Chereads / glitch into the unkown / Chapter 24 - Raymond Reddington

Chapter 24 - Raymond Reddington

Lia: Yeah, he told us an address. We need to meet him there at midnight.

Whitehat: Alright, what do we do now?

Lia: Now, we have to figure out how to tell the most dangerous man alive that we lied to him.

(They arrive at the address at midnight. They see a bodyguard with an earpiece, who escorts them in and leads them to a back room. He speaks.)

Bodyguard: So, you work for Charlotte Mayen and claim she's alive?

Lia: No, I'm sorry, we lied to get to Reddington.

Bodyguard: Reddington is not a man you can lie to.

(The bodyguard approaches, grabbing Lia by the neck. Whitehat reacts.)

Whitehat: Lia, no!

(The bodyguard releases Lia and walks out of the room. Whitehat checks on Lia.)

Whitehat: Lia, are you okay?

Lia: Yeah, (coughs) I'm okay.

(They are joined by a man in his 60s.)

Man: I apologize for my colleague. He has a bit of a temper.

Man: Are you Lia Carter?

Lia: Yeah, (coughs) that's me. Who are you?

Raymond Reddington: I apologize. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Raymond Reddington.

Whitehat: (shocked) WHAT?!? You're so old. How in the hell did Blackwatch not kill you yet?

Reddington: Who's the kid?

Whitehat: (defensive) Hey!

Lia: He's a friend. How did you know who I am?

Reddington: I was a close friend of your parents.

Lia: WHAT?!?!?!

[Flashback - 1993]

(Scene: A meeting room on Alex's private island. Elizabeth, Blake, Alex, and Dracy await Reddington's arrival.)

Reddington: (entering) sorry for the long wait.

Dracy: (teasingly) Alex, you're the one who called this meeting.

Alex: (addressing the group) As we all know, the Soviet Union fell two years ago, creating a power vacuum. I don't believe any government can fill that void, but I believe we can. I've established an agency, and I'm inviting you all to join me.

Blake: (shocked) I'm not risking my life for some project. I am done with agencies, especially after what happened with the FBI.

Alex: Blackwatch is more than just a project. We know the pain of chaos and the pain of order. Elizabeth, you were forced to work for the KGB because your father worked for them. Blake, my dear friend, the FBI killed your best friend. Reddington, you ran from law enforcement before... until you faked your death. You know the pain and frustration of that order. Dracy, you never told us what you were doing on that mission, but I always knew you worked for an agency. I can see it in your eyes. Blackwatch will create chaos when needed and bring order when necessary.

Elizabeth: (skeptical) An impressive speech. Did you have time to come up with it?

Alex: (smirks) Two years.

Elizabeth: You had this planned. As soon as the Soviet Union fell, you had no time to waste. You already started creating your "agency."

Dracy: (chuckles) Well, in two years you better have results to show.

Alex: Well, Blackwatch wouldn't be a good agency if I didn't.

Dracy: Well, then spill it out.

(Alex activates a screen showing two people in an investigation room.)

Alex: The KGB and the FBI didn't like that you two (pointing at Elizabeth and Blake) are now together. They put a hit on you. The guy on the left is Mathew Gibons, an FBI agent known for targeting former agents. On the right is Aleks Grigorev, a KGB assassin.

Elizabeth: (disbelieving) There's no way! The KGB doesn't know about my relationship with Blake. You're lying to us!

(Blake's unexpected reaction surprises Elizabeth.)

Blake: (determined) I'm in.

Elizabeth: (shocked) What?!?! But why?!?

Blake: I used to work with Gibons. I know his reputation.

Dracy: (admiringly) I'm impressed, Alex. But I'm not joining you. I have other plans.

Elizabeth: Well, if Blake's in, then I'm in.

(Reddington finally speaks up.)

Reddington: Well, I suppose that leaves me...

Alex: We need you, Red. With you on our side, we can take over the world.

Reddington: (smirking) I've thought about it. I already control a large part of the criminal underground. I think I can handle myself.

Alex: Well, if any of you decide to change your mind, you know where to find me.

[flash back ends]

(2027)

Reddington (in pain) [breathing heavily] so... it was you... who framed me... [breathing heavily] I never suspected... you... but now that I'm... looking [breathing heavily] at it... I was obviously yo-

As Reddington tries to finish his sentence, he gets shot in the head and dies...