The Assignment

Michael Talbot was not happy. His mood was already sour by the time Alex entered the office and sat down. He threw a newspaper at him, which Alex defensively caught with one hand. “You see that?” Michael snarled. Alex looked at the page. “Kate Moss partied too hard last night, I see. These photos are horrid.”

“That’s right, smartass. You know what should have been on that page? Jordan Noble’s death notice. In fact, there’s not a damn spot in that paper that even mentions her name. Not even with Joe Bob in the Obituaries. Please tell me, Alex, that no one knows you killed her. Maybe you covered up the evidence?” Michael stared at him, demanding an explanation. “Nope. Paper’s right. Right now Miss Noble is teaching children the alphabet at the Academy. She actually really loves-” Michael cut him off with an angry pound on the desk with his fist. Jimmy, who was walking past the window to deliver mail, looked up startled, then walked a bit faster away. Michael paid no attention, he was too irate. “Alex, are you out of your mind? You never say you’re going to kill someone then decide you’d rather not. It’s not your job. Fortunately for you, there’s 15 days left before the deadline. Get whatever crazy mess is in your head out, and finish your assignment. Understood?”

“You know, Michael. I’ve been revaluating my life here, and I just don’t think this is the right career path for me.” By now the veins in Michael’s neck were clear. “Now is not the time for games, Alex.”
“You’re absolutely right.” This seemed to relieve his brother, and he sat down. But Alex wasn’t finished. “That’s why I want you to call Williams right now and cancel the deal.” Alex was sure his brother’s head may implode. “What?! We have a contract.” He emphasized the word. “You are bound to it, whether you like it or not. You signed up for this business, and there’s no way out until retirement, or death, which I feel like I want to make a lot easier for you right now.”
“I won't kill her, Michael. I’m done. You can send my severance package in the mail.” He stood up, and turned his back to Michael as he got ready to open the door. But not before he heard Michael’s reaction. “You making a mistake. If you don’t kill her, I will.” At this Alex spun around and approached him so quickly he caused his brother to flinch. “You will not touch her. This is over. I don’t give a damn what you tell Williams, I’ll call the prick if it’s too difficult for you.” Michael shook his head. “Dad would be ashamed of you.”
“Oh yeah? Well you two always did share a twisted philosophy. You want to continue where he left off? Fine, but you stay away from Jordan, and from me.” He threw open the door, and stormed out.

Alex knew he had broke the rules. But at this point he had had enough. He was out of a job, so he would have to work on that. It didn’t matter though, Jordan was safe, as were the thousands of others that would have died by his hand had she not come along. He knew his brother would continue the business, but they both knew he would not be nearly as successful without him, as much as Michael resented the fact.

He went into Eddie’s to have a drink, his head was pounding again. The smoky pub was empty, due to it being the early hours of the day. “Oy, Alex!” Eddie greeted him when he sat at the bar. “A little early to serve the poison, don’t you think?”
“Never too early. I’ll have a bourbon.” Eddie obliged and served him the glass. “So what’s on your mind? You look a little out of sorts.”
“I just quit my job.”
“That so? Well, I won’t go into it with you, but know there’s an opening here if you want to make a little recovery cash. I know it won’t be as good as what you were makin’ back there, rich boy, but it’s just a thought.” Alex laughed at this good-natured remark, then nodded gratefully. “That’s not too bad an idea. Thanks Eddie.”
“Anything for a friend. Drinks’ on me by the way. I’ll see you later.”

Now that Alex had cleared his head he decided to take a walk. For his twenty years in London he had never done so. He wasn’t ever far from his beloved Porsche. He then saw everything he was missing out on. The people, bustling around trying to finish their daily tasks, the birds chirping in the air. He stopped to buy a set of orchids at the florist then continued his trek. Alex breathed it all in, thinking about his childhood and what he could have done to change things. At last the iron gates of the local cemetery loomed in front of him. He strolled in hesitantly at first, then calmed down once he realized how peaceful everything was. He walked to a sunny spot in which a gravestone set under a willow tree. “Hey, Mom.” He stood looking down, then kneeled and placed the flowers by her grave. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here in awhile, but I promise I’ll come more often. I think I have everything figured out now. I guess you’re wondering about Michael. He’s doing okay for himself, just not in the right way. He’s got that same stubbornness that Dad had.” He chuckled, and after a moment of reflection he sighed. “I love you, Mom. And I’ll be back soon.” He stood up once more, casting a final glance at the tombstone. Grace Statham Talbot. 1960-2003.