The blood guns

Betrayals

James won't make a slip up like this. This is planned. This was kept here,planted here by someone who hates him. Could it be Aaron? No. Aaron won't do that to his own brother. But I have to find him,because something is out of order. If Cain is involved, then all the more reasons that I should involve myself, too.

"This is crucial evidence, Jean,this could prove against Daniel. We can lock him up for good, " I tell Jean as we exit the forensic lab.
"Claire,isn't this suspicious?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's too convenient. We had no evidence against the Blackstrong mafia clan until now. "
"You're right it seems like they are trying to send him to jail."
"I know, right? There's someone bigger at play here. I think we should let the detectives take over"
"So, should I get a warrant for Daniel's arrest?" I ask
"Yes."

So Jean felt it, too. That this was too convenient,it's like someone wants to get rid of James. We go into our car and read more of the file. And towards the end of it is the mansion fire case. It had clear evidence that James recruited Isaac for this. It seemed too easy. And I know,as police officers,it's never this easy

"Bingo," I say
"What?" Jean asks
"Here it is,the evidence of the mansion fire, so it was true what Ashton was saying."
"It's like Ashton helped us get him,"

That sentence unlocked something in me. I began thinking if Ashton deliberately did this. What if he was the one who put the evidence there. What if he was the one who killed Isaac. What if he was the one who drew the symbol. No way, right? It can't be. I've seen him. Whatever he is,he is not the type to do that.

If he had any other ties with the mafia or if he was an enemy of James,I would know

"With this evidence, we can put Daniel in jail for life,"
"Yea, but Claire, i feel uneasy like something bad is about to happen,"
"Me too." I smile

I have to meet James. I can't let him go to jail, or maybe I will send him to jail. Because now there is a question of whether he knows my identity that I've secured for so long.

I can't have my family be in danger. I have to either protect James or eliminate him. I haven't seen him much in 6 months. I have been focusing on another work of mine. My work where I gather Intel on Cain Quel.

I have my reasons to get revenge on him.

After I drop Jean off at the station,I go to one of our hideouts. I wear my mask. I ring the bell, and the man I don't know asks me for the code phrase

"The swans are never strong. The swans are never Black, " I say

He lets me in, and I go in and turn a few halls, and then I see him, James, with his messy blond hair and deep blue eyes, other than the fact that he was much older than me, he truly looked handsome. My heart sinks to my stomach. I have no idea what to expect from this conversation

"Well, you know why I am here, don't you?" I ask
"Hard to say"

I throw my knife towards him, missing him by an inch. He doesn't flinch, and right then, at least 12 red dots are all over my body.

"Let me ask as you again. Do you know who I am?"
"Well, you were my Viper, my vicious snake, my loyal assassin... but you are no longer usefully to me, Claire. You are so distant now..."
"That's because I have missions of my own,"
"That is?"
"Killing Cain Quel"
"Why? ...Claire"
"It's personal James"
"Something tells me there is another reason you came here?"
"Yes,to negotiate. Now that you know my identity, what are you going to do with it?"
"What do you mean...Claire?"

The way he uttered my name, knowing it would piss me off, was annoying. He was enjoying this too much

"You know what I mean. Are you gonna blackmail me?"

He laughs. He laughs loudly, mockingly at me.
"Claire, you are quite useless right now, you know. I already found out about what happened this morning. The news channels are quick, and so are my spies in the police.
"That's your misstep."
"Come on, Claire, we both know who placed those files there, who framed me,"

Wait. Does James think I betrayed him?

"James, you don't think I betrayed you, do you?"
"Huh?"
"James?"
"It's you," he says quietly
"There's no one else who handles my evidence and crimes more than you," he says, looking straight at me. A hint of anger in his eyes.

The red dots have still not disappeared. And I think I'll die here. I'll die here, and Cain will be free,free to kill more people,free to make more heartbroken people like me. I hate the idea of him living with me dead. No, I can't die here

"No wonder you've been distant...tell me how long have you been planning this?. Going behind my back and betraying me?" He hisses,anger boiling inside him

"James, I've been occupied with Cain,it's not because I've been betraying you."

I won't deny it. When I first saw that evidence,I wanted to betray him, but then I couldn't. It's a hard pill to swallow,that I'm still loyal to this no good of a man. Who would have known I had good morals

"Do not lie to me, Claire,"
"I'm not lying," I argue

But right then, he takes out his gun from his back pocket. He aims it directly at me.

"Traitors deserve death,that's the order of the Blackstrong," he says

Then he shoots right at me.