Chapter 40: The Unexpected Arrival of the Former Landlord
David, returned to the Continental by the Town Car, wasn't worried Finch wouldn't seek him out.
He'd already sufficiently baited the hook.
Once Finch confirmed David's information was accurate, he'd definitely come looking.
By then, Reese could be considered half David's asset.
Adding the future appearances of Shaw and Root, David's planned strike team would essentially be complete.
Then some of his strategies could be implemented.
Contemplating future plans, David approached the concierge desk as usual and asked Charon if there were any medical contracts tonight.
Charon shook his head:
"You returned late today—contracts have already been assigned.
Oh, incidentally, did you locate that college classmate who owes you money?
Need the Hotel's assistance? Standard rate, one gold coin."
David's face showed irritation:
"No, no—he just owes me money, I'm not putting a hit on him.
I did find him, but finding him just made me angrier.
Because this guy claimed he's broke, and even asked me to loan him more for rent.
Said he'd definitely pay it back next time he had cash!
Charon, do I look like a complete sucker?"
Hearing David's question, Charon genuinely studied this guy desperately taking dangerous contracts to earn money.
"Yes, however I examine you, you appear to have limited longevity.
High probability that anyone who borrows from you won't need to repay after you expire.
Given that, why not loan it?"
David rolled his eyes—this was the second person today predicting his imminent demise.
He certainly understood his actual situation.
He could see his life countdown clearly—still 13 days and 15 hours remaining!
Limited longevity?
Pure illusion!
He'd definitely outlive everyone else!
David, about to take the elevator, suddenly returned to the desk and slapped a gold coin on the marble counter.
"Oh, by the way, Charon—since the Hotel's intelligence network is so efficient, I also want to locate where my high school crush ended up.
Man, I really regret not being bolder back then, which has left me only able to... handle things myself at midnight now."
Charon regarded David with a peculiar expression, completely not anticipating that this kid—with his attractive features—actually still needed self-service.
What a tremendous waste of God-given assets.
Even as a male escort, plenty of wealthy women would probably pay him.
However, complaints aside, he still wrote down the credentials per protocol and handed them to David, unable to resist warning:
"At minimum four years have elapsed, and the goddess you've been obsessing over probably already has a boyfriend who's with her constantly.
I suggest you don't pursue her—that'll only create problems for both of you."
David smiled mischievously, waving the slip:
"I'll consider it."
After speaking, he entered the elevator to his new room, number 985.
After entering, the fabricated expression on David's face instantly vanished.
Goddess? Even if she stood naked before him, he wouldn't have any response.
He was just manufacturing an excuse for intelligence access.
David leaned back in his chair contemplating—he only had one intelligence query.
To avoid attracting unwanted attention, he couldn't use the Continental's intelligence network too frequently short-term.
So he had to carefully consider how to utilize this opportunity.
Scenes from narratives involving Bryan Mills and Robert McCall flashed through David's mind.
Compared to Bryan Mills, who was constrained by his daughter, The Equalizer better fit his selection criteria.
Only someone who despised injustice would willingly serve as a weapon against the High Table.
Then The Equalizer, who'd intervened for a random prostitute, would undoubtedly become a firm ally after witnessing the High Table's operations.
Moreover, The Equalizer's only friend, Susan, would be killed by an assassin eventually.
And all professional assassins operated under High Table jurisdiction, so The Equalizer and the High Table were naturally opposed!
Then it's you, McCall!
As the name Robert McCall was entered, information populated.
Former DIA Defense Intelligence operative, multiple commendations.
Deceased.
Seeing 'Deceased,' David smiled—these guys retiring from intelligence all faked their deaths.
This indicated problems within America's intelligence apparatus.
But these weren't his immediate concern. He scrolled down and clicked the next entry—Boston, McCall.
The photograph that appeared was indeed the McCall from David's memory—a formidable man with a shaved head.
David noted the location where McCall currently worked, planning to visit tomorrow after shift.
Then, as usual, he dry-swallowed an entire bottle of painkillers and collapsed onto the bed.
The next day, David—arriving at the hospital early—suddenly spotted an unexpected person.
Standing there whispering with Foreman was Grace, the landlord of his predecessor's rental property—a substantially overweight woman.
When David saw her, his expression immediately changed.
He genuinely hadn't anticipated Grace tracking him here.
After his predecessor assumed he was dying, he'd caused considerable damage to the rental, and compensation would probably run tens of thousands of dollars.
Current David couldn't produce that much cash.
Just as David spotted her, she also noticed David.
Then she inhaled deeply, expanding her considerable frame, and released a roar that echoed through the entire corridor:
"WELLS!!!"
Foreman watched this scene with satisfaction.
This development was completely within his expectations.
He'd found nothing when he'd secretly visited David's residence last night.
Because the property had been cleaned and displayed a 'For Rent' sign.
Clearly, David hadn't resided there recently, so naturally there'd be no evidence of illegal activities.
Just as he was about to leave empty-handed, he'd encountered David's landlord, Grace.
Desperately, Foreman immediately inquired about the situation as a prospective tenant.
Soon, he learned from the furious Grace that the previous tenant, David, had owed multiple months' rent and had completely trashed the property before departing.
Such behavior could be described as morally bankrupt!
Then he'd deliberately feigned surprise and revealed David was his colleague, righteously condemning David's conduct.
Finally, he'd arranged for Grace to come to Princeton-Plainsboro today to confront David.
He'd witnessed Grace's face contorting with rage, trembling with fury then, and knew when they met, it would be spectacular.
Indeed, this opening satisfied him immensely.
He wanted David's reputation destroyed here, with no dignity to continue working!
Only then could his fellow position remain secure!
While Foreman contemplated this, Grace was already advancing toward David with heavy steps and threatening demeanor.
Foreman's mouth curved into a smile—there was drama to witness. Best if this David got beaten to death!
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