Chapter eight: Contract

At the secret agent base

At the office, Veronica Rodriguez was seen looking at some files in her computer system. When an agent knocked on her door.

"Come in" she said.

"Boss they are here" the agent said.

Veronica seemed to know who the agent was talking about and gave him a wave of hand to let them in.

The agent nodded and took his leave. A few minutes later a couple walked into her office.

"Good day miss Rodriguez. Sorry to disturb you I know you are very busy" the wife said.

Veronica looked at the two for a long time clearly giving them a hint to continue.

"Sorry this is my wife Mrs Nora Billgates and I am Edward Billgates" the husband introduced.

Veronica kept silent while typing some words on her computer. Seeing her silence Mr Billgates continued with what he was saying.

"Miss Veronica we went to the police station to report about our missing children and what they told my wife and I was that we should go and meet you. Because you said you wanted to see us"

This time Veronica raised her head to look at the people before her.

"Yes I told them to set up a meeting with you" she uttered.

She stood up from her seat and indicated the conference room.

"This way Mr and Mrs Billgates"

They finally entered the room and the couple turned to look at the professional in front of them.

Veronica crossed her legs lazily but you could sense that this woman was a very dangerous professional well in terms of work. She looked at them closely to see the expression of her new clients if they would allow it.

"Mr and Mrs Billgates can you tell me what happened before your children went for the tour" Veronica asked while holding a pen and turning it around her fingers.

"A day before they left. My eldest son Kelvin came to me to please let his siblings join him to go out on a with his friends. When he said it I saw no harm in it as long as the place was in New York I would let him go but only on one condition. And that was that he would protect his siblings from getting into trouble. He so overjoyed that night I could feel his happiness when he hugged me so tight. After telling his other siblings. They were also happy because at least they would go to a place where they could forget about school because they really needed a place to relax and I supported them but they have to tell their father about their whereabouts. So we both went to their dad and he too was very pleased. So he agreed and also gave them his permission to go. The next day they left at exactly 8 am. I wished them luck in their journey and also warned them to come back on time" Mrs Billgates explained trying to suppress the tears in her eyes.

Veronica looked at them observing and paying attention to what the woman was saying .

"I found no harm in letting them go. So I allowed them to go but if I knew this would happen I would not have allowed them to go" Mr Billgates added. He was also having a difficult time controlling his emotions.

"So after they left were you able to contact or speak with them?" Veronica asked feeling slightly irritated. Ignoring them. Because she did not call them to come and console them. She just wanted to do her job and she knew that these two right now was heartbroken but she has never liked people showing emotions. Because it reminded her of something.

Mrs Rodriguez saw her reaction and continued so as not to provoke this agent here.

"Well I called my only daughter. Audrey is her name. We spoke for a while. I also spoke with her siblings and also promised to call them later. But I was so busy. So I only managed to call my last born Ben later. And he told me that they would stay a few days and that my husband and I should not worry about their safety. I told my husband what they said so he too would not be worried about them. But after a few days past I did not receive any calls or texts and at that time my husband was out of the country for business. I did not know what to do at the moment but I told myself that nothing will happen to my children" Mrs Billgates paused to drink water to soothe her dry throat.

"But when I could not control my worry was when I saw on the news that some people that went on a tour to a place called the Sonalding Mountain were missing. I recalled that this place they mentioned was the same place that Kelvin talked about. I felt so dizzy, my eyes were hot with tears. I called my husband and he quickly took a flight to come back. We both then came to the police station to give a complaint and after explaining ourselves they told us to meet you" she continued.

Veronica looked at them and sighed. She stood up from her chair and walked to the window looking at the beautiful city.

"I want to help you find your children and also save the others. I wanted to meet the other parents and not you both but something told me to meet you. So if you want me to help you. You have to agree to be my client. If you agree I will make a contract with you and then I will tell you the terms and conditions of the contract. So do you agree" she turned to look at the couple. Slightly raising her lips.

Mr and Mrs Billgates looked at each other for a moment trying to decide what to do and finally turned to look at the agent.

"We agree" they both chorused.

Hearing this Veronica smiled and said "you made the right decision"