A Murder Most Foul: The Life of a Hitman

Epilogue: "MONDAY, THE EIGHTH-THE MURDER MOST FOUL"

In this chapter, Notch is preparing for a significant event that will earn him four million dollars and a new life. Despite the horrible task ahead, he is excited about the possibilities. He reflects on his preparations, including the bullets provided by Walther and the farewell calls to his friends Sec and Walther. He packs his belongings, ensuring he leaves no trace of his previous life. As he walks out of his apartment for the last time, he experiences a moment of doubt and pain, symbolized by a white owl flying overhead and a feather landing at his feet. He arrives at the location, disguises himself with a fake beard, and waits for the right moment. He encounters a nervous patsy and a doorman, but everything goes according to plan. The chapter ends with Notch ready to carry out his final contract, raising his pistol as the patsy yells out the name of the victim.

Chapter 45: "NOW: FRIDAY THE NINETEENTH, GRAND CAYMEN"

In this chapter, Gabriella arrives at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman on Friday, the 19th. The local time is 11:10 AM, and the weather is rainy and 81 degrees. As she disembarks from the plane, she nervously scans the crowd gathered on the tarmac, hoping to see a familiar face, but she doesn't. Gabi stands frozen in place as the last of the passengers enter the terminal. It starts to rain, mirroring the tears that begin to roll down her face, which is described as the most beautiful face that God had ever created.

Chapter 44: NOW: MONDAY NIGHT THE EIGHTH, TETELESTAI

In this chapter, the Notch recounts a significant event that took place on Monday night. He’s in the lobby of a fancy East Side apartment building, preparing to carry out a hit. He shoots the target four times in the heart and quickly exits to the basement. He reflects on the ease of the kill and the lack of need for a coup de grâce. He encounters a small dog and its owner on his way out, and then drives to Miami with the money from the hit. He  disposes of the overcoat used during the hit and continues to reflect on his actions and the consequences. He meets with Rand Centra, a contact in Miami, and discusses the recent events and the deaths of Sarge. Notch plans to send money to Gabriella and his brother Rich, and contemplates his future and the possibility of reuniting with Gabriella. The chapter ends with Notch being ambushed and shot by one of his associates, leading to a violent confrontation and  his eventual death. Notch’s  final moments are filled with reflections on his life, his actions, and the people he cared about.

Chapter 43. "NOW: MONDAY, THE EIGHTH-ALL THESE I SHALL GIVE TO YOU"

In this chapter, Notch recounts a significant event that occurred last Tuesday. A woman, described as hideous and emotionless, entered his life with a proposition. She offers him four million dollars in cash to kill her husband. Despite his initial reluctance due to the immorality of the deed, Notch sees this as an opportunity to end his current half-life and gain the financial means to disappear and possibly reunite with Gabriella, a woman he deeply cares about. He imagines a romantic reunion with Gabriella in the Cayman Islands, although he is aware that this fantasy may not come true. Ultimately, he decides to accept the contract, driven by the hope of finding happiness and escaping his current life.

Chapter 42. Then-The Heart of Darkness

In this chapter, Notch reflects on a significant event from September 1979. Sec and Walter, try to lift his spirits by inviting him to watch the film "Apocalypse Now" at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Notch, initially reluctant, agrees to go because of his admiration for Marlon Brando, who stars in the film. The movie brings back memories of the Vietnam War, and Notch  shares his thoughts on the film's inaccuracies and its impact on him. He recalls his experiences with MACV-SOG soldiers and various operations he participated in during the war. He also observes the reactions of other veterans in the audience, noting their shared understanding and unspoken bond. The chapter ends with Notch reflecting on the film's portrayal of the war and its effect on him, as well as his enjoyment of people-watching during the movie.

Chapter 41. "THEN: L'ANGE VENGEUR DE LA JUSTICE"

Chapter 41, "THEN: L'ANGE VENGEUR DE LA JUSTICE":
In this chapter, Notch follows his handler Sec's advice and spends a week and a half in Montreal. Although Montreal is known for its beautiful prostitutes, Notch isn’t  there for pleasure. Instead, he spends his time eliminating criminals such as pimps, pushers, and other scum from the streets of Montreal. During this period, he kills 14 individuals, earning the nickname "L'ange vengeur de la justice" (The Avenging Angel of Justice) from The Montreal Star.
After his spree in Montreal, he takes a three-month break from work. However, he struggles with his mental state, drinking heavily and engaging in self-destructive behavior. He reflects on his past actions and the emotional toll of his profession, particularly the incident where he let Osborne Whyte go, which marked the beginning of his internal conflict. He grapples with the idea of living a normal life, falling in love, and having a family, but ultimately realizes that the dark abyss of his profession is permanently bound to his soul.
This chapter delves into Notch’s internal struggles and the moral complexities of his profession, highlighting the fine line between professional detachment and the emotional toll of taking lives. It provides a gritty and introspective look into the life of a contract killer, emphasizing the constant danger and the psychological impact of the job.

Chapter 40. "THEN: HOME IS WHERE THE HIT IS-WASTE MANAGEMENT"

Chapter 40, "THEN: HOME IS WHERE THE HIT IS-WASTE MANAGEMENT":
In this chapter, Notch recounts a contract he took on for a crime family to eliminate a drug dealer in New Jersey. The hitman describes the meticulous planning and execution of the hit, including the elimination of the drug dealer's bodyguards and a Doberman that attacked him. He reflects on the challenges and dangers of his profession, particularly the issue of collateral damage, which often includes killing dogs and sometimes innocent bystanders.
Notch also shares a conversation with his handler, Sec, who expresses concern over the excessive violence and the potential repercussions from the powerful crime family. Despite the successful completion of the hit, Notch is warned to lay low and avoid further work with the Cosa Nostra due to the heat generated by the collateral damage.
The chapter delves into the hitman's internal struggles and the moral complexities of his profession, highlighting the fine line between professional detachment and the emotional toll of taking lives. It provides a gritty and introspective look into the life of a contract killer, emphasizing the constant danger and the psychological impact of the job.

Chapter 39. THEN: START SPREADING THE NEWS

Chapter 39.THEN: START SPREADING THE NEWS
In this chapter, Notch is on the road, exhausted both mentally and physically, and calls Sec to inform him that he wants as many jobs lined up as possible. Despite his fatigue, he reflects on his recent actions, including killing a man in Little Rock and losing control in Houston. He acknowledges that he has become a psychopath, driven by vengeance. The chapter ends with Notch finding a photo strip of Gabriella, which triggers a mix of emotions, leading him to cry and masturbate, realizing he is a mess and determined to get back to Gabriella one way or another.

Chapter 38. THEN: HOMEWARD BOUND

Chapter 38. THEN: HOMEWARD BOUND
In this chapter, Notch finds himself covered in blood (not his own) and facing a 20-hour drive alone with his thoughts. He decides to get as far away as possible, avoiding states where he might be on the radar. As he drives, he reflects on the past 72 hours, during which he killed two men, escaped arrest, and abandoned a woman he loved, likely ruining her life. Overwhelmed by guilt and despair, he contemplates suicide but ultimately cannot go through with it. Instead, he decides to return to Tulsa to seek vengeance on six men who had harmed Gabriella 17 years ago. The chapter ends with Notch determined to kill these men, showing no mercy or kindness.

Chapter 37. THEN:VENDETTA

In this chapter, Notch arrives in Houston around 2:00 am, determined to find information about Clint Rodham. His quest leads him to make several mistakes, including revealing his connection to Rodham. He eventually meets a man named Frenchy at a sex club, who arranges a meeting with Rodham. Rodham, depicted as a lowlife, is questioned about Cherry Wood. Notch lies and says he saw her stripping at a club in Nogales, Mexico. Rodham makes several vulgar references to Cherry, A.K.A. Gabriella and Notch driven by rage, kills Rodham with a clock and shoots Frenchy, leaving him to die slowly. The chapter ends with Notch reflecting on his actions and the loss of professionalism in his quest for vengeance.