The Marvelous Elijah's Return

Over my dead body 

In the left corner of the casino, at the red leather couches, Elmer Hayes sat with his table covered with expensive wines and snacks. 

A couple of young girls sat on his right and left side as he and his old friends sat around a mahogany table in front of him, drinking and Elmer took the deck of cards in his hand. 

“Okay... this time, I am going all in!” He laughed loudly, slapping the cards together on top of each other before pushing them into the center of the table, “I bet five million dollars on this 

one...” 

Immediately an awkward silence circled among his friends and he instantly noticed their disturbed and hesitant gazes toward him. 

“Don‘t be such a mood killer and place your bets!” Elmer smiled, trying to diffuse the tension around him. 

“I don‘t have that kind of money to bet on cards....” His friend Lucas said looking at the cards and Elmer could tell he was lying by the expression on his face. 

“Come on man we‘re all good here… just make your damn bet and play, no need to be shy” Elmer smiled widely, nudging Lucas‘s arm. 

“No. I don‘t feel like this is a game, but a cocky move to rob us of our money...” “What?!” 

Even though he knew Lucas hit the nail right on the head, and he was right about him cunning them to get money, he screwed his face in annoyance as soon as he heard it. 

down and play some cards” Elmer laughed again, taking a swig

staring at him like he lost his mind or something, which irritated him even more than

dead step–brother daughter because of him... You are broke, ain‘t you?” Jenkin

sighed, “You have never bet this high before... Do you even have five million to give any of us if

in his lungs for more than a week?!” “Is that so?” Mr. Bamford‘s voice startled the group, he came up behind Elmer‘s seat, smiling at Lucas who immediately shut his mouth when he felt the chief constable‘s intimidating presence, and saw the four officers standing behind him. “At a casino in broad daylight, Mr. Hayes... Isn‘t three o‘clock

his brow at

chief constable‘s presence and he blurted out, “I am a free man. Bamford. It‘s my damn

... That‘s the mindset that messed you up and dragged you in this deep, sticky mud,”

hit his glass on the table and lashed out, “What the hell is an honorable man like yourself doing in a casino when you should

like you, so I can be the superhero for a company that is dying because of the accounting fraud you and

way to deliver the news,‘ One of the policemen thought with a faint

their money? My family is filthy rich!” Elmer yelled, slamming his fist on the table causing the glasses to rattle as fear gripped his heart, not letting it go and leaving him restless. “Well, they might not be rich enough because that didn‘t stop you from getting into this mess.” Mr. Bamford let out, matching Elmer‘s energy. “What the hell are you talking about?!” “You are under investigation for fraud, conspiracy, and filing

say anything, and Elmer sat frozen on his spot unable to comprehend the gravity of what happened and all of its consequences. “Who is behind this absurd accusation, Bamford?! Where is the proof?!” Elmer yelled, his voice growing louder. At this point, everyone‘s attention in the room turned to Elmer, watching the scene unfold in front of them, and knowing who he was, they were shocked at the fact that such a humiliating situation happened to him, which stunned many, including his friends. “Elijah Darius, and as I said, he has great evidence to back his claim... if he didn‘t, I wouldn‘t be poking a bear with a stick... So stay in Syldavia, and make our job easier, okay?” The name, “Elijah,” hit Elmer like a hammer right in his chest, it felt like being struck by a truck at full speed, knocking every breath in his lungs along with the last drops of air as reality settled in and he went quiet immediately, his eyes freezing open. Seeing the look of doom on Elmer‘s face, Mr. Bamford shook his head before walking off with his

a bottle, and threw it at the wall, screaming, “That fucking bastard!!” Rage consumed him, his whole body shaking as a single tear rolled down his cheeks as he lashed out, “Fuck, Elijah!! Your piece of shit! I will end –

him, one of them hand gripping his shoulder. “Mr. Hayes, you

regular customer of this place! Do you know the thousands of dollars I have spent in this damn casino!! And now, you are kicking me out for

One of the bouncers said calmly, “You cannot stay here now and cause more

and he snatched it from their grab and opened it, letting out a

don‘t make this an issue

Elmer reached into his pocket and took out his wallet, mumbling under his breath, “Elijah, you piece of –” “Achoo!” Another sneeze left Elijah‘s lips