Kapitel 5: Chapter 5: The Dare
The buzz in the CIA office was palpating by the time I reported being late for work. I overslept for the first time in years. The pressure of catching Daxia must have gotten to me.
Arran was already walking with me to my office when I got to the seventeenth-floor reception. He handed me the cup of coffee and I scoffed. “Did the security guard report that I had arrived? You can’t be this perfect, Arran.
Unless you are an alien.”
“I am an alien,” he drawled.
“I have always doubted if you are human,” I retorted with a laugh.
“Compliment accepted,” he laughed.
We walked into my office, and I inquired, “Did you find it?
“Yes,” Arran smirked. “Exactly where you said the bug would be. I submitted it to the forensic team.”
I nodded. “How much time do we have?”
“The captains are already seated waiting for you, sir,” Arran' responded.
I nodded. “Where is the evidence from yesterday's intruder?”
“The forensic captain has it,” Arran responded.
I picked up a notebook from my desk. “Let’s go.”
We walked to the main boardroom, and I sipped my coffee hurriedly. The minute I walked in there was pin-drop silence. I could tell that some of the captains wondered why they had been called for a meeting. Deputy Director Dante stood up when I walked in.
“Good morning, sir,” he greeted with a warm smile.
The rest of the captains seemed reluctant to stand in greeting and I decided to give them the same cordial treatment. I remained standing and waited for them to stand. They all looked shocked at my boldness and then stood up and said, “Good morning, sir.”
I smiled. “Good morning, Dante, and good morning my fellow captains.”
I sat down amidst Arran’s suppressed laughter. “I am sorry I am late for the first meeting. Yesterday the intruder's case took most of my time until morning.”
“No worries, sir,” Director Dante responded.
“This is Arran Deo. My personal assistant.” I nodded toward Arran. He did not smile but just nodded toward the rest of the captains.
One of the captains asked, “Why do you need a PA?” I could tell that they had discussed this beforehand.
“Arran is also my bodyguard.” I leaned back and smirked.
“Captains, I know that you are unhappy with the appointment of Director Vance from Washington D. C, but you don't need to show it.” Dante sounded like he was scolding them, but from his tone, I immediately knew he was causing trouble.
“Why do I read pretense in your voice?” Arran demanded.
“Since when does a PA speak in a meeting?” Director Dante responded in anger.
“Director Dante, Arran is no ordinary PA or bodyguard. He is a retired military sniper with a major rank. You better give him your respect. No one in this room can match his expertise,” I snapped.
The reactions of everyone in the room were comical. Jaws dropped while others gasped. Director Dante looked uncomfortable while Arran responded “No need to spell it out, Director Vance. I am just an ordinary PA and bodyguard.”
“Let's get down to business,” I commanded, and Arran stood up to brief us on yesterday’s intruder.
The forensic captain took over while he placed the card that Daxia left on my desk. “The only fingerprints found were yours, Director Vance.”
I expected it. Daxia would never be caught this easily.
“What about the surveillance footage?” I inquired.
“We got nothing out of it,” the forensic captain replied. “At the moment, we are upgrading our surveillance software as instructed by Mr. Arran.”
“Just Arran. No need for formalities,” Arran casually stated.
“I know you are all not a fan of foreign agents being sent to your office, but I am here to catch Daxia. I don't plan on staying in New York. So, you can put your minds to ease.”
“Director, I am more concerned by the intrusion. Why would Daxia show himself now that you are here?” one of the captains inquired.
“He is playing games,” Arran responded. “He is a man who has nothing to lose. He is showing himself because we already have a mole. Someone informed him about Director Vance. And then he felt challenged.”
“What do you mean?” the forensic captain retorted.
“How did he know that Director Vance had arrived in New York?” Arran repeated.
Everyone was silent.
“The information was top secret. Only the directors and captains knew about it,” I responded.
“Exactly. Daxia is a ghost. Unless he is given ammunition, he will not attack,” Arran retorted. “It took him a week to plan, yet we arrived in New York earlier than planned. Someone tipped him off and he pushed his plans forward. He already knew that our surveillance system is sh*t.”
“Watch your tone,” one of the captains seethed.
“I will not. What if he had put a bullet through the captain? Who would be blamed?” Arran pressed defiantly.
“How come he did not do anything to Director Vance?” Director Dante drawled.
“Finally,” Arran muttered under his breath. I knew what he meant. He had been baiting everyone in the room hoping for someone to catch the person who might have leaked the information.
“What do you mean by he did not do anything to me?” I asked in amusement.
“You are unharmed, sir.” His tone went back to defensive mode.
“Having someone point a gun at your head is not something? Being threatened in your office and having a rogue-like Daxia deliver your coffee is not something?” My eyes pierced directly at Director Dante, and he lowered his head.
He murmured, “My apologies, sir.”
“Director Vance, I have some good news to report,” the forensic captain interjected.
“What is it?”
“The Mara coffee house that brought your coffee is owned by Ryuu Holdings,” he smiled.
“And?” I pressed with a raised brow.
“Your order was diverted. When you placed the order online, someone hacked into the app and then diverted the order to the Mara coffee house. It's a clue. If you can assign the junior teams to scout the coffee house and get surveillance footage, then we can find a lead.”
I nodded and then turned to Arran. “You will handle this.”
“What do you mean?” Director Dante asked.
I was about to boast that Arran was also the master of disguise when he stood up and interrupted me. “Thank you, sir. I will do my best.” Then he bowed. From the corner of his eyes, I saw a wink and knew he had just silenced me.
“Arran submitted a bug from my office this morning that was left behind by Daxia. Do you have anything to report on your findings?”
“Not yet, sir,” the forensic captain reported. “But the bug is high-end, and military-grade. It does not come cheap.”
“There is no doubt that Daxia has money. Have your team find out who on the black market is selling it.”
“Yes, sir,” he replied with a sharp nod.
“Great. In the meantime, let us also focus on the cases at hand. I read each of your reports. Apart from the Daxia case, there is the art heist that has been a thorn in our side. I would like to give the case priority.” The captain in charge looked happy and nodded in thanks.
“The commissioner expects our reports by the end of next week,” Director Dante informed me.
“I will be meeting the commissioner this afternoon. I have a few recommendations that I will be doing to him. If approved, then we shall have a lot of changes internally. I want systems upgraded, and reporting structures changed. This is all for security and to seal the leaks. That will be all for today,” I commanded.
They all stood up “Thank you, sir.”
I nodded and left the board room. Once we were within earshot, Arran laughed and said, “You finally put them in their place.”
“Of course. I will never allow them to disrespect you or me,” I asserted.
We walked into my office and Arran closed the door. “You know that Director Dante is the one who leaked. Only that we don't have evidence. From my deductions, he looked not bothered by the fact Daxia was the intruder.”
“I don't trust any of them. Only the forensic captain seemed concerned. Once I get approval from the commissioner, there will be rearrangements here and there. Shake them up and remove them from their comfort zones,” I affirmed.
“Nice. In the meantime, I am off to get coffee. The Mara coffee house seems like a good place to be,” Arran smirked.
“I will accompany you,” I announced. Arran’s raised eyebrows were enough to see through my thoughts. “For work, of course.”
“Aha. You mean that if we are on the right track, he will know that you visited the coffee house, and you are on to him,” Arran said.
“Work, Arran. Work and coffee,” I grinned.
“Oh boy, why do I have a feeling I am being dragged into this game?” Arran sighed unhappily as I laughed out loud at his ridiculous suggestion.
“Don’t be a spoilsport.” I patted his back.
“You would have almost spilled the beans if I did not interrupt you. You owe me this opportunity. And from now on, you will wear a bulletproof vest,” he scolded.
“Yes, sir.” I raised my right hand in salute.
“Pfft. Cut the crap,” Arran grunted.
We left the office an hour later and headed to the coffee house. Removing the suit jacket, I folded it over my arm as we walked into the Mara coffee house. The place has over five cameras and the level of security was topnotch, not to mention the peppermint coffee was so well done. I smiled throughout while Arran’s scolding face and upturned mouth remained constant.
Arran stood up and went over to the counter and requested to see the manager. Ten minutes later, a young lady walked over and greeted us. “Sir, you wanted to see me?”
“Yes. There was an order delivered to the CIA’s office for coffee last evening at around 5:30 p.m. We would like to know who delivered it. Does your system show that?”
“I’m sorry, sir. We don’t do deliveries after 5 p.m.,” she responded.
“What do you mean?” I quizzed, confusion spreading across my chest.
“Deliveries are done between eight in the morning and four-thirty in the evening. Before and after that everything is purchased over the counter.”
“We would like to look at your CCTV system.” Arran’s voice was deep and commanding.
“I need to see a badge, sir,” she responded calmly.
I removed my badge and gave it to her. “Her eyes widened, and she took a step back. “I am sorry, sir. I did not mean any offense. Please come this way.”
Arran stood up and followed her. I remained seated, surveying the whole area. If he did not order online, then he must have bought the coffee over the counter and then delivered it. He interrupted my order and deflected it to the Mara coffee house. F*cking b*stard was too smart.
He could have walked in, gone to the washroom, put on a change of clothes, and walked out. Was there another exit? I walked toward the washroom and surveyed the area. The fire exit was closed unless someone internally had a key. My gut feeling told me that there was something I was missing.
I walked back to the table and immediately noticed the black card that was placed below the coaster. My heart went into a frenzy as I slowly picked up the mug and pulled out the card.
‘DAXIA.’
I rushed to the door and surveyed the parking lot to see if I could get a glimpse of anyone. But the whole place was deserted. I went back into the coffee house just as Arran was just walking back to the table.
“What is it?” he asked.
I showed him the card. His eyes widened with shock. “F*ck”
“The security footage,” I stated, and we walked to the back room to view what had transpired.
In the security footage, a man walked into the coffee house moments ago, placed the card under the coaster, raised his hand to the security camera, and then left. It was a matter of five seconds.
“F*cking b*stard,” Arran laughed out loud.
“Daxia you piece of sh*t,” was all I could muster to say at the ridiculousness of the situation.
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein