Chapter 41: Jinxed

 *continuation of the flashback*

Jason walked back to his home where he met Tyler and Bennett having a drink

"How did it go?" Tyler asked

"As expected" Jason replied

"You know Jason, I don't know how you come up with these things, but as I always say, you literally live up to your reputation" Bennett said

"I wish I could say the same" Jason replied

"What does that mean?" Tyler asked

"Yuri gave me one hell of a topic to think about" Jason answered

"You mean like a father son talk? Because he's here for that" Tyler said as he pointed to Bennett

"I wish I could give any fatherly advice, I'm a retired KGB. I'm not the best human being to be around but I definitely know that such an environment is not healthy for anyone" Bennett said as he took a sip of vodka while chuckling

"You got that right" Jason said

"Hey, don't say that like it's a bad thing" Tyler intruded

"Jason's right, I mean look at how he turned out to be" Bennett said while pointing at Jason with his half drunk glass." No offence Jason"

"None taken" Jason said

"You broke him" Tyler said

"Hey,,,, offence taken" Jason said

"I didn't say no offense, I meant every bit of the offense" Tyler said as he laughed

"Of course you did" Jason said as he filled his glass with some vodka and went to sit down with them.

"He said this is his last rodeo" Jason finally dropped the bombshell

"What!" Both Tyler and Bennett said simultaneous

"Yeah, he just told me today" Jason said

"I guess the old man has had enough of the madness that comes with the job" Tyler said

"My best guess is family reasons" Bennett said

"Both are true in their own ways. He doesn't want to always have to look over his shoulder because he knows me. He also wants to spend some time with his family" Jason said

"I guess we can't blame him, I'd also reach a point where I'm tired of everything that comes with the job" Bennett said

"No lie there, I also wonder when that day will come. The day we put the Ghost at rest" Tyler said

"That day might come sooner than you expect. I believe that we can also hang our coats way sooner" Jason said

"What are you trying to say?" Bennett asked

"I'm saying, we did what we wanted to do. We made an impact in the world. We've made history that will live to be told to our grandchildren's children." Jason said

"Yes, and I think we can achieve more" Tyler said

"But haven't we done enough already? This world does not owe us anything, we have already given it a purpose." Jason said

" And what's that?" Bennett asked

"Humans have a common tendency of not wanting to be second best in anything they do. We made the Ghost the best at what he did and now when he goes under, everyone will want to be like him. Everyone will work better and smarter, giving justice to the ones who were denied. You create an entire franchise and when you dissolve the franchise--" Jason said

"--Everyone wants to become the franchise. You create the market and then--" Tyler said

"--let everyone see the potential in the market" Bennett added on

"Exactly. I was thinking, what if the Ghost disappears when this case is over?" Jason asked

"Are you sure about that?" Tyler asked

"Yes, I mean isn't it about time we get some rest. You know live life, fall in love and maybe think of starting a family and that sort of thing" Jason said

"You really have given this much thought" Bennett said

"I have, I mean wouldn't it be nice to at least sit back and enjoy one day without the thought of a case that we haven't solved." Jason replied

"I have to admit it too, that thought has once come to mind" Tyler said

"Well that's up to the both of you. If you decide to put everything to rest after this case, Im in too on that. You guys have accumulated millions, you have enough to retire and live your life when you're still young. I wish I had that opportunity when I was younger." Bennett said

"So then, we should make sure that we crack this case. It could be our biggest case so far thanks to all the Intel that we have." Jason said

"Well I did some more digging and I managed to find out that our guy has so many travel documents that it would make a word tour look like child's play" Tyler said

"And it seems that in every country across Europe that our killer visited, there was a sudden rise in killings." Bennett said

"Sounds more of like an angel of death to me" Tyler said

"So we can link him indirectly to all the murders since everywhere he stepped, death followed" Jason said

"Yes and don't forget our smoking gun. That's the vital link in this case that's enough to put him away" Tyler said

"Are you sure they're all a match?"Jason asked in a bid to confirm

"Would I risk such a case with just assumptions?" Tyler replied with a question

"Relax Jason, this is going to be like all the other cases" Bennett assured him

"I don't know why but I just have a gut feeling, something doesn't seem right." Jason said

"Don't jinx it Jason, this is our one way ticket out of living a life so secretly" Tyler said as he took his laptop and started working on the case file.

"And I swear, if you dare say that this was way too easy imma whoop your ass because it's after someone says those words that bad things start happening" Bennett warned him

"Ok then, no need to give me a lecture. But just in case, don't say that I didn't bring the topic up" Jason said

Just as they were talking Jason received a call from the firm that he was working with, it was not common for him to be called directly and especially when darkness was falling. He asked Bennett and Tyler to be silent for him to take the call. He answered the call and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello" he said

Both Bennett and Tyler looked at him carefully. For a man who was able to maintain a poker face even when everything around him would be crumbling, whatever he was hearing threw him off his game. His expression turned to one of fear and concern. The call lasted for about five minutes. A whole gruelling five minutes for Tyler and Bennett who were wondering what was happening. As Jason finally ended the call, he simply slumped into a chair and dropped his phone in the process. Bennett came to his side shaking him to come back to his senses since he looked like he was high on meth. He just looked at Bennett and Tyler blankly while they kept shouting at him to tell them what was wrong

"You know..... That bad feeling that I was talking about?" Jason finally asked while he still started into nothing in particular

"Yes... Jason what's wrong?" Bennett asked

"What's wrong Jason?!" Tyler asked to

"That bad thing has just happened" Jason said as he finally seemed to come back to his senses as he looked at both of them as he said this.

"What bad thing has happened?" Bennett asked

"Talk to us Jason! What's going on?" Tyler asked

"That call was to tell me that Yuri is missing, someone took him. And they want us to withdraw from the case, or else they will mail is his body parts every month till we have the whole of him" Jason said. Even as the words left his mouth, he could taste the bitterness in every single word.