Missing Link

by Varun Vashist

  "Actually, quite a bit," Kiara replied with a smile.

  Jake stopped for a moment, "Really, because Perry said that you are a novice and don't know how to drill information out of someone experienced."

  Kiara smiled, "So, my act went well with him then."

  Jake again looked at her, trying to decipher what she was meaning to say. Kiara understood that and took a deep breath. "He feels I did not ask him any relevant questions, but I got the information I needed,"

  "What information?" Jake was still struggling to make any sense out of Kiara's words.

  "For starters, the workers have been divided into two categories. They call them skilled and unskilled workers; but actually they are the one hired by Coopers and the one that are locals. Skilled workers control the production; meaning they alone know how much capacity the plant is being run."

  "How does that make a difference?"

  "It does. I chanced upon the daily production report that was on the whiteboard. As suspected, the numbers for the night shift are pretty high meaning plant is running beyond its capacity in the night. No one from the town, including the unskilled workers is permitted inside the plant during night shift. So no one knows what's going on."

  "So, they have built the plant beyond the approved limit?" Jake said thoughtfully.

  "Yes, but what makes it even more fishy is the fact that the night shifts are run entirely by the skilled workers,"

  "Even the field work?" Jake asked with surprise.

  "Yes. And I believe it has to do with the disposal of waste into the lake or maybe in some large pit. To put a façade, the locals are used to clean the area in and around the buildings in the night at the pretext that night shifts are tougher and only experienced workers can handle that."

  "Waste from night shift is disposed someplace else?"

  "Yes, and that too without treatment," Kiara replied, "Treatment plant can't hold it owing to its low capacity. They can't risk making a larger treatment plant and getting noticed by people working there during the day. So they keep using the smaller one while disposing of the excess waste in the lake."

  "What about the lab reports?" Jake was now starting to understand the play.

  "Well, they are prepared by the same set of skilled workers and signed by the likes of Perry. So can't be trusted either."

  "So, what's the plan now?" he asked further.

  "Well, I would need the shift roster, the night shift production reports and if possible the treatment plant design documents,"

  "That's easier said than done. Even I don’t have access to the administrative block." He knew what Kiara was asking was relevant but it was impossible to get it without making any noise.

  "There is a way around for that," she said while making some calculations. "If we could get a report on the health issues caused by the lake water then we can work it backwards. We can get a court order for them to share the data"

  "Well, that's been tried earlier too. There have been pesticide related health scares, but Kingston is primarily an agricultural community. Everyone stores pesticides at home. No one could prove that the factory was responsible for it. Even the human rights office interfered and filed a couple of lawsuits, but the judge gave Cooper Industries benefit of doubt."

  "Hmm.. that's a bummer. Anyhow, I have still a few visits left. This was good progress for the first day, I guess," Kiara said, a bit disappointed though.

  "About that… I hate to admit it.. But I am impressed," Jake responded with a smile, "Perry would feel he was too smart for you and Harrison will feel that you have obliged his command. That's two birds with a stone."

  Kiara smiled, "Speaking of Harrison. He will be waiting for us."

  Jake nodded, knowing that Harrison would have called Perry by now. In a way it was going to help them since Perry was so impressed with his own performance that he would not even know Kiara's agenda. He also knew that the coming days were going to be some of his most exciting days in Kingston. He looked at Kiara who was already thinking about her next steps.

  Harrison was standing outside his cabin speaking to one of the agents. He paused for a moment as he saw Kiara entering. He looked at Jake who gestured everything went well. Once assured, he came near them.

  "So how was the first day?" he asked firmly.

  "Well, I got a bit nervous in front of all those monitors and charts," Kiara tried to give a sheepish smile. "Maybe next time, I will try to get some information."

  "Sure, you will," he said while pushing the door of his cabin." You can leave now."

  Kiara was about to leave when Harrison knocked at the window pane. She looked at him, but he gestured towards Jake, who had reached his desk. Kiara nodded and walked towards him.

  "Your boss doesn't trust me yet," she said while leaning on the wall of his cubicle, "He wants to hear it from you… in private."

  Jake heaved a sigh and left for Harrison's cabin. Kiara stood there for some time till he entered. Harrison looked at her. He really wants you to leave, Kiara.

  Both kept looking at her till she got out of the office.

  "She didn't make any noise, did she?" Harrison asked.

  "What? No… no," Jake was still looking in Kiara's direction." As per Perry, she did not understand a bit about what is going on inside the factory. He was expecting some tough questions, but she did not ask anything alarming."

  "I understand. Still, you need to keep an eye on her," Harrison said, but the urgency in his tone had gone. May be Perry had informed him after all.

  After a moment he looked into Jake's eyes, "This is your last chance to show your worth to me. You understand that?"

  Jake looked at him blankly. He did not want to give any expression that could ruin his plan.

  "Of course, Sir," he replied firmly.

  Harrison tried to read his expressions. After a momentary silence, he gestured Jake to leave.

  While walking towards his desk, Jake kept thinking about Kiara. He had never met such a feisty woman. She was willing to do anything to unravel the truth. He had known many a woman in his life. Heck, he had a fling every six months. But, he had never come across someone like her.

  Maybe, it was his dry spell after coming to Kingston that was making him think of her so much. However, one thing was sure. It was definitely going to be interesting to work with her. He gave a smile thinking of how she fooled Perry.

  Kiara on the other hand was too engrossed in getting to the depths of the conspiracy to notice anything else. Though, there were several questions bothering her, the one which was bothering her the most was the sudden disappearance of Sarah and the big question; why was she coming to Kingston?

  The only feasible explanation was that she had chosen a wrong time for the visit. Coopers were in negotiations with Morgan. Maybe, she knows the reality behind the report. Her coming to Kingston meant only one thing: challenging the Cooper's. What a fool….

  She stopped for a moment at that thought. If she is a fool, even you are not all that smart Kiara. By now, Coopers will be aware of her visit to the factory. Maybe the diary pages were to warn against going inside. But you defied their warning. If they had one person behind you yesterday, now they will put five. Sarah only threatened them, but you have entered their arena. This is going to ruffle some feathers. She clutched the gun beneath her T-shirt firmly and looked around.

  There was not a single soul as far as she could see. She heaved a sigh and looked at her watch. It was almost lunch time. She thought of grabbing something from Elmo's place.

  Chapter 6

  "There you are. I was worried sick thinking about you," Margret rushed towards the door.

  Kiara almost ran past her, but she jumped in front of her.

  "Hi.. I..um.. just want a sandwich… to go," Kiara said while trying to get aside.

  Margaret was not going to relent. She held Kiara's arm and took her to the corner. Everyone in the Café was staring at them.

  "What a dramatic entry… every time," she murmur
ed while giving a sheepish smile to everyone.

  "Prepare a double cheese Sandwich for her," Margaret ordered to a passing waitress who looked at Kiara from head to toe before nodding.

  Margaret looked around to ensure that they were at a safe distance from everyone.

  "Are you all right?" she inquired.

  "I was.. before coming inside," Kiara gave a terse reply.

  Margaret understood and left her wrist.

  "Did you hear about Sarah?" she said in a low voice.

  Now Kiara was in a shock. It took her a moment to return to senses hearing that name.

  "What?" she did not know how to answer that.

  This irked Margaret a bit, "The girl who came before you to check on the factory malpractices."

  "What about her?". She knew there was no point in pretending that she was not aware of the earlier report. Everybody knew everyone and everything that happened in Kingston.

  "She got kidnapped yesterday," Margaret said with great difficulty.

  Sarah did not know how to react to it either. She stood there looking blankly at Margaret's face that had turned pale.

  "I was worried about your safety," she said in a frail voice.

  "So this is what it is all about," Kiara said casually, "Don't worry. I am fine."

  Margaret did not like her attitude and left at once. Here she was worried for her and Kiara had no respect for that. Kiara noticed it. She did not want to mess with someone who prepared her food. She followed Margaret.

  "I am sorry," she tried to sound guilty, "I did not mean to hurt you."

  "You know, Sarah won't have behaved like that," Margaret said with pain, "I will get your sandwich. You get seated."

  Kiara was a bit baffled about Margaret's knowledge about Sarah. Maybe she could help her get some information about her. But, to get that, she had to be nicer to her.

  She kept looking at Margaret, who in turn kept working and mumbling something. Kiara knew she was cursing her.

  "Here, your Sandwich," Margaret said while almost throwing the plate on the table, "Would you need something else?"

  "Yes.. your forgiveness," Kiara said as softly as she could. Her words made Margaret drop her guard a bit. She stood there listless for a moment, unsure of what to say.

  "You knew Sarah well?" Kiara tried to strike a conversation.

  "Sort of," she replied softly.

  "I don't understand," Kiara asked with surprise.

  "My son met her when she visited here," Margaret explained, "He told me about her when the news came today morning."

  "Sarah visited the factory twice. John… my son, he heard that she was not very happy with the condition of factory and assured everyone that with her project everything will be restored to its earlier self."

  "But, her report says that there is nothing wrong with the factory or the lake?" Kiara said while munching the sandwich. In fact, she remembered Margaret cursing the report.

  "We also felt betrayed when the report came. That's why we did not like you coming to Kingston,"

  Now Kiara understood why some of the town people shook their heads seeing her that day.

  "But, now we believe, even she was betrayed. That's why they got her kidnapped,"

  "Who are they?" Kiara asked, trying to act oblivious of all the happenings.

  "William Cooper and his son."

  There was a momentary silence. Kiara knew that Margaret was genuinely worried about her.

  "Don't worry. I have come from college. My report will not create any issues with anyone," Kiara tried to de-alienate her from Sarah's kidnapping, "I don't even have access to the main factory."

  "Still, you should be careful," Margaret said and collected the plate.

  Kiara took out money as Margret left. She left a good tip for her. She knew Margaret can be helpful. If she needs to spread any words around Kingston, she was the perfect person. However, she had enough of a talk with her for the day. She left the café before Margaret came to collect the money.

  As she walked towards her house, she kept thinking about Margret's words. Sarah had come to the factory and had seen something that she was not supposed to put in her report. But, she got it documented or maybe got a hand on something confidential. They won't kidnap her without any written proof that she was carrying. Or maybe just to keep her away from the media. Her coming to Kingston and speaking against them would have attracted the media like a fly to honey.

  One other thing that was bothering Kiara since last night was the diary pages left at her place. They indicated how everything got triggered and how Sarah got pulled into the project, but, they were not indicating what led to her kidnap. Suddenly, something struck her; maybe it's not the report.

  It's the diary she was carrying with her.

  With that thought, she almost started running towards her room. The muddy path did not bother her much today. She kept walking swiftly. She knew if it was the diary, then there was something else in it. She suspected more parcels today for her.

  Kiara checked the lock and was happy to see it firmly in its place, but did it mean that there was no communication from Sarah's captor. That was not what she was expecting. With heavy heart, she opened the door. She scanned the living room, but nothing was there. She was panting heavily because of the run. She buried herself in the couch and closed her eyes.

  She was still unsure if Sarah was kidnapped at the Cooper Industries behest. It had to be someone else. If Cooper's had kidnapped her, then they wouldn't have sent those letters to her. They would not want anything pointing at them. The letters were definitely put by someone who knew they could get something else out of it: may be money. But, why would Coopers pay money for Sarah. The Diary.

  It makes perfect sense, she thought. She got up at once and started walking across the room. It's all about the diary. It contains all the secrets. It's what Richard used to blackmail Cooper's. It's what he sold to Morgan. But, it is still haunting the Cooper's. Because, Sarah also had a copy that she was carrying with her.

  This thought made her worry a little too. If diary was all that was protecting Sarah and now it was with her captors, then she was no longer safe.

  She was still contemplating when she heard a knock. As she opened the door, she saw Paul holding a parcel.

  "Someone left this for you," he said and gave the parcel to her.

  Kiara was a bit surprised, "Did this come by post?"

  "No, someone left it inside the mailbox," Paul pointed at the mail box.

  "Is this what I am thinking?" Kiara murmured.

  "What?" Paul asked.

  "Nothing,"

  Paul looked at her for a moment and then left.

  Kiara came inside at once and opened the packet. There was a folded paper inside. She checked the packet, but nothing else was there. She opened the paper and a streak of happiness ran through her face. It was another page of the diary and it was dated just a week back.

  She started reading it and as she read each line, her expressions changed from that of happiness to one of astonishment. By the time she finished it, her face was red and sweat covered her forehead.

  It took her a few minutes to compose herself. She checked the parcel cover, but beside her name, nothing else was mentioned.

  She sat there for a moment and then took her phone out. She scrolled through the call log till she reached one number. Her hands were trembling with what she had read. She waited impatiently for the phone to be picked from the other end.

  "Hello, this is….." a familiar voice came from the other end.

  "Jake… I have a breakthrough," she cut him off.

  "Wow, Kiara… Don't yell at me.. What happened?" Jake said while holding the receiver away from his ear.

  "When can we meet?" she said immediately.

  "What is happening? You just left an hour back," Jake looked at his watch.

  "Time… tell me the time," Kiara ignored all his questions.

  There was a momentary silence. "I leave at six and so
metimes at six thirty.. you can come around seven."

  "Where?"

  Again, there was a momentary silence. Kiara was getting impatient.

  "You can come to my place.. Turn right after coming to the main street. If you walk for half a mile, you will see a signage on the right. It states old hospital road. You follow it for half a mile more and you will see an old stone walled cottage. Once you cross it, turn left; you will see a small dirt road. Follow it. You will see a few houses lined up on that road. Mine is the one that has a large gate with 26 written on it. You can't miss the gate."

  "OK. Try to leave today by six," Kiara requested and disconnected.

  "But…" Jake could not understand what just happened. He kept looking at the phone.

  Kiara repeated the address of Jake's house once more in her mind and started walking across the room again.

  Kiara looked at her watch. It was half past five. She did not want to lose a moment and even if she tried she knew it would turn her mad. She locked the room and came out. No one was around. She thanked her stars for that and started walking towards the main street.

  Once she reached the main street, she put the hood on and started walking with her head down. Though, she reached the old hospital road quite comfortably, she got lost after that. Jake had explained her everything, apart from the fact that there were four cottages on that road. The first dirt road she took led her to a field. While coming back, she missed a turn and ended up on the main street again.

  "You won't need any cardio for six months after leaving Kingston," she said while holding her hands on her knees.

  There was no one around to ask for directions either. Neither did she want to ask anyone. Any news travelled like a wildfire around Kingston. And, God forbid if Margaret came to know about this.

  With that thought she turned around and starting walking again.

  Thankfully, there was no left turn after the second cottage and the turn after the third one was paved. That left only the last cottage.

  She heaved a sigh of relief as she walked through the dirt road after crossing the last cottage and saw several houses lined up.