Part 2

His next target was due to be eliminated within the next 24 hours. This one was going to be a bit more difficult, this target knew his face.

He drove to a bar that he had discovered previously to be the targets favourite hangout. He left the stolen car parked outside the bar with the keys in the ignition, he wouldn't be needing it anymore, and went inside.

It was a long room with a bar along one of the long walls, a stage along the other long wall and tables and chairs in between. Behind the bar was a giant mirror, he sat himself in a corner of the room where he could scan the crowd for the target in the mirror and not be seen too easily.

There was a live band playing some raucous rock and roll music and the place was packed with people, both sitting at tables and up dancing, but it still only took a few seconds for him to spot the target sitting at a table near the bar. Once he’d spotted him he didn’t take his eyes off him.

After half an hour the target drained his beer bottle and got up to leave the bar. He watched him head towards the exit. The plan was to let the target leave then follow him out and deal with him outside away from the crowded bar but just as the target reached the door he was spotted. The target recognised him instantly and burst through the door like a shot. The assassin was up and after him in an instant.

As he got outside he turned and spotted the target run down a side street. He ran after him, just as he rounded the corner he saw the target sprinting up a flight of stairs at the end of the street and turn right onto a higher level street.

The assassin was a master of his craft and part of that mastery was a high level of fitness, even in his suit and shoes he sprinted easily and quickly along the street and up the steps. He had the target in his sights once again. Within moments he was gaining on him.

Just as he was getting to within a few steps of him the target suddenly ducked right, through a heavy glass door and into an apartment building. The assassin got to the door just as it was closing; he threw it open and darted through.

The target was running up a flight of stairs, the assassin smiled as he started to ascend, taking the steps two at a time, knowing he had him trapped.

At the 12th floor the target left the stair well and went into the corridor of the building, the assassin was only a couple of steps behind. The target threw himself at an apartment door, burst through and tried desperately to close the door behind him.

The assassin kicked the door open sending the target sprawling backwards into the room. He entered the room and turned calmly closing the door behind him.

He walked slowly towards the target, reached down and lifted him by the throat with one gloved hand. With a single precise punch to the face the target was out cold. When he regained consciousness sometime later he found he was tied to a chair and stripped to the waist.

The assassin was sitting quietly and calmly in a chair, watching, waiting for him to regain consciousness. When he saw the targets eyes open he stood up, walked over to him, bent down and whispered into his ear.

“You made me run. For that you will suffer.”

Then he stood up straight, smoothed down his black tie and left the room.