Psychopath. (On hold)

Chapter 3: The Choice. Part 1

Queens; May 2012.

Knock knock. "Oliver, are you in there?"

Knock knock knock. "Open the door Oliver."

"OLIVER! OPEN THE FUCKIN-"

The door opened and I walked in ignoring him.

"Well, good morning to you too!" He said sarcastically. And that won him a glare.

I made my way to the living room and sat on the couch. I raised my head and found him standing by the door frame, yawning.

When he caught me staring at him, he strained up and fake cough.

"So... want a cup of coffee?"

"No thank you. You need it more than I do."

"Haha, yeah..."  He said disappearing into the kitchen.

I stood up and headed for the balcony. Fresh air filled my lungs and for a brief moment, I felt relaxed.

"What brings you here so early anyway?"

The smell of coffee and cigarettes hit my nostrils and I grimaced.

I turned around and went back in. "Don't even think of coming in with that cigarette in your hand" I said.

"It's my apartment, dude."

"I pay for it, dude." I said rolling my eyes. He took one last puff from his cigarette then he threw it away. He came and sat beside me "It's not for nothing" he said, taking out a small little, metal, lion sculpture from his pocket and placing it on the table in front of me.  I took it and stared at it confused. Oliver took the remote control and pressed a button. And on the TV screen, my face appeared.

"It's the camera you asked for. In that way, no one would suspect it." He said with a wink.

I studied the little black sculpture between my hands. I turned my head slightly and found Oliver staring at me with anticipation, like he was waiting for me to reward him or something.

"Good" I said standing up. He sight, like I just crushed one of his biggest dreams.

"Hey Keaton!" he called out as I was about to open the door. "Don't use it on inappropriate things. Be a good boy!" he laughed. I smiled slightly at him and shook my head at his silliness, then I left the appartement closing the door behind me.

 As soon as I got in my car, my phone buzzed.

"My office. 10 Am. don't be late". –Pat

I checked the time on my phone.  9:20. there's no way I'm going to be there on time.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and started the engine.

_

"I thought I told you to be here at 10. You know that I hate un-punctual people."

I sighed "I know I'm sorry. The traffic was crazy."   

 "I don't care!" he snapped standing up of his chair and slamming a hand on the desk. "If I tell you to be here at 10 you be here at 10! Not a minute after!"

 "Hey!" I glared at him. 'Shill out old man." He sat back, breathing heavily. "What are you doing here on a Sunday anyway?"

"We have a problem" he said closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

I blinked "What kind of problem?" 

"That new guy we hired a month ago. The one with the weird accent.. What was his name? "  "Max" I said. "Yeah, that's the one. That stupid punk, he got arrested."

"How? And did he say anything? "

"I don't know. That's why I called you. I need you to take care of this. Even if he didn't confess, the boy is weak. He'll crack eventually."

"And when you say to take care of this you mean...?"

"Once and for all. I already did half of the job. He's at the Brooklyn Hospital Centre. Food poisoning. His room is guarded by a cop. But you don't have much time, he'll be out tonight, and once he's back in jail, there's no way we can get to him."

I swallowed hard. "Hey, listen. We don't have to go that far-"

"Yes we do! Look Keaton, you're the only one I can trust to do this. So please."

Shit. I rubbed my knuckles. Trying to figure out how to deal with this. 

"Fine." I said standing up.

 "Make me proud." I heard him say as I closed the door behind me and left.

_

As soon as I left the building, I got out my phone and dialed a number I didn't call in ages.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Keaton, your cousin."

"Keaton?  Oh my god where the f-"

"No, not on the phone. I need to see you. Right now."