Of Assassination and Murder - Part I

[Lucas]

The shop was still and empty. Why Sergei was here he wasn't quite sure. Valentin certainly hadn't wanted the shop reopened. The man had taken Luca's death hard. Overnight, it seemed he had aged 10 years. Lucas had been like a son to him. Sergei wan't exactly deep. But he knew that Lucas represented something to Valentin. What that was, exactly, he didn't know. Except that Valentin looked at Lucas with as much pride as any father to his son.

And now he was gone. It was going to take a while for Sergei to really get used to that. Lucas' wasn't the leader of a group; he didn't have people hanging off his words nor was he some party animal that people hung around with because they always knew they'd have a good time. Lucas had been quiet, especially in groups. But he was honest. And he cared. And somehow, with just those two qualities, he had made his way into people's hearts. The quiet calming presence that people respected. Sergei knew he would miss his friend far more than he currently did. The magnitude still hadn't hit him.

So there he sat, unsure what to do. He heard the door try to open and looked up. It was the last person he wanted to see. Aria. He'd told so many people already and was tired. But this would be the worst, he knew it.

Feet like lead, he walked to the door and unlocked it, letting her in. "Hi Aria,"
was all he said. He smiled weakly. He knew he had to cut to the chase early. Quick was best. For her. And for him."Listen, there's something I need to tell you. It's about Lucas."