Ben looked at his iPhone.

The Cardinal had been calling relentlessly. No doubt wanting and an update on the mission, and looking for the graphic play-by-play…his enthusiasm for the goriest details always left him a little disconcerted. This would be the tenth time he had killed someone in the name of the Church, each time under the privilege and protection of the Vatican.

They had all been women which he found a little strange, and he suspected now that they had all been related given their similarities in appearance – sisters and daughters and mothers, he was sure of it.  Interesting he thought, and was not quite sure what to make of it.  All he knew for sure was that Vatican was a house full of snakes, the very home of the devil, and that it was best to simply do what he was paid for and leave it at that.

Cardinal Emmanuel was paying the bill and he deserved to know the deed had been finished.  He accepted the call.

“It’s done.”

“Are you certain?”

Ben was not certain – he did not answer.

“Very well…” the Cardinal interjected. “How did she die?”

Ben shook his head – so predictable.

“She plummeted off a cliff and was divided up amongst the jagged boulders below…” Ben stopped careful not to say more than he honestly thought to be true.  Never lie to your client – a very important rule in his profession.

“Divided up!” the Cardinal inserted clearly pleased with the description.  “What did you do with the body?”

“I left it.”

“What?  Why?”

“It looks like an accident.  It’s best to leave it there undisturbed and not raise any speculation about foul play.  No one will ask any questions…a tragic accident.”

“Very well” the Cardinal accepted.  “Were there any complications or events in this matter that…that were a problem?  Anything at all?”

Pardon Ben thought.  The Cardinal’s question was leading and uncharacteristic of him, and certainly a question quite out of the ordinary to ask.  His services had always been seamless and precise, and not once had anyone asked about ‘problems’ or ‘complications’.  The question lingered and resonated intensely with him given that this kill had been complicated precisely because he had fired nine rounds at close range and appeared to miss the girl each time.  The whole event baffled him and made him uneasy…but it was certainly not something he was going to tell the Cardinal.  This line of work was pretty lucrative and he was not going to make that kind of career ending statement.

“Pretty routine” Ben answered nonchalantly.

Silence.

“She was a pretty fast runner” he added with a slight chuckle, “but didn’t fly very well.”

The Cardinal in grunted with pleasure.

Ben relaxed.

“Very well” Cardinal Emmanuel said and ended the call.

*********************
Lawrence Lewis

About Lawrence Lewis

I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂