CHAPTER 6
Julius lifted his head to gauge Matthews' reaction, then rose from his chair and approached the window. As he adjusted the buttons on his wet suit jacket, he prepared to hang it on a nearby coat rack, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets while gazing out at the cityscape.
"You knew he was going to die," Matthews remarked.
Julius paused briefly before responding, "Hmm." He turned to face Matthews, sharing his contemplations. "A gang won't just let you go freely without powerful support. Given the sensitive information he amassed related to the bears, it stands to reason they would continue monitoring him, even after his contract with the former leader expired." Julius looked back out the window, adding, "In any case, whether through my actions or theirs, his demise was inevitable."
"He was willing to betray a gang he had been affiliated with for a sum of money. We have no guarantee he wouldn't do the same with me," Matthew replied, recognizing that disloyalty was something that left a lasting impression on their boss.
"What do we do now?" Matthews inquired.
"Investigate his wife and children; send them the payment he was owed," Julius instructed, causing Matthews to look at him with admiration.
"Send in Derrick on your way out."
"Yes, boss," Matthews acknowledged as he exited. Moments later, a timid young man stepped into the office.
"Good morning, sir," Derrick greeted nervously. Despite not having been mistreated, Derrick was intimidated by unsettling rumors about the young master. He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, anxiously awaiting a response.
"You weren't at your desk when I walked in," Julius stated coldly, further intimidating his already anxious secretary.
"I'm sorry, sir. I... had some errands to..." Derrick stammered.
"On whose authority?" Julius interrupted.
"Um, the manager…"
"Get me the files regarding the transactions made by the companies in City D and City C. Email their district managers and request detailed information on all employees appointed over the last six months," Julius commanded with sharp brevity.
Derrick nodded, his fear palpable as he quickly moved to comply. The atmosphere in the office was heavy with tension, a constant reminder of the dangers associated with their line of work. Julius maintained an air of indifference as he orchestrated the next steps in their clandestine operations, fully aware of the precarious balance between loyalty and betrayal that defined their world.
He settled into his desk, loosened his necktie, and instructed, "Get ready to drive me to the fashion institution today by 3:00 p.m."
*******
Meanwhile, at Mama Kate's coffee shop across the city, few souls wandered the streets. Many residents had bolted their doors; only Mama Kate, Judy, and Kim peeked through the shop's glass windows. The place felt unusually tense following a shocking incident where a man had been shot dead earlier that morning.
As the day had begun ordinarily, an unexpected car had pulled in front of a man, leading to a heated argument. Initially perceived as a mere dispute, the situation escalated quickly. The abrupt crack of gunfire shattered the routine, and in moments, the assailants had fled, leaving chaos in their wake and the man's lifeless body on the ground.
Witnesses were quick to react, attempting to contact authorities, but before any help arrived, another black car appeared. A group of men dressed entirely in black rushed out, intimidatingly searching through the deceased man's belongings. This further amplified the collective fear gripping the bystanders, who were already unnerved by the violent event.
For a profound two hours, the body remained unattended, as the locals hesitated to approach. Unfamiliar with the victim and fearful of becoming entangled in the chaos, they anxiously awaited the arrival of law enforcement. Unfortunately, when the authorities did appear, the witnesses remained reticent, apprehensive about potential repercussions from the unknown assailants. They felt a sense of paranoia; after all, they had no idea who might be trailing the deceased or lurking about.
Even after the body was finally taken away, the dread lingered heavy in their hearts and minds. The incident had startled the community, leaving them with a palpable sense of insecurity.
As the trio continued to peer out the window, the sudden arrival of a taxi caught their attention. They watched intently as a familiar figure, distinguished by the absence of black clothing, stepped out of the cab. The sight evoked a mixture of hope and unease within the trio, a reminder that despite the worrying events unfolding around them, familiar faces still existed amidst the turmoil.
With the day unfolding ominously, the atmosphere in the coffee shop remained strained, a stark contrast to the usual lively chatter usually present there. The fear and anxiety triggered by the violent occurrence settled into the fabric of the community, leaving the future uncertain and shrouded in tension.
"Alice!!!!" Mama Kate nearly screamed as she and the other two tried to unlock the door they had secured from the inside. "Alice, are you okay? I told you not to come here today."
"Mum," Alice replied casually. "Didn't you read my messages?" She rolled her eyes, dismissing her mother's concern. "The news is everywhere on the internet already. Besides, the dead body has been taken away by the cops, so there's nothing to be scared of." With that, she pushed further into the coffee shop, eager to indulge in a drink.
"Come on, Judy, don't tell me you're going to forfeit your pageant out of fear," Alice chuckled, noticing the worried expressions on their faces. Mama Kate interjected, "Wait a little, there's still time."
"It's okay, Mama. The environment should be safe now," Judy reassured, albeit with a hint of doubt. Earlier, she had sensed that the accident might be linked to the strange men who had appeared beforehand, and the bizarre event had unsettled her. But maybe she was wrong; who could say for sure?
"Get your car keys, girl; we have a competition to win!" Alice announced with a burst of energy, downing her drink in one swift gulp before placing the glass down.
"Aren't you going to have a meal?" Judy asked.
"Nope!" Alice replied, making her way toward the door. She paused briefly to kiss Mama Kate on the cheek. "See you, Mama!" she giggled, brushing aside her mother's frown and walking out with Judy.
The drive to the fashion institution was lively and filled with laughter, as expected. Judy thrived on Alice's infectious spirit, which she needed given the pre-pageant jitters. Once they reached the gates of the fashion institution, her encounter with the stranger popped back into Judy's mind. However, she quickly dismissed the thought, convincing herself that seeing him again was merely a coincidence. "I won't see him again," she hoped, but a part of her wondered if that was truly the case.
As they exited the car, Judy felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about the competition ahead. She was determined to enjoy the day, pushing aside the unease that the recent incident had stirred within her. Alice's presence was reassuring, and they both shared a common goal that centered on their passion for fashion. Win or lose, it would be an experience they would cherish together. But they had to win.
With that, they stepped toward their future, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.