Kael ran away," Caleb shouted. I got back from my shift just an hour ago, and the news I'm hearing isn't pleasant at all. How can he possibly run away when the security at headquarters is top-notch?
It's been a week since we caught him, and he withstands all the torture. Was he certain that he would be rescued? There were special agents outside his cell and at the entrance of the basement leading to his cell, and of course, tons of officers were all around the building. You either need a card or a thumb impression to pass through gates. That suggests that someone has helped him.
One day, I decided to check on him, as the chief said he is silent, and he has uttered not a single word of information about Veyric. His cell had the strong smell of blood and rust, and it was hard to breathe inside. I covered my nose because of the strong smell. He was fastened to a chair with strong belts around his legs and hands. Just like the first day of his torture. All the nails of his fingers were ripped out. Blood was continuously dripping from his fingers and face. His face was hung low, so the wounds on his face weren't visible to me, but I could see the blood dropping from them.
Because of limited oxygen supply, I had to move out of the room within 2 to 3 minutes. All I remember about him is that it's impossible to get out of that cell all by himself; he was too injured and wounded to do so. His legs were injured badly as well. Although, with one quick glance, I cannot say, but I am sure that the chief must have broken his bones as well; it could be ribs… hands… fingers… legs…
Just like I thought when I walked into his hideout, someone within was their informer. The person who alerted them during the mission must have assisted Kael in escaping. But who could it be?
"Hello… Are you there?" Caleb spoke. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice he was on call with me. "Yes, I'll be there soon."
Thankfully I didn't change into something comfortable. I was just planning what to eat for dinner when he blasted the news on me. I grabbed my keys and rushed out. Due to heavy traffic at this hour, it took me longer than average to reach my destination.
I arrived at the headquarters; everything seemed normal except for the fact that all the agents were on site. The darkness of night was spreading its wings. Little wind was blowing; the weather was nice and calm, but it failed to alleviate our tension.
Spring season is best in Ravaska. But Zena being close to the ocean makes the spring season fascinating. This season needs time from one to appreciate it, but my life doesn't spare me any.
I could see so many agents at the entrance as well as in front of the building. I spotted Caleb and the chief talking. They appeared serious; frown lines were visible on the chief's forehead, and his expressions were pretty visible even from afar. I could sense irritation, regret and anger in his expression. His brows were pulled together, forming a sharp V-shape above his eyes; his eyes were narrowed, filled with frustration.
Caleb was facing the chief, so I couldn't see his expression. I spotted Evan and Talia standing at the building's entryway.
I parked my car and made my way over to Evan and Talia. "Did you receive a call, or were you here during the escape?" I enquired. "We were here, and the chief has summoned every agent, so Noah and Zara must be on their way as well," he answered. There was no hesitation, nor any averted gaze. He looked straight at me and blinked at a normal rate. He didn't seem to be lying.
"Taila, where were you?" I directed my gaze at her. I am well aware of how it will be, so I am preparing myself for the worst. They will be interrogated, and I want to be aware if they are involved in it beforehand. " I was on my way out when the alarm went off, so I immediately ran back. " Clean, just like Evan.
"Okay, let me know when Noah and Talia come. I'll be heading to chief." I instructed and continued towards the chief and Caleb.
"Hey, Mira… You are finally here." He raised his voice as soon as he spotted me. "I warned you," I uttered. My tone had a hint of annoyance and anger. I worked so hard, along with my team, burning midnight oil just for him to run away. "I know." He rubbed his temples. "Where were you when this happens? What about the camera?" I questioned Caleb. He looked at me… calm and composed as if he needed to be composed and calm.
"I was with the chief in his office, finalising the details," he replied almost instantly. He is being suspicious. He is sweating a little bit, didn't answer my second question and turned to the chief. "Claeb." I grabbed his attention. "Cameras?" I asked again. "Oh yeah, sorry… My team is working on it with the security team." He seemed perplexed. It's either him or someone from his team. Him being all nervous and sweaty and having a shaky voice is suspicious. I hope I am thinking wrong.
"So, what now?" I questioned. The chief is in a panic because of this; I could feel it in the way he is breathing. He should have listened to me. Just about two days ago, I went to his office to ask how the investigation on Veyric was going, and he just dismissed me like it's not important.
When I walked into his office that day, he was relaxed, leaning back on his chair and sipping his coffee. He also had some classical music on, which was similar to piano. When I saw him so relaxed and not being serious in interrogation, I felt bad for Zara. She really wanted to try interrogation.
"Chief… You seem happy. I am assuming you got something out of Kael, right?" I frowned and walked towards his desk. "Have a seat," he gestured. He was in a cheerful mood. "So…" I said as soon as my butt hit the chair.
"No, I have not gotten anything out of him yet." He paused, strolling over to his antique music player, the gramophone. He lifted the needle off the record, and the room went silent. His office has a big window behind his chair. What could be the purpose of putting the desk right in front of the window? Well, his personal choice. However, as he stood up, the sunlight streamed directly into my eyes, causing irritation to my pupils.
"I am working on it, and you have seen how much he is tortured. His room gets a lower and lower oxygen supply every day, his limbs are broken, his face has wounds all over, and his nails are pulled out brutally, yet he is still silent." He sat back on his comfortable chair and leaned in a little. "Now you tell me what's left."
I know it's hard to get information out of a dog, but there must be a limit to his tolerance to the pain. The chief is also right on his account. We cannot risk torture all the time, or he might die before giving any information.
"Want me to give it a try?" I proposed. He put his hands together and placed them on the table. With a deep breath he looked at me and said. "No, you need to focus on Kairo." Just as I thought he would reply.
It's so weird and unlikely that the chief put me on the second mission before actually finishing the first one. Working on Kairo and capturing him is the top priority, it appears. I get that he is currently the most dangerous man, but I think it's just a hypothesis that maybe if we catch Veyric, we might get a lead on Kairo as well.
"Okay, I get it, but maybe we get the lead on Kairo," I said, voicing my thoughts. "While finding Veyric?" He raised a question. His eyebrows raised as well. "Yes…" I replied. "No, we don't have time to put you on Veyric for months and wait for the mission on Kairo." His expressions relaxed, his brows rested gently over his eyes, and soft smiles were carved on his lips.
"Why can't anyone else work on Kairo?" I finally asked the question. He rubbed his temples and looked at me; he was annoyed, not angry. He is still calm. "Because they asked for you especially. Anyone can work on Veyric Sorn, and well, I was about to put someone in charge of that." He continued without breaking eye contact. "But you have to do it, and it's not my order." That's all he said to me the other day; after that, he just shooed me off.
"Chief, I asked you the other day as well, and I am going to say it again: let me get back on Veyric. My team and I have been working on it since the beginning, and we…" I got cut off by the chief. "No" – just a no. He really is stuck on his decision, making it look like someone asked him to put me on Kairo.
I do understand that I am well known for solving all cases, but it doesn't mean that the president and higher-ups know about me or my skills. They never met me once, they don't know how many cases I have solved, and they don't know anything at all.
"How are you going to deal with this situation when you are sending me and Caleb to Varneth?" I enquired. He didn't answer and went inside the building. I saw him, disappearing into the building and my four team members standing by the entrance. I didn't notice them coming in.
I looked back at Caleb. He was lost in his thoughts. Head low, hand on his chin, deep thinking. "What are you thinking?" He looked up confused. "Wondering how he broke through all the security…" He got a point, and that's why we are sure there is a traitor.
"Get the CCTV; that's the only way to find out." I patted his shoulder before parting ways. I am suspicious of him, but he has been in the agency longer than I have. There is no way he managed to stay hidden for so long.
…
"You all will be interrogated by Caleb or other higher agents," I announced to my team. They are clear; I know it, but protocols must be followed. "They'll call you one by one just to answer the question; we need to find a traitor." I paced inside my cabin.
I fall flat on the couch. Nothing in this week happens in my favour, and the two cherries on top sit there perfectly undisturbed. Going to Varneth… and the man who walked inside my house that night.
I checked all the cameras around my building and inside my building, and all I got was a man, with nothing clear about him. The footage was from the front door of my apartment. He was holding my unconscious body in his arms. The thing that shocked me was how he managed to unlock my door without asking me and put me down. I could see his body, not his face; he was wearing all black. A black button-down shirt tucked inside his formal black dress pants. He had a cap on, and I could only see his back.
The footage of when he left wasn't there. I know he went in at what time, but how long did he stay? He didn't do anything wrong to me. I was fully dressed in the same clothes. The thought that an unknown man walked into my apartment and stayed inside for God knows how long is eating me up mentally and making my insomnia worse.
He purposely left the short clip of him to let me know he is watching me… he knows me. Zena is the capital, and all criminal activities are rare to spot, and a person like that existing in the same city is concerning.
I sat straight when someone knocked on my door. I could tell it's Caleb; I memorise footsteps and normal behaviour. "Yes?" I posed a question. "Here…" He walked in and handed me some documents. "Get ready. Things are getting serious, and we need to head out earlier than planned." What? Is he talking about going to Varneth… The chief said I have two weeks to prepare, so what's the sudden rush? I grabbed the file, and he walked out. This is the first time I am seeing Caleb like this. Seems like Kael's escape affected him the most.
I skim through the papers real quick. Reading only the bold words. The documents are about fake identity, house, and background. My name is changed from Mira Keene to Anna Armstrong, with only a high school degree and a four-year jail record. "Two days…" my voice came out louder than I thought.
The chief wants me to get my shit together about Varneth within two days and get on Kairo and find him there. Thankfully, my family and I moved out of there 10 years ago, after that incident. They weren't happy about it, though, and blamed me silently. So, no one is going to recognise me there.
Getting out of that city was very relieving for me, and I promised myself to never think of ever going back. I knew I had to visit it at some point, but not this soon. That city is haunting for me. It's allies, people, the hospital, school, neighbourhood and police station.
Maybe if I had ignored them that day, I wouldn't have had to deal with his betrayal and would have lived in the delusion that he is my best friend who cares most about me. I am not going to get panic because of him or at the sight or the name of Varneth again.
According to the papers, our parents died when we were 15 years old, and we had to drop out of college later on due to financial issues. It says Caleb, whose name is Miles Armstrong, has been to jail for robbery for 5 years, and I went to jail a year later for stabbing a male coworker. We are fresh out of jail and starting a new life in Varneth.
Okay, let's get started. I called for my team members. I texted Caleb to hold the interrogation for my team because we are having a meeting. The chief wouldn't approve the meeting before interrogation, but I have very little time on my hands to get the team into the pace of working when I am away.
With a knock on the door, they entered my office. Evan and Noah took the chair, while Zara and Talia sat on either side of me on the couch. "About the next mission, the target is Kairo. What we have right now is just a picture of him which is blurry." I dropped the picture on the table. "According to Caleb, just from a name we cannot catch him from our record. I am going to Varneth in two days as a spy with Caleb." Their attention was fully on me, eyes shining with the name of the new mission, a small grin on their face, but it changed into concern soon.
"It was reported to the chief that his recent activities are in Varneth, and he could be there, or we could get possible leads from there." I am not sure if I'm explaining the plan effectively or not, as my brain is fogged with the recent events. I have an unfamiliar nauseous feeling in my stomach. "You all have to work while I am away; keep me updated on everything. You need to be my eyes and ears inside the agency." I suggested.
"Any questions?" I gave them time to think about the situation. I have been a spy before, but that was before I got my own team, so it's new for them. "I don't think I have any questions at this time," Talia said, and the others nodded along with her.
"Okay then, I'll let Caleb know you guys are free and can be interrogated." I walked to my desk and texted him.
'Send them over,' he replied instantly.
"He is calling for you. Have a great time in interrogation." I smirked. They looked tense, but I am sure they have a clear alibi, and no spy can deceive me working in my team. They all left the room one by one. I know they are really upset about Kael almost as much as I am. They have been working alongside me for months.
…
I was driving back home in the morning for a shower and change of clothes. Our whole night was wasted trying to interrogate and find the traitor among us; now it's 10 am, and I am still in my yesterday's clothes.
My phone was inside my bag on the passenger seat when it started to beep. A message, it must be. I grabbed the phone, not wanting to, but with everything going on in the agency, I just can't ignore the texts and calls.
'Your reporters are out; please collect them from our reception. Regards, RCMI' The reports are finally out; it took longer than they said. I'll grab them on my way back.