The Contract (Short Story #1 in series)

As a solder, I learned how to end the lives of others. Some deaths were more poetic than others, but all were final. As a sniper and warrior for my country, I viewed it as a privilege to escort someone from this life to the next, especially the enemy. We said "neutralize" instead of kill because it seemed more sterile and absent of emotion.  I still use this term in the civilian work I now do.    
      
Death isn’t always poetic or meaningful, but it's always final and changes the future in some way. It’s like an immovable rock that’s part of the stage set of our lives. The rock might bring out our strength or it might be something we touch often as we learn more about humans. We might deny that it's there but it never budges an inch from the stage.      
      
When a man with plenty of cash wants freedom, I’m the guy to call. For the right price, I’ll eliminate...or neutralize the problem in his life. The man who entered into this contract was not a poet but a business man.    
   
I have the ability to build trust in others and this was needed for this case. Jane had married a rich lawyer, knowing he’d provide financial stability.  She hadn’t seen her husband’s greed and the lengths he’d go to satisfy it. When he told her of a life insurance policy (minus the details), he said it would give them peace of mind, but the actual payout was much more than necessary for peace of mind. After my modest payment of $100,000, he’d be set for life with the remaining 2.9 million. My normal fee was $50,000, so this was a special job and I wanted to get it right.      
      
Step one was to establish an online relationship with Jane. This was easy since husband was emotionally distant. I easily got linked up and began a fantasy relationship that included some photos and phone calls. Jane was a nice looking human, so this was enjoyable.      
      
I rented a third-floor apartment directly across the street from her large house. We fell into a pattern of phone calls after her husband headed to the office each morning. On speaker phone we verbalized our fantasies and I learned a lot about Jane's life as we played our erotic games.      
      
It was easy to lure her to her bedroom where I had a good view down through an open window. On our third phone call, the curtains were drawn, I hinted that her skin must be beautiful and tan. Just like that, the curtains opened because it was a sunny day. I used my spotting scope and enjoyed these little sessions with Jane but the actual deed would need to be at night if possible. I had a night scope and could easily make the shot at such close range.      
      
Jane said her husband had court in another town on Monday of the next week, so why didn’t I come see her. This would throw a hiccup in my plan, so I said, “Why don’t we start on the phone together and once we're sure the coast is clear, I’ll arrive with a special gift. She liked this plan.      
      
It was time to match ammunition for the task. I adjusted the load for the close range so the entry wound would be clean with no exit. I planned to target her chest at the sternum. Such a wound would naturalize her quickly, though probably allow her a moment of awareness. I wanted maximum expansion from the Winchester 308 in the chest cavity so that only one round was needed.      
      
It was 8 p.m. on the appointed night.  With my M-21 sitting on the tripod just inside the window, I called Jane.      
      
“Hi, I’ve been waiting for your call,” she said, almost squealing in tone. I guessed she was excited about our plan.        
      
"I'm sorry I’m behind schedule. Speakerphone on for hands free? Having fun yet?”      
      
Jane laughed, “Just getting warmed up.” As she spoke I saw her form moving across the bed of her darkened room.      
      
“Wish you were here,” she said as her hands began to explore her front.      
      
“I’ll arrive soon,” I said. “Now, why don’t you feel yourself for me and try to imagine me there.”      
      
Jane’s hands began to roam over her front and down to her crotch. As I watched through my scope, I felt myself getting hard. This had happened before in similar situations. I hated the idea of losing this beauty, but I never backed out of a job and was addicted to the rush of knowing I was affecting the future through my actions.      
      
“I can’t wait to get you inside me,” she said.      
      
“Yes, don’t make me come before I arrive.”      
      
Jane laughed. “Oh, there will be plenty of time for that tonight.”      
      
At that moment, I knew her thoughts. They were not of family, childhood, friends, or of past lovers. Her thoughts were only of me, a man she'd shaped in her imagination. She must have wondered if I was going to be as exciting and charming as she'd dreamed. Humans and their ability to imagine amaze me.      
      
The crosshairs were centered on her chest. Her hand moved across to cup her breast and I paused. Then her hand went to her mouth, seeming to celebrate her beauty, her moistness, and her life.      
      
“What are you thinking now?” I asked while controlling my breath.      
      
“I’m imagining my lips wrapped around you,” she said. From the scope I saw her lips sucking on her thumb. Her eyes were closed and her longing face seemed to anticipate my arrival.      
      
It was time.  Squeeze the trigger slowly after exhaling as my pulse slowed. In that moment I saw only flesh, the surface that formed my target, not a beating heart in a soul capable of love and imagination.      
      
Crack!      
      
A short echo, then silence.      
      
Through the scope I saw the body shift against the mattress and eyes flash for an instant. I thought I saw the shine of tears. A moment later her trunk twitched to one side as I’d seen before when stored nerve signals discharge involuntarily as the brain activity ceases. Her eyes were still open but hollow.      
      
Her knees had been raised at impact, but they spread and fell to the mattress in slow motion. Her legs trembled for a moment and then all was still.        
      
Jane knew it was me. I was glad she had that moment of awareness. I believe that at the instant life exits a human, many thoughts can flash through a mind if there is at least a moment of awareness.      
      
Did the euphoric trance I pulled her away from protect her from the pain? I hoped she was snapped from pleasure quickly and that her death was beautiful and as poetic as it appeared from my vantage point.