Vengeance, Book 1: Cutter's Law

by James Hopwood

  “The Ironbark Correctional Facility Hospital. It's my duty to inform you, you have been arrested and remanded in custody for the murder of fifteen people at the residence of Mr. Zheng Li, on the twentieth of December 2007.”

  “Only fifteen? I thought I took out more of the bastards,” Cutter retorted sarcastically.

  “My name is Grant LaCosta,” the man said as he sat down in a chair beside the bed. Then his whole demeanour changed. “That was a mighty impressive bit of work.”

  “Impressive?”

  Cutter was confused.

  “Singlehandedly, you took out the city's largest crime lord. I'd say that was pretty impressive.”

  Cutter just grunted.

  “But we have a slight problem. You and I both know the men you took out were criminals, but the fact is, you killed fifteen people. You have two options. One, you can serve fifteen life sentences, end to end, for their murder. Or you can join a team I am putting together.”

  “What sort of team?”

  LaCosta ignored the question. “You have a particular skill set, which I could put to good use.” LaCosta paused for effect, then added, “Cutter, I want you to work for me.”

  “As a killer?”

  “No, as an instrument to combat the surging rise in crime.”

  “No!”

  “What do you mean, no? You have no choice,” LaCosta said angrily.

  “No means no. I have seen more death and destruction, than any man should. I don't want that any more. I'd rather do the time.”

  LaCosta shook his head in disbelief.

  “Is that your final word?”

  “Yes. I’m through.”

  LaCosta stood and turned to leave, but stopped at the door. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he took out his wallet and retrieved a business card. Turning back to Cutter, he placed the card on the bedside table.

  Cutter looked at the card. It had a single phone number on it.

  “Cutter, did you play Monopoly as a kid?” LaCosta asked cryptically.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “What I just gave you is a genuine 'get out of jail free' card. When you've changed your mind— when you realise Li wasn’t the only piece of filth involved in the car chase that killed your wife and child—give me a call. Until then, have a Merry Christmas.”

  THE END

  You have just finished reading

  VENGEANCE: CUTTER’S LAW

  by James Hopwood

  This story is part of the Single Shots Signature Series.

  Edited by Tommy Hancock and Morgan McKay

  Editor in Chief, Pro Se Productions-Tommy Hancock

  Director of Corporate Operations-Morgan McKay

  Publisher & Pro Se Productions, LLC-Chief Executive Officer-Fuller Bumpers

  Cover Art by Jeff Hayes

  E-book Design by Russ Anderson

  Pro Se Productions, LLC

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