Chapter 56
New safety
A gunshot? Luther's blood ran cold and he shivered uncontrollably on the spot, his eyes wide with fear. He must've been daydreaming he thought, but the stinging pain in his eardrums reminded him it wasn't a dream.
A scream pierced the air abruptly and despite the closed door, Luther heard it loud and clear.
Oh God no! Luther's eyes widened with full-blown shock and his back was drenched in cold sweat. He didn't hesitate to lock the door immediately, his hands were badly shaking and he leaned on the wall beside the door, taking in large gulps of air.
His phone suddenly buzzed, startling him and Luther picked up the call without delay.
"Hello," Luther whispered, half scared that someone might listen to him, even now his mind raced with thoughts.
"That could've been you just now, Mr. Luther," the lady's voice spoke over the line, her tone was light and breezy.
"Yo—you—" Luther stuttered, words failing him. "You knew—" he trailed off, his tone incredulous. Indeed, if he hadn't been drawn away by the lady, he'd probably be dead. But thinking of the gunshot and Henry, Luther's heart skipped a beat. Henry probably didn't have a decent end.
"I did," the lady answered, her tone cold. "Now you owe me, do you know what I do to those who owe me and don't pay back?" Her question made Luther tense up and his breathing was laboured.
Something told him this lady wasn't someone he could mess with.
"I just want to stay alive," Luther spoke quickly, making his stance clear. He was no idiot, he'd suffer a tragic fate if he dared turn her down. He guessed that she needed him for something, meaning he was still useful.
"You're lucky to be alive, however, it's a little thing for you to get killed by the person sent to kill you." The lady's words held no emotion or sympathy, Luther's eyes were crossed and suspicions filled his mind.
"I'll help you, but you need to help me first," the lady's voice came over the line after a brief pause.
"Of course, of course," Luther agreed quickly, nodding his head. He didn't dare have any second thoughts.
"I'll communicate with you, deal with your present situation first. A car will be parked downstairs within half an hour," the lady said some vague words. "Be there," and the line went dead.
What! Luther's face was bleached and he stared at the phone with shock, he'd just put away his phone when he heard some voices from outside.
Luther gingerly pried open the door, his eyes darting outside through a small crook. Pheww! His heartbeat slowed down when he spotted the uniform of a policeman.
Someone must've reported the sounds of gunshots Luther thought, gingerly stepping outside. His appearance caught the attention of the policemen who immediately whirled around, their hands already reaching for their gun holsters.
"Wait!" Luther yelled, raising his hands. "I work here," he explained, his voice trembling.
"Hmmm," one of the policemen grunted, clearly distrustful of him.
"It's alright, he's my boss," Laura, his secretary, appeared behind the policemen, she looked distraught. Her words did the trick and the policemen relaxed, Luther himself breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close.
"What were you doing in there?" The policeman stared at Luther closely. "Did you hear the gunshots? Did you see anyone?"
"I…" Luther swallowed the lump in his throat, he suddenly appeared really scared. "I don't know what happened, I heard a gunshot and I immediately hid inside here. I didn't see anyone," his eyes held a pitiful look as he explained.
"Hmph!" The policeman stared at him for one long moment, weighing the truth in his words before he finally snorted and turned away, losing interest in Luther.
"Wha—what happened?" Luther asked, already dreading the reply. Laura's eyes teared up and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Mis—mister Henry was shot," Laura's voice shook badly and she appeared like she would stumble at any moment.
Luther froze, despite already anticipating that answer everything still felt surreal, Henry was dead?
Two medics walked out at that moment, a stretcher between the two of them, they carried a black body bag and walked past Luther.
Luther couldn't speak, his eyes fixed on the small droplets of blood that followed the medics as they walked out. Perhaps he'd have been in this position but for the call he'd received, that call had saved his life.
"A car will be parked downstairs within half an hour," the lady's words echoed in Luther's head and he glanced at his watch. He didn't have a lot of time.
He shifted uneasily on his feet, stuck between staying or leaving. He couldn't just leave, not after something huge like this had happened but he also didn't dare to stay, who could say the next body being carried out wouldn't be his?
Finally, the policemen walked back out of his office, it was cordoned off with some yellow tape.
"I have a few questions for you, Mr…" the policeman stared at him for a moment.
"Mr. Luther," Luther answered, trying to keep his gaze straight. Laura had been led away by some of the other ladies who were downstairs, she was too distraught to speak.
"I'll need you to appear at the station later," the policeman spoke briskly, his eyes rarely staying in one place at a time. "We'll need a statement, I assume these recent events may have taken a toll on you." He glanced at Luther, his eyes boring into him.
"Yes," Luther lowered his head, appearing troubled. "I'll retire to my home," Luther began, rising to his feet.
" A police car would be sent to accompany you," the policeman drawled, remaining seated.
"No, no," Luther panicked, waving his hands hurriedly. "My driver would be coming to pick me up."
The policeman stared at him for a long moment, Luther had just reached his endurance when he finally nodded. "Very well, Mr. Luther."
Luther felt like he'd received the royal decree and he walked out of the office heading downstairs, he tried to keep his steps steady as he walked, trying to not appear like he was in a hurry.
He'd just reached the wide glass doors when a sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and the doors opened silently.
Luther stared at the car, his heart beating erratically but in the end, he took steady steps forward. It was either that or…
Death.