Bridget Bundy - The Secret Weapon

He pulled the pipe from his dry lips and noted, “I have warned Xavier of his visions. He is convinced that if the head is removed, the body will die. He fails to realize there are others who believe in the totalitarian government, and that body will continue to fight for the current state. He won’t be able to set forth what he wants so easily.”

Coraset turned slightly, catching a quick glimpse of Brecco, and returned to her view. No one was on the street below. The identical building across the street was dotted with lighted apartments. Some was as dark as night, like no one ever lived in them.

“Malie told me you believed in their cause.”

“I do believe in it, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind to the reality of trying to attain the goals of democracy. America had to fight for freedom in its beginning. The act of freeing slaves almost ended the United States during the Civil War. They forget that change is made through blood.”

“Maybe, they don’t remember or don’t know.” Coraset remarked.

“They remember, Coraset. They haven’t forgotten about American history in the least.”

“Malie threatened to kill you if I didn’t agree to help them.” Coraset joined him on the sofa. She crossed her legs and leaned against the back of the couch.

“She did, huh?” Brecco chuckled inwardly. “Her threats are empty.”

“I’m not taking that chance with her.”

“This is absolutely crazy. If Dominic Erato figures out what you’re trying to do, he’ll kill you.”

“I’m very aware of the danger.”

Brecco continued to drive the point home, “They will not arrest you. They will not take you to trial. Your sentence will be played out immediately.”

“I know,” Coraset commented.

“Go into hiding,” Brecco stated in a low voice.

“I can’t. Malie will take you away from me, and I’ve lost too much as it is.”

“I’ll deal with the consequences.” Brecco remarked.

“No, you’re not going to deal with anything. I’m going to do this and hope I get out of it alive.”

Brecco asked sadly, “If you succeed in the mission, will you come back to Barat?”

“If my life is in danger, no,” she answered.

Brecco nodded, accepting Coraset’s decision. He stood from his seat and went to his desk. He opened the top drawer and brought out a flat blue canister. Brecco returned back to the sofa and placed it in her hands.

“Is this it?” Coraset held it gently.

“Yes,” Brecco answered. “It looks just like the insulin vial Dominic takes for his diabetes.”

She opened the canister. Inside were three needles and three vials. She closed it back up and set it on the sofa.

“Coraset, I wish you would reconsider.”

“You’re my only family. I can’t let anything happen to you.” Coraset patted his hand gently.

“There’s something else on your mind,” Brecco noticed.

“Malie says that you’re not yourself. What’s going on?”

“I’m fine,” Brecco managed a quick smile, but it faded quickly. “I work. I come home. I live like always.”

“Please, don’t keep secrets from me. If you’re not feeling well, I need to know.”

“No secrets, Coraset,” Brecco remarked as he threw his hands up in mock surrender.

“Are you going to be alright?” Coraset asked. It almost sounded like it was a final question.

“I’ll be right here. I’ll be alright.” Brecco tried to hide his tears. He was afraid for Coraset.

She leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek, took the canister from the sofa, and rushed out the door without saying good-bye. She entered the elevator. Once she was enclosed inside, she leaned against the back mirrored wall and closed her eyes.

When she got back to the car, she told Brochudo she was ready to leave. She sat in the passenger seat this time. Her thoughts consumed her as he drove them out of Barat to Bel Air once more.

Xavier knocked and waited patiently for Coraset to open the door. He knew she wouldn’t be very happy to see him after her discussion with Malie. Coraset swung the door open after he knocked again. She appeared refreshed and well rested.

With a guarded smile, Xavier greeted her, “Good morning, Coraset. May I come in?”

“Of course, you can. This is your home.” She moved out of the way.

He stepped into the room. His focus was mainly on Coraset. He wanted to come to an amiable understanding with her. He worried about her being angry with him and holding a grudge. She was all so important to him and his cause, and he didn’t want to move forward on a bad note.

Xavier adjusted his tie and said, “I hope your stay has been comfortable.”

“You like to threaten your guests and their family members?” Coraset asked as she went around him and sat down on the sofa.

He shifted his shoulders, feeling the discomfort of the conversation and said, “Malie is very zealous in her belief of the cause. She means no real harm.”

“Yes, she does, Xavier, and you’re a terrible liar. If you were against the assassination plot, she’d find a way to get rid of you.”

“You may be right about that.”

“You know I’m right.”

“Anyway, beside all that, I just want to make sure you’re entirely aboard with this plan.” He slowly sat beside her and continued, “I know I’ve made your life much more difficult than it should, but I promise after you do this job, I will set things right.”

“I don’t believe you.” Coraset spoke frankly. “Your actions and lack of has proven that you are selfish and a coward. I can’t depend on you, and I won’t.”

Xavier exhaled with defeat.

Coraset shifted away from him and revealed, “I will try to do what you want, but only to keep Brecco safe. I’m not doing this for you or your cause.”

He smiled with relief.

“Have you ever thought about the possibility that killing Dominic Erato won’t change the government?”

“This is simply the first step. Once he’s out of the way, we can move forward more easily with the necessary steps to form a democracy.”

“I don’t think it will be as easy as you think, Xavier. You will not be able to change the government simply by changing the person in charge of it. The Erato Government was set up by more than just her Chancellor. There are others that believe in it and work hard to keep it going.”

“I know you’ve been educated in international studies-”

“It’s common sense, Xavier.” Coraset threw up her hands and remarked, “You know what, it doesn’t even matter. I don’t know why I even try.”

“Everything will go as planned. You watch what I tell you.” Xavier asked in an upbeat tone of voice, “Did your Brecco give you the vial?”

“Yes, he did.”

“That’s all you have to do is replace one vial.”

“I know what I need to do, Xavier.” Coraset remarked impatiently.

“After the job is done, you will need to get out of the palace. I’m not sure how the Elite Guards will react to his death. So, you might want to plan an exit just in case it gets hectic in there.”

Coraset shook her head and said, “You act like I’m some kind of expert in this. Plan an escape, are you serious?”

“It’s in your best interest-”

“It’s in my best interest if I’m not in there at all!” Coraset screamed angrily. “Get the hell out, Xavier. Just go away and worry about yourself like you always do.”

Xavier tried to say more, but Coraset walked away. She went to her bed and sat down, not even bothering to look in his direction. He got the message and walked out. Xavier was on edge, not really sure if he made the right decision to send Coraset into the fire. She was tough, very capable of taking care of herself, but she was no operative. She wasn’t highly trained to infiltrate a dangerous environment and find her way out of it safely, but Xavier didn’t have much of a choice. She was a black woman, beautiful, single, and she didn’t have children. She fit the perfect bill that Dominic Erato was looking to be in his harem. The plot was simple in planning, but in action, he was depending upon an amateur.