Case File # 020207

M shifted the black duffle off his shoulder. He had hiked for several miles and the weight was getting to him. Not to mention his knees. And it was cold. Damn cold. Twenty degrees in fact. In the first week of April no less.

That’s why it had to be done soon. The reason the rat had to go, before it was too late.

He looked around until he found a suitable size log. After settling down on the rough bark, he lit a smoke and gazed at his position. Lots of trees, that was good. He wouldn’t be seen. He was about 700 yards from the house. That was good to. He could be gone before anyone realized where the shot may have come from.

He lifted the Tango’s strap over his head and rested the rifle along side him, then he pulled the bag close. The zipper made a light metallic sound on the bitter air, and he instinctively looked up, knowing no one heard.

" Would you repeat that...no. I heard you well enough. Why do you want this done Mr. L?" he had asked.

"He lied. Plain and simple. He lied to us all. We trusted him. He let us down. We can’t keep living this way. He has to be stopped." the voice getting more excited asked,

"Will you do it? I have money. Any amount. It’ll be a relief. My family, they are suffering because of him. I can’t let that happen. Please." The voice was desperate now.

"I’ll get back to you in forty-eight hours." Click.

Two days later, he had two files. One for the target, the other on the client. Both contained the same basic information. A standard background check, credit history, and medical information. Much easier to come by nowadays. You never knew when that would come in handy.

He made the call.

"20gs’. All or nothing. I’ll call tomorrow with details." Click.

The deal was done.

A week later he was in Pennsylvania freezing his ass off.

M put the smoke out. After putting the butt in his pocket, he dug around in the open bag. It was stocked for plans A-G. Extra ammo, knives, cross bow and arrows, even a grenade. Just in case.

Finding what he was looking for, he moved the bag over.

Through the mini binocs he could see the target just behind the house. They must have let him out for some fresh air. This would be an easy and fast one.

He watched the target for a couple of minutes. Though the closeness of the lenses, he looked as if he was standing in front of him. Ready to ask why he would do such a thing.

Didn’t he know he was an icon.

M did. He knew it quite well. Hundreds of thousands of people were in awe of this creature.

They threw parades and celebrated him. They wrote songs and poems for him. They made movies about him. And they would mourn him.

But his client was right. There was a betrayal that could not go unnoticed. Or unpunished.

These people trusted him. His promise. They may make light of it, but secretly everyone of them hoped that it is true. That the Promise will be kept. That the light and the warmth will come sooner than before.

He took the hope of truth away without a look back. It had to be made right.

He was going to do that.

M picked up the rifle and knelt down on one knee. After a quick scope adjustment, the shot was perfectly lined.

"Good-bye Phil. " A soft whisper, that held like faint breath in the air, wasn’t heard by anyone.

A smile came up on his face as he heard the loud crack fill the space around him.

It was done.

M wasn’t smiling. He lay in the snow, seeing the Tango just as cold as the wind that blew. Not a trace of steam off the hot barrel.

Flashes of orange were in the distance. He couldn’t remember seeing anything orange when he decided on the spot.

It was only when he saw the man’s face looking at him, that he realized what had happened.

Then with his last breath hanging between the two men, M knew.

He knew that for another year the groundhog had won again.

The End