Bridge walked around the fountain to stand in front of it. He looked around, and not seeing anyone, turned back around to look at the fountain again. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen it. He’d been there many times. But it was always a peaceful feeling that came over him every time he was there. He sat down on the ledge of the fountain, his back to the angel as he waited for his visitor. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Nicole walking by, pretending like she was just a regular tourist. She then went up the steps that led up to the terrace, just off of Terrace Drive. She stood there and looked out, having a front-eye view of Bridge.
“Must be nice having an angel on your shoulder, huh?”
Bridge laughed. “If only that were true.”
“Maybe you can figure out a way to keep her there.”
“I think she’d be a little heavy lugging around all the time.”
After only a minute or two, she looked to her right and saw several men dressed in expensive looking suits walk past. She knew who that was. A few of them walked down the steps on the way to meet Bridge, while a few more stood near her, just taking in the view and making sure that nothing happened to their boss. Not wanting to stay in such company, Nicole put her earbuds back in and started running, though she really went to a nearby path so she could get a better look at what was happening. She could still hear what was going on when Bridge was talking.
Bridge sat on the edge of the fountain, leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, watching Pinnacle One’s guards disperse as the boss moved closer to Bridge. Bridge didn’t take his eyes off the sixty-year-old leader as he approached. Pinnacle One stopped just in front of Bridge, not looking at him, instead looking at the statue behind him.
“A beautiful sculpture, don’t you think?”
“It is,” Bridge replied.
Pinnacle One continued talking in his gruff-sounding voice. It was a deeper voice that had done a lot of barking out of orders over the years, though his tone had softened in recent times. “I must say it was a surprise to get a call from you.”
“Was it?”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”
“Eight years isn’t really that long.”
“In this business… eight years is almost a lifetime.”
“I guess it is.”
Pinnacle One sat down next to Bridge. “So what’s this all about?”
“Gary Abbott.”
“Who?”
Bridge chuckled. “C’mon, don’t play me for a fool. I worked for this agency a long time. I know how things work. I also know when things aren’t what they seem.”
“And you think you’ve got that here?”
“I do. Gary Abbott was an international salesman who died under mysterious circumstances a year ago.”
“So? That happens to a lot of people.”
“A man that had, on the surface, no enemies, killed somewhere else, then dumped in an alley. It was a super clean kill, police had no leads, and the case soon dropped off the map.”
“Sounds like you’re dealing with an intelligent killer.”
“Or agency.”
Pinnacle One smiled. “And you think that was us.”
“Well, when a private investigator starts looking into the matter, then he suddenly disappears, it starts to sound off the alarm bells. Then when that investigator also has the address of a certain station based in New York, a lot of things start adding up.”
Pinnacle One continued grinning. “Careful, Luke. Sometimes things don’t always add up to what you think they will. Two plus two doesn’t always equal four.”
“Sure it does. It doesn’t add up when you start throwing in different equations to mask the true answer.”
“You were a good agent. Too bad you’re not still in the field.”
“I’m good where I am.”
“Yes, still making a difference from what I hear. That’s always been in your blood.”
“About Gary Abbott…”
“There’s nothing I can really say about him.”
“Sure there is. You just won’t. I came here to give you the option of clueing me in on what’s going on so I don’t start stepping on toes that I don’t want to step on. But if I’m kept out of the loop, I can’t really help that much, can I?”
“You could always move on.”
“Afraid I can’t do that. I’ve been hired to do a job and I’m gonna do it.”
“Regardless of where it may lead or whose path you may cross?”
“That’s the way I operate. Always have.”
“I know. That’s what makes you unique. That’s what makes you great. That’s what makes you…” He started to laugh. “What is it you call yourself? The Extractor?” He kept laughing. “I must say I do enjoy that name. It’s fitting, though. You earned it.”
“Back to Gary Abbott.”
“Why are you so hell-bent on believing that he’s one of ours?”
“Are you saying he’s not?”
“I’m not saying anything.”
Bridge was tired of the games. He could see that he wasn’t going to get anywhere this way. At least he could say he gave it a chance. He stood up, ready to leave.
“Well, you can’t say I didn’t give you a shot.”
Just as he started to walk away, Pinnacle One grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving. “Sit down.” It was said in a warm fashion. He then nodded toward the ledge. “Please.”
Bridge slowly sat back down, ready to hear whatever else the man had
