The Kill

Alex Boudreaux is a top-tier covert special operative within the CIA, renowned for her exceptional skills and unparalleled dedication. Her journey began when she was recruited straight out of college, fulfilling her lifelong aspiration. Hailing from a lineage of formidable individuals, Alex’s family background speaks volumes: her father served in the Special Forces
for the Army, her mother held the esteemed position of Special Agent in Charge for the FBI, her uncle was a seasoned member of the Marine Corps Special Forces, and her aunt currently serves as a U.S. Marshal. With such lineage, Alex inherited a natural inclination towards action, danger, and adventure, driven by a profound commitment to safeguarding the nation and its people.

Alex excels in her role through a combination of extraordinary expertise, strategic brilliance, unwavering focus, and remarkable resilience. She possesses a unique ability to assess situations meticulously, discerning the path of least resistance and violence whenever possible. While she is adept at handling weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and explosives, boasting a 6th-degree Dan in martial arts, Alex’s approach to violence is measured and
calculated. She employs her skills with lethal precision only when absolutely necessary, prioritizing strategic solutions over brute force.

Alex was home in the flatiron district of New York for her cousin Tricia’s wedding. She needed something from the market and on her way home, she was attacked by an assailant. He literally jumped out of nowhere and hit her in the back of her head. She was staggered briefly but regrouped and as the attacker was trying to take her bag and groceries she delivered a
blow to his chest, he was stunned and then she threw him on a car and grabbed his arms and pulled them behind his back in a martial arts hold, and then told him forcefully to stop and that she didn’t want to hurt him.

People were recording all of it, and she would later learn what she told him was also audible on the videos. Alex told him to get on his knees with his hands up behind his head. Alex told him again to “get on your fucking knees…I won’t tell you again.” Alex stepped back and told him not to move. In a split second when an innocent bystander walk up to Alex to see if she was alright, she told her to get back, the assailant charged at the bystander trying to grab her, and Alex managed to push the bystander away, turned and delivered a forceful blow to the assailant, he stumbled backwards and hit the pavement, then blood gushed out of the back of his head. Alex yelled to the bystanders to call 9–11. She checked the assailant’s pulse and it was weak. Then he started losing consciousness, but Alex tried to keep him awake and talking.

When the EMTs and the police arrived, the assailant was loaded into the ambulance. Alex presented her credentials to the police, who proceeded to interview witnesses and review video and audio recordings, all of which appeared to corroborate Alex’s account of the incident. Later, upon returning home, Alex contacted her superiors to provide a status report.

It was later learned that the assailant is a 26 year old rich kid by the name of Aaron Albrecht, with a long history of assault, robbery, drug and gun possessions. His family are media moguls and have for years, gotten him off with money, plea deals, pathetically small fines and stays in the mental health facilities for the rich, which look more like resorts.

The next day, while Alex was at home, trying to process the series of events from the day before, she received a call from her superior informing her of Albrecht’s death. With her characteristic practical professionalism, she absorbed the news. Her superior assured her that it was a clear-cut case of self-defense and encouraged her to take all the time she needed to come to terms with it. True to her nature, Alex brushed it off, expressing that she
was okay despite the circumstances. Her superior acknowledged her response with a knowing tone before they ended the call.

After preparing herself, Alex headed to her cousin’s wedding, hoping to put the ordeal behind her. However, to her dismay, she had a nagging feeling in her gut that this situation was far from over. But she had to put all of this unpleasantness aside for the sake of her cousin’s happiness.

Two weeks later, following an investigation into Albrecht’s death, the police concluded it was justifiable homicide stemming from an act of self-defense. Consequently, the District Attorney opted not to press charges. With these findings, Alex believed the matter was officially resolved. However, her peace was short-lived.

As she prepared for her next assignment, Alex was startled to see breaking news: the Albrechts had decided to file a civil lawsuit against the City of New York, the police department, the DA, and Alex herself for wrongful death. Startled but not quite surprised, she watched and listened intently. Shortly thereafter, her phone buzzed incessantly with texts from colleagues, friends, and family. Among them was a message from her superior, urging her to call immediately.

Alex’s world is turned upside down and now she has to defend herself from the rich and powerful Albrechts…all she could say is WTF! What in the unholy FUCK!

Fast forward two years. After enduring endless courtroom battles, multiple character assassinations, relentless media scrutiny affecting not only her but also her family and friends, her career is on hold and witness after witness, her attorneys awaited the crucial moment when the jury would deliver their verdict. Alex and her legal team had insisted on a trial by a jury, which was her right, despite objections from the Albrechts, who had their own obvious reasons for dissent. Rich people always believe that they can buy and sue their way in and out of anything.

Arriving at the courthouse, it resembled a zoo due to the Albrechts turning it into a complete media circus, but public opinion was never on their side, considering their history of covering up Aaron Albrecht’s numerous violent criminal activities. Inside the courtroom, as the judge was seated, he inquired if the jury had reached a decision. The forewoman affirmed, passing the verdict to the clerk who then handed it to Judge Carrington. He was a crusty piece of work, but he did appear fair. After going through the formalities, Judge Carrington read the decision: the burden of proof had not been met, Aaron Albrecht’s death was deemed a justifiable homicide in a case of self-defense, and the claim was denied.

Given that Alex counter-sued, and the case was on what is referred to as an “unlimited civil docket”, so decisions could be made by the judge quickly. The judge ruled in favor of Alex, ordering the Albrechts to compensate her for all legal fees, irreparable damage to Alex’s reputation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, lost benefits, and her inability to ever perform her duties as a covert field operative for the CIA again. The total sum amounted to $155 million. Upon hearing the decision. Aaron’s father jumped up and screamed “this is a travesty, this fucking court is a joke!” The judge warned him that he would hold him in contempt, and told his attorneys to control their client. I guess when the wealthy and well-connected don’t get their way, it’s a shock to their system. After the fireworks in the courtroom, Alex wanted nothing to do with the media circus outside, so she told her attorneys to handle it, while she slipped out another way.

This is a bittersweet win for Alex because the career she planned for her whole adult life, and was at the top of her profession, is now over and that’s a tough pill to swallow. But when it’s all said and done, as her attorneys told her, Alex will have over a 100 million ways to chart a new course and have new adventures. Knowing Alex, she might just have one helluva ride
to look forward to.

Two days after the decision, Alex sat in a dimly lit bar near Times Square. It was late evening, and her mind still swirling with the memories of the past two years. The verdict had gone in her favor, but the victory felt hollow. The bitter taste of the injustice of it all lingered, even amidst the overwhelming relief.

As she sipped her bourbon, she glanced at the media headlines plastered across her phone. “Alex Boudreaux, Victorious Against Albrecht Empire,” one read. Another blared, “CIA Operative Cleared of Wrongdoing.” The media circus surrounding this shitshow is still at a fever pitch. These media vultures just can’t stand down, she thought to herself. They still want their pound of flesh.

The city skyline glittered in the distance, a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed her life. Despite the victory in court, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling of anger combined with emptiness. It’s pissing her off even more that the career she had dedicated herself to was now going to be nothing more than a memory, lost to the machinations of the rich and powerful. No wonder so many people want to eat the fucking rich.

As Alex gazed out into the night, suddenly her old spark of determination ignited within her again. She may have lost her career, but she refused to let it define her future. There were still countless adventures waiting to be had, and she wasn’t about to let anyone, not even the asshole Albrechts, stand in her way.

After all, when life throws you a shitty curveball, her practical side said…sometimes the best course of action is to hit that bitch out of the park. And Alex Boudreaux was always up for a challenge. She drank the rest of her bourbon, tipped the bartender, grabbed her bag, left the bar, exhaled, looked at the digital clown show that is Times Square, then metaphorically started walking off into her new life…whatever in the HELL that is.

© 2024 Sydney Chandler. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the author.