It's easier to ask forgiveness than ask for permission. ― Grace Hopper
Cyril
I deliberately tried to disturb a disturber—Robyn, a jealous co-worker, was obsessed with me and in a rage killed Sarah, my partner.
I couldn’t prove it yet in a court of law but was convinced by observing her interactions with Jim Barnes, that he was the one who did the actual shooting.
Jim is a formidable guy physically but also an elite special forces sniper who can kill an enemy from 2 miles away.
Knowing Jim’s infatuated with Robyn and willing to do whatever pleases her, it wasn’t hard to fit the pieces together.
I was trying to capture Jim by drawing him out of cover, but probably went a bit too far by maddening him, praising Clare, my present partner and declaring no other female on staff was comparable to her beauty.
I know I went too far in playing on Robyn's jealousy but I wanted her to be angry enough to seek revenge and persuade Jim to remove Clare from the picture.
But there's an old saying, if you make a knife too sharp it will quickly go dull again.
I might have over-exaggerated Clare's beauty and gone too far in baiting Robyn to take action. Now I was afraid she might get suspicious and hang back in the shadows for a while.
But thankfully, my saving grace was Bob Henderson, Jim's partner. He overheard my remarks about Clare and added in praise of his own. That was unexpected and made my remarks seem plausible.
And the reaction of Jim's partner possibly inflamed Robyn's jealousy even more.
I'd rejoice if it were not for the fact my remarks might also have also angered Jim enough to decide to remove me from the picture also and put an end to all his problems.
So, the more I thought about it, the more nervous I got.
Even after Cyril, my commander issued a stern warning not to be a lone wolf , I deliberately did what he advised me not to do―I left him out of the loop.
Oh, I had my reasons―I felt I had to do something to end the threat hanging over Clare and me or we'd be constantly looking over our shoulders.
Still, it was an impulsive move that could result in both of us being killed
Yeah, Oops, I did it again, just wouldn't cut it. What the hell was I thinking?
I realized if I had told Cyril at the last minute as I planned, he might not be able to manage the situation because of some unforeseen circumstance. So, scary as it was to tell him I screwed up again, the consequences of not doing so were even more terrifying than his wrath.
No, I'd have to let him in on our plan and hope he could get past his anger and run with it.
I phoned him and asked him to drop by the farm on his way home. He didn't ask why but probably figured there was a problem―a situation, as he'd put it in his words, and in this case, he'd be right.
I was afraid of incurring his wrath but I just couldn't sit around with a sword of Damocles, suspended over our heads.
He sat silent and glowered, listening to my lame explanations.
"Are you finished now?" he growled when I came to the end of my excuses.
I lowered my head and nodded.
He looked at Clare. "You know, the good ones always cause me problems."
"I'm really sorry, Cyril..." I apologized, but he lifted his hand to stop me.
"Truth be known, it's not a bad plan, except it's incredibly risky. It's a scenario I sketched out in my head but I wouldn't suggest it because it would put you both in grave danger. But that's moot now―you've both placed yourself squarely in Barnes' rifle sights and now have no choice but to carry through with it."
"So you think this can work?" I asked.
"Lucky for you, I do, but I have a few suggestions that will plug some holes so we don't end up with one or both of you killed."
"I'm open to suggestions," I said.
He was unimpressed. "Well, excuse me if I find that hard to believe."
He was right. I lost all credibility and I'd have to redeem myself by risking both our lives.
I only hoped it was worth it.
To be continued…
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