Chapter 70 - Hitman

Todd got comfortable across the street from Natalia and Hayden's building. Those who hired him originally only wanted Natalia to be killed. After seeing how connected she and Hayden were to each other, they decided it was better to get rid of both of them. Todd was a hired hitman, and the people that hired him had a lot of money.

He didn't understand why they wanted this young couple dead. From what he'd read about them, they were decent people. However, they seemed to have someone constantly trying to tear them down. Todd didn't need to know his employer's motivation, but he liked to have the background of those he was hunting.

He knew Natalia had no family and had built her business from the ground up. After being pushed in front of oncoming traffic, a serial killer started hunting her. Hayden was from a wealthy family whose business had been struggling until he took over. Neither of them seemed to have many close friends, only acquaintances. From what he found, neither had been in a serious relationship until they met each other.

Todd thought about the big man and woman with them when they left the apartment. At first, he thought they were staff, but when he searched for any employees, he found none. He did find a distant cousin of Hayden's that matched the general description of the man he saw. The woman seemed to be the girlfriend of the cousin.

When he followed them, he noticed how Hayden had been looking around as though he knew someone was watching. Todd was careful to stay far enough away to not cause suspicion. If anyone on the street saw him, they would think he was just another businessman in a suit. He was around six feet tall with thinning brown hair and light brown eyes. Todd was average looking, which helped him blend in with everyone else. No one suspected he was a hired hitman.

As he watched the building across the street, he wondered how long it would take for them to come out again. He had been watching for days, and only after Hayden got shot did he realize they weren't even staying in the apartment. They only returned yesterday. After seeing Natalia in a wheelchair with her legs in casts, he almost felt bad for her.

With her in that condition, he can't imagine they will often be leaving, so he may have to devise another plan. The other thing that concerned Todd was the cousin and his girlfriend. If they were staying with them, then they may cause a hindrance. As he told his current employer, he wasn't being paid for four people. They still needed to get back to him if they were adding them.

Todd had done a tour of the building to get a feel for security and how easy it is to get into the apartments. It would prove rather tricky with Natalia and Hayden being close to the top floor. This building bragged about its top-of-the-line security, and he had to admit it was impressive.

He decided to get something to eat while he formulated a plan of action. He had long-range rifles that would do the job, but New York had cameras everywhere. Todd knew they would find him before he even had the chance to get away. Besides, he liked the more hands-on approach.

While eating his burrito at the small restaurant across the street from the apartment building, he concocted a plan. It wouldn't be the first time he got a job in order to do his real job. Todd even had references he could use to help. After he finished his meal, he walked into the lobby of the apartment building and went to the office on the ground floor, where a young woman met him with a smile.

"Hello, sir. Can I help you?" She asked, looking him up and down. He figured she was probably wondering if he was a tenant or trying to sell something.

"Good afternoon. I was wondering if you have any jobs available. I've done just about everything." Todd replied with a small smile.

"We have a position for evening maintenance. Is that something you'd be interested in?" Pam looked the man over and thought he was handsome but nothing remarkable.

"That would be perfect. Do you have a paper application, or is it online?" Todd hated maintenance, but an evening shift would suit him well. Hopefully, he'll be done within a few days.

"Typically, we ask people to do it online, but since you're here, you can fill out a paper application. I'll ask Karl if he can talk to you now. I know he's been looking for someone for months. By the way, I'm Pam." She pulled out a couple of forms and a clipboard handing them to him.

While he quickly filled out the application, he heard her talking to someone on the phone. He assumed it was the Karl she had mentioned. Luckily he'd done maintenance in the past, so he would know the right things to say, making him seem perfect for the job. When he was finished, he handed the clipboard and application to Pam.

"If you don't mind waiting in the lobby, Karl is on his way to speak with you." He nodded and went to the lobby, taking a seat in the corner close to the office. Todd didn't wait long before he saw a slightly round man who was almost completely bald and wearing overalls walking toward him.

"Hello, are you Todd?" The man asked, looking Todd over in disbelief.

"Yes, sir." He stood up and held out his hand.

"Are you sure you're here for the maintenance job?" Karl shook his hand but was still looking at Todd in confusion.

"I have maintenance experience, and I'm available to start immediately." Todd tried to sound desperate but not overly so. Karl scratched his head and looked him over again.

"If you're sure this is what you want to do, I need someone to work four to midnight. We only get a few calls during that time, but with the price these people pay for the apartments, they like to always have someone on hand. You can work with me for the next few days, and I'll show you the ropes. I'll submit all your paperwork so you can start tomorrow. Will that be good for you?" Karl was ready to have him start today, but he had to make sure everything was on the up and up.

"That would be great. What time do you want me here tomorrow?" Todd asked, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Seven. I'll meet you here in the lobby." Karl watched Todd leave, still feeling like something was going on that he wasn't catching on to. He would have them do a rush on his application and background check. If everything looked good, he would push his apprehension away.

Todd walked down the street and to the hotel he was staying in. He hadn't been there much, but now that he had a way to get closer to his targets, he had to get ready to be the maintenance man. He looked down at his phone and read the text he had received.

*We only want Natalia and Hayden, but if the other two can't be helped, then take them. We'll double your money.*

He looked out the window at the view of the city. He would decide what to do on the fly. It would be nice to get double the money, but four bodies would cause more of a stir than two. Todd would play it by ear once he was in a position to carry out what they hired him to do.

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"Do you think it's a good idea to kill these other two with them?" A woman asked the man she was sitting across from.

"I'm leaving it in his hands. We want them dead, so if there's collateral damage, so be it. At this point, I don't care if he burns down the entire city as long as those two are killed in the fire." The man said quietly, as they were in a public place and didn't need anyone overhearing.

There had been two chances for Natalia to be killed, and she was able to slither out of both of them. Hayden was shot, but not fatally. That would have been their chance to be rid of him. How did they keep escaping death? When the serial killer was after them, they thought the matter would be taken care of for them.

"How do we know we can trust this man? What if he turns us in or works for the police?" She asked anxiously. The man shook his head.

"He's not. I trust him because I've used him before. This isn't the first time I had to get rid of someone who didn't do as they were told, and it won't be the last."