Myocardium

Epilogue

September 30, 2017

„Forget it. I told you I'm not doing it!" I protest strongly and lean forward to inspect the two papers once more. 

They can't be serious with this.

„This plan is absolutely foolproof, Asher," Victor tries to convince me of his 'genius' plan.

Genius, my ass.

„Foolproof? Are you kidding me?" I repeat the adjective the executive assistant director of our department has just used to describe this absolutely flawed plan, in disbelief of what they're trying to talk me into here.

It could have been just a case like any other. Usually, that's what we do. Go for a direct approach. Go for a damn normal one, if anything. 

Hell, I know that this has been the talk of our entire department for the past couple of weeks, but with the last-minute changes they made after the revelations I stupidly brought upon them myself last night, this thing they're trying to sell me as my next mission reads itself more like a script for a clownish comedy.

„I mean...you did take a look at THIS before you got it approved by the SAC, right? A twenty five year old heart surgeon? I damn sure hope that our target and everyone around him has the brain of fucking goldfish, otherwise they'll surely blow my cover in no time."

Vigorously, I point at two yellow folders on the desk in front of me, both of which are flipped open to show the first page.

For a moment, it's silent.

I look around the room, and into my colleague's eyes to seek for the support I need in this pointless argument against our commander.

„It might be our best shot, Ash," said colleague shrugs his shoulders, he has his arms crossed in front of his chest and watches the discussion from the side of the room. My brows furrow and my mouth drops open.

I'm irritated. In a desperate flourish, I let my hands drop from the table to my lap as I lean back and gasp as a reaction to what feels like him double-crossing to me.

„Oh, come on, Marcus, you too? Really? How can YOU agree with such a plan? If anyone, you're supposed to have a problem with this. I mean, I told you exactly what happened at the brothel last night, and now you're telling me that you're okay with this mission? You don't have a problem with that at all? I can't believe this!"

In response to my visible frustration, Marcus walks up to my side and places his hand on my shoulder to comfort me.

„Calm down, Ash. Just...hear him out first, okay?"
He's speaking in a low, steady voice, and despite pushing his palm off me, I decide to keep my angry mouth shut for now. 

My fingertips are turning cold from the anger I feel within me as I subconsciously begin twisting the silver ring on my left ring finger. My nervous tick. 

With crossed arms and a „So, now what?" sort of shrug, I grant the officer on the opposite side of the table my attention again.
„Asher, you know how important this job is for the agency. And you're the one who confirmed our suspect's identity in the first place. That's why-..." I interrupt Victor's words.

„Yeah, because YOU sent me to this whorehouse for investigations in the first place. Do you think I wanted to do that? Don't try to convince me by giving me credit for something that's all your doing, dude."

I stand up from my seat and place my hands flat on the table in front of me, leaning forward to showcase my disapproval of this absurd idea.

„Victor, literally WHAT in the world do you expect me to do? Do you want me to keep sleeping with that guy to make him trust me or what? Come on, that's ridiculous, let alone completely unlawful and unprofessional. Honestly, for what happened last night, I should be facing consequences."