priest. The three of them traveled in this way. And nobody suspected. After delivering him to Jerry, both of them went back to where they came from. Back in New York, JC felt relieved he was back. He stretched in his favorite bed, lying there the whole time as if he had not been there for a long period and reminiscing the dangers he encountered in those few days. The buzzing of the car engine and the droning of the airplane was
On his first day at work, JC was quite energized. He got up early and geared himself up, coat and tie and all of those rituals an office worker needs to accomplish before going to work. He had toasted bread topped with butter and marmalade and hot cappuccino sweetened with honey for breakfast. Thankful for a new day, he went out of his apartment blissfully joyful. He took the same route to his office on his 4x4. He parked at a space reserved for The Times, then took the elevator up to his office. When he strode in the hallway, he didn’t expect the unexpected. He saw heads popping up one by one from their workstations. He couldn’t believe his eyes when everybody cheered. He knew what it was and the gesture buoyed his spirit up. Jerry congratulated him with a wink. Mr. McMillan was at the door of his office standing to greet him. Kate was behind smiling from ear to ear. An overnight celebrity, he became. &n
TOMMY was brooding in a room where he was holed up. His mind danced on the thought that this friend, JC, could already be safe and might be traveling back to New York or already be safe there. He asked himself the question several times. Above him, there was a slight movement that barged into his pondering. This led him to shift his vision. There was a little gecko that crossed his eyes. It darted off to catch a lone mosquito, then got lost into a small crack on the ceiling with the vector in its mouth. Seconds later he heard a familiar sound coming from that same house lizard. He looked out of the window. Dusk was enveloping the sky yonder and he saw only a reddish horizon for it was getting dark. Slouched, alone, beside the window overlooking the grounds, he thought of that unfortunate mosquito’s plight. Tired and exhausted his body resisted th
New York. It was in spring when the tentacles of the monster slithered as far as Manhattan. Respect for jurisdiction or territory was about to be disregarded, if they had some of it, as one assassin followed JC up to where he thought himself unreachable. Rudy Rude landed at JFK International Airport incognito. With no other purpose but to look for the tape, he checked out, picked up his bag, and immediately got a taxi directing himself nearest to Central Park West. He checked into a hotel and never worried about his identity. Nobody knew him and time was all his in the world to find his quarry. The next thing he did was to secure a weapon. It wasn’t hard to buy a Beretta semi-automatic with a silencer from one of the shops. It was small and easy to handle. After going around the shops for the things he needed he rested. It was already dark when he settled himself. He sat on a chair, looking at the shapes in his hotel room: the
He searched his memories, going over and over every detail for answers to all questions. Deep in his mind, he knew the reasons for all the events that had unfolded, for which now he was answering to be punished. No . . . It’s the tape, JC concluded. The word resonated in his mind. Now he was certain it was the tape, but would they go this far? There’s no other cold-blooded heartless evildoer who would do that to Fidel. It’s got to be the monster. But why include poor Fidel? He was only a bystander. If they were after the tape, they would have to go straight for me. Or to the office and turn it upside down. But would they know it’s hidden there safely? With two guards at the entrance and a close circuit security system, getting access would be difficult if not nearly impossible. Go on . . . let’s see if you could bust the office, he said angrily. Fear pierced through him after reali
JC went out of the café to breathe fresh air. He paused and stood at the door thinking. Then he went back inside. With no place to go, he used the remaining coin to dial another number. “Hello,” Kate answered in her classic soft voice. “Hello, Kate. It’s JC here. I’m outside in a café. Can you meet me here?” “Are you ok? You sound weird, JC. Am I wrong?” “You’re right. I am worried as hell.” “Worried about what?” “I can’t go into my apartment.” “Why so? “The policemen found a dead body in my apartment and I don’t have any clues as to why. I couldn’t stay until they’re done with the investigation, at least for the night” “Which café are you in?” “It’s one alon
Rudy Rude went into a gaudy shop where colorful hats hang on display, at the corner of Times Square. It's one where they sold masks, beards, wigs, and the like aside from hats. He scoured the shop, looking for something that could make a perfect disguise. After finding nothing to his liking he discarded the idea and left. He didn't need any disguise as of yet. But if the time comes when he would need one, he knew where to find it. The assassin stood at five feet eight inches, about four inches shorter than JC. In a dark suit, he was cleverly disguised to blend himself with any of the ordinary office workers in the streets of Manhattan. Inside his breast pocket was the Beretta semi-automatic with a silencer. When the police had gone, he came back to stalk JC's apartment. He stationed himself on the other side of the road, looming like a fierce predator in the jungle. JC was hoping everything would be all right. Unmindful
JC kept running along Broadway Street towards the north. He aimed for Trinity Catholic Cemetery for that was the only direction on his mind. He stopped ten times but only to take a rest on one of the benches. Upon reaching the vicinity he was relieved to see the chapel was open. At the gate, there was an old woman who sold flowers and candles. He scanned the frontage towards the end of the wall that turned left. All was clear. Still panting he slipped inside after looking back to check if his pursuer was following. It was comforting to see that the light was subdued and no soul was in sight. It meant that the services had long been terminated. Before slipping in, he asked for a bunch of roses and one candle, and then gave the woman a bill which he removed from his wallet. After making his purchase, he proceeded directly to Mary's gravestone. Again, he heard the tapping of his footsteps, which he was familiar with. He needed this familiarity to fe