MY PERFECT BODY GUARD CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT : THE BARGIN AND THE DELIMMA

When Richard and Linda arrived in the city, they had sufficient funds to secure a hotel room in a towering building of about 94 floors. To minimize the risk of being discovered, they chose to stay on the top floor. Richard, who was deemed a wanted person, had to conceal his face, while Linda handled the check-in process.

Once they reached their room via the elevator, they immediately began strategizing for their next steps in their mission.

Richard inquired, "What's our next move?" as Linda opened her laptop and inserted the USB containing the files she had retrieved from Gloria's computer. She began examining the documents.

As Linda scrutinized the files, she uncovered a web of money laundering, revealing how politicians were involved in drug and cocaine dealings, cleverly disguising them as legitimate investments. Additionally, she stumbled upon a false account to which Gloria had transferred funds.

Linda proceeded to investigate the account further and discovered a name: Bran Williams. She cross-referenced this name in the city's logbook and made a startling connection. Bran Williams was the sheriff who had handled both Samuels and her father's cases.

Richard voiced his disbelief, saying, "I can't fathom the extent of her influence. It seems no matter how much evidence we gather, she'll always have the upper hand."

"What's our plan then?" Richard asked.

Linda considered their options and replied, "I think we need to locate where these drug sales are taking place and find a way to turn the politicians away from supporting Gloria. It might be a long shot, but it's worth a try."

Richard nodded in agreement and added, "To make this work, we should focus on discovering the location and timing of the next drug sale."

Linda and Richard, deeply engrossed in their search for clues on the laptop, stumbled upon a receipt indicating one of the drug buyers: Victor Varene, a prominent figure known as the France/Italy kingpin.

"Wow," Richard exclaimed, taken aback. "Dealing with a kingpin? This just got a lot riskier."

Linda agreed, voicing her concerns, "I think this might be too risky to pursue."

Richard inquired, "Do you have any other clues or any other way to find this location?"

Linda shook her head, replying, "I don't think so. Gloria is meticulous about deleting records, but it seems she overlooked this one."

Richard contemplated their options and then stated, "So, we'll have to go after Victor, it seems."

Linda delved into Victor's history and files, discovering a potential lead. "He has a personal assistant named Shola, an Italian woman who is incredibly multilingual, speaking 19 languages."

Richard concluded, "Shola might hold the key to finding Gloria's operations. We need to get to her and uncover the information we're seeking." Linda nodded in agreement.

Richard thought it through and stated, "If Shola is Victor's personal assistant, she's likely to be around him. It will still lead us back to him."

Linda agreed, saying, "Let's go for it then."

They both proceeded to get ready, understanding the challenge ahead. Victor's house was known to be a fortress, and they had to prepare for whatever obstacles they might encounter.

Dressed in black bulletproof vests and concealing their guns, Richard and Linda sped towards Victor's house. The journey took them approximately three hours from the hotel. When they arrived, they were greeted by a massive, heavily fortified compound, resembling an estate, with security personnel both inside and outside, exuding an intimidating presence.

Observing the imposing security, Richard commented, "This Victor guy is no joke."

Richard turned to linda and asked, "What's our move now?"

In a lighthearted tone, linda responded, "Must I always be the one with the plan? Hey, bro, what do you think we should do?" She leaned in and whispered, "The reason I ask you is because my plans can get pretty risky, trust me, you might not want to go along with them." Richard said 

Linda, growing frustrated, stated, "Whatever the plan is, you better tell me."

Richard spotted a bus parked on the side of the road and suggested, "See that bus over there? I propose we use it to make a grand entrance at high speed."

Linda, exasperated by the idea, replied, "Seriously? You think that won't get us killed? I told you my plans are too risky. So please, be my guest and come up with an alternative plan." Richard said smiling

Observing the three lorries that had just left the compound, Richard nodded at Linda's plan. She suggested, "We should go to the foot of the market and wait for them to finish their supplies run. Once they're done, we can use the tranquilizers on them and take one of the lorries."

Richard considered the plan and replied, jokingly, "That's not a bad plan, but what if it doesn't work? Are you ready to take responsibility?"

Linda simply urged, "Let's go."

They tracked down the lorries using a bike and parked near the market as planned, patiently waiting for the men to finish their shopping. After some time, the men emerged and began loading goods onto the lorries. Richard and Linda incapacitated them with the tranquilizer and hid the unconscious men in the bushes. It would take a while for the tranquilizer to wear off.

Once they entered the lorry, Linda asked Richard to drive, but he admitted, "I can't drive."

Linda was surprised and asked if he hadn't learned to drive during bodyguard training. Richard clarified that he could drive a manual, but this was an automatic. Linda encouraged him, and Richard cautiously took the wheel. The ride was rough at first, but he quickly adapted to driving an automatic.

Upon reaching the compound gate, the security personnel inspected the lorry. Richard and Linda tried to act as inconspicuous as possible. After a thorough check, they were allowed inside. They followed the other lorries, and as soon as they reached the kitchen, they seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

They made their way to the main house where Victor was staying, their daring plan unfolding.

The tension in the air was palpable as they grappled with the daunting situation before them.

They stood at the threshold of a complex and perilous situation, deliberating on their next steps.

As they entered the house, they were immediately confronted by one of the security personnel. Richard swiftly incapacitated him with the teaser baton and discreetly stashed his body in a room to prevent any unwanted attention.

Continuing their search, they reached a door bearing the name "Shola Heifeild." Linda was certain they had found the right person. She knocked on the door, and when Shola opened it, Linda aimed a gun at her head.

Shola, clad in towels, appeared surprised and frightened. Richard, trying to maintain his composure, offered, "You handle this; I'll stand lookout." He exited the room and closed the door behind him.

With the gun trained on Shola, Linda interrogated her, "What do you want?"

Shola hesitated but finally responded, "Nothing much. I know your boss is a drug dealer, but that's not why I'm here. I just want to know the location where these drugs are being transported to."

Shola was apprehensive and questioned, "Why should I tell you? It's a secret, and Victor will kill me."

Linda remained resolute and responded to Shola's question, "Not if I don't kill you first." She advanced with the gun still trained on Shola's head.

Shola observed, "You seem too frightened to be intimidating someone. Look at how your hands shake. Is this your first time?"

Linda maintained her composure and replied, "It's not about how I look; it's about what I'm willing to do to get the information I need. Now, tell me where the drugs are being transported to."

Linda's frustration grew as Shola continued to be uncooperative, stating, "I know you don't have the nerves to shoot, baby girl. So, I'm not telling you anything."

Suddenly, the sound of an alarm echoed through the house, indicating that the body Richard had hidden had been discovered. Security personnel armed to the teeth began swarming the building, causing the situation to escalate rapidly.

Shola's taunts continued, "I guess with time, you'll be dead, baby girl." She muttered something in French, and Richard understood it was time to go.

He swiftly opened the door and urged, "We need to leave."

As Linda prepared to exit the room, she noticed a laptop and a phone on a table and decided to take both. However, Shola attempted to shoot Linda with a hidden gun.

Richard intervened, knocking the gun out of Shola's hand, and then used the tranquilizer to incapacitate her. "Let's go," he said, and they rushed out of the room.

Upon leaving the room, Richard realized that around 50 armed men were waiting for them outside the building. Linda asked, "What do we do?"

Richard responded, "Do you trust me?" Linda nodded. "Then stay behind me," Richard instructed, pulling out his two guns. "Follow my lead and don't do anything." They prepared for a high-stakes confrontation with the armed men.

As they burst out of the room, Richard displayed remarkable skill, efficiently taking down each man that came their way. His gunshots were precise, and he moved with agility, dodging bullets with ease. It was like watching a one-man army in action.

As they pushed forward, Richard eventually found his way to Victor's office. Four armed men surrounded Victor, launching rapid attacks. With high-speed reflexes, Richard skillfully dispatched them one after another.

Victor, seemingly unfazed, applauded Richard, saying, "What a talent, boy. My security team consists of highly trained army personnel with years of experience, yet you handled them effortlessly."

Richard pointed a gun at Victor's head, and the kingpin attempted to negotiate, "Why waste your abilities as a thief when I can make you a billionaire if you work for me?"

However, Richard was resolute, declaring, "I'm here to use you as a hostage, not to make deals." Victor raised his hand, realizing the dire situation.

Linda observed the tense standoff, her heart pounding as she listened to their conversation.

Victor continued his persuasion, "If you kill me, you and your girlfriend won't get out of here alive."

Linda watched with trepidation as Victor attempted to manipulate Richard, fearing that his offers might sway her partner.

Victor upped the ante, saying, "I'll give you two million dollars to work for me. How about that?"

Linda was alarmed by the silence that followed. She felt the allure of the offer might be affecting Richard. In tears, she pleaded, "No, please."

Victor pressed on, trying to pit Richard against Linda, "Just shoot her and come to me."

Richard, pointing the gun at Linda, left her terrified and shaking. She desperately implored, "Please, Richard, this isn't you."

The situation had reached a critical point, with Linda's life hanging in the balance.