The Disguised Assassin

John collected the wipe from Justin and cleaned his face with it. It was the third wipe he was using now but the blood was still on his face. It had dried and it was now making his face sticky.

It wasn’t his first time getting stained with blood, but the suddenness of it was what shocked him.

After the arsonist was shot, the shooter left immediately before John could call for back up. When the back up arrived, he was nowhere to be seen.

“Did you get his face?” Justin asked and John shook his head.

“He was at the top of the building,” John answered as he collected another wipe from Justin. “The sun shone on my eyes so I was not able to get his face.” Justin stared at the arsonists body which was now covered with a white tarp.

“They’ve gone through the footage from the security camera,” Justin said with a sigh. “The car was rented.”

“How are we going to find the dude’s identity then?” John asked as he threw the blood stained wipe to the floor.

“The idiot used his real name and address to rent the car so they were able to pinpoint his home,” Justin said and John smiled. “His name was Harold Nate and he lived not too far from your place. They were also able to get some footages from cameras around his place. They found out he had met with a certain guy earlier this morning. They’re still trying to find out the guy’s location.”

“At least we’re getting somewhere,” John muttered. He watched as the paramedics removed the body and put in an ambulance. The Chief ambulance officer, Collins McCoy, came down from the ambulance and walked up to John.

“The bullet ran deep into his head,” he breathed. “Whoever did this is a pure professional. He knew what he was doing.”

“Yeah,” Justin agreed. “And we might have an idea who.”

“That’s good,” Collins muttered. “There is something I wanted to ask though. Why weren’t you shot?” John paused. That had been going through his mind. Why wasn’t he shot?

“That has been going through my mind and to say the truth, I really don’t know why,” John answered. “I can’t say the shooter was on our side by killing the arsonist because he might have been trying to cover up his deeds. You know, so that the guy won’t confess and expose them.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “To say the truth, I’m really shock right now.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Don’t worry, John,” Collins said as he tapped John’s shoulder. “”You’ve been through worse so you’ll for sure find a way to maneuver this one.” John nodded and watched as Collins walked up to the ambulance.

Collins was right. John had been through a lot. He had been shot at by many people who had the intention to kill him. But one who had the chance but didn’t use it, now that was scary.

“You need a bath,” Justin muttered as he handed John the last wipe. “You’ve used all the wipe but you still look pretty messed up.” John chuckled and was about replying him when he heard someone called his name. He turned and saw his boss walking towards them.

“I heard what happened, John,” Richard said as he walked up to John and Justin. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m… I’m fine,” John answered. “Just need some rest and a really hot bath.”

“That would have to wait though,” Richard said as he brought out a paper from his pocket. He handed the paper to John and said, “we’ve found their address.”

********

John was nervous throughout the ride to the house. He had been waiting for so long to get Derrick but now he was heading towards his very home.

He brought out his glock and removed the magazine. Seeing that it was full, he shoved it back inside and cocked the gun.

“You’re slow,” John muttered as he tucked the gun inside his belt. Justin, who was at the steering wheel, chuckled.

“What do you mean I’m slow?” he asked. “I’m literally going at a hundred right now.”

“You’re still slow,” John muttered as he cleaned his gun. “You should have just let me drive.” Justin looked at him and smiled.

“Like I would. Can’t forget how you acted throughout today. I ain’t risking my life like that,” he said with a light chuckle.

“Your choice,” John muttered. He looked at the cars that drove in front of him. Richard was in one of them, directing them to the house. He had told the NYPD not to get involved as it was now an FBI case so all that followed them were FBI officers with John, Justin and Richard ranking the highest.

They arrived at the house ten minutes later. John stepped out of the car and stared at the duplex building. It looked familiar.

“Isn’t this the building we pass whenever we go out with the boys?” Justin asked as he came down from the car. That was true. It was the building. How come he had never suspected anything whenever he passed there?

He walked up to Richard who stood with a megaphone in his hands.

“What are we to do now?” he asked as he approached him.

“We’ve gotta check the perimeter first before we move into the house,” he said as he motioned for some of the men to check around the house.

“COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!” Richard said through the megaphone. There was no response so he motioned for some of them to go stand by the door.

“Coast is clear, sir,” one of the men he had sent to check around the house said through his walkie talkie.

“Move in,” Richard said and the officers broke down the doors and moved in. “John,” he said as he turned to face John. “You and Justin, take some men with you and go around the house. There are some men there already. I want you to block the garage and not let anyone come out.” John nodded as he and Justin with some men went around the house.