章 43: Unexpected Turn
An International Call requires a complex step which involves at least 2 operators to connect and switch the lines. So usually, it takes more than an hour just to connect and you can't talk for a long time.
While waiting for the call to be connected, Louis started a conversation with Henry.
"So, what are you doing in Nepal, Henry? I don't believe that you are here in Nepal for a picnic as there is not much to see here now." Louis asked as he was really curious why would a young man like Henry come to the backward Nepal.
There was nothing much to see in Nepal at that time as there is not even a basic tourism facility. Just for this point, Louis really wanted to know what Henry's purpose was in coming here. After the short confrontation earlier, he knew that Henry was a tough young man.
Henry already prepared an answer for this question as he already expected it. His trip to Nepal couldn't be concealed anyways. So, he pretended to look around and asked, "Is this room soundproof ?"
Louis knew that there was something wrong when he heard that. His heartbeat rapidly increased and cold sweat oozed out from his pores. He stepped back a little but found the table blocking his way.
When Henry saw Louis's reaction, he knew Louis might have misunderstood his meaning. So he hurriedly said, "I only wanted to know if the was room soundproofed or not. There is no other meaning to it. I think you have misunderstood my meaning. The thing I want to say is not allowed to be leaked out."
Even though Louis heard that, he was still shaking as Henry is just too suspicious! Travel alone in a backward country like Nepal while only 19 years old. The most important clue that he found was that something was bulging in Henry pocket!
Louis thought fast about what he had done recently, had he offend someone or not. After thinking carefully, the reason why he became an ambassador in Nepal was that he offended a Senator in the United States, so he couldn't live in the US anymore.
If not because of that, why would he even want to be an ambassador in this backward Nepal where everything was so difficult compared to the US. Even though it was almost 10 years ago, he never forgot about it.
10 years was enough to erase any evidence, so he thought that maybe the Senator chose to get rid of him now. He instinctively grabbed anything from the table behind him and shouted with a panicked tone, "Tell me, did Stephen send you?"
Henry's face was weird as he was confused why Louis started to act like a panicked person. He just asked whether the room soundproofed or not, why would he react like he was about to be murdered? Furthermore, who is this Stephen he was talking about?
But one thing he knew was that this was an opportunity! Even though he didn't know the exact circumstance, from Louis reaction, he could infer that maybe Louis offended a person named Stephen. Maybe this Louis thought that he came to assassinate him.
Even though it sounded absurd, Henry decided to play the role of an Assasin. So he smiled widely and said, "What's wrong Louis? I just asking whether the room is soundproofed or not, why would you act so exaggeratedly? I want to talk about something that can't be leaked out."
Louis already grabbed a stone ornament that decorates his table. He was sure that this Henry must have been sent by that damn Stephen! He thought that Stephen had let him go long ago when he came to Nepal. But it seemed that he wanted his secret buried forever and chose to get rid of him.
Louis' eyes went red as he desperately charged toward Henry while shouting, "Dieeeee~~"
Henry was surprised as he didn't expect to stimulate Louis with just a simple sentence. But he regularly exercised and had been trained by a Navy SEAL instructor for a month, so he quickly evaded Louis's charge and counter-attacked.
Henry grabbed Louis's hand that held the stone and twisted it. Henry did not want to excessively hurt Louis as he was just an old man. So, he just twisted his hand.
Louis shrieked with grief as his hand felt very painful now. So he quickly said, "OK OK, please stop it! What did Stephen give you? I can give it double!"
Henry was amused by Louis reaction, but since all of this had already happened, he could only continue it. So he further twisted Louis's hand which caused him to scream louder.
Luckily it seems the room was soundproofed as Louis did not scream for help. After a while, Louis couldn't hold on anymore and asked weakly, "What do you want from me ?"
Henry knew his chance has arrived, so he says, "Well, I can let you go since Stephen didn't pay me much anyway. But I want you to do something for me." He let go of Louis' hand and sat on his chair.
Louis stood up and casted a hateful look at Henry. But now his fate was in Henry's hands, so he could only comply and say, "What you want me to do? I remind you that I'm still a United States formal ambassador, I already know your identity so you know what the consequences are if anything happens to me."
Henry just laughed when he heard Louis reply, this old man's bones were sure tough. It looked like Louis still did not understand what his situation was, so he could only remind him.
Henry walked towards Louis holding the stone that Louis dropped earlier. He threw the stone into the air a few times while saying, "I remember seeing someone crack open a coconut with a stone. Do you know what happened to the coconut ?"
Louis gulped his saliva and stepped back. He could only give up his last hope and say, "I can only promise you to do something within my ability."
"First, what happened today is an accident, no one should remember this.
Second, I actually came here with another mission too. I must bring an entire tribe from here to somewhere else. All of the tribe members don't have an identity, I trust you can help me with this. It must be ready before tomorrow afternoon as I must bring them back with the designated plane.
If you can do that, then we can act like this never happened. I can also help you with your Stephen problem too if you can do this." Henry stated his wish to Louis.
Originally, he going to ask the embassy help with the Gurkha's problem. But now that there was a better and safer way to do this, so why not?
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