"Firstly, what Henrique's death has to do with the organization that we are investigating? Henrique did not work with this organization directly. He was, as Detective Hughes mentioned, an employee of Gobert Industries, in the case that led me to believe this was the reason why he died. I take it everyone is aware of this company's activities. Everything that is required to create international travel, be it airplanes, ships, trucks. Everything is done by this company." Nicholas started explaining their main target of the investigation.
Gobert Industries also has a special market, they can actually open industries for most companies. Let's say you are a company in India and don't have the budget to open your business in a better market like the UK, for example. Gobert Industries starts a negotiation with your company and they begin to fabricate your product in exchange for a cut in the profit.
One aspect that also facilitates this business, is that in the past couple of years they created a preference with some countries. As most countries are on their routes, be on the air, land, or at the sea, they try to reduce cost for those countries when creating trading exceptions, even if your country has a conflict with the other part, but Gobert Industries act as intermediator. Having these trade exceptions with Gobert Industries gives your country many advantages. That is why they became such a tyrant in their business.
"What most people don't know is that Gobert Industries business goes beyond these trades. I don't have much information because this happens outside the whole country, I just heard rumors that they have assassins taking care of conflict with other organizations. They create a network in every country, which leaves a few people uncomfortable, in the end, Gobert Industries takes care of them. All this while working for the organization that we are mainly investigating." Nicholas finished his last sentence, letting everyone sink in the information.
Everybody was stunned, wasn't this too much movie-like?
"Everyone is probably doubting some of these events, but you have no need to believe it, just know that is possible that I am right." Nicholas said as he walked around the room, looking at everyone with a solemn expression.
"The second question would be; what was Henrique's function inside the Gobert Industries? That, I am not sure. We have to investigate. Right now, I will give you your assignments." Nicholas said as he stopped at the long end of the table, everybody looking at him.
"Firstly, Joseph and Jessica. You two will go and analyze the body, find anything that the normal investigator passed on, Jessica will bring the report back." Nicholas looked at the former as he spoke, Joseph annoyed with everything since the start, left in a hurry.
He wouldn't admit it, but he was interested in these schemes that Nicholas spoke of, Gobert Industries killing people? That really looks like an interesting movie.
"The second assignment is for Detective Isabella. You and I will go to Henrique's house tomorrow morning as it is quite late." Nicholas said looking at her.
"And lastly, Jeremy. You will track Henrique's activities, be his credit cards, bank account, social media, etc. You can make a report after we get back from Henrique's house tomorrow." As he looked at everyone after he finished speaking, Nicholas clapped his hands.
"Well... Dismissed, I guess." Nicholas spoke with a smile on his face, not used to lead this type of team.
After most people left, Detective Hughes came up to Chief Lawrence and Nicholas, who were just talking to each other.
"Sir, I wonder. I don't have a spot in this investigation?" Detective Hughes asked looking at the police chief.
Chief Lawrence looked at Nicholas as if waiting for his answer, at this point Nicholas had proved capable of leading the team and he had pretty much taken control of the situation.
Noticing Chief Lawrence's look, Nicholas replied to detective Hughes.
"I am sorry, Detective. I do not have a role that I could attribute to you, everyone has their specialties. It would be redundant and impractical to add one more member." He said with a smile.
Receiving the confirmation from Chief Lawrence's look, Detective Hughes left, disappointed.
"Why would you make him leave? At least he could serve you as an assistant, I don't see how he would be wasted." Chief Lawrence asked.
"The first interaction with Henrique's body and Detective Hughes already presumed a gang-related murder. Although the war in the past begun due to the Latinos' power growing up and at the time people used racism to confront the Latino-American Descendents present in New York, today people try to erase that behavior. Coupled with the fact that the only gangs in the city are do not meet the requirements to create such a negligent death, it seems beyond precipitated the fact that Detective Hughes made such suggestion." Nicholas looked at Chief Lawrence with calmness, simply answering the question.
Bad Angels tend to not create noise, that is part of their methods of doing business. White Chalk tends to be professionals, if they kill, unless there is a message, they will not abandon the body as it happened. There's only one possible gang left, but it would be much louder.
Even if taken into consideration that this was an exception, and it was truly a gang, but how could you determine it? Why couldn't it be personal?
Anyways, after talking to Chief Lawrence for some time, Nicholas was about to leave when Isabella came to talk to him.
"Hey, Nicholas. I guess I should thank you. You were speaking the truth about the job and I really appreciate it. Hope our team..." Isabella was speaking but Nicholas cut her off as she was looking awkward and had a face that screamed nervousness.
"There is no need to thank me. I need you as much as you need this. Get along with the rest of the team and do your job well. I will see you later." Nicholas said as he was in a rush, leaving a surprised Isabella.
"Well... bye, I guess." Isabella muttered as she saw him leaving, a bit disappointed that she expressed it fully well.
Her coming up to talk to him was to thank him, but he just left. She thought of him being close to Chief Lawrence and it is slightly hard for her not to mess up, that is why she was nervous. Thinking about it a bit and she just went to Jessica to leave the building.
Nicholas on the other end went to his friend's house. Andrew Tubog.
He had made his way to Andrew's office, same as last time, after Andrew's wife led him there.
Going in, Nicholas met Andrew seating on his chair as the latter typed on his computer. The wood-paneling surrounding the room, the ambient giving a rustic feeling of the place. As Andrew noticed Nicholas enter the room, he stopped typing.
"Nicholas, welcome again." Andrew greeted.
"Yes, Andrew." Nicholas simply replied.
Nicholas assumed the gest's seat as they both sat down facing each other.
"How did it went?" Andrew asks, looking at Nicholas waiting for the answer a bit eager.
"Everything went nicely. They are, indeed, as you explained. I like how Isabella's character approached me at the end. She will be quite interesting to deal with." Nicholas said as he crossed one leg over the other. He looked at the walls as if remembering the events from earlier.
"Perfect. What about the details, are you pleased with the way Jonathan dealt with Henrique?" Andrew asked, expecting Nicholas' reaction.
"Surely, I was not worried about it. The execution happened the way it should, no traces left." Nicholas replied with a smile.
"I have to say, you excelled in your role. Fiding the appropriate victim to confront the Gobert Industries, as well the perfect team to play in this story that will develop." Nicholas continued, his smile turned into a grin as satisfaction rose through his behavior like he was entering a type of ecstasy.
This is what entices Nicholas, play with people, be their lives of feelings.
"I am humbled, my friend. It was all a part of your plan, I just put the pieces together." Andrew spoke with his arms open as if conceiving the magnificence of the meaning in his words.
They kept talking for a while as Nicholas shared his thought on the newly formed team.
At one point, the conversation progressed as Andrew asked.
"So, what is your next step? Should I arrange anything else?" His voice was heard as if he wanted to please Nicholas's wishes.
"No. As I said, things will start getting interesting from here on. I already like this game. Once we start knocking on Gobert Industries's door, Midnight will come out and try to retaliate, and I hope they do." Nicholas spoke, his voice filled with delight.
Andrew seeing Nicholas' expression chuckled a little.
"What about Jeremy, you mentioned him before. Will I really mentor him for a few days?" Andrew asked, his eyes had a slightly, almost imperceptible, mischievous shine.
"I know those eyes, Andrew. That is what impends me to follow that route, you might become quite misbehaved if you gain interest in Jeremy. And I believe you might have that interest even now." Nicholas spoke, his tone was not of worried, but rather assertive of his thoughts on this matter.
"Well, what can I say. He might develop towards my type of specialties. And who better to teach a genius like Jeremy, if not the prestigious Deputy Director of the Police Department of New York City?"