Night Fury: First Act Read Online Free PDF

preparations have been made, everyone is in place, and Intel is being steadily streamed through my earpiece.
    We are a go.
    Ari—dressed in her habit—places herself at the front door of the Dupont residence, while I walk around the small property to await my signal in the backyard.
    Marcel will get the surprise of his life tonight. It’s a shame it will be his last.
    Perhaps it’s better this way—starting with a person I know, that is. It can only get easier from here, I’m sure.
    Marcel Dupont.
    Churchgoer. Landscaper. Gardener. Husband. Father.
    Wife beater. Drunk. Paedophile.
    I cannot let him live. I won’t.
    Crackling sounds fill in my ear. Clark all but yells, “Can you hear me? Night Fury? War Paint?”
    I answer in a whisper, “I can hear you—a little quieter, please.”
    Ari responds in my ear, “War Paint here. Are we a go?”
    Marco comes in with, “We have it on good authority Mr Dupont got a little handsy with his wife again last night. She took off right after and took their son with her. It’s just a guess, but I’d say Marcel is having a one-man cocktail party tonight.”
    Ari comes in again. “ Fantastique . This will be easier than I first thought. Night Fury, are you in place?”
    An eerie calm settles over me. I breathe deeply and respond, “Yes, I’m ready.”
    “Excellent. My earpiece will be out of service in ten seconds. War Paint out.”
    My heart begins to race. I’m out of contact with Ari. It’s unsettling being on my own.
    Now, I need to wait.
    It’s cold out tonight. A breeze passes over me, causing my body to erupt in goose bumps and my eyes to water from the sharp bite of the chill.
    I have dressed myself in black training tights, a black, long-sleeved tee, fingerless black gloves and black hiking boots. My hair’s tied up in a high ponytail, and I cover the majority of my face with a black cotton mask, which covers my cheeks, nose and mouth.
    Before I have time to second-guess my part in tonight’s job, Marco’s husky voice sounds in my ear. “Time to go, Fury. Get your game on.”
    Although my surroundings aren’t quiet, everything around me is cocooned in a bubble of silence. I take in a deep breath. My mind focuses on nothing but clarity. I smile to myself as I realise something...
    I’m ready. Really ready.
    My hand rests on the handle of the backdoor. I see a light turn on inside from the back window. Although Ari has removed her earpiece, she has left it live to stream through my own. The front door opens, and I hear muffled conversation.
    One, two, three.
    I turn the handle of the backdoor, and much to my satisfaction, it opens. When you live in a small town where everyone knows each other, people don’t care much for locking their doors at night.
    Thankfully.
    The backdoor creaks as I open it, and my heart stutters. Wide-eyed, I open the door the rest of the way using one quick motion. Sweat begins to bead on my forehead, even though warmth is scarce. I force my breathing to remain slow and steady.
    Anything could give my position away.
    I enter the Dupont household quickly and quietly. I find myself in the laundry room, which has a door closing it off from the rest of the house. A few more steps to the door, and I know this one will take me to my target.
    My hand rests on the handle as I press my ear to the cool wood and listen in. The conversation is muffled, but I can still make it out.
    Marcel slurs, “Sister Arianne, this is a surprise. It’s a little late for you to make house calls, isn’t it?”
    Ari forces herself to sound flustered, “I apologize, Marcel. Is Nancy here? I could really use a woman to speak to. I find myself in a difficult situation.”
    I turn the handle and pull the door open a sliver, peering in.
    Ari fans her face, looking clearly distressed. Marcel sways in his spot, and I can smell the alcohol on him from here.
    He is drunk as a skunk.
    Drunk is good.
    Accidents happen when people are drunk.
    Marcel clears his throat.