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smiled when he saw a look of resignation register on the Spaniard’s face, ‘You all know what the consequences are for failure … Now, get rid.’ As Julio turned to walk out the room, his shoulders slouched, his boss added, ‘String him up from the tree in the courtyard, and don’t forget to make sure the others witness it.’
    Baldwin turned and walked across the room to the French doors, throwing them open he inhaled the autumn fresh air, and a calmness he’d never known before washed over him. At forty-eight he finally felt at home, he no longer needed to envy the filthy rich because now he had joined the elite club. The huge chateau, and the five million pound yacht anchored in the South of France, was evidence of that. "Living the dream" yep, he certainly was, and this final venture would ensure that dream never slipped away. And they say crime doesn’t pay!
    The money had already started to trickle in, and in a month’s time, he’d be known as the world’s richest man.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Julio walked into the kitchen where he found several of the men playing cards at the large oak table, a basket of croissants and pain au chocolat in the centre. One look at his face and the men knew something was wrong.
    ‘Hey, what’s up, Julio?’
    With a heavy heart Julio explained to the four men what needed to be done. Without argument, or hesitation, the group threw down their cards and set off to find Benji. They found the prankster of the unit in an adjacent room, engrossed in a game on his PlayStation. Terry grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him to his feet.
    ‘Hey, what the fuck, Ter— ’
    Mario, Benji’s brother, carried on playing as though nothing had happened.
    ‘Mario, help me.’ But Mario remained glued to his seat, refusing even to make eye contact with his kid brother.
    The four men dragged Benji through the back door and into the large gravelled courtyard, his arms and legs thrashing violently at those around him, but his efforts proved pointless.
    ‘Come on, guys. You’ve had your fun.’ He laughed nervously. ‘Let me go now, eh!’
    Three of the men held onto their detainee while the fourth threw a thick rope, with a noose at the end, up and over one of the thickest branches of an old oak tree. Even the Arabian horses in the nearby stables sensed the man’s plight and became restless.
    The colour drained from Benji’s face as he realised what was about to happen and he turned to plead with Julio again. ‘Julio, mate, come on, it was a simple mistake. A mistake any one of us could’ve made. Tell the boss I’m sorry … dock me a month’s … no a year’s wages … It’ll never happen again, come on, give me a break, man!’
    Julio placed the noose around the twenty-six-year old’s head, pulling the rope tight, in a strained voice, laced with regret, he said, ‘I’m sorry, Benji, but you royally fucked up, mate. I’ve tried, believe me, but you know what happens when the boss has made up his mind. Take your punishment quietly, take it like a man.’
    Before Julio could back away Benji spat in his face.
    Grabbing the rope from the guy holding it, Mario hoisted his brother off the ground, to the surprise of those with him. 
    After Benji’s neck snapped, silence hit the courtyard. No more screaming. No more pleading. Just silence. The stunned group stood and watched the body swing in the breeze for a few minutes before Mario stepped forward to lower his brother’s body to the ground. Without saying a word, he made a sign of the cross and stared down at his brother’s body.
    ‘I tried, Mario, I pleaded with him to let Benji live. We all know what we signed up for here. Benji was a fool, forget about this, don’t be an arse and follow in his footsteps.’ Julio placed a comforting hand on the man’s huge shoulder.
    Mario shrugged the hand off and turned to Julio, his eyes blazing with contempt, and said, ‘I will avenge my brother’s killing one day of that you