"You called for me Robin"
"Yes I did" Robin said, dropping the coffee mug he held in hand. "You will be taking over the organization soon, how prepared are you?"
"Almost prepared Robin"
"Almost?. Asher, your father is getting old you know, you have to be ready"
"Yes, I know. I…" Asher was interrupted by a phone call ringing through the intercom.
"Hold on" Asher raised his index finger as he turned slightly to answer the call.
"Joey's pizza. What would you like to order today?" Robin said into the phone.
"Uhm, it's a legacy order" the voice at the other end said, sounding confused.
Robin's body stilled. He wasn't sure who he was dealing with. His voice was low and cold. "What's the order"
"Black Raven" the voice came again.
The blood disappeared from Robin's face as his breath got caught in his throat. His fingers tightened around the phone. He whispered, "Can you repeat that?"
"Black Raven" the voice was more clear now.
He had heard right. His heart pounded. The name hadn't been mentioned in years, not since she'd vanished.
Asher straightened. "What happened?"
Robin didn't answer. He was already moving, practically running out of the door, phone in hand with the urgency of a man who had just seen a ghost.
Robin burst through the security doors, overriding protocol. The guards didn't stop him.
"Robin?" the older man in a charcoal suit looked up calmly.
He didn't waste time, "we have a ghost call"
The man arched an eyebrow "So? That's your job. You don't barge in my office to bring me random calls" his voice was stern.
"I'm following protocol sir"
"And what protocol is that?"
"Black Raven" Robin whispered.
A shattering noise filled the room as the glass cup the man had in hand collided with the floor. "What!"
"You have to listen for yourself sir" Robin said handing him the phone.
He resumed the call that was previously kept on hold, "What is your order again?" the man spoke into the phone.
"Black Raven" the voice was more of a whisper, but it was clear.
Password: "I Hate Beans" Valerie responded
The man's eyes widened in shock. "What are the secret coordinates?"
"6°3533N 3°3059E" Valreie replied
There was a bit of silence. The man began to feel it was a rip-off but when the voice came again calling out specific coordinates, he knew he wasn't mistaken.
"Jane?" he whispered into the phone.
"Uhh yes, well no" he was confused. "This is Valerie, I'm Jane's daughter"
They all stared at each other. Robin, the older man and Asher, who stood silently.
"I have a granddaughter" he whispered to them.
"Valerie" the man said into the phone, "Where is your mother?"
"She said to call you. I need help, I have nowhere to turn to" she said dismissing the question.
****
Despite being confused, Valerie followed everything her mother had asked her to do accordingly. Her confusion grew as she heard the shuffling and murmuring that came from the other end of the phone.
"Who are these people?" She muttered to herself.
"Where are you" the second voice came to her again.
She hesitated, not knowing what to do, "I stay with my cousin" she finally spoke.
"Cousin? What cousin?"
"My father's brother" she responded remembering her mother had no siblings.
"Oh" the voice said. "Are you safe there?"
"Yes", her answer was slow but firm. For the first time she realized that despite the love she got from Tamara and her family, she still felt distant from them. She felt like a burden, especially with the pregnancy. "Who are you" she questioned.
The man cleared his throat and said "My name is Henry, I'm your mother's father."
Valerie froze. She was speaking with her grandfather the whole time. Her heart clenched tight.
"You're my grandfather, she whispered"
"Yes, Valerie. I will contact you now on a new device, send your address and I'll be right over".
The knock on the door was firm, three powerful strikes, deliberate and powerful.
Tamara glanced out the window, her brows furrowing as she saw two black SUVs parking on their curb, behind them was a smaller car. Men in tailored suits stepped out in a form that seemed like military.
"Uhm Valerie, I think you should come with me, there are strange people outside".
Valerie gulped, she suspected they were for her but she had only contacted them the previous day. It was too soon.
Mary was already opening the door when they both got to the living room. The sunlight cut across the face of the older man. He was composed, dressed in his navy blue suit. Flaking him were two men, just as composed as he was. He glanced behind Mary and fixed his eyes on Valerie the moment he saw her at striking resemblance is just to obvious.
"Valerie, Jane's daughter the man spoke" the man spoke.
Mary glanced back at Valerie, reading her expression.
Valerie nodded slowly."Yes I'm Valerie"
Henry turned to Mary, "May we come in?". Mary opened the door wider, giving them room to enter.
They sat in the modest living room as Henry, Robin and Asher revealed hidden tales of Valerie's mother's past, keeping the confidential information private.
"So my mother didn't want to marry Matteo, that's why she ran away from home?" Valerie questioned.
"Yes!" Henry nodded "And I feel guilty about it everyday"
"She was stubborn" Valerie chuckled.
"Was?" Robin looked up. They all exchanged glances as Valerie nodded.
"Yes my mother is dead"
Tears welled up Henry's eyes and he blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. His only daughter who he hadn't seen for over twenty years was now dead.
He looked around the room, and his eyes fisted on Valerie. "Would you like to come home with us, at least to see your grandmother?"
Valerie processed the question staring to Tamara and to Mary and back to Tamara.
"Valerie" Mary placed a hand on hers, "it's okay if you have to go. You will always be welcome her anytime, anyday"
"Anytime," Tamara said hugging Valerie.
Valerie stood to face Henry "Yes I'll come with you"
Henry smiled amidst his teary eyes and turned to Mary. "I would like to exhume my daughter"
Silence fell in the living room. As they all stared at each other awkwardly.
"Wasn't she buried?. If she was, I would like her to be dug up. My daughter's body is following me home, she needs a proper resting place" He said matter of factly.
Upon digging up the grave,the bodyguard discovers the casket was lightweight due to there profession they could tell from the weight and they quietly and quickly inform Robbin without alerting Valerie or Henry.
And there suspicion was right Jane casket was empty! Which begs the question where on earth is Jane?