His father’s bellicosity had rubbed off, and he had clawed his way upward to make his name. Little did he know, that before the evening was through, he would have lost everything.
A young woman breezed through the crowd to his side. He glanced sideways to take in how her curvacious form filled out her evening dress.
"The evening seems to be going well, Vic."
"Yes, so far everything has gone like clockwork."
He took two glasses of champagne from a circulating waiter, and handed one to her. He watched as she tipped the delicate glass to her full lips and the arch of her neck as she tasted expertly.
He saw Ricky nod to him with that tight-lipped smile and knew it was time.
"Would you excuse me for a moment please, Sarah? There is somebody I must see."
"Of course, darling. Hurry back."
She nuzzled his neck affectionately and drew him to her for a moment. He felt his pulse quicken, but forced himself to extricate his arms from hers and withdrew. He strolled casually across the room.
"We're ready for you, sir", said Ricky.
"Then let's get on with it."
He smiled indulgently as he made his way to the Boardroom, where the others were already assembled.
He made his way through the double doors, and saw the board - his board- waiting for him. The doors were closed behind him, and he paused, ready to give the oration he had carefully worked out for them. However, he felt his arms grabbed and pinned to his sides.
"What is this?" he demanded angrily, struggling to see who was holding him.
There were two heavies, dressed unimaginatively in black suits, ties, and shades. One was tall and stocky, with a fashionable goatee, while the other was lean with bad skin. Vic suspected he had a chemical dependency.
"The end of the line", replied a man at the far end of the table.
Vic recognised him immediately. It was his VP. His sources had been telling him for a while that Luc had been getting into some very shady deals of late, and that swift action may be necessary to protect the firm's reputation. He had ordered a discreet investigation but had not yet been presented with its findings. Now, it seemed like he wouldn't need to hear them.
"This has been coming to you for a long time", gloated Luc, "with your
ultra-conservative management and refusal to take the merest of risks."
He spat the word out."That style has kept this company going through tough times, even as others were going under."
"We're not here for a lecture from you of all people."
"Then what is it you want?"
Luc smiled nastily and pulled a silver handgun from his inner pocket.
"To give you your severence pay."
He felt the burn of the bullet before he heard the report of the gun, and as he stared, incredulous, Luc fired, again and again. He dropped to his knees, and as he began to white out, he heard the screams of his guests - his friends - as the men from the boardroom moved among them, picking them off one by one, ignoring their whimpers and pleas, until they were all dead.
"Give my regards to God, if you see him."
Then Luc fired one last shot to the head, and Vic slumped to the carpet, his blood pooling about him like sacramental wine.
