CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 33: MY PET, THE BUNNY GIRL

Back at my apartment, Ella stood at the door of 703, looking at me.

"You and Kelly can live here from now on. My apartment only has one bedroom."

"Alright. But can we visit you?"

"Sure. Here’s twenty thousand in cash. You can exchange it for large denominations at the club. Remember, don’t frequently send money back home. It’s not safe for you or your family."

"Thank you. Your Glock!"

Ella pulled out the gun from her back.

"It’s a gift for you, take it. It has no bullets, you need a magazine, which you can get from Amir and Duke."

"COPY THAT!"

Back at my apartment, I placed the cash at the bottom of the wardrobe, covered by pants.

The AR16 and magazines were placed under the bed.

The phone vibrated.

"Hi darling, did you miss me?"

Stella roared, "Damn it, I’m still at work. Don’t say things like that. People might hear."

"Alright, you’re not off work yet?"

"No. Because of you and the Costa Ricans, the Upper East Side is a battlefield. Do you know how many people died tonight? Seven in our area! God, the precinct has already canceled leave."

"Are you worried about me?"

"Damn it, I want to know who attacked the seafood processing plant."

"What’s that?"

"You don’t know?" Stella frowned, a hint of suspicion in her heart.

"I don’t know."

"That’s the Costa Ricans’ base. God, it was a mess at the scene, fifteen people dead, boss Alfredo died. The traces at the scene were very professional, by professional gunmen, and they burnt the surveillance video, making it impossible for us to determine their features. These people are very professional."

"That’s really regrettable."

"Damn it. Are you mocking me? Did Johnny hire professional mercenaries?"

"I’m not sure, so you called me just for information?"

"You’re my informant."

"I’m your man."

"Damn it. Don’t you have any news for me?" Stella asked, coming out from the supermarket, lowering her voice.

"No, I’m not aware of Johnny’s plans. Some even say I did it."

"You did it? Haha! I don’t believe it. Are you going to attack them with an army?"

I laughed, "I don’t believe it myself."

"Okay, stop joking. Let me know if there’s any news."

"Are you going to keep investigating?"

"Probably difficult, there’s no substantial evidence on the scene."

"That’s really regrettable. Goodbye, baby. I need to sleep now."

"Damn it. By the way, Kelly’s back. Claude’s case is closed!" Stella hung up the phone annoyed.

She wanted to get information from me, but in reality, she was the one revealing information.

Without substantial evidence, they can’t find the shooters.

NICE!

I’m Stella’s informant, and she’s also mine.

After washing away the fatigue, I sat in the living room in shorts watching tonight’s news.

The TV didn’t report much about the shootings in the past few days.

Only covering up all the truth with conflicts between the Haitians and Cubans.

There are quite a few videos on the phone. A lot of witnesses posted the gunfight on TikTok online.

Seeing "MY GOD, SHIT" such comments, you know how shocked the citizens are.

On Facebook, the mayor posted a message. We’re going to stop the disaster, and everything will get better.

None of this has anything to do with me. I survived, and survival remains my goal.

Leaning on the sofa, I lit a cigarette, closed my eyes, and the previous gunfights replayed in my mind. Yet I didn’t feel a shred of fear.

There’s nothing to lose, nothing to torment me. My life is a tragedy. Would I be afraid? No, I don’t fear death, I won’t bow to fate.

In my heart, I only fear the eventual departure of my family.

Thump, thump, thump.

There was a knock on the door of my apartment.

Picking up the Glock from the coffee table, I moved quietly to the door.

There’s a peephole on the door, but I didn’t dare to look. I was afraid that when I peeked, they’d shoot my head through.

Standing by the door, my hand slowly took hold of the handle, I took a deep breath.

3, 2, 1!

I opened the door and raised the gun.

Fack!

Standing outside was Kelly.

Kelly Louise widened her eyes at me, the gun aimed at her body.

"It’s me, boss!"

"You’re back?"

"Yes."

"Your old apartment is available, right across at 703; Ella’s home now."

"I knocked, no one responded, maybe she’s asleep."

"Where’s your phone? Call her."

"My phone was confiscated as evidence by the police."

"Alright." I looked at her helplessly, "What do you plan to do?"

"Can I use your bathroom?" Kelly looked at me awkwardly.

I put away the gun and made way, Kelly walked into my apartment.

"Did you straighten your curls?" I noticed Kelly’s hairstyle had changed.

"Yes, the precinct made me change my hairstyle, got a new passport. There’s also one for Ella. Changing the hairstyle is to avoid being easily recognized, for my safety."

"Very considerate, isn’t it?"

I closed the door and tossed the gun onto the coffee table.

There were two messages on WhatsApp.

The first was from Amir, his nickname was Caribbean Pirate King.

[Bro, Ed’s funeral is tomorrow noon. Johnson had no family, so it’s a cremation, returning the ashes. Ed’s funeral is at the old church, though his family is grieving because Ed died. His wife and kids have no support and need money.]

Ed!

I tapped the phone screen, [I’ll give them ten thousand dollars. That’s the least I can do.]