“No. I have a feeling he will call me.” he rubs his hands together.
In that moment, the doors open and in comes the same five, large and scary goons that always visit Stefan after hours.
Since many of us here at the office have been working overtime just to prepare for this gala, a gala that will be held in less than a week, we have been leaving the office late.
They come in looking intimidating and large.
Something about these men suggests that they don’t play according to the normal society rules or morals like the rest of us.
These men are trouble, if I’ve ever seen it.
The way they are looking at me now, as if they are sizing me up, leering at me, makes me feel dirty and I just want to get the hell out of here.
I can’t stand to be in their presence. I make my way around them, one of them is just staring at me in a really strange way, raising alarms in my head.
I have to go. Now!
“Fellas, good timing. What do you have for me?” I hear Stefan say to the goons in a gleeful voice.
What does he mean by that? What exactly do these men do for my boss? Are they the same men that murdered my parents?
This thought knocks the wind out of me and I stumble on my own two feet but I manage to stay upright. I look around and notice that the floor is now empty, most people have cleared out.
I have to be on my way too.
I quickly walk back to my office and as I approach, I notice that my office door is slightly ajar.
I never and I mean never, leave my office door unlocked, let alone ajar like this. I swear I locked it before stepping into Stefan’s office.
This is strange. I know it’s not yet time for the cleaning crew to make their round up and down the building. I glance down at my watch and notice that it’s 6:44pm.
Office hours end at 5pm. I have been working overtime for the past couple of weeks. There is nothing new there.
But why is my office door open?
It’s obvious that someone was in there. But who? I’m the only one with the key to my office and I’m required to always keep the door locked whenever I’m not in the office.
There are important files and documents in there which is why I am the only one who bears the keys to my office. Of course, the cleaning crew have their own master key but it’s not yet time for them to come in and clean.
I edge closer to my office door. My heart is hammering so fast that I think it’s going to jump right out of my chest any moment now.
I peep through the little gap and survey if there is an intruder in the room. I look from one corner to the other and notice that there is no one. I think I’m being paranoid.
I gather my confidence, release a breath that I was holding, then open the rest of my office door.
Everything seems normal, exactly as how I left it. Nothing seems disturbed. Yep, I’m being majorly paranoid right now. I need to catch a grip.
Maybe I should go for my Krav Maga class tonight and let off some steam.
I’ve been feeling off centre for a while now. Between the hours I’m around the monster of a man that is my boss and then the fleeting, but amazing moments with Gideon Black that work me into a tight spring of arousal, I’ve been stretched beyond capacity.
I quickly grab my handbag and my briefcase, stuffing in plans for the gala, contacts for various services that I need to check in with tomorrow to make sure they all deliver.
God knows the fire I’ll be under if anything goes amiss. I roll my eyes heavenward. What I would do for a long, steamy hot, bath right now.
As I’m packing, I notice a plain little paper stuck on the screen of my desktop.
That’s strange and creepy. I whip my head around my office so fast, I think I give myself whiplash.
There is no doubt in my mind now that there was someone in my room. I don’t want to touch the note with my bare hands, I know better than that.
My heart begins to race again, I feel sweat trickling down my brow. Should I read the note or ignore it? After all ignorance is bliss.
I’m debating with myself. This is highly unusual and I just know that this note is not from Gideon. If my business associate wanted to talk to me, or relay a message, he knows there are other ways of reaching me. Secure means even.
I grab a tissue from my bag, my hands are shaking but I manage not to drop the tissue. I use it to grip the little note of my screen and lift it to eye level.
There is a messy scrawl on it, at first my eyes are not really focused on what the words are or what they say, but when they do, I feel my stomach drop. I don’t believe what I’m reading
The note says: DITCH THE SECURITY, MEET US AT THE BACK ENTRANCE. WE NEED TO TALK TO YOU. DESTROY THIS, FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.
Shivers rake my body, the hairs at the back of my neck stand up on end. Not because of what the note says but because of who signed it.
It’s the Federal Bureau of Investigation...
Chapter 19
Chloe
I’M WRINGING MY FINGERS over my palms. I’m pacing in my office, the silence around the office building and feeding my anxiety.
What do they want from me? What should I do? What does this all mean?
These questions have been swarming my mind for a few minutes now but it all seems like hours since I discovered that note. I glance over at it, lying on my desk, directly in the center. Looking intimidating and demanding my attention. And it’s got it all alright.
I can’t think of anything, I can’t focus clearly. All I can think of is that someone was in my office, someone from the FBI. That someone broke into my office, planted a note and is now demanding to meet with me.
I’m not sure if that is what the FBI does, because from what I know from the movies Sam and I binge watch, the FBI always come directly to someone and request their cooperation in some kind of sting operation.
But what sting operation? And how do they know that I have a security detail?
It seems they have been stalking me if they know all of that. Do they know about Gideon Black? Do they know the nature of our ‘relationship’?
My head is buzzing with possible scenarios and I don’t know what to do.
An idea comes to me and I make a mad dash for my phone. I know, I can call or text Gideon and let him know what’s up. I’m sure he will be able to give me a solution out of this.
As I unlock my phone, I see I have an unread message from a blocked number,
We are monitoring your phone. Please just follow our earlier instructions.
I drop my phone as if it burnt me and take several steps back. How did they know that I would grab my phone and try and call someone?
Is this a new monitoring system the FBI are now trying out to unsuspecting citizens? If so, I think I missed this episode from The Blacklist.
What to do? What should I do?
I glance at my wristwatch and notice that it’s now 6:51pm.
I usually leave the office at 7pm on the dot. Fred and John know that, since it’s been our new routine for the past few weeks. If I don’t come down at our usual time, they might become antsy and start wondering where I am.
I’m taking a long shot here, banking on a relationship I have with Gideon’s security team. I hope they come through. If the FBI is watching me, then I know they must be watching my every move even now.
I’m not sure but I think my office must be bugged now and anything I say out loud might be heard. Forget cryptic messages, I’m now in the heart of Mission Impossible, but I’m not sure they would want me to cast in their movie, I’m the worst actress on the planet.
I take a deep breath and grab my packed bags and make sure the note is tucked inside the tissue and stuff it in my suit pant pockets. No way am I going to hide evidence.
I grab my coat next and turn off the lights in my office, lock my door and I quickly make my way to the elevator bank. There is one ready and as I descend, I can’t help but notice that the lift moves faster now
than it’s ever done before.
Nerves are eating at me, I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know if I’m actually going to meet with the FBI for real or this is just a type of set up. Too many questions about this whole thing.
The elevator doors slide open on the ground floor. I step out a nd glance at the wide front entrance. It’s getting darker outside but I think I spot the familiar SUV. No doubt Fred and John are there waiting for me.
Maybe I can ignore all of this ‘FBI bullshit and just go straight home. If indeed it’s the FBI, why are they asking me to meet with them in these shady conditions.
I turn to look at the long corridor that leads to the back entrance.
I shouldn’t be doing this, but my body has a mind of its own. I turn in the direction of the corridor and the next thing I know, I’m calmly walking down the corridor till I get to the end.
There is a black van with tinted windows parked outside in alley
This is ridiculous, I should really be running in the other direction. This is NYC after all, anything can happen. I have to stay woke!
As I contemplate turning back to go back to the safety I know, the front passenger door opens and out steps an elderly man with salt and pepper hair, a moustache to match.
He has a beer belly, wearing a cheap suit by the looks of it. He stands there at maybe five eleven. His shoes are shining though.
His face looks like it has gone through all types of weather conditions, right now it looks like it has been harassed by the wind and I wonder how a man like him managed to go up to the executive floor of Demetri Enterprises, break into my office to plant a note, and come out without being caught.
We stand there looking at each other and my mind is just... blank. What can I say, this is not what I was expecting. At all.
“Miss. Smith, I’m glad you managed to come down to meet us.” the man says as he takes out his credentials to show that he is indeed an FBI agent.
“I’m Special Agent. McGuire, Alec McGuire.” Even his name is fictional, what is happening here? “If you don’t mind, we would like to talk to you for just a few minutes.” he goes on as if I’m not having a small panic attack inside.
“I’m sorry Special Agent McGuire, but I only came out to tell you guys or whoever you are to stop pranking me or harassing me. I have no business with you” I say as I start assessing the situation.
Is there any way I can escape from this? Why did I come out here, to the unknown?
All I should have done was go straight to the waiting safety that is Fred and John.
“I assure you Miss. Smith, this is not a prank at all and we would love to talk to you. We’ll make it short.” Agent McGuire says.
“Who is this ‘we’? I only see one of you.” I state suspiciously. I don’t like this scenario, not one bit.
“My colleague in the car Miss. Smith. I promise we won’t take much of your time, you have my word.”
Something about this man just puts me at ease, as if I can trust him. As if I can have a bit of blind faith.
This is just crazy and I can’t seem to be able to process all of this at the same time.
“Is this an interrogation? Because if it is, aren’t you supposed to take me to your base and question me there?” I ask to which Special Agent McGuire just chuckles heartily, the laugh lines around his eyes showing.
“You watch too many fake series. Yes, that’s what we would normally do, but this is not a normal request Miss. Smith.” he says.
He looks at me then proceeds to open the sliding door, looking at me inquisitively.
Here goes nothing again.
I take small, tentative steps towards the open car door and I get in. Agent McGuire enters after me and he closes the door.
To my surprise I notice that this is just a regular van, wll maybe not regular because it has fancy, leather seats and not a like in the movies where the van is loaded with computers and scanners and all those other cool gadgets.
“Are you sure you are FBI?” I ask as I look around the small enclosure.
“Fancy gadgets don’t have to validate our work you know. And besides, we don’t need that right now.” says another voice from the front. I hadn’t noticed the other man before, I’m startled when I hear his voice.
“Nervous? It’s alright, we don’t bite.” Agent McGuire says. “This is Special Agent Felix, Mark Felix, my partner.”
Special Agent Felix just nods at me, studying me. I think he is younger than Special Agent McGuire but I can’t tell.
“I can’t say it’s nice to meet you because that would just be a lie.” I earnestly say. I just want to get out of here.
“Understandable, like I said, we won’t waste your time after a hard, long day at work for Stefan Demetri.” Agent Felix says.
“I’ll be frank with you Special Agent Mark Felix. I don’t particularly appreciate it when people beat about the bush and tell me how tired I am. That’s the last thing I need right now, why don’t you get on with it” I say.
Special Agent McGuire bursts out laughing, with small tears at the corner of his eyes. I can’t help but want to laugh too.
“Oh, I think I like you Miss. Smith.” he says when he can speak again.
“Please, call me Chloe.” I tell him, smilingly lightly at the cute elderly man seating before.
“Okay Chloe. I’ll tell you this, frankly. We need you to help us bring down a criminal.” Agent McGuire says when he grows serious once again.
“My help? A criminal? Who are you talking about?” I ask as my heart pounds. I really hope they don’t mention Gideon.
“Your boss, Stefan Demetri.”
Inwardly, I sigh in relief, glad that it’s not my fiery Adonis with the forest green emerald eyes that he mentions.
“We know that you have been working for him for a lomg time, and that you have also been trying to bring him down yourself by working against him, within his camp.”
This comes from Agent Felix, making my heart beat even fast, but I neither deny nor accept that allegation, I keep my mouth shut.
“And that you recently started to work with a certain Gideon Black, of Black House Inc, in order to bring your boss down.” he rattles off again, he seems to be reading from some kind of file.
“Are you going to say anything about any of this?” Agent Felix asks as he turns to look at me but I know I have my best poker mask on, no way am I going to let anything slip.
Meanwhile, my brain is working faster than normal. I turn to look at Special Agent McGuire, dismissing the rash and over-eager Agent Felix.
“If this is an interrogation, Special Agent McGuire, the I would like it to be done in the proper way. With my lawyer present and this conversation recorded. I’m sure those steps are not fictional” I say in a clear and strong voice, staring at him.
“No, no. What my colleague means, and I apologize for his behaviour, is that we want to help you.” Agent McGuire softly says.
“We want the same thing you want. We want justice.” There is empathy in his eyes, the kind I only ever see in Margaret’s eyes or from Sam whenever I talk about my parents in small details.
It hits me in this moment.
These people know. Special Agent McGuire knows.
He knows that my parents were murdered in cold blood.
Does he also know who did it?
As we look at each other and he nods his head slightly, I know that he knows.
There is an inexplicable thing going on here. I don’t know how to describe it. On one hand I want to break down and cry, then on another, I want to get out of this, march right back to that office and kill a man.
I closed my eyes, my hands are clenched into tight fists, anger makes my blood pump much faster but I need to let that go.
I open my eyes and look at Special Agent McGuire who is watching me with a mix of sympathy and wisdom that I have only ever seen in Charles’s eyes.
I that moment, I know I’m going to stay and listen to them and listen
to what they want. I don’t know if I’ll be able to fully cooperate but I do know that I want that bastard to go down.
“What is it that you need me to do?”
Chapter 20
Gideon
I THOUGHT VISITING my grandfather would put my mind at ease. I thought when I would leave, I would go with a clearer head than when I first arrived. But no, that’s not the case.
I sped all the way back to Manhattan, from upstate New York. It’s a miracle I wasn’t pulled over and right now that’s not my main concern.
I have all these people coming at me and I don’t even know what exactly to do about them all.
“Where are they?” I ask Max. He’s on the line with me and has been briefing me about the situation.
“They are waiting for you at the Diamond. In the lobby.”
The Diamond is my Grandpa’s biggest and proudest achievement. It is the building that houses Black House Inc headquarters. A towering spire of dark tinted glass and brass, reaching far into the heavens, piercing the clouds on some days.
When I was young, I always thought that whoever had the office at the top, was closer to God than people at the bottom. Now that office is occupied by me and now the ‘men’ are trying to tear it down.
“Did they say what they want?” I ask but I don’t really care. I’ve been dealing with the FBI since my grandfather’s accident and most recently with the damn Ponzi scheme. I’m much more concerned with Chloe’s whereabouts.
“No, just that they want to talk to you and will wait for you to return.” He informs.
“Where is she? Have you found her?” That is the one thing I want to know. My mind is running with so many different scenarios and none of them make me feel better.
All of them are making me to almost lose my mind and turn this car in the direction of that damn Stefan Demetri’s office. I hate that man with every fiber of my being.
“She is now with Fred and John, on their way to her apartment.” Max informs, he seems slightly preoccupied as if something else is going on.
“What don’t I know?” I demand, my voice coming out as a menacing growl. He knows that I’m hanging on by a small thread at this point.
The Billion Dollar Plan: Incongruity Series Book 1 Page 14