RED UMBRELLA: A TIME TO REAP (PART THREE)
Memories of Carlos flooded my mind, transporting me to the nascent days of Lydia Benson’s illustrious career. I had always regarded that youthful protégé as a promising talent in criminal investigation. Now he sits amidst the esteemed detectives.
“Wait!….have I succumbed to another episode of amnesia?” I wondered.
“Lydia,” a gentle whisper caressed my ear. “Get up Lydia or I swear to consign you to eternal rest within these hospital walls.”
The soft features of Detective Laine came into focus as I yawned.
“Your bedside manner leaves much to be desired,” I chided, rubbing my eyes.
Laine’s gaze burned with intensity. “Why did you sacrifice yourself for me? Why did you intercept that bullet?”
“Can I get a cup of tea?” I requested, sitting upright.
Laine’s eyes squinted, “Answer me,” she pressed, glancing at the heavily armed officers stationed at the door.
“I am with you Laine,” I assured, my grasp on her hands feeble. “Though the circumstances of my injury remains shocking but rest assured I stand by you.”
Laine’s scrutiny lingered. “Are you truly with me?” she queried.
I couldn’t utter another word not with my longing for tea.
Carlos then entered bearing my X-ray files.
“She sustained mere grazing wounds,” he announced, displaying the doctor’s findings. “Fortunately, most of the elevator’s blood belonged to the other guy.”
“Hello,” I said, captivated by his rugged visage.
He smiled, waving in greeting and I noted the untied lace of his shoe. However, my attention was arrested by the impressive physique he had developed over the years.
“Carlos,” I began, intending to compliment his handsome appearance but words failed me.
Detective Laine immediately cleared her throat dispelling the lingering warmth.
“Permit me to see those files,” she requested, extending her hand to Carlos.
He relinquished them, his gaze still fixed upon me.
“You’re looking well boss,” he offered, his smile radiant, showcasing teeth that remained as luminous and intact as ever.
Laine intervened again, her tone crisp.
“Let us return to my question. How did you become a double agent?”
I struggled to recollect the events but Carlos interceded.
“Shouldn’t she be resting, detective?” he suggested, addressing Laine but her retort was curt. “Silence, Carlos.”
I sought to touch her but she briefly distanced herself.
“You wouldn’t understand,” I sighed, my eyes welling with tears. “I’m trying to unravel why the government would compel you to frame and slay my daughter.”
Carlos’s countenance suddenly fell, his jaw agape in confusion.
“You say what?” he exclaimed, seeking support.
“Your partner murdered a teenager in cold blood,” I accused, my voice trembling. “Yet, I harbour no remorse for his demise. If you were a mother Laine, you would understand.”
Carlos’s voice cut through the tension. “And what of Grace?” he inquired. “Is she…safe, or did Laine dispatch her as well?”
Laine’s response was laced with fear. “Take your hands from your gun, fool,” she warned, her breathing labored. “We all are trained to follow government directives asking no questions. I swear, I had no hand in Grace’s death besides, she’s a formidable asset, resilient and invaluable to our organization.”
Carlos’s gaze bore into mine, his expression incredulous. “This is too much to take,” he muttered. “If I was in your shoes boss, I’d reduce that edifice to ashes.”
Laine’s teeth gnashed in frustration. “Rosa nearly succeeded with that but my question remains unanswered, Lydia: Why did you take that bullet for me?”
“Because I care” I screamed, my outburst alerting the officers stationed at the door.
Carlos calmed them with a reassuring gesture but my countenance told a different tale.
“I ought to have let the ‘S’ brother dispatch you Laine,” I lamented, wiping away tears. “But our agency, initially forged by your government to eliminate corrupt officials, discovered that the government were the ones we needed to eradicate.”
“What are you insinuating?, Laine leaned in. “Are you trying to say that I’ve toiled for the bad guys my entire life?”
“Yes, we are assassins,” I declared, my voice rising. “All of us…..in our own way. Your government singlehandedly crafted us. They desired individuals capable of eliminating targets without remorse. We…we were their playthings. Now, they send morally upright individuals like you to discard us.”
“Discard?” Carlos repeated aghast with his hands clutched around his head. “Laine, did this mean you killed Ramsey?”
Her pistol gleamed in the light. “Don’t start now” she warned.
The tension escalated immediately, threatening to implode. But then, I noticed the officers’ absence from the door.
“Where are they?” I panicked, scanning the area.
“Who?” Laine asked, her gaze still locked on Carlos.
“The officers stationed at the door,” I pointed.
A knife hurtled toward me sharply as its size betrayed Khira’s signature style.
It then dawned on me that the agency had turned against itself.
“By the heavens,” I breathed, “it’s come to this.”
