Originally, according to the transaction agreement Locke made with Red back then, Locke was supposed to leave that specific page from the New York Fraternity's ledger in a warehouse at the Manhattan port.
Once Locke had placed the item and sent a message, Red's people would naturally come to retrieve it.
But just as Locke was preparing to set out to drop it off, Red called and stated that the meeting point had been changed to the Continental Hotel.
To this...
Locke had no objection.
Because no one dared to draw blades or fire guns inside the Continental. Ever since the Continental Hotel established a monopoly trend in the assassin world until now, anyone who dared to make a move inside the hotel had only one path: death.
Perhaps in the future, there would be a tough guy named John Wick who, because of his dog, would do a series of things that pushed for the reform of the Continental Hotel.
But currently, that certainly hadn't happened.
Locke dared to do it too, but there was no necessity.
After all, if not for the Continental Hotel, Locke might not have lived so comfortably in Texas despite being an orphan.
Red spoke directly over the phone: [The news that you wiped out the New York Fraternity has spread throughout the entire dark world.]
The NYPD told the public that they did it.
But the dark world didn't believe a word of it; they took one look and were certain the NYPD was faking it.
Locke let out a light chuckle and looked at the other people in the bar.
Those who could drink in this bar were all colleagues.
From the moment Locke entered, he could feel many gazes landing on him. Now, as Locke looked back, every person he made eye contact with looked away.
Locke held the phone: [You specifically sent Dembe to see me; surely it wasn't just to tell me this obvious fact.]
Annihilating the Fraternity would definitely make Locke's reputation skyrocket.
This was something Locke had long anticipated.
This was good.
It would allow his commission fees to increase by a level.
For instance, yesterday, the owner of the New York Continental Hotel stated that based on Locke's intake habits, they would help him secure high-quality contracts.
In the past, such treatment was unheard of.
The dark world operated on the raw law of the jungle; the strong possessed everything.
Red laughed on the other end: [Of course not. Many organizations want to recruit you, and many want to kill you to take your place. However, among them, two have a very strong interest in you. One has even already set out; I only just received the news, which is why I changed the location to here.]
Locke raised an eyebrow: [Oh?]
Two were interested in him?
Interesting.
But this was also within his expectations. Wiping out the New York Fraternity, an assassin organization with standing in the dark world, was bound to trigger some chain reactions.
Red said: [One is the Roman Brotherhood, recently re-established three years ago by a man named Callum Lynch. The history of the Brotherhood can be traced back to the era of the Medieval Revolutions.]
Callum Lynch?
Locke rubbed his chin, thoughtful: [Don't know him.]
Red said: [That is certain because, compared to the already corrupted New York Fraternity, Callum Lynch's Roman Brotherhood are the true assassins.]
[What do they want with me, revenge?]
[No. Rumors say the New York Fraternity had something that originally belonged to the Roman Brotherhood. Since you wiped out the New York Fraternity, if that item exists, it should be in your hands.]
[I don't have it.]
Locke was blunt: [Even if I did, it's with the NYPD.]
[I believe you.]
[Heh.]
Locke chuckled: [You definitely don't, but I didn't take anything, so I believe it. If they want to come, let them. If they want to come to their deaths, I will fulfill their wish.]
New York Fraternity.
Roman Brotherhood.
What a mess.
When the New York Fraternity was still around, why didn't you jump out? Even when Cross and the Fraternity were causing chaos, why didn't you jump out?
Good grief.
The New York Fraternity gets wiped out and now you jump out? Where were you earlier?
If you want to die, feel free to come.
Locke always handled the killing but never the burial.
[Don't be angry, my friend. I have no opinions regarding you.]
[Ha, I know. If you did, Dembe would be in danger.]
[...]
Locke waved a hand at Dembe, who sat opposite him with an innocent expression, making a joking gesture before saying: [You just said there were two organizations. Who is the other one?]
[Right.]
[Who.]
[I don't know.]
[What?]
Locke frowned at Red's serious tone on the phone: [Is there anything in this world that you, the gatekeeper of the criminal world, do not know?]
[I am not omnipotent, Locke.]
Red said directly: [Regarding this mysterious organization, as of now, I only just confirmed their existence three years ago.]
Mysterious organization?
An organization that the gatekeeper of the criminal world took three years just to confirm the existence of?
Who?
S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Locke raised an eyebrow: [Your old rival, the Cabal?]
Red shook his head: [Do you know Victoria Knox?]
Locke smiled: [My arms supplier.]
Despite Locke having the Silver Dancer with infinite bullets, when he first debuted in Texas two years ago, he had no capital at all; he basically started from scratch.
Victoria Knox was his first arms supplier. Moreover, she agreed to let him take the goods first and pay later; she was a very good arms dealer.
Victoria Knox was a great beauty, a blonde, and she had a very sweet smile. She once suggested that if Locke really lacked money, he could pay with his body.
Locke rubbed his chin: [When I was attacking the textile mill, I intended to order weapons from her, but I haven't been able to get in touch.]
Red said: [Half a month ago, Victoria Knox fell into an ambush while making a deal in Chechnya.]
Locke froze slightly: [Dead?]
[No. Captured. And the people who captured her are very likely this mysterious organization.]
[No way.]
Locke blinked. Although Victoria Knox was a beauty, she was no wallflower. Whether it was driving, shooting, or combat, she was among the best.
To be able to subdue Victoria, and so covertly, it seemed it could only be S.H.I.E.L.D. making a move.
[My intelligence is never wrong.]
Red followed up: [Rumors say you are being watched by this organization. Be careful. If you can, help me get some intelligence on this organization.]
Locke laughed: [So do you want me to be careful, or do you want me to take your contract?]
[You are my friend; naturally, I hope you are safe.]
[How much money.]
[Depends on the amount of intelligence.]
[Deal.]
***
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