Chapter 10 Last respects

The weighty file lay open on the table, its contents a stark contrast to the elegance of the crystal wine glass in Emeralda's hand. Each page bore silent witness to Burns' meticulous investigation, a testament to both his military prowess and relentless pursuit. As she swirled the wine, a crimson echo of the blood staining the case, she spoke, her voice laced with a quiet fierceness."Luka," she began, "was the only one who ever offered me a semblance of family. He deserves a funeral befitting that connection – dignified, respectful." A pause, then a steely glint entered her emerald eyes. "Time is a luxury I can ill afford, Daniel. Deliver me his killer, or you might find yourself six feet under instead."Daniel, a tendril of vape smoke curling from his lips, betrayed his unease with a nervous cough. "We need someone of similar caliber," he stammered, a touch desperate. "These snipers are no ordinary grunts. I've already initiated a search for reinforcements."The tension in the room was shattered by the sudden appearance of Sam, his tuxedo a stark contrast to the raw wound still marring his arm. Emeralda's expression hardened. "Daniel," she hissed, her voice a viper's strike, "you disobedient fool, what have you done?"Sam, caught in the crossfire of their animosity, cleared his throat, his voice strained. "I accept whatever punishment you deem necessary for defying your orders."Emeralda, her anger momentarily quelled, moved towards him, engulfing him in a fierce embrace. A lingering kiss brushed his lips before she pulled away, her gaze searching his. "Russia," she said, her voice softer now. "How was your trip? Did you receive my instructions?"Sam, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips, handed her a file and a USB drive. "Every task completed," he confirmed. "Though, judging by the state of things, your mission hasn't exactly gone according to plan."Daniel, unable to contain his frustration, scoffed. "Boss lady here had a little run-in with a maniac who thought her… assets would make a lovely souvenir. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have work to do."Emeralda, clad in a sleek black jumpsuit that clung to her curves like a second skin, secured the dagger in a thigh holster. Her emerald eyes glinted with steely resolve as she met Sam's gaze. He, dressed in nondescript casual wear, offered a curt nod and a cryptic, "See you tonight."Daniel, ever the pragmatist, distributed miniature microphones to each of them. As they exited the room, their paths diverged silently at the doorway. Emeralda, the silent predator, ascended to the rooftop, her movements fluid and efficient. Reaching the vantage point, she scanned the cityscape with the keen eye of a seasoned hunter.Meanwhile, Sam, his role demanding a different kind of stealth, set up his sniper equipment with practiced ease. "Ready on my end," he confirmed via a secure channel, his voice a low murmur.From the rooftop of the eastern building, Neil mirrored Sam's actions, assembling his sniper rifle with practiced efficiency. A low hum emanated from his earpiece as he received an update from Tim. "Eyes on target," Tim's voice crackled statically. "Subject currently traversing the eastern corridor. One minute to designated position."Neil, his finger tightening on the trigger, muttered a curse under his breath as he peered through the scope. "Room 403," he growled into his comm. "She's there. Time to end this."A fleeting shadow crossed the window. Neil didn't hesitate. The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed across the rooftops. A triumphant grin spread across Sam's face. "Eastern building," he confirmed into his own comm. "Decoy neutralized."Emeralda, perched on a gargoyle overlooking the scene, swore under her breath. With a reckless leap, she defied gravity, landing silently in the shadows below. "Get our guest down to the lobby," she rasped into her comm, her voice laced with urgency. "Daniel, you know what to do."A high-pitched whine ripped through the air. Neil flinched, a searing pain exploding in his hand as the bullet grazed his scope. Panic surged through him as he fumbled for his comm, only to discover a dead line. Tim, miles away, received a distorted voice through his own hijacked device."Mission accomplished," the voice, disguised with a cheap voice app, assured him. "Leave the rest to me."Confusion battled with a growing sense of dread in Tim's gut. In a desperate attempt to reach Neil, he slammed his fist against the comm button. Static.Down in a grimy alleyway, Neil, blood trickling down his hand, rounded a corner and froze. A woman, silhouetted in the shadows, held a glinting blade inches from his throat. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face, revealing a glint of jade eyes."A true soldier," she purred, the tip of the dagger digging into his skin, "completes the mission, no matter the cost."Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness behind her. "This is for Steve!" Steve, his face contorted in rage, pointed a gun directly at Emeralda.Daniel, analyzing the spent bullet through a small handheld device, breathed a sigh of relief. "It's him, Lady Boss," he confirmed, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.The comm remained stubbornly silent. Neil slammed his fist against it, a primal roar erupting from his throat. The microchip, now useless, met a similar fate as he crushed it beneath his boot. Emerald eyes, cold and calculating, gleamed from the shadows."Lights off," she commanded, her voice a chilling whisper.Plunged into darkness, Neil whirled around, firing blindly into the inky void. Each bullet found its mark on the concrete walls, a symphony of destruction in the deafening silence. His frustration boiled over."You'll die for this!" he bellowed, voice hoarse with rage. "You criminal… I'll see you rot in hell!"The metallic rain of spent shells echoed ominously. Just as abruptly as they started, the gunshots ceased. A sickening thud resonated through the darkness, followed by a heavy silence.Neil awoke to a blinding white light. Disoriented, he found himself strapped to a chair, a steel table cold against his bare skin. Emeralda sat across from him, a faint sheen of perspiration on her face despite the coolness of the room. Daniel and Sam flanked her, their expressions unreadable.Wiping a stray strand of hair from her face, Emeralda offered a mirthless smile. "Took you long enough," she drawled, her voice devoid of warmth. "I was starting to worry you wouldn't make it in time for dinner."Sam, ever the pragmatist, slammed a case file and two bullets on the table. "Honestly," he grumbled, "it's a nightmare handling a bunch of over-the-hill spooks. You'd think a professional wouldn't rely on the same ammunition for every mission."Neil's Adam's apple bobbed convulsively as he swallowed. "Perhaps," he rasped, his voice raspy with a mix of fear and defiance, "at your age, a change of heart is in order. Send the old dog back to his kennel."He locked eyes with Emeralda, a desperate gamble. Was there a sliver of humanity beneath that cold exterior? But her emerald eyes remained a fathomless well, devoid of emotion."Death," he spat, his voice laced with a bitter anger, "seems a fitting solution for your lot. A cleansing fire for all the sins Russia has committed!"His tirade elicited a swift and brutal response. The glint of a blade flashed in the harsh light, and a searing pain lanced through his leg as the dagger plunged deep. A gasp escaped his lips, but before he could scream, a hand clamped over his mouth, stifling the sound.Emeralda's face remained an impassive mask, a chilling testament to years of hardship. "Anger," she murmured, her voice devoid of inflection, "is a luxury I discarded long ago. Survival, Mr...?"She paused, a flicker of something akin to curiosity crossing her features."...Neil," he grunted through gritted teeth."Survival, Mr. Neil," she repeated, "was all that mattered in the crucible of my youth. You judge a nation based on the sins of a few. We, too, have bled in this war. Yet, you don't see us pillaging your streets, Mr. Neil. We mourn our losses, but unlike some, we don't stoop to barbarity."Neil stared at his leg, blood blooming like a macabre rose on his clothes. Shame battled with defiance in his clouded eyes. He was a soldier, a product of his own indoctrination, but Emeralda's words resonated with a truth he couldn't deny.With a curt nod from Emeralda, Sam and Daniel materialized at Neil's side. Their grip was firm, but devoid of malice. They escorted him out, a broken man facing an uncertain future.Emeralda, a vision of power in a tailored black Gucci suit, her fiery hair pulled back in a sleek chignon, surveyed the room with a cool precision. A fleeting glance at the clock sparked a question."Daniel," her voice, a low contralto, addressed the man hovering discreetly behind her. "Have you secured the meeting with Commander Burns?"A smirk played on Daniel's lips. "Consider it done, Boss Lady. The good Commander's schedule has been… cleared. He'll dedicate all the time you require." (The unspoken threat behind his words hung heavy in the air.)Sam, clad in a well-tailored black tuxedo, materialized beside them. He placed a slim tablet in Emeralda's hand. "Everything is in place, precisely as you instructed. The private jet awaits, departure in two hours."A single, sharp tug from Emeralda straightened Sam's collar. It was a subtle gesture of authority, yet laced with a hint of something… more. "Two hours is ample," she declared, her voice leaving no room for argument. Turning to Daniel, she nodded towards the door. "To the C.I.A. headquarters, gentlemen."With a predatory grace, Emeralda strode into Burns' office. Daniel and Sam followed in her wake, their postures exuding a quiet confidence, hands clasped behind their backs. Burns, mid-conversation on the phone, slammed the receiver down with a force that reverberated through the room. He glared at the intrusion, his face contorted in a mixture of anger and something akin to… apprehension."What is the meaning of this?!" he bellowed, his voice laced with a barely concealed tremor. "This isn't a goddamn public market where you can just saunter in whenever you please!"Burns' hand hovered over his phone, his finger hovering over the security button. Before he could press it, a leather-bound case file, flung with practiced ease, landed with a heavy thud on his desk. It split open, revealing a glimpse of classified documents."Spare yourself the theatrics, Commander," Emeralda's voice was a silken threat. "Think of it as a courtesy – a cleaning crew to sanitize this mess the next time you unleash your incompetent goons on me. Now, down to business."Her emerald eyes narrowed, pinning Burns to his chair. "Where's Commander Neil in this report? Missing, is he? Or perhaps... disposed of?"Burns swallowed, the bravado drained from his face. He slowly lowered his phone, his gaze flickering between Emeralda and the incriminating file. "Look, Miss Emeralda," he began, his voice tight, "it was a highly classified mission. Your uncle's death…""Enough with the lies," Emeralda interrupted, her voice a whipcrack. "This wasn't a mission – it was a cold-blooded execution. And don't even think about testing my patience, Commander. One more word of deceit, and I guarantee your face won't be the only thing ripped off tonight."With a flourish, she slammed a tablet onto the desk, the screen illuminating with a digital dossier. Burns' past, laid bare – a tangled web of secrets and questionable actions."Tell me, Commander," she leaned forward, her voice a seductive purr that sent shivers down Burns' spine, "If I could offer my father a second chance, wouldn't it be fair to extend the same courtesy to you? Let's call it a chance for redemption. But choose wisely, Commander. This is your one and only opportunity to shape a future that suits you... or doesn't."Burns' eyes bulged as he stared at the tablet. Two identical timers blazed on the screen, counting down relentlessly towards zero. On the left, a video feed displayed a bound and terrified Commander Neil dangling precariously above a churning vat of acid.Emeralda, her voice devoid of emotion, pointed at the screen. "Meet Commander Neil. My handiwork, wouldn't you agree? Time is a precious commodity, Commander Burns. Once that clock hits zero, your esteemed colleague takes a rather unpleasant dip."A gasp escaped Burns' lips as he recognized Neil's pale face contorted in terror. Below him, the ominous glint of the acid sent a shiver down his spine."There is, however," Emeralda continued, her lips curling into a cruel smile, "a chance for redemption. Enter the kill code – 3241 – and your loyal soldier walks free."Through the grainy video feed, Neil's eyes darted between the acid vat and the two figures locked in a silent battle of wills. He could see the flicker of desperation in Burns' face, the internal struggle between self-preservation and a shred of decency.With a primal roar, Burns lunged at Emeralda, his hands wrapping around her throat. "You... you sadistic...! He's a human being! Stop this!"Emeralda, unfazed by the sudden attack, met his gaze with a chilling intensity. Her companions tensed, hands hovering near concealed weapons, but a single, sharp nod from Emeralda held them back."Save him, Commander," she purred, her voice laced with a dangerous sweetness, "and that little file detailing your… shall we say, extracurricular activities? Disappears from the internet. Consider it a bonus."A flicker of something akin to fear flickered across Burns' face. Then, a steely resolve settled in his eyes. He released Emeralda, his voice a low growl. "And what about the other option? What happens when that timer reaches zero?"A slow, predatory smile spread across Emeralda's face. "Ah, but Commander, that's the beauty of it, isn't it? A little surprise for your loyal crew. A warehouse filled with your ill-gotten gains… and a very unfortunate… accident."She tapped the screen, revealing a live feed of a nondescript warehouse. Burns' heart hammered in his chest. He could see figures milling about inside, oblivious to the ticking time bomb in their midst."The clock is ticking, Commander," Emeralda's voice was a silky snare. "Will you choose dignity or… well, let's just say your options are getting rather… explosive."Neil's desperate scream echoed through the video feed. "Burns! Save me!" The clock on the tablet screen blinked down – five seconds, four, three...Burns' face contorted in a silent battle between loyalty and self-preservation. His hand hovered over the kill code, then slammed down with a finality that reverberated through the room.Emeralda, impassive, watched as Neil's screams were cut short by a horrifying gurgle. The video feed flickered, then went blank. A single tear rolled down Burns' cheek, a stark contrast to the chilling smile playing on Emeralda's lips."Greed," she murmured, her voice devoid of warmth, "a human's most predictable vice. It was a fascinating performance, Commander Burns. A pleasure doing business with you, albeit under… unconventional circumstances."Burns, his body shaking with a mixture of grief and rage, pointed his gun at Emeralda. "You… you killed him! My friend! You waltz into my office and threaten me, and then coldly dispose of a colleague? Do you think I'll allow you to walk away after this?"Emeralda regarded him with a cool detachment. "Ah, resorting to accusations, Commander. But don't be so quick to assign blame. Your choice, fueled by greed, was ultimately what condemned your friend. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment further."Her voice softened, almost seductive, but Burns saw the glint of steel in her emerald eyes. "Headlines, wouldn't you agree, are best avoided? Especially ones involving a decorated officer like yourself... and an unexpected 'accident' at your vacation home."A flicker of fear crossed Burns' face. The unspoken threat of collateral damage hung heavy in the air. With a defeated sigh, he lowered his gun.Emeralda, impeccably composed, drifted towards the door. "Speaking of accidents, Commander," she paused, a sly smile twisting her lips, "you might want to consider cleaning your garage. Acid, you see, tends to have…unfortunate side effects, especially around children."Leaving Burns with a chilling premonition, she left the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. As the door clicked shut, Burns sank into his chair, the weight of his choices pressing down on him. He had saved his reputation, but at what cost? The price, he realized with a sickening certainty, was far from settled.The acrid tang of acid clung to the air in Burns' vacation home garage. Neil's dissolving form, a horrific tableau, sent a shiver down the Commander's spine. The planned family vacation, once a joyous prospect, now loomed like a grotesque parody.His phone buzzed incessantly with missed calls from Roy and Tim. Dread settled in his gut. With a heavy sigh, he sank into a chair, the weight of his decision pressing down on him.At the warehouse, Roy and Tim, pale and shaken, paced amidst the confiscated goods. News of Emeralda's ruthless tactics and Neil's fate had reached them. Grief and anger simmered beneath the surface.Roy, unable to contain his fury, lunged at Burns. "How could you?!" he roared, grabbing him by the collar. "He had a family, a life you so casually threw away!"Burns shoved Roy back, sending him sprawling. His voice, laced with a desperate edge, defended his actions. "I did what I had to! For all of us! We would be in jail, our lives ruined!""Ruined?!" Roy spat, clutching his throbbing leg where Burns had fired a warning shot. "You started this whole mess, Burns! Your greed, your ambition! Now Neil's dead, and we're left with nothing but blood on our hands!"Silence descended, punctuated only by Burns' ragged breathing. He paced the room, a caged animal. "Feelings don't belong in this business," he finally rasped, his voice tight. "Shut up before I take another head."The remaining team members, Bob and Trevor, exchanged worried glances. Tim, eyes filled with a dangerous glint, shoved a tablet into Burns' hand. The live feed displayed Luka's funeral, Emeralda a silent figure shrouded in grief.Burns felt a familiar spark of hatred ignite within him. He raised his gun, aiming at Emeralda's image on the screen. "Two men lost," he snarled, "all because we underestimated her. We have two choices: live with the consequences of our actions, penniless and ostracized, or… we fight back. We take that woman down, once and for all."Maxim, a sullen teenager, clung to Sam's side as they entered the opulent villa. The weight of grief hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the vibrant life his Uncle Luka had lived. Emeralda, impeccably dressed in black, offered a strained smile as she greeted her son. The pain in his eyes mirrored her own carefully constructed facade.Riding beside Sarah in the limousine, Emeralda watched the cityscape blur past the tinted windows. Sarah, her face pale and drawn, dabbed at nonexistent tears with a lace handkerchief."A touch melodramatic, wouldn't you say, Sarah?" Emeralda's voice was a low murmur, laced with a hint of something akin to pity. "For someone who orchestrated his downfall, your grief seems particularly… pronounced."Sarah flinched, her already trembling hands crumpling the handkerchief. "I… I never… why would you…" Her voice trailed off, a choked sob escaping her lips.Emeralda reached into her purse, extracting a single, crisp napkin. She offered it to Sarah, her gaze unwavering. "Betrayal," she said, her voice devoid of emotion, "a far more potent poison than any weapon. Especially when it comes from someone you held dear."As Sarah fumbled with the napkin, her eyes darted to the tablet screen discreetly placed on Emeralda's lap. Images flashed by – Sarah, caught in a clandestine meeting with a man named Ginero, their faces lit by avarice. Documents detailing her clandestine financial dealings spilled across the screen, a damning indictment.Emeralda's gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery, her voice a chilling monotone. "Luka, bless his naive heart, remained loyal to you until his very last breath."The limousine came to a halt at the cemetery gates. Emeralda emerged, her movements graceful and composed. Two burly guards materialized at Sarah's side, their grip firm yet impersonal.Sarah's eyes widened in terror. "No! Please… Emeralda, this is a mistake!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears as the guards dragged her towards the freshly dug grave.At the edge of the abyss, Sarah met Emeralda's gaze. Tears streamed down her face, a stark contrast to the cold fury in Emeralda's emerald eyes."Never," Emeralda's voice was a silken threat, "cross me again."With a curt nod, the guards released Sarah. She stumbled, landing face-first at the bottom of the grave. As the coffin, adorned with white roses, was lowered into place, a sickening thud echoed through the silence. Sarah's muffled screams were quickly drowned out by the falling earth.Emeralda stood impassively, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. Raising a black umbrella to shield herself from the unexpected drizzle, she murmured, "Farewell, Uncle Luka. Justice, however harsh, has been served."