A sign of the times, chapter 9

“This is different, Henry,” Carlos said, almost pleading with him.

“It's not different, my friend. Remember that,” Henry replied.

They were arguing about the job they had just completed.
Henry had never had a problem with Carlos before, and the need for complete silence - to anyone – about the work they did for these gentleman.

“Look, I get it, I really do, the need to stay quiet, on the other jobs.... but man, we could make a fortune out of telling the TV networks, and radio stations about this.”

Henry looked at him, worried about his young employees desire to tell.
“How do you know they don't know already, uh? You think our clients don't have influence in these places? Stop even thinking about it, Okay?”

“It's not like this thing isn't going to be seen! Fuck!,” Carlos voice rising in pitch, exasperated with Henry “We would just, ya know....just be letting people know about it a little early,”

“No is fucking no!”,” Henry shouted back, “I ain’t telling' you again. You're out of a job if this gets out, you understand?,”

Carlos needed this job.
His wife and kid depended on a regular income. The wild days were over. And he knew Henry well enough, and could tell he wasn't bluffing.

Not that it mattered much really.

Two minutes after the conversation had started, two cars had set off to Carlos's house, with two men in each car.
Carlos would never see his wife and child again.

Carlos would never know happiness again, from the moment when he arrived home, to when the bullet went through his skull.

Luckily for him, that was only ten agonizing minutes. Then painless oblivion.

His wife and kid would be suffering for a lot longer - because of his thoughts and words, of betrayal.

Henry heard the day after, when a policemen came visiting - He was asking about Carlos, and his mental state the previous night before going home.

He said 'fine', and told him nothing more. He didn't have to feign shock.

Now Henry was beyond surprised, at what they would do.

He didn’t know it yet, but there were a lot more surprises to come.

Just as he turned to sit down in his office – he was seriously shook up – A courier arrived with two briefcases, and a note attached on the outside.

'Henry.
We appreciate your service, as always', the note read.

There was over 300k in one of the cases he figured, quickly looking inside.

It paid to be quiet about things and just get on with your goddamn job...