Mike sighed with relief as he pulled into the airport parking lot. Until now, everything had gone smoothly. All he needed to do now was wait for Rob.

William Reiner was waiting outside Rob's office some miles away in his automobile. He cursed Eric inside for making him do all the dirty job. But he didn't have a choice at the moment. A cab pulled up in front of the structure. Rob was still on the job.

Rob reappeared after a while, holding a bag. He got into the cab that had been waiting for him. Following the cab, William arrived at the airport. When the cab arrived in front of the departure gate, William stepped out and strolled up to Rob casually. Rob's expression was absolutely priceless. Will grinned and pointed his gun at Rob's back.

"If you want to see your wife and kids alive, just come with me." Will spoke threateningly into Rob's ear.

Rob began to break out in a cold sweat. He did not object and groaned despondently. They returned to Will's car on foot. Will pulled Rob into the driver's seat and told him to take the wheel. William's threats crushed Rob's feeble protests. The automobile drove away from the driveway. Meanwhile, Mike waited for Rob, completely unaware that he would ever show up.

Mike checked the time on the massive clock and dialled Rob's number for the fifth time. It had been turned off. He nervously tapped his foot, fearing the worst. He dialled Leah's number, trembling, but his call went to voicemail. Damn! He cursed himself internally. He'd given her clear directions to keep her phone close by, but when did she ever follow them?

Mike nervously bit his nails. Did Eric find out about his plans? He had made an effort to appear normal at the theatre and had exited the building through the rear entrance. He also checked to see if he was being followed. So, where had Rob and Leah gone? Rob and his family should have arrived by now.
He got his answer as soon as his phone rang, it was Leah calling. He moved away from the crowd and quickly spoke on the phone.

"Dammit! Where are you?"
"Hello Mike honey," Marilyn said warmly at the other end of the line.

FUCK! Mike froze.

"What? No greetings? Surprised to hear from me?" Marilyn said from the other side.

"We're throwing a small party here, but you're not invited; would you like to know who's performing?" Mike could hear faint muted voices from behind her as she chuckled.

"Let me go!" Leah screamed, followed by Rob's groan.
Mike stood speechless.

"Well, tonight's show is named The Russian Roulette." Eric's voice came from the other side this time.

"However, there will only be one participant," he exclaimed with delight. Mike was shouting into the phone at that point.

"NO! NO! NO! STOP IT! STOP IT!" Mike was past caring about the people staring at his outburst. He ran wildly into the parking lot. "Just stop it. I will do whatever you say. Please don't touch my sister!" He screamed again.

"What about your lover? Looks like you don't care for him. Which is such a shame because you have broken the rule by defying me. You need to be taught a lesson." A gunshot ran in the background, followed by screams and then Leah's terrified sobs.

"Say goodbye to your lover and drop this escape plan, Kiddo." Eric mocked him.

Mike stood stupified, he had no idea what to do. Eric meant business and he had just killed Rob. Mike choked a sob.

"Come to the beach house right now. I will tell you what to do. Do it good or it would be your sister's turn and I would make sure she thoroughly enjoys herself before departing the world. Oh ! and also take care of his family. I don't want his wife to get paranoid and run to the cops," Eric finished menacingly and cut the call.

Mike had burst into tears, crying for Rob. His mentor, his sweetheart, had died. If he didn't cooperate, Leah would soon follow. How would he confront Rob's family? He didn't know what to say to his wife. That he had just heard her husband being shot? He collapsed beside a pillar and sobbed uncontrollably. At the airport, Rob's wife and daughter were due to arrive. But he needed to tell her something to keep her from becoming suspicious and calling the police. He couldn't tell her Rob had just been killed. Not until Leah was out of danger. He got into his car and drove to Rob's residence.

Florence looked at her watch as she snapped the last of her suitcase shut. A holiday surprise? When did Rob start acting so rashly? He had always been meticulous and careful in his planning. This was atypical of him. The call bell interrupted her stream of thought. She expected to see Rob as she opened the front door, but instead she saw Mike.

"Hi, Mike, what are you doing here? Where is Rob?" She looked behind him expecting Rob to spring up shouting surprise!

Mike did not answer, he didn't know what to say.
He couldn't tell her everything, otherwise, Eric would be after her. He had to think.

"Rob is not coming," he said in a monotone.

"Has Rob been hurt in any way?" Florence inquired, concerned.
"Florance…" Mike struggled to get started. She simply stared at him, waiting for him to go on.

"Rob......Rob has left." Mike made up a tale as he went along: "He called to say he was sorry but he wanted time to think about...about his marriage."

"What do you mean he went out of town to think? I'm not getting it!" Florence appeared perplexed.

"Rob stated as much. He didn't have the heart to...say it to your face, which is why he called me..." Mike stammered, pausing occasionally.

"How come he can't say it himself?" wide-eyed, she inquired.

Mike stood deafeningly silent.

"So...where has he gone?" She inquired, even more perplexed.

Mike swallowed a lump and answered, "I...I don't know Florence."

"You are lying. I know it. I can see you are lying. Where is he? What's wrong with him ?" Her voice was rising now. Mike had to think of something fast before she panicked and called the police.

"Florance listen! I wanted to tell you this secret for a long time but Rob...he didn't want to hurt you. Rob has been having an affair." He said flatly.

She looked at him in shock!

"Who is she? Is it his secretary? I knew she was no good the day she was hired...that bitch!" Florence seethed in anger.

"It's not Annie," Mike cut her off.

Florence was hysterical now. " The who? For God's sake just tell me!"

"It's a man...Rob loves a man !" Mike said softly.

Florence locked her gaze on Greg for a few moments, her face flushed with surprise.

"What? "Are you suggesting Rob....Rob is gay?" She was almost screaming at that point.

"He was always like that. He felt terribly sorry and wanted to make amends with him. That's why he organised this vacation: to rekindle his passion for....you. But he couldn't leave his lover so he got cold feet. So he left on his own to think and sort things out. He said he was sorry." Mike explained, cursing himself.

"Oh, God! I knew something had been wrong with him for the past several months. He had been acting so strangely. We had been sharing the same bed while he did such…such abhorrent things!" Florence cried. Then her demeanour changed. She was shaking with anger.

"Please tell Rob to stuff his trip. He need not come back... Ever! He will get the divorce papers soon. Ask him never to show me his face or try to contact the girls! He is dead for me. You may leave now." She finished and slammed the door on Mike's face.

Mike sighed as he looked down. He despised himself for what he had done. But it would keep her from going to the police in search of Rob. Eric would not hesitate to wipe out Rob's entire family if she tried. He wasn't able to save Rob, but he had saved his family. Mike looked up, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Forgive me, Rob, I am sorry." He mumbled at the sky.