9 Infiltration

We all were gathered in Ed's house. Maddy, Alex and Rach were sitting on the couch. Brad and Justin were at the dining table. Mike was still in the room and Ed sat beside Justin. Justin has done all the work needed about the robots. Three of them will be used for Rach, Phoebe and Justin. One is still left untouched.

Mike has some information and he decided he wants us all together for it.

Ed is mad at me, Mike is mad at me, my two biggest weapons are not with me. They both are experienced and skilled people on this team. How exactly did I manage to get them both pissed at the same time? I guess I'm getting good at pissing people off nowadays.

Mike came in and stood in front of the dining table. Everyone else headed there. Now that everyone was seated around the table, Mike started, "I got a number of England from baldy's phone. We traced it and obviously it was on a fake id. But on further investigation I found it was the number of the Caxtec industries, the automobile company. It's got a global network and the number was of the head of it."

"Witherfield" I blurted out.

"Yes" confirmed Mike. Oh shit! That's the person I went to investigate when I met Ed. There was a misconception that they were involved in some illegal trade but I couldn't find much so the agency dismissed it as a rumour.

"Charlotte Witherfield, it was a she not he. She was Charles, Charlotte."

"A woman" everyone exclaimed. All of them were as surprised as I was. England, London, going back would mean Ed will be in danger. He is hiding from his past but who knew the past was chasing him all along.

"We can't just go and get her. She is not a nobody. She's a well known business woman, a celebrity. It can't be kept covert either. Charlie has informed the English Intelligence Agency and they have told that they would confirm it first. Then they'll allow us to help and nothing more. We have handed them the clues that led to her and in no time it'll be confirmed." Mike took a long breath and waited for someone to speak up something, anything.

"They can't do that." I stood up and everyone looked at me. I could see from the corner of my eye, Mike smiled.

"This is my case, I worked for it. That baldy's tongue went down my throat not theirs. Tell them that this case belongs to Angelos, and they just need to grant permission and assist. I can take care of the rest. They can take the credit, but not the case."

Everyone clapped and yayed, they were all happy. I don't care who takes credit, I just want my case. It's mine and mine alone. Mike was happy too, he expected this reaction. He was counting on it actually. Ed turned and left the celebration. I followed him to his room. He went and sat on the bed. He looked worried, fear was visible on that usual expressionless face. I knocked on the door, he looked up and nodded. I went in and sat beside him.

"Is it about the London thing?" I knew it was. What else could it be?

He nodded again.

"Afraid?" Not like he'd say yes. He's the hardcore guy, no fear no pain. But to my surprise he nodded, "A bit" he admitted. My eyes widened at his answer. I sat there staring at his scared expression. I held his hand to tell him I was there for him. He leaned and put his head on my shoulder. He was facing down as he whispered, "Don't look at me, Jess. I don't want you to see me like this."

Too late buddy, I already saw your face.

"It's okay to be afraid, to have weaknesses. Everyone has them." Even I had a weakness, my family and friends. But can't tell him that. I can understand him, I wouldn't want someone to see me weak either. He took a deep breath, "How come you don't have any?"

"Who said I don't? But I'm not gonna tell you though." He let out a small laugh.

"I don't wanna go back" he said.

"I can't let you go now. Not many guys have kissed me you know." He laughed at that.

"You're always able to keep your calm, impressive."

"Thanks" I proudly said.

"And you wonder why I try to make a move on you." He looked up and smiled at me. I stared at him for a while and then he burst into laughter. I'm glad he's not mad at me anymore.

Mike knocked on the door and we both nodded.

"I'm not interrupting, am I?" He looked a bit hesitant about something. Ed was getting up but I stopped him. I want a witness to this epic apology or maybe just acceptance of my decision could work too.

"What is in them? Why?" He was confused why I chose them. That can be misleading that I chose all my friends. That was troubling him, now I get it.

"You want to know why I got Rach and Phoebe?" I asked for confirmation.

"Not just them, all of them. I mean, why listen to a new one's whim and get a good for nothing idiot? Why have a girl who spilled our secret? What did you see in them?"

"Phoebe is an exceptional arboreal expert. Rach couldn't win a state level Chemistry competition because of a flu. Justin was able to fix a highly complicated robot and reconfigure it too. Brad is an expert in body language and can make his body lie too. He has exceptional social skills. And after all that we've been through as partners, you could at least trust me."

He looked down and regretted. Come on,

apologize already. I have made a witness stay especially for that.

"I'm sorry. I know you that much." Finally, music to my ears. I smiled at him and nodded. Everything is now back to normal. I have them both back at my side. It feels good.

***********

Permission from England finally arrived. And after hearing Angelos's name, they let us handle the case. Everyone was filled with joy, they all started packing and were very excited. Their first case was about to come to an end. We took a flight and landed in London. I took an apartment on rent for me alone and the others were in another cottage nearby.

I went in the Caxtec industries and asked for Miss Witherfield. I waited for an hour or so and then a woman in her early thirties came in with people swarming around her. She wore a grey fish tail skirt with a black shirt and grey blazer. Her hair were tied up in a pony tail. Everyone stood up to greet her, she ignored them and went straight into her office. I looked around and snuck up behind them. I knocked on the door and a female voice said "Come in"

I pushed the door and went in. She looked at me and nodded, "What is it?" she said and started talking to the man beside her about some loss in the Asian market.

"I would like to talk to you in private." She then narrowed her eyes and had another long look. She gave a thought and said, "What do you want to talk about?"

I came forward and handed her the file I had in my bag. She took it and motioned the man to stand aside. She opened the file and started turning pages. Her pace increased after every page. She then asked the man to leave. She stood up and turned to me.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Don't worry I'm not a cop. And I don't want money either." She was taken aback by my words. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment.

"Then what?"

"Job"

"What?" She looked at me and laughed. "You did all this for a job in Caxtec? How long did all this take?" She asked with a playful smile.

"Around three months" I said bluntly. Her eyes widened at that, "Three months? That's all?" I nodded and her jaw dropped. She started laughing again.

"Fine, I'll give you a job in Caxtec." she said and picked up her intercom. She then asked for an appointment letter. I rushed to her table and disconnected the line. She angrily rose from her seat, "What was that?"

"Not in Caxtec, Miss Witherfield." I said. She raised an eyebrow and waited for me to elaborate.

"Your PA in the other work." I said with confidence. She came near me and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"You already know enough to be killed. Why do you want to die? I was impressed by your intelligence and offered a job."

"Well, I'm not an idiot who would do all this for a simple job, risk my neck."

"Why should I not kill you?"

"Because I know more than I put in that file."

"What else?" she asked.

"It's a very important piece of information, Miss Witherfield. Promise me the job and I'll spill the beans."

"If I do find it important then you're a person to be kept."

"Your bald guy in Singapore is with Angelos since last month or so."

"Angelos!" she exclaimed and her thoughts started to run amock.

"Whoa! Hold your horses, he hasn't said anything yet." She gave out a sigh of relief, "But there is no guarantee that he won't in the near future" I said warning her.

"Of course, there isn't." she snapped.

"So am I your PA now?" I asked and she said, "yes" and sat on her seat again.

"Bullseye!" yelled Mike in my ear. I smiled and went to her side, "Just one more question, do you need the bald guy alive?" I asked her slyly. She looked at me, "He has been the figure for some time so yes, we need him alive. Can you arrange that, PA?" I nodded and she smiled.

"Well then, welcome to my world Miss?"

"Cassie" I said, "Just Cassie"

***********

I had just come out of the shower when I heard a car screech at the front of the building and then a horn. I looked down the window and saw a black Mercedes outside my building. He honked again.

"Coming" I yelled from the window.

I dressed quickly and ran down the stairs all the way out to the car. He lowered his window and turned towards me, "You're late."

"You still mad about that?" I was irritated now.

"Just get in" he said sternly. I made a face at him and sat on the passenger seat.

We reached the office and I stepped out. I turned and leaned to look at him, "Thanks, baldy"

He looked pissed, ignoring him I went in and straight up to Charlotte's office. I knocked on the door and she said, "Come in"

She looked at me and calmly said, "Cassie, you're late."

"What's with everyone today? It's just a few minutes. Geez people, lighten up."

She was annoyed, "Cassie, you're good. But you still have to be on time. If you show such reckless behavior, I'll have to answer people around. You're job already is a subject of gossip."

I sunk down in my seat and said "fine" in a low voice.

"What's with baldy? He seems pissed at me." I asked remembering this morning.

"You made a fool out of him. What else do you expect?" she said with her head buried in a file. I went to her and said, "A consignment has come in. They want a small order but are stupid enough to pay a lot."

"Say no"

"But why?" I asked shocked at her reply.

"It can be a trap or if it isn't so and they really are stupid then they are amatuer and it's risky."

I nodded and sat back.

It has been two months since I started working here. Two weeks after I joined I planned a fake rescue and got baldy out. His real name is Warren. He was surprised to see me with Charlotte. I had already told her about our encounter. And the fact that I was the one behind the murder at the pub. When she saw his expression, she laughed her heart out and told him that he was used to get to her. He has been cold to me since.

Charlotte thinks this little brawl is amusing. But today she seemed cold too. She sees me as a new kid who is smart but immature. She trusts me with the info but not with anything useful enough. She's taking precautions and thats obvious.

"Hey, Charlotte I'm bored. This office is so boring." I said in a child-like voice.

She looked up at me and then sighed, "Its not always action, Cassie." I made a pout and sat back. She never says that, she's more fun loving than I am. What is it today with everybody?

I went out and saw baldy passing in disguise. He had a wig and a moustache. I ran up to him and stopped him.

"What's with Charlotte today?"

He thought for a while and then said in a heavy voice, "You work with us now so write down today's date. Her husband died today. He suddenly vanished from the face of the earth. So don't bother her today." He said that and walked away.

Vanished? Just like that, how? I hate mysteries. But that explained her cold behavior. I went back to the office and picked up my stuff.

"Charlotte, let's go for lunch somewhere."

She still had her head buried in the file, "We don't have time. There's a lot of work at Caxtec."

"Oh, come on. It'll lighten up your mood."

She looked up at me amazed and then sighed, "So he told you?"

I looked down as I didn't want to meet her eyes. "Let's go for dinner. I really do have work right now." she said.

"Let's have Mexican, Olay!" I said excitedly. She smiled and nodded. I helped her with work and got finished early that evening. I went back to my apartment and put on a chocolate coloured dress. I was walking down the road to meet Charlotte in the restaurant. A few more minutes of walk and I'll be there. I walked past an alley and saw a shadow. I went in there to see when everything went black.

I woke up in a dark room. I remember this room, it's the same one. They found me, did they find Ed too. I hope not. If not then I have to find a way to keep them hooked on me and not get to him. Think Jess, think.

I was at my wits end when the door opened and light beamed at my face. I closed my eyes as sudden light hurt and when I slowly opened them, I saw ten to twelve male shadows enter the room. A feeling of déjà vu clouded my mind. I took a deep breath. Jessica, focus.

The one in the front came near me and bent down to be at the same level, "Where is she?"

She? Who?

Who are they talking about? If they don't want Ed, then who? I did not reply and sternly kept staring at him. He slapped me and then roughly held my mouth to face him.

"Where is Charlotte?"

Charlotte? Why do these people want her? Then maybe they didn't recognise me. To them I'm someone who works for Charlotte Witherfield.

"I believe you know she's involved in the guns and all? Just tell us and we'll let you go. I promise, okay?"

"I do not know." I said sternly.

He started beating me again till the one behind him stopped him. He came forward and politely brushed back my hair, "It's alright. You're welcome, beautiful guest, to stay till you remember." he said as he wiped the blood drop from the corner of my lips.

Then they all went outside and locked the room behind them. Now is the time to think. As I remember, there's no way out till a help from the inside. But this time I'm not alone, my whole team is outside and searching for me.

And in a flash the thought struck me, if they don't know who I am maybe they didn't take out my ear piece. But how do I check, my hands are tied and its in my earring. I rubbed my ear on my shoulder and to my relief, I was still wearing it. And now all that's left is activating it. I somehow managed to get rid of my heels. And thanks to the lovely ballet classes I was forced to have, I managed to get my hands in front. A small click on its back and I heard the beep.

"Jess, where are you?" It was Ed. But Mike's in charge of the contact not him.

"Ed, I'm with your people again. But they don't know me yet. Tell Mike to get me out of here or no wait, let Charlotte do it. You stay hidden, please." I don't want him here, it's dangerous for him. If these people get a hold of him, he's dead.

"Jess, I'll be there soon." I was filled with rage. Does he not understand I'm worried sick for him. That I'm taking beatings just so they don't find him.

"What? Didn't you hear me? You're not coming here."

He cut the line and that's the end of it. I was furious and yet this unexplainable happiness was there too. He's coming to save me and put his life on line for that. But this is no time to be happy, I clicked again and again, hoping someone would be there. But no one was there. I felt so helpless and it's always like this whenever he is involved. He makes me feel so helpless and I hate him for that.

An hour passed in silence like that, and then I heard a ruckus outside. He's here, I thought, fool. I heard gunshots then arguments and then fight. I could hear it but not make out what they were saying. Someone kicked the door open and light filled the room. A shadow standing at the door stared at me, a familiar shadow, "Ed" I said.

He came in and scooped me up in his arms and took me out of the room. We were now in an alley-like way, sour cream walls, lit by flickering bulbs. And then we entered a big room filled with a lot of people. They stood there and didn't move an inch. He was right in front of them, I was right in front of them, then why? He put me down on a rundown brown leather couch and quietly unwound the ropes. Then he helped me stand up and now looked at them all, "If anyone ever lays a hand on her" he yelled "I'll kill him." They all looked at each other and then one came forward, "But she works for Caxtec."

"No, she's with me." He held me by my waist and pulled me closer. After that, a lot of murmurs and then they all nodded. But why? I looked at Ed and he avoided eye contact.

Enough of this, I pushed him away. They all stood up and looked at me in exclamation and disbelief. He stepped towards me and I stepped back. He continued to come to me when I raised my hand and stopped him.

"What the hell is this?" I yelled at Ed.

"Jess, I wanted to tell you but-"

"But what? You didn't get enough time to tell me that you were leading this group, and that your life was never in danger?" I snapped.

"I never said my life was in danger." he yelled. My mouth hung open at his ungratefulness. How dare he?

"Weren't you the one who said- 'if I go back with them I live, if not then'" I said imitating him.

"I had to come up with something when you noticed I was avoiding you."

"What?" I couldn't control the anger filled within anymore, "That's what you're giving me? Who are you? I don't know you anymore?" I said that and turned away from him. My illusion that I was close to him was shattered and it hurt. I don't know why but it hurt?

"You wanna know me? Fine, then. I'm Edward Scott and I'm a criminal. These people are my people and are known as 'Beasts'." I gasped at this revelation.

Beasts is a group of vigilantes. They are very famous for being righteous and helping people. And last but not the least, their leader the 'Dark Beast' is one of the most renowned names of the underworld. No one has seen him, every witness refuses to go against him, not out of fear but respect. Their logo is a tiger but the leader is a lion.

"You're smart enough to understand why I hid this. But when you told me they have you. There was no choice left."

It took a while to get a grasp on this piece of information. He is not just any criminal, he's the Dark Beast. He's a legend and I'm a fan. He's known for being truthful to his word. And he was flirting with me! I could feel butterflies in my stomach. Jessica focus.

I went and stood to face him, "Take off your shirt".

He looked confused and then he took a step back, "Take it off. I wanna see for myself." He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the couch, revealing his toned muscular body. I then motioned him to turn around. He nodded and turned. And there it was covering all his back, a lion's face.