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Chapter 3
The rains and drizzle had suspended for now, leaving a muddy path for the German as he briskly walked to his personal firing range. It doubled as his pheasant and wild boar hunting grounds, but today he must practice, for the ultimate prey would be two legged and well armed too. He calculated he would have 3 to 4 seconds to dispatch Von Paine and the Mayor, after which he would have to take the bodyguard's retaliation as it came in whatever time would follow. He had already studied their movements and researched their training and knew their likely response, and was preparing for it.
As he approached the covered table set at one end of a green, lush gully, he noticed that one of the two chairs there was already occupied, a woman. Her red hair and chauffeur/bodyguard standing next to her left no doubt even at this distance who she was. He approached without smiling.
"Why don't you have the walkway paved Emil? The mud is most uncivilized and my driver spent 15 minutes cleaning my shoes so I could greet you properly!"
The German noticed that the hint of a smile escaped from her escort. He looked at her as she crossed her legs, red strapped shoes drawing one's attention to her exposed toes. A foot fetish no doubt kept a powerful man such as the driver submissive to the shrew.
"Killing my dear frau is in itself most uncivilized. Why are you here? This visit is unnecessary and could potentially give us away."
"I came to warn you Emil, and that helps, not hinders our plans. Von Paine has taken to secluding himself in the castle and has canceled his appearance at the next town meeting, citing health reasons and announcing instead that another, someone named Renatus will be taking his place to deliver his congratulatory speech to the new Mayor. Health reasons! Bah!" She rolled her eyes. "He takes steroid shots and before his seclusion could be seen any day not walking but running the dogs."
Emil considered this news.
"Then I shall shall have to pay Herr Paine a visit at his home." He smiled. This would be easier: no public witnesses.
Molly stood up. "Very well. But let me know in advance when, dear freund, as I do not wish to be anywhere near flying bullets that day!"
She began the impossible walk through the mud towards the car, her driver following.
She almost made it without soiling her dress until the first cracks of gunfire in the target range startled her and she fell. Cursing, she got up with Mr. Child's help and got into the car. She could be heard cursing above the rapid staccato of gunfire all the way to the gates of the estate.
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