𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

𝟑𝟖 | 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫

Tadgh's abode was modest but cozy. As soon as we entered, I noticed an old bed on the right, which gave the impression that it could barely hold itself together. There was also a couch in the middle of the room, in front of a wooden table full of bottles and cigarette stubs.

"Excuse the mess, I wasn't expecting any visitors," Tadgh said as he picked up clothes from the ground. He then tossed it into the chest of drawers next to the refrigerator and took a blue garbage bag from the kitchen counter, shifting all the table's clutter into it.

"Never mind, I know you're a pig," Otto said, probably well acquainted with that fact.

"Yes," our host admitted, "but this lady may not know."

"This lady is even worse-" Otto let out a strangled thud, a reaction to my kicking into his leg. With a sore gesture, I motioned for him to remain silent. Just because Otto trusted this guy didn't mean I will trust him too. "Exactly, Tadgh, exactly."

"So, what exactly is your problem and how can I solve it?" a strange hacker asked.

"We want to open my blocked account," I explained.

"And you couldn't do that yourself?" he asked, turning toward Otto.

"It's a pretty complicated system," Otto defended sadly.

"Okay, okay, you know I'm glad you need help. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't see your stupid face ever again," he reproached his friend.

"I was... busy," he simplified Tadgh's remorse.

"Okay, as you say," Tadgh gestured for us to follow. Otto walked in front of me while I looked around the garage for the last time. I couldn't help but notice he had two refrigerators. I was about to ask him about it, but the answer came on its own.

Tadgh opened the refrigerator next to one of the drawers. In fact, it was a door that was supposed to evoke in you a sense of ordinariness so that you wouldn't be interested in what was behind it.

"After you," he said politely. I couldn't help but fear that Tadgh will lock us up here and then call the guys from the gas station. It wasn't until I saw him come in just after me, and that made me become calmer. A strong odor immediately entered my nose. I rubbed my eyes to see the outlines of the furniture among the thick smoke.

"As I said, I wasn't expecting a visit," Tadgh snorted apologetically, trying to disperse the white clouds with his hand.

"What a green party," Otto said with a grin.

"Just like the old days," Tadgh said, smiling as well. Gradually, I realized we were in Tadgh's office. I ran my eyes from one computer screen to another. So that's how all the great "magic" happens.

Tadgh sat down at the table, I was offered a chair in the corner of the room, and Otto leaned over Tadgh's shoulder. They set to work. So far, I've been fidgeting nervously on the spot. I hid my freezing hands under my thighs and counted cables coming out of modern technology.

"Holy hell," Tadgh said softly.

"Did something happen?" Otto and I asked at once. The red-haired man spun in his chair and, with narrowed eyes and a serious expression on his face, asked me:

"You... are you a family with Lucifer O'Donnell?" I glanced at my friend. My cold hands got wet from the sweat. What now?

"Is this information needed for you to fulfill your job?" I replied, feeling the vein on my forehead pulsate wildly from my nervousness.

"It's quite important, given that my buddy who used to do a business with him ended up beingshot in the hospital, where he miraculously died of suffocation," he said. Otto and I exchanged astonished glances. "But since Otto is my good old mate... Your answer won't change the fact that I'll help you. I just want to live to the next week. I was going to visit grandma... She makes really good cakes, and I don't want to miss that, you know."

"Don't worry, buddy. Next week, you'll be all right with your grandmother, and you'll eat those cakes till you feel sick. Trust me," Otto reassured him, tapping on his shoulder in a friendly manner. It almost tore me apart. To make matters worse, I was now worried about the life of some Irish hacker. We are in one big ass.

Otto's phone rang three times in a row.

"I cannot believe someone wants to reach you, Wilder. It's some hot stuff?" Tadgh asked, not looking away from the big screen. His fingers ran across the keyboard like a pianist with his piano.

"It's Susanne," Otto said. He could barely hold the phone with his hands, that much his hands shook. "After the training, I wrote her a text message that I will not be home for a while, but somehow she is not excited about it." I felt a hard pressure on my chest. What did I do? How could I let Otto go that far? What if Otto dies and I miraculously survive? How will I be able to look Susanne in the eye, knowing that her son is dead because of me?

"Answer her," I said, overcoming the shiver.

"And what am I supposed to tell her?" Yes, Ria, what does your best friend should tell his mother about not coming home? Nothing is happening, don't worry, only Ria and I are trying to get to the headquarters of some kidnappers, while we have a friendly mobster and a few killers going after us. No worries, it's like in action movies.

The pressure in my chest has increased. The ringing of the cell could be heard all over the small room until Otto answered the call and went outside. I looked behind him paralyzed until the door separated us.

During the time he was on the phone, I thought I was going crazy. As soon as he came back between us, I bombarded him with questions.

"What did Susanne tell you? She's not afraid? Won't she call the police? Don't you think you should come back?"

"I took care of it," he replied with a calm voice. I opened my mouth. "I told her she had to trust me that what I was doing was important. That I'll be home soon. And she said that... she just trusted me. I'm the oldest of the children and I know what's right." I repeated every word Otto has said. It can't be that simple after all. Or yes? Does Susanne really trust Otto for one hundred percent?

I wanted to say something, but I had no idea what. I was only sure of one thing. Whatever happens, I'll do anything to make Otto survive.

A cell phone vibrated in my pocket, announcing that Tadgh had completed his task. Looking at the screen, I allowed myself to dissolve my remorse for a moment and almost laughed with happiness. The amount in my account gave me hope that not everything is lost.

"What are we going to do now?" Otto asked eagerly, peering over my shoulder with a happy expression on his face. It seemed to me that he was also feeling like there was some progress in our rescue mission. Even if it only meant buying new identities.