Recap:
"Understood. Casket type? Oak, mahogany, black marble, or silver casing? Custom engraving?"
Then paused. He already knew. Black. Simple. Elegant. Final. Just like Benjamin would love it.
He placed the call to the private casket artisan—Benjamin's usual for discreet, high-profile losses.
"Yes, it's him again. Something solid. Imposing. Onyx black. Add a gold serpent etching near the handle—right shoulder side.
Delivery: tonight."
The artisan didn't ask questions. No one ever did.
Then, sliding his chair back, Nichole opened the encrypted art folder. He studied the latest photo dump from the security cams inside Benjamin's study—the canvas was speaking.
A storm of color, each brushstroke like a war cry. The last painting was almost done. He knew what it meant.
Another secret was buried. Another enemy, silenced.
"Right on time," he whispered.
Nichole then typed up the auction memo:
