GHOST

"It’s almost too easy" I said to myself as I crossed the lobby of the hotel. My mission was completed, successfully I might add, and all I had to do was leave quietly. This was the easiest part of my trade since I didn't exist. I'd stopped existing two years ago when quit my boring life as a banker and entered into my new life.

I walked out of lobby and started towards the car park. One of my many rules is to never use a valet service, the less people who notice you the better, especially if you need a fast getaway. This was exactly what I needed since my mark wasn't known for his benevolent forgiving nature. Since I just stolen ten million dollars in cash from him I wasn't willing to take any chances. My new life was too sweet to lose.

By the way I'm Ghost, ex-banker now turned grifter, thief, once in a while assassin, and all around gentleman. I'll not bore you with the specifics that initiated my career change, but know it wasn't caused by repressed childhood memories or any of that psychobabble. Let's just say I was bored.

Being my humble self I’ll give you a synopsis of the entire plan, though I won’t tell all for security reasons. The robbery plan was simple, this made it easy to accomplish. Plus The General (my mark) was getting complacent in his security arrangements. He and everyone else knew that it would be absolutely crazy to “try” to rob him. Maybe that’s way I did it. All I had to do was book a room down the hall from his. From there I kept his security detail under surveillance. Dressing like a hotel service staff I knocked out the single guard watching the room while the General was away, cracked the lock to the safe lock and walked out with the money in a laundry bag along with his sheets and towels which after a wild night of cavorting with “the nation’s future leaders” really needed cleaning.

I took the service elevator down to the next floor where I had another room waiting. I put the cash into a suitcase and sent it ahead of me to the airport (you just have to love these hotel services). Needless to say I already had a flight waiting for me to get the heck out of here.

I started the car and pulled out of the car and out of the hotel. By the way if you’re ever in Abuja try Sheraton hotel. It has all the five star qualities of Hilton without the crowd. Plus it’s strategically located to the express way that makes it faster to get to the airport in case you need a quick getaway. I cranked up the volume of the stereo as Stevie wonder played a "WONDERful" jazz piece.

Whistling along I noticed the cab behind wasn't trying to overtake.

"That's weird" I said aloud as I slowed to see if he would take his chance. He didn't. I sped up a bit to see if I could put some distance between us. I couldn't. Okay this was bad. Bad but not worse as the proverbial shit hadn't hit the fan yet.

"Okay then" I thought as I sped up. Now this was exciting! I'd gotten too used to being Ghost I'd forgotten the adrenaline filled moments of the chase.

I skillfully evaded the cab till I got to the airport. Skipping out of the car I walked briskly into the building and straight to the gift shop. Hiding behind a stack of magazines I watched the entrance for : 0in 0in 0pt;"> Whistling along I noticed the cab behind wasn't tspan>

 "Average" I laughed aloud, I was totally average in height, build and looks. The only extraordinary thing about me was my ability to blend into any scene until I disappeared.

Then I noticed her. It wasn't her appearance that made me suspicious rather it was the way she casually strolled into the airport lobby, looked over at the gift, saw me, spoke softly into an intercom then slowly walked away. Shivers ran down my spine and for a minute my heart froze. Her eyes were colder than the arctic in December.

“Compliments of The General" I murmured as I immediately left the gift shop and headed towards the waiting area.

She wasn't alone that was certain. However since I was as paranoid as a third world dictator it was difficult for me to judge properly. Taking a deep breath I calmly started observing the numerous people in waiting room. By my not too shabby deductive reasoning skills I brought the number to five. The Icewoman, a man wearing glasses standing by the pay phone, two huge men standing by gates, and a short swarthy man with a perpetual scowl who was staring at me rather murderously from the counter. Despite the lack of effort at subterfuge he was obviously the leader.

The PA announced that my flight was boarding and Swarthy smiled at me knowingly, daring me to try and board it. I smiled back sweetly at him then stood and walked straight towards him. He looked startled for a few satisfying seconds then narrowed his eyes and swiftly put his hand in his pocket. Before he could react I pulled out my Colt .357 from my pocket and put one between his eyes. Turning I put another two rounds into the two huge guys by the gatal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> She wasn't alone that was rif"; font-size: 12pt;">By then there was total pandemonium in the waiting room with people screaming and running for cover. Just the way I liked it.

Ducking my head, I ran out the gates towards the hangers, thanking the gods for my foresight. I'd had a source smuggle the gun into the gift shop this morning. The General wasn't that stupid and he was quick when it came to vendetta.

The plane ticket was another I used once in a while. I actually had a small plane on standby in an exclusive hanger. By the time I ran into my private hanger the Cessna was already warmed up. As I reached up to climb into it I heard footsteps from behind. I had forgotten about Glasses! I turned and reached for my colt at the same time. Too late! Glasses was right there in front of me with a nasty grin on his face, his gun pointed steadily at my head. I felt the cold grim, fear of certain death wash over me. My hands were trembling as I dropped my gun.

"Say cheese" Glasses said, I closed my eyes and a shot rang out.

"You're not dead you fool" she said.

I opened my eyes and she smiled at me her eyes no longer cold.

"Cheese" I said to the still figure of Glasses on the floor.

"Idiot" she hissed "security operatives will soon be here and father has more spies!”

"Great" I murmured as I followed her into the plane.

I remember when I first saw those eyes.  Exactly a year ago from today, I was onto the ghost thing then but was without a lot of experience. It was in Lagos and she was my mark. The story’s too embarrassing to narrate so let’s just say that I botched the job, got knocked out, and ended up waking up on her couch.

“Idiot” she had said then. “If you want to rob a lady at least find out whether she has training in counter-intelligence first”

“Assuming I live out this evening I’ll do that” I said groaning as I sat up.

“Oh you’ll live don’t worry” she said with a smirk “I don’t kill amateurs”

“I’m not an amateur!” I whined, and then I caught my expression in the mirror and smiled. She smiled back and I was a captive in love.

“So do you want to learn from a pro?” she said

“What’s the catch?” I replied caution returning to me.

“Your catch is ten million dollars” she replied.“Assuming I live out this evening I’ll do that” I said groaning as I sat up.

“Know what I mean” I returned relentless.

“We’ll rob my father” she said. I waited for the smile that signaled that it was time to laugh at the joke. She stared back without a twitch on her lips.

“The General!” I sputtered “are you insane? Kill me now! Okay don’t kill me just let me go!”

“Scared?” she asked with that smile again.

“Totally” I quipped.

“Don’t worry I’ll protect you” she said with the killer smile. Well I was a captive in love, what could I do but acquiesce? Well at least she kept her promise. 

 

The pilot pulled out of the hanger and in five minutes we were airborne. In an hour we were flying over Lagos and only then did she relax. I opened a bottle of champagne and stood; she smiled and kissed me lightly on the lips.

"Dom Perignon?" She asked.

"Compliments of The General" I replied with a smile.


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