* * * Planora * * *
Oliver travelled to Planora because of a 'business meeting' which he had told Melinda about.
If only she knew the kind of business he meant.
Oliver was the leader of a clique. Those who belonged to the secret world had heard a thing or two about him and how really nefarious he could get. It was a no brainier they all knew about him, considering the impact he had made in the Underworld, alongside his gang members. They were the most notorious, but seemingly harmless and innocent at first glance. Even the highest ranking Police officers knew about them, but their actual identity was anonymous to the officers and rest of the world.
Gringo was the one who was always masking his real identity in public because everyone knew that he was the right hand of The Don Jefé. He was once careless in his last trial mission, that was to qualify him to become a member. And as a result, he could not risk getting exposed.
If he was ever caught, he was to kill himself, rather than exposing Oliver because he couldn't risk losing his beloved son and girlfriend, both of whom only Oliver knew about.
Oliver used H-Imperials as a front to run his numerous monkey businesses. Not like he needed it, as he had different pawns at his fingers, but he was someone who loved to handle the chunk portion of his affairs, himself. He couldn't risk falling because of another man's carelessness.
Speaking of handling things himself, he travelled down to Planora because, he had traded ammunitions he manufactured for diamonds, to a terrorist group. But a member of his team tried to act smart. He almost succeeded in getting away with the diamonds and the ammunitions, to create a rift between Oliver and the terrorist group, till he was caught by Gringo. Whenever Gringo was sent to run 'errands' for Oliver, everyone involved knew what they were in for.
They caught him and held him captive. Waiting for Don to handle the whole thing. Not like Gringo wasn't enough, but Oliver wanted to see for himself. He knew the victim couldn't act on his own. Against him, his enemies needed to form an alliance, to have each other's backs.
" The boss is here." A tall, huge man in a black leather jacket and pants said as his voice rang across the room, prompting the man who was already scarred on the face, to raise his head. If Don Jefé was to see him untouched, the guards knew might have their heads served on a platter.
" Don." Three of his boys greeted. But Oliver's eyes were fixed on his prey as he darted across the room.
The man named Roy Slim was already trembling at the sight of Oliver.
" Well well well. Look who we have here. " Oliver said with a sly smile.
" Don... please" Roy said with his swollen face, as he was too scared to look death in the eye.
" Oh come on, Roy. I didn't do anything to you did I? Did any of you see me touch him?" Oliver asked as he finally spared the guards a glance. And they shook their heads.
" No Don." The shortest replied.
" Then why is he pleading with me? I didn't touch you, did I?" Oliver asked as he looked from the guard to Roy.
" Wait! Why is his face scarred? Did any of you touch him?" Oliver asked, rhetorically.
As non of them answered, he continued,
" Oh my! I'm so sorry. You should've told me earlier, when I had just walked in." Oliver said, as he took three steps towards Roy, who kept mute.
" I'm going to have to punish them for you, okay? You don't have to worry about that, because this is no way to handle a special guest. " Oliver said, as he held Roy's chin up.
" Please Don. Have mercy." Roy pleaded.
" Oh Roy. You do know that some words are improper, don't you? You used to be one of us, you should know better. " Oliver said as he bent to examine Roy's face. Moving his gaze to Roy's neck, Oliver increased the pressure of his hands on his Jaw bone, making Roy wince in pain, hence, unable to see what Oliver was doing. After all, his left eye was almost closed, as a result of the beating he received.
Abruptly, Oliver stopped, and straightened up.
Turning around, he took slow steps to a table situated at a corner in the room, one glance at the Shortest guard, he understood the message and went through another door. Few seconds later, he walked out the door, with a tool box. The tool box Roy knew very well.
Oh how familiar it was!
Roy had used it in turtoring countless people, numerous times, but this time, the table was reversed.
" No.. No, no Don. I'll tell you all you need to know. I swear, I wasn't acting alone..."
" I know. Against me, no one can." Oliver said with a sinister smile.
Abruptly, he straightened up. Like the predator he was, he took slow steps to the table and took out a Knife. Raising his head, Roy felt his soul leave his body as he began trembling, this time more intense.
Using his index finger to sweep across the sharp edge of the Knife, Oliver smiled as he glanced from the knife to Roy.
The guards couldn't help but feel sorry for Roy. They hoped never to be tied to the chair, in their entire lives. And they swore never to betray Oliver. They'd rather die by a gun, than let Oliver kill them.
With the never fading sinister smile, Oliver approached Roy.
Roy who's hands was tied to the arm of the chair he was sitting on, were trembling as the cold, rusted and blood stained knife touched his left arm. Oliver, counted his steps till he stood behind Roy, while using the knife trailing upwards till it reached his shoulders.
" Tch tch tch, I didn't know you were such a scaredy cat. I thought It was only 'strong-men allowed in here' as you were one of my men...till you chose to betray me!" Oliver exclaimed.
" A choice, which consequences, you're going to dearly pay for!" he added.
Using his hand, he tilted Roy's head to the left as he used the knife in retracing his neck line, in a way that left traces of blood. Trailing it down the back of his neck, he released Roy and holding his shirt, Oliver raised his hand, only for him to....
Cut it.
After using the knife to cut the neck of the already torn shirt, Oliver used his bare hand to tear what was left of it.
Pushing Roy as forward, he looked at his back.
" I knew it!" Oliver said through his gritted teeth.
" Boss is there a problem?" the huge guard asked.
" It's Antonio. He was behind this scumbag." Oliver replied as his face became void of emotions.
" But boss, we haven't even interrogated him yet."
" Only Antonio leaves this mark at the spine of anyone he has initiated." Oliver said as he clenched his fists.
Walking over to the table, he turned and asked
" When did this happen?" Oliver asked.
" I don't know."
Oliver glanced at the tallest guard and tilted his head to the door where the tool box was brought out from. Anyone who was initiated by Antonio, was no piece of cake. Only grave torture would yield any result. Oliver knew it.