NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 47- MURDERERS

Nikolai walked out into the streets and got into his car parked a few blocks away. How the hell did she get this farther down? He sighed, frustratedly. His mind flew back to that night with Russo. The man had begged for his life but the son of a bitch paid him no attention. Quite impressive actually but not now when he was involving Diane in his messy situation.

He could still remember that night a few months ago when Russo was still Commander. Russo had been suspicious of his father's deals with the Arabs but since his Father was secretive, he wouldn't let him in on anything so he decided to take matters in his own hands. A representative from the terrorist organization was sent to Russia to meet with his father who was the General then but with his help, Russo had the man cornered and they both took him hostage.

The damp smell clung to the walls of the crumbling building where they had hung the man who went by the name, Abdul that night. The dim light of a single swinging lightbulb that hung from the center of the ceiling cast shadows across each and every one of them. Nikolai stood beside Russo towering over the tied up man on his knees. His arms were crossed as he examined Russo and pondered on what would be his next course of action.

Russo's knife glinted ominously in his hand as he crouched before the trembling man bound to the chair, sweat dripping from his brow down to his face.

"Please.... I know nothing." The man stammered in fear, his eyes darting from Russo to Nikolai in fear.
"Ma alaqa abi bimagmou'atukum?"
(What business has my father with your group?) Russo asked in Arabic.
"La—La a'arif. Ana mujarrad rasool."
(I don't know. I'm just a messenger.) Abdul replied frantically.
Russo's lips curled in a humorless smile. "I gave you a chance to talk and safe yourself. Too bad you wasted it and now?" He flashed his knife at his face.
"Now, we do things my way."
"Russo...." Nikolai interjected, his tone cautious and hesitant. "....we need him alive for answers."
"Oh he'll talk alright." Russo answered getting to his feet and once again standing tall above the Arab.

In one swift move, he slashed his blade across the man's face, casually a spurt of blood from the side of his ear down to the end of his left cheek.

"They always do."
Abdul thrashed against the ropes used to restrain him to the chair, his eyes wide as he cried out in prayer. "Fuck! Allah yafzahni! Allah yafzahni!" (God save me!)
"I don't think he's listening."

Russo frowned as he drove the knife into the man's thigh without warning eliciting a scream that echoed off the walls. Keeping eye contact, Russo twisted the blade slowly, his gaze unwavering.

"Let's start simple, shall we?" He said, his voice like ice. "Who the hell is in charge of the Al-Jihad organization?"
Abdul's breaths came in ragged gasps. "I swear, I don't know. They don't tell me shit about nothing."
"Fuck!" Russo cussed in frustration.

He yanked the knife out from the Man's bleeding thigh, causing him to groan on pain and wiped the blade clean on the man's shirt. So casually that it sent an odd shiver down Nikolai's spine. The initial plan wasn't to kill the Arab.

"Russo," He started again, stepping closer. "This is unnecessary, we can do this some other time."
Russo shot him a sharp glance. "Time is a luxury we can't afford, Shadow. If you can't stomach this then get the hell out and leave!"
Nikolai hesitated but her stayed out. His jaw tightening as he Russo turned back to the man.
"You think loyalty will save you?" Russo asked as he walked behind the Man. "Loyalty doesn't mean shit when you're dead." He added, pressing the blade on the man's neck.
"Stop!" Abdul cried out. "I'll talk! I'll talk!!"
"Then start talking."
"Hassan...Hassan Al-Jabbar..."
"Who is he?"
"Huwa qa'id al-munazzama."
(He's the leader of the organization.)
"Wa ma as-safqa allati ladayhi ma'a walidi, al-jeneral?" (And what deal does he have with my father, the General?)
"La a'arif. Ana mujarrad rasool!"
(I don't know. I'm only a messenger!)
Russo studied the man's face for awhile and then leaned in to his ears. "You're lying to me."
"No, I swear I'm...."