Contents
CHAPTER 59: From the Kaul Family
Overview
Posing as journalists, Anden, Wen, and Rohn meet Zapunyo in his hotel suite. When Zapunyo exposes their ruse, Rohn unleashes jade, a firefight erupts, and Wen executes Zapunyo, claiming Kaul justice. The trio escapes the hotel, but at Starr Lumber they are ambushed by local crew, and Rohn is shot, escalating new danger.
Summary
Wen, Anden, and Rohn wait in a sedan outside the Crestwood Hotel, with paid-off beat cops poised to ignore their getaway. Inside, they ride up with barukan escorts after a search that misses Wen’s jade hidden in a fountain pen. They enter Zapunyo’s suite, where Anden, disguised as journalist Ray Caido, begins the interview.
When Zapunyo reveals he has checked credentials and knows Anden is not Ray Caido, Anden admits he is there to kill him. Rohn detonates a Deflection, toppling the room into chaos. Gunfire erupts; Anden grapples Zapunyo from behind as a human shield while Rohn kills the son and two guards and subdues the last after a brutal struggle.
Wen retrieves a dropped pistol and, after Anden loosens his hold, executes Zapunyo, declaring herself from the Kaul family. Rohn wipes prints and rejects Anden’s impulse to take jade from the bodies to avoid implicating Green Bones. They leave the suite, descend through the busy lobby unnoticed, and drive away without police pursuit.
The team reaches Starr Lumber to change and await pickup. As Anden calls Dauk, six armed men burst in. Their leader, a tall man in a felt hat, declares retaliation, then shoots Rohn in the legs, abruptly turning the successful operation into a new crisis.
Who Appears
- Maik WenArchitect of the hit; carries concealed jade; executes Zapunyo, declaring Kaul justice; escapes but faces ambush.
- Kaul AndenFronts as journalist, initiates the attack, restrains Zapunyo as shield, manages escape logistics, calls Dauk.
- Rohn ToroGreen Bone enforcer; triggers Deflection, kills multiple guards, ensures clean exit; later ambushed and shot in legs.
- Zapuno (Zapunyо)Uwiwan smuggler; confronts imposture, survives initial assault briefly before Wen executes him.
- Zapunyo’s eldest sonBodyguarding his father; panics during attack; Rohn crushes his windpipe and disarms him.
- Barukan guardsHeavily armed escorts; engage in close-quarters firefight; all killed after exchanging fire with Rohn.
- Tall man in felt hatLeader of ambushing crew at Starr Lumber; declares reprisal and shoots Rohn in the legs.
- Southtrap beat copsPaid to look away and ensure a clear getaway from the Crestwood Hotel.