LIGHTNING THE ASSASSIN

                       Hunt one

               Creating the target. 

On the thirtieth floor of a fifty-floor office building behind the door that has CEO Shihon Pharmaceuticals, a phone rang and the man behind the big dark well-polished desk picked up the phone. 

He is in his early sixties with full-on grey hair styled on neatly to the back, with a side opening. He is a handsome man, well built for a man of his age. 

" Hello, " he speaks into the phone. 

" I am sorry sir to inform you that your company lost the bid, " a female voice said from the other side of the phone. 

" WHAT!! " He gasped into the phone as all the blood drained from his face. 

Suddenly his dark blue tie became too tight for him and he loosened it to alow some air to his clogged up throat. 

" May I ask as to which company got the bid? " He whispered into the phone, his voice weak and lifeless. 

" The Huan Pharmaceuticals. "

" If that is all sir then I bid you a good day, " the voice said after which the dial tone was heard. 

A pure hot rage filled the man, his large palms tightened against the iPhone in his hand, his jaw clenched tight as his whole body vibrated under his rage. 

" DAMN YOU! LUCAS!!! " He yelled in anger hurling his phone across the room. 

The object flew across space to crash land against the white painted wall before dropping down to the floor in a hard crash.

But the sound didn't pacify the man in the office who was now pacing his office in agitated steps his mind miles and miles away as he tried to think of a way to get himself out of the mess he just plunged his company into. 

For the past few years, his company has not been doing well all because they have been losing bids to be the sole producer of a drug to the Huan Pharmaceuticals. 

In the past, Huan Pharmaceuticals was just but a speck of dirt where Shihon company is being the top dog where drug production is concerned. 

After a takeover by the owner's son, Lucas Huan, things began to change and little by little they began to grow and are currently the biggest rival of Shihon pharmaceutical. 

The recent deal they just lost was the right to be the sole manufacturer of the drug that offers a permanent cure to the respiratory disease Cystic Fibrosis. 

He sunk all their money in pursuit of this bid, knowing that whoever gets it will be made. 

He did all he could to ensure that his company won the bid including greasing a few hands that were involved in the decision making, yet the son of a bitch still found a way to beat him. 

And the most annoying and insulting part is that a young brat is just a man half his age. 

No, he can't let this go. 

His company is already in dept if his investors hear that he lost the bid there will be hell to pay and before that happens he has to do something. 

He took his dark blue coat off the back of his seat and put it over the white pristine dress shirt he had on and headed for the door. 

" Cancel all my meetings and if anyone comes looking for me instructs them that I will be out of the office for the whole day, " he ordered his secretary without sparing her a glance. 

" Yes, sir, " was the meek reply from the young blonde woman sitting at the secretary post. 

When he got out of the office complex, his car a black sleek Audi was already waiting for him with his driver a tall older black gentleman in a black driver suit waiting by the door to open it for him. 

" Where to Mr. Maxwell? " The driver asked. 

" I Will let you know when we get there just follow my instructions, " Mr. Maxwell said while clicking on his phone. 

He scrolled through his contact for the number of an old friend and when the contact came up on his screen he pressed the dial button.

" Hello, Joe are you in your office? " He asked when the call he was trying to make went through. 

" I am, " the man on the other side answered. 

" I am on my way, " Mr. Maxwell said into the phone before ending the call. He turned to his driver and gave him the address of their next stop.

Mr. Maxwell's driver took him to the west part of the city, to another office building, this one about a hundred floor. 

" Wait here for me, " Mr. Maxwell instructed his driver and went into the lobby of the building. 

At the lift, he put in the number for the topmost floor where the person he is looking for resides. 

Once he got to the floor he took his right to the door that says Phoenix residential suites. 

He knocked on the door and went in, his face already brewing with huge smiles for the older gentleman on the other side. 

" Hey! Peter such a long time, " the man behind the desk stood up with a cheerful bright expression matching that on his visitor's face. 

The two men greeted each other with a warm handshake and a hug. 

" Wow Joe you looked well, how is your wife? " Peter asked taking the seat offered to him. 

" She there kicking and shopping, " Joe teased making a crack at his stay-at-home spouse that all she does was spend his money shopping. 

The two men chuckled heartily. 

Joe Rosewell was a real estate mogul with empires of building in and out of the city and he is also Peter's oldest friend dating back to their college days. 

" Haven't seen you in a while Peter what brings you to my doorstep? " Joe asked standing up to get wine for his visitor. 

He came back with a half-filled Brandy and two glasses, he poured little in each of the glasses. 

" Ice? " He asked looking up at Peter who shook his head no. For his, he added few cubes before returning to his seat. 

" You look like a man troubled, " he commented when he noticed the worried lines and the deep crack lines at the angles of his friend's eyes. 

Peter took his glass and downed the whole drink at a go before releasing a heavy sigh. 

" You know the bid I told you about a new drug in town that will make my company what it was before. "

The man on the other side nodded his head with interest. 

" Well, we lost it to our biggest rival. " 

" WHAT! " Joe exclaimed in shock, his forehead wrinkling with a displeased frown. 

" To who? " He inquired with curiosity. 

" Huan Pharmaceuticals, " Peter spat the name like it was trash, his face squeezed in disgust. 

" Mmm, " Joe breathed relaxing back in his comfortable leather seat. He was aware of the fierce rivalry that exist between the new refined company and his friend company, unfortunately, his friend was coming up short.

" That company has been a thorn in your side for a while now don't you think is high time you did something about it, " Joe suggested sitting up with a pointed look in Peter's direction. 

Peter sighed as he poured himself another drink. 

" That is kind of why I am here. To see if you can help out an old friend. "

Joe relaxed back on his seat with a thinking look before returning his gaze to his worried friend. 

" I have a solution but you are not gonna like it. "

" Right now I am at my wit's end and am open to anything, " Peter opened up to his friend with a hopeful look. 

Joe kept silent, just observing his friend trying to gauge how he is going to take in his advice. 

" I think you need to take care of the boy, " he said in a grave tone. 

" What do you mean? " Peter asked his eyes narrowing in confusion. 

" Kill him, " Joe whispered bringing down his voice. 

A look of uncertainty appeared on Peter's face. 

" I don't know, that kind of sounds extreme, and where can I get someone that will do the job without it being traced back to me. "

" Don't worry about that, I can arrange for that, " Joe said with a giddy expression, but Peter was not convinced. He still looked worried and sacred. 

" Well you wanted my opinion and this is it, " Joe said relaxing back in his seat while he waited for his friend to think about his offer. 

Peter's conscience warred with his practical side. 

He knew that this was his only option, with Huan out of the way the bid will revert to the second runner up and that is him but he has never had anyone killed before and that is what scares him. 

If this comes back to bite him he is scared he will be going to prison for life, but does he have any other alternative he wondered taking a look at his friend. 

He had a sure confident look on his face that he will be able to deliver maybe he should trust him. 

" Let's do it, " he said in a soft tone, his voice portraying his doubts. 

A full blow grin appeared on Joe's face. 

" You have made the right choice and I assure you is not going to fail. "

" Well, it better not, because is just not my property that is at stake here but my life is, " Peter mumbled to himself as he got to his feet. 

" Why don't you meet me here at six o clock in the evening and I will introduce the man that is going to make all these go away, " Joe said to Peter extending an address to him. 

Peter took the card and looked up at his friend. " Thank you, " he said in a grateful tone. 

" Don't mention. Happy to help a friend, " Joe said walking his friend to the door. 

" See you at six. "

At exactly six o clock Peter's driver had him at the address written on the small white card. It was a restaurant one of the most sorts after and expensive in the city. 

Peter exited his car and headed for the door which was held open by the doorman. 

For the evening meeting, Peter was donned in a black suit with a matching black hat and well-polished black leather Italian shoes. 

" How may I help you, sir? " A young man in waiters' uniform approached him. 

" Meeting some people here, " Peter replied casting his eyes all over the place trying to spot his friend. 

" May I know the name of the party you are meeting? " The young man asked glancing down at the book he had in his hand. 

" Rosewell. "

" This way sir, " the waiter said having confirmed the name on his book. 

The waiter took him to a table down the right side of the restaurant hiding away from the door. 

When they drew closer to the table Peter saw his friend along with two other gentlemen, one looked to be in their age and the other looked like a muscled man young with a serious expression on his handsome face as if ready to take on the world. 

" Good evening gentlemen, " Peter greeted taking a seat on the only empty seat available. 

" Gentlemen, this is my friend I told you about, Peter Maxwell, " Joe said about his friend. 

The older gentleman who looked to be in his seventies with piercing laser brown eyes looked intently at Peter. 

" Your friend here tells me that you require our services. "

Peter gulped and turned to his friend with a question as to who the man is in his eyes. 

" This is Percy Smith, owner of Dabomb corps, " Joe answered. 

Peter frowned. 

" Never heard of you guys. "

" You are not meant to, " Percy answered in a cryptic scary tone. 

Peter swallowed. 

" So what exactly do you guys do? " He asked with a curious look. 

" We kill, " was the blunt answer. 

Peter nodded not saying a word. 

The older man was giving him the heebie-jeebies. 

" So on to the next question, can you afford our fees because Mr. Maxwell I must tell you we don't come cheap, " Percy said to the other man. 

" Call me Peter, " Peter said in a slightly nervous tone, which was ignored by the other man who only stared at him patiently waiting for the response to his query. 

" How much are we talking about? "

" Ten million dollars. " 

Peter choked on his spit, his eyes bulging out. " What! " He croaked in disbelief. 

Percy didn't repeat himself but just stared. 

Peter turned to look at his friend his eyes wide in shock. He doesn't have that kind of money around. 

Joe read the panic in his friend's eyes and turned to the other man. 

" Mr. Smith, my friend doesn't have that kind of money is there anyway........ "

His words were cut off by Percy. 

" Our fees are non-negotiable and we receive payment upfront or no deal, " Percy said in a nonsense impatient tone. He didn't have time to waste on clients who are not able to afford his services. 

Joe leaned into his friend to converse secretly with him. 

" How much can you provide? " He whispered so his words are not carried by wind to the other party. 

" Eight million and that is my reserve, " Peter answered with a bit of reservation. 

" That is perfect. I can loan you two million, " Joe said with a close-mouthed grin. 

" I don't know, " Peter whispered with a bit of uncertainty. 

" There is no need to have doubts now, these guys are good and when Huan is out of your way, your company will be back at the top and you can replenish your reserve with lots of millions, " Joe murmured to his friend trying to disperse his doubts. 

Peter thought about his words. They have a lot of merits and are worth giving a chance, he just hopes that this doesn't turn out to be the worse mistake of his life. 

" Ok, let's do it. " Joe smiled widely and turned to the other party. 

" We will take the offer. "

Percy turned to the young man beside him. " John, " he said communicating with his eyes.

The man looked at him and then at the other party. 

" I need you to wire the money to this account, " he said in a deep baritone voice, showing them the digits on the tablet he had on his hand. 

Peter and Joe copied the numbers and within a second had the money transferred to the account. 

" Done, " they both said together looking up at the other party. 

Percy turned to look at John who checked his tablet and nodded at him. Percy turned back to Peter and Joe. 

" May I see the picture of the target? " 

Peter put his hand into his suit pocket and came out with a colored image of Lucas Huan in one of his press conferences, which he handed to Percy. 

" We will get in touch with you when the deal is done, " Percy said as his party got to their feet and headed for the door. 

" Now what? "Peter asked Joe. 

" We wait for his call. "

TARGET CREATED