Chapter 61: The Destroyed Tarasov Blood Hand (5000 words) (Page 1/2)
To be honest, David hadn't expected that he was just one step early.
Right after he left, Eddie ran into his former brother-in-law Vernon who used to deal prescription drugs.
And that miraculous little pill, capable of unlocking the brain's full potential, would begin to exert its unparalleled effects tonight.
Having left Eddie's apartment, David inquired about the progress on McCall's end.
Now, his grand vision of cleaning up Princeton was only missing Teddy.
Eliminating Teddy would mean that the Tarasov organization's overt influence in Princeton would be eradicated.
He was somewhat looking forward to seeing how many lives could be saved once this area was free of the Tarasov organization.
Soon, McCall sent back the intel.
The information stated that he had found out the assassin Teddy would be arriving in Princeton shortly by plane.
Accompanying him was a five-person elite squad, which was the legendary High Table Enforcement team.
David thought for a moment, stopped in his tracks, and walked towards Michael, who was buying bubble tea by the street.
Seeing his client approach, Michael immediately passed the bubble tea directly to his partner Sonia, who promptly tucked it into her ample cleavage.
Then Michael straightened his posture and said seriously:
"A true bodyguard never does anything frivolous during a mission. I will truthfully report Sonia's behavior!"
Hearing Michael's words, Sonia couldn't help but roll her eyes. She immediately lowered her head right in front of Michael and finished the bubble tea by sucking on the straw.
Seeing his favorite drink disappear, Michael's eye twitched slightly.
This Sonia was definitely asking for trouble!
But David didn't care if they were goofing off during work; he just asked:
"Aren't you bored following me around?"
Michael laughed, showing his standard perfect smile:
"Complete boredom is the hallmark of our elite security firm. Making the client feel bored means the client is absolutely safe.
However, there's a gentleman in the alley who might need to see a dentist, and perhaps he might also need some psychological counseling."
David nodded in understanding, then continued to ask:
"What should be done if the client requires absolute privacy and temporarily doesn't need your protection?"
Michael maintained a professional smile and pulled out a pre-printed waiver from his suit jacket:
"Mr. David, the security service you purchased will last for three days.
But considering that clients may need their own personal time, our firm has specially prepared client discretionary periods.
You just need to select the time frame on the document and sign your name.
During this period, we will completely disappear from your sight."
David briefly scanned the contents of the paper. The core of the document was essentially that one was responsible for their own safety during the discretionary period.
David didn't hesitate and signed his name with a flourish, choosing the evening hours as his free time.
Michael and Sonia couldn't keep following him at this stage.
If what they were doing were exposed, the pressure they would face would be enormous.
It was better to send these two bodyguards away.
After receiving the waiver back from David, Michael bowed respectfully at a 45-degree angle with a smile:
"Mr. David, we wish you safe travels."
Then Michael stood rooted to the spot like a statue, watching David's retreating figure.
When David's figure had completely disappeared from sight, Michael, who had been standing still, immediately clenched his fist, jumped up and did a 360-degree spin, excitedly shouting 'YES!'
For 24-hour bodyguards like them, the client choosing discretionary time meant they were on paid leave!
If the client died during this period, they would not only receive the full payment but also wouldn't have to continue the security mission.
Michael, with a genuine smile, snatched the bubble tea from Sonia's chest, took two retaliatory sips, and even swallowed the tapioca pearls that hadn't been fully consumed from the bottom of the cup.
Finally, he stuffed the empty cup back into her cleavage.
"Throw this away for me, would you?"
...
On the other side, having gotten rid of the two security personnel, David quickly headed towards the location sent by McCall.
According to McCall, after getting into two cabs near Newark Airport, the group went straight to an abandoned warehouse district.
That seemed to be the temporary hideout for Teddy and his crew.
After entering the abandoned warehouse, they hadn't come out for half an hour.
David immediately realized that Teddy was tired from the journey and was at his most relaxed state.
Taking him out now would be easier than after he contacted the remaining local forces of the Tarasov organization.
So David immediately contacted Reese, telling him to bring weapons and prepare to combine their three-man force to clean up the last traces of the Tarasov organization in this city.
However, because it was an abandoned warehouse, the Machine couldn't provide any assistance for this operation.
The Machine could only help David confirm that there were indeed six people inside, including Teddy.
Soon, the abandoned warehouse located in the industrial district was faintly visible in David's sight.
Standing nearby, David could even smell the lingering odor from the oil tanker explosion yesterday.
It seemed that the ship explosion had caused considerable losses to the Tarasov organization.
Therefore, the higher-ups ordered Teddy to give up investigating Pushkin's cause of death directly and start investigating from here instead.
David found McCall on the rooftop of a nearby abandoned building, observing the warehouse covered with camouflage netting.
Although McCall hadn't slept for almost a day, his condition still looked quite good.
He put down his binoculars and told David about what he had observed earlier:
"There are six of them. They're well-equipped. As soon as they entered the warehouse, they immediately set up offline surveillance devices.
I observed the positions where they installed the cameras; there are absolutely no blind spots.
This proves that this squad has a very high level of tactical training.
Given the numerical disadvantage, I suggest we create a diversion, take the opportunity to destroy the surveillance, and then enter the warehouse to take them down one by one."
David, also lying beside McCall, took the binoculars and observed for a while before saying:
"No need for that. I have another way to deal with them faster, but it will require you to play a role."
Not long after, three people arrived at the entrance of the abandoned warehouse.
David, Reese, and McCall, who was tied with a quick-release knot, had makeup applied to look beaten up, and reeked of cheap whiskey.
When the three appeared at the main entrance, one of the enforcers responsible for security immediately spotted them.
"Boss, we got something. Come take a look."
Hearing that someone foolish had come knocking, Teddy, covered in Russian prison tattoos, sneered:
"Well, well, has it been too long since I was here? Someone actually dares to show up at my door?
Do the people here not remember my reputation anymore?
It seems I need to send a message to this city to let them know I've arrived."
As soon as Teddy finished speaking, the enforcer beside him couldn't help but shiver.
He naturally knew what his boss meant by sending a message.
Teddy's methods for dealing with captives were legendary in their brutality.
He would use a straight razor to peel off the captives' skin completely while they were still alive, then hang it under an overpass to warn anyone who crossed the Tarasov organization.
This was what happened to those who opposed the organization. This was the message sent to the city.
This distinct signature would tell the various criminal enterprises, big and small, in this city that the ruthless enforcer of the Tarasov organization, Teddy, had returned!
Accompanied by the creaking sound of the warehouse's rusty main door.
Five armed personnel wearing tactical vests and holding MP5 submachine guns formed a perimeter, aiming their weapons and surrounding the three.
Then Teddy, dressed in an expensive suit, walked out casually.
"Do you know who I am?"
Facing Teddy's question and several red laser dots on his body, David answered without any sign of nervousness:
"Yes, you are the Tarasov organization's top enforcer, Mr. Teddy."
Teddy grinned, immediately realizing that these three had come looking for him specifically.
"Then you must have heard of my reputation, right?"
"Your reputation precedes you."
The phrase "precedes you" instantly put Teddy in a good mood.
It turned out someone still remembered his work.
He was indeed not some nobody.
In a better mood, Teddy didn't mind chatting a bit more with the young man in front of him.
"Oh? Then what are you doing here?"
David forcefully pushed McCall in front of him, causing McCall to stumble and fall to his knees:
"To exchange for an opportunity to join the High Table.
This guy in front of you is the hitter who took out Mr. Pushkin.
I hope to use him to gain entry into the High Table."
Pushkin?
A strange look immediately flashed in Teddy's eyes.
He had heard the news of Pushkin's death while on the plane.
The crime scene photos were also passed to him through those dirty cops on the payroll.
The scene inside Pushkin's mansion was truly horrific.
Everyone was shot twice, each shot fatal.
Pushkin himself had a horrifying exit wound in the back of his head, looking as if someone had executed him point-blank.
From various details, it was evident that the shooter was a well-trained operative, and a freelancer not affiliated with the High Table!
So the corrupt detectives ultimately classified it as a gang-related homicide.
Finally, under pressure from the Tarasov organization, this matter didn't even make it to the news.
How did this person in front of him know about this?
Could it be that this bald man on the ground is really the shooter?
If he really is the shooter, and he has such good skills, how could he have been captured?
There are simply too many inconsistencies!
Teddy looked at David with suspicion and finally spoke:
"Evidence? You can't just bring anyone and say he killed Pushkin, and expect me to believe it, right?"
David smiled, as if he knew Teddy would ask this.
"The shooter used a Glock 17 with a suppressor, using 9mm rounds, and a total of 35 shell casings were found at the scene..."
Hearing this, Teddy suddenly interrupted:
"Thirty-five rounds? As far as I know, that shooter only fired two shots per person, where did this extra round come from?"
"If the information I extracted through interrogation is correct, this extra round is because he shot and destroyed Pushkin's trigger finger, am I right?"
Yes, absolutely right!
Pushkin was the only one who suffered three gunshot wounds.
Because his right hand finger was directly blown off by a bullet!
To know so many details clearly, either this young man in front is the shooter, or this bald man on the ground is the shooter!
But if the young man is the shooter, he wouldn't be so bold as to walk right up to him, would he?
Teddy's thoughts gradually believed the information that the person kneeling was the shooter.
But he still had one last question.
"How did you catch him?"
"Hey, do you smell the whiskey on him? You might not believe it, but this guy actually felt guilty for all the people he's killed, so he went to a bar to drink himself into a stupor.
It just so happened that my associate and I ran into him.
You know how it is—a drunk person will spill any secret.
That's how I learned this shocking news; I had always thought Mr. Pushkin was still alive.
While I was trying to figure out what to do with him, I coincidentally learned from a cab driver that you had arrived here.
So I brought him to you to see if we could make a deal."
After David finished speaking, most of the suspicion in Teddy's eyes had dissipated.
Feeling guilty for killing is something that usually happens to combat veterans who've seen too much action.
Simply put, this is PTSD, and alcoholism is one of its symptoms.
Since he's a former operator, having elite skills is explained.
As for the cab driver knowing about him, Teddy wasn't surprised either.
He hadn't intended to hide his arrival.
He wanted everyone to know he was back.
It seems this young man is genuinely trying to join the High Table because he admires him.
It's just that...
Teddy waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to lower their weapons, then walked a few steps forward and put his arm around David's shoulders, saying:
"Good, you did very well. I will recommend you to join the enforcement division.
However, I have to take him back to the bosses to deal with, so I'll have to ask you to help me pass a message..."
Thunk!
"What message, is it this?"
David said, looking at Teddy beside him with wide eyes.
But at this moment, Teddy couldn't speak.
His eyes were wide open in shock, because David had covertly stabbed a tactical knife into his ribs from the side, directly puncturing his lung!
Teddy's hand, which was around David's shoulders, was about to tighten around his neck but was blocked by David's other hand.
The immense force coming from David's grip actually made him unable to move.
The sudden strange stillness of the two immediately aroused suspicion among Teddy's subordinates.
"Boss, you okay?"
Just as a subordinate, with an MP5 submachine gun slung over his shoulder, was about to step forward to check.
David turned his head and said something cryptic:
"Ah, it's getting dark."
Just as the subordinate was utterly confused, he saw McCall, who was supposed to be lying helpless on the ground, suddenly pull out two handguns and fire two shots left and right.
The two men dropped at the sound.
The other three team members who reacted immediately had their attention drawn by McCall's actions, and were about to draw their weapons to return fire when—
Bang bang bang.
Three gunshots rang out almost simultaneously.
Reese, who had been ignored, pulled out his dual pistols and successfully took down two team members.
The last remaining one was killed by David using Teddy's own sidearm pressed against his stomach.
Almost in an instant, this elite enforcement squad, relaxed due to fatigue and false confidence, was completely wiped out.
Teddy, lying on the ground and coughing up blood continuously, was full of confusion. He had come here with such ambition, ready to restore order, and this was the outcome?
Pushkin was clearly dead, and he was the most likely to succeed him and become the new regional boss for Princeton.
Who exactly is this young man who suddenly appeared?
Teddy died without understanding how it had all gone wrong.
He, such a well-trained elite operative, was actually taken out by some nobody just before completing his mission?
He truly died with his eyes wide open!
Looking at Teddy's eyes, which refused to close even in death, David thought for a moment, pulled out the knife, and simply destroyed both his eyeballs with the blade.
Who knows if the high-tech companies behind the High Table have the technology to extract the last image from the retina; destroying the eyes was the most cautious approach.
Finally, after David briefly cleaned up the scene, he skillfully poured gasoline on the bodies and throughout the abandoned warehouse.
As a lit match traced a beautiful arc, with a whoosh, the raging flames buried everything in a sea of fire.
Reese and McCall, standing nearby and watching David's extremely practiced operation, were filled with mixed feelings for a moment.
The ease with which they took down Teddy and his crew was largely thanks to David's strategic planning.
In their eyes, David didn't seem like a doctor who saves lives.
On the contrary, they felt the same way as Winston; if David were to change careers and become a professional assassin, he would definitely be top-tier in the industry.
The only tragedy was that David's life was destined to be as brief as fireworks.
"What are you standing around for? Let's go. If we don't leave now, we'll end up in lockup."
Hearing David's call, the two finally snapped out of their thoughts, exchanged glances, and followed David's lead.
At this moment, David was not in a good mood.
The reason was simple: after completing what seemed like a major milestone in cleaning up the city, the amount of lifespan he gained was far, far less than he had expected.
Because he only gained 100 days of life.
Including the lifespan used to enhance his limbs and brain just now.
His current remaining lifespan is 111 days and 23 hours.
It seems like a lot, but people often don't realize how quickly time passes. For example, in just five more months, it would be the end of the year.
And David currently couldn't live to see the new year.
David frowned. He vaguely realized where the problem lay.
It was indeed true that the Tarasov organization's influence was about to withdraw from the Princeton area.
But after newly emerging criminal enterprises took over the Tarasov organization's operations, it meant that the residents of Princeton would still be threatened by organized crime.
So the situation had not fundamentally improved.
In other words, the underworld was currently undergoing a new round of power consolidation.
If David remembered correctly, there was also an ambitious player locally waiting for this opportunity.
So would the newly appointed crime boss be that seemingly refined gentleman Elias wearing glasses?
Should he eliminate him preemptively?
But even if he got rid of Elias, there would be a second and a third Elias appearing.
His current approach was merely treating the symptoms, not the disease.
Only by completely eliminating the corrupt officials, improving law enforcement, and promoting comprehensive criminal justice reform was the true method of addressing the root cause.
But to achieve these goals, he needed more support from legitimate authorities.
He just didn't know if people like Senator Eddie Morra would actually come through for him in this world.
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