The Grasshopper by TheGrasshopper Page B

not. Why would he? I could have arrested and banished
him by now. And I haven’t. It’s probably clear to him that I don’t
pose a threat? It’s probably logical that I just want to welcome
him and escort him through the echelon of inspectors?”
     
    “I have to be careful” Pascal
thought fervently. “How stupid I am. How is it that I haven’t
thought of this earlier? That the man will come and take me through
the cordon. Now for the first time I have to look him in the eye
and speak to him… while I’m aware of… well yes… That’s why I’m not…
of course, that is the only reason why I haven’t admitted to myself
earlier… how much… I’m in love with your wife, Seneca.”
    “Don’t be crazy,” Pascal commanded
himself. “Stop thinking about her. This instant. Do you understand?
What do you want? For him to see in your eyes… and for him to
pester and torment her for the rest of her life. Is that what you
want? Come on… calm down. Everything is over. Let the man nicely
escort you to your death. Be at least a little afraid of dying, you
fool! OK, there… I’m afraid. That’s what I’ll look like. As though
I’m afraid of dying. I’ll be desperate. How will he know why I’m
desperate?”
     
    Pascal hesitantly stepped towards
Seneca, and then continued with a firmer and stabler
stride.
    “Mr. Mayor,” he said while
approaching him.
    “Mr. Alexander, it’s as though you
were surprised to see me. I just wanted to escort you through the
cordon.”
    “Yes, yes, of course,” said Pascal,
already nearing Seneca and putting out his hand.
     
    The door to the room that they
stood in front of suddenly opened. Pascal turned around and
wide-eyed in shock he looked at Raul, who stuck a needle into his
outstretched arm through the sleeve of his jacket, and with his
thumb he emptied the small injection. Pascal’s body went limp the
same moment. Raul and Seneca caught him, not letting him fall to
the floor. Without saying a word they dragged the unconscious
Pascal Alexander to the elevator.

Chapter 23
    “There, son, you see how everything
is going well today. Even that which we did not plan,” Mr. Kaella
told Prince, who was sitting across from him in the limousine
driving them to the dock.
    “Yes, really. It’s a good sign. But
it won’t save Seneca,” Prince responded.
    “Certainly not, son. He must be
held accountable for his crime. Like all the mayors and other
officials that have crossed over to their side. We must punish them
mercilessly. To make an example of them.”
    “I never thought that Seneca could
be so stupid. He panicked, and drove Alexander out of Megapolis,”
Prince responded. “Well, he stopped his speech. That is why I will
reward him with a quick death. You know, father, Alexander is the
enemy. But one worthy of respect, I must admit. And Seneca is a
traitor. He betrayed us, and now Alexander too. He is a despicable
guy.”
    “I’m not sure that he betrayed
Alexander. It seems to me like some maneuver on his part. Erivan
says that Seneca gave him his airplane. And a squadron to escort
him.”
    “What maneuver, father? Seneca
wants to be sure that Alexander has left and that he will never
return.”
    “Yes, you’re probably right. The
important thing for me is that he didn’t give that speech. Because
I couldn’t sleep all night because of your words.”
    “What words? Why didn’t you sleep?
If I have upset you with anything, father, any time… you must tell
me immediately. So that I can explain, if need be. And not for my
father to worry and not sleep.
    “Well… you said that even after our
victory, there will always be a sore on your heart.”
    “Yes, I did. But let’s forget about
that now. There will be no wounds on our hearts. And on there’s –
I’m not exactly sure.”
     
    Father and son smiled
wholeheartedly as their limousine slowed down, approaching the
submarine tied to the dock.
    “Here we are, “ Prince
said.
    When the bodyguard opened