Do I Know You (4)

"Uncle, I know this topic might be a taboo for you but honestly, do you know what faction of rebels your son Ivan belongs?" Mark went straight to the point when the five of them were seated around the bonfire. Greg and Mary, Niel, Dave and Mark all sat around the burning big tree trunk that glared at them as they warmed themselves around it.

"I don't know. I only suspect that he has been offered a high post of the group. He only wrote me thrice since he disappeared but said nothing about what he was doing." Greg said truthfully.

Mark nodded and was somehow convinced that this father does not have anything to do with his children's choices.

"How about Fem, did you ever suspect that she might have joined the group? Have she ever joked before about joining them?" Mark asked the Law couple.

"No, I never even imagine my daughter joining them. There were many times they came to recruit her but we found her either debating with them or uninterested at all !" Mrs. Law said. She knew her daughter's personality. She could joke in serious things as she was so subtle in her ways.

"Are you saying that my daughter joined the rebel group?" Greg asked Mark. That was the last thing he wanted to hear about his daughter.

"If not, why can we not find a trace of her since she disappeared from here?" was Dave's way of saying yes to Greg's question.

"Neil, do you know something about this matter?" Mary Law asked her son. She had long suspected that her son was keeping something in his mind. If not, why did he need to be so sarcastic and disrespectful towards these visitors. As if he couldn't wait to get rid of them.

Neil kept his mouth shut as he pretended to busy himself fixing the burning charcoal in front of them.

"Neil, if you think this isn't serious, I have to inform you that currently, the price of a commander's head is 15 million bucks dead or alive. Now, in the South City where I happen to be destined, there are lots of illegal activities and transactions going on. Drug dealings, murders, salvaging, kidnap for ransom, robbery and extortion and many more. I actually flew here straight from South City just after giving orders for an all out war on drugs, random and surprise raids on establishments, investigation and arrest of suspicious entities and mandatory checks on private and public vehicles. So Neil, I have to be honest with you, I tapped your cellphone and learned you were frequently in contact with some people from the south. Tell us now, who are those people and what are they doing there?" Mark asked Neil almost interrogating him.

Neil pursed his lips. Didn't I tell this idiot that they are my brothers in the south? Seems he forgot already!

" My failed brother-in-law, did I not tell you this before? As for what he is doing, I don't know. He doesn't seem to be a bad person when he talks to me though." Neil defended his brother Vhan.

"Tell us then where you sister is!" Mark asked impatiently.

Neil decided to just speak sensibly after sensing that his father might grow impatient and that his blood may shoot up in anger again while listening how difficult he is trying to make things out. He properly erected himself on the bench and spoke truthfully, narrating how his older brother Vhan came home in the middle of the night of the new year , how he convinced his younger sister, and why he instructed her to leave her simcard at home and that she assured him she will be fine and will come back to fix the mess she left.

All the four elders listened to Neil's narration. When he was finished, Mark asked. " So they left for the South City? Is it where your brother operates? Did he mention anything about what kind of transactions he does there?" Mark was alarmed. Even Dave and the Law couples were troubled.

"Nothing, he only calls to ask about our parents. That's all.!" Neil said.

"How about you sister? Have you ever contacted her?" Mark's voice grew tender as if bribing Neil with some kindness.

"I thought it's your job to find her. After all, it was you who pushed her to run away. Why would I be the one to solve your problem?" Neil suddenly sounded annoyed.

"So she's with your brother Ivan then!" Mark didn't mind being ridiculed by his young brother-in-law. He knew he was as smart and cunning as his sister.

"No! Last time Vhan instructed me to message her and let her know that he will be at their usual meeting place. No address was given though. I suppose they both knew the place." Neil narrated.

"How clever Greg! Your children are really gems! " Dave remarked.

"Are you speaking about the price on their heads?" Greg raised his eyeglasses on his nose.

"Both. But for the sake of my daughter-in-law, I will spare him Greg." Dave chuckled.

"Well, you people are law enforcers. I understand that and we are not related in anyway. Same goes with my daughter, if you find her offending your law, just impose what is just and lawful. I will not speak anymore about this." Greg slumped in his chair. He was a man who never begged for consideration or favor from anyone nor did not need anyone's favor or bribe anyone to gain favor. So if his children were proven to be law breakers, then let the law punish them. He does not have a problem accepting his failure as a father.

Dave felt Greg's indifference again. His friend was too proud to beg for someone's favor. He always relied on his own abilities. Never did he expect that even when it came to his children, he refused to beg for them.

Mark stared at his supposed father-in-law. His already aching heart felt all the more rattled by tiny bullets. This is the father of his woman speaking and he seem not to care if his children went behind bars?

"I understand Greg. I hope things will not go too drastic. Niel, please speak to your brother about this and warn him to come home before things will go out of hand. Once he is caught and his identity made public, it will be hard to snatch him from the nation's public attention." Dave said.

Niel kept silent. He didn't exactly know what to say. He had to call his brother again. He also heard his father speak. Is he really their father? Why is he willing to hand them over to the authorities without even pleading for them?

Suddenly, a funny idea lit up in Niel's mind. His face lit up and stared at Mark. He asked, "If I make my brother surrender to the authorities, will I get that 15 million reward money on his head?"

"Neil, what are you saying again?!" Mrs. Law almost shouted as her eyes glared furiously at her son. However, Neil wasn't at all bothered by his mother and continued an eye to eye contact with Mark.

"You sound like a traitor who is willing to sell his brother." Mark said surprised at the guts of this adolescent fellow.

"That is because the market price is very high and the buyer is good! And father says, he is a useless son actually, so...." Neil said, scrunching his nose then twitching an annoying smile.

"Ha ha! Greg, take care of this son of yours. If I were you, I'm going to send him to enlist in the army. Such courage and brain is so useful in the army!" Dave has been observing Neil since he first saw him. If he had another grandson, he wished it would he this young man. So fearless and tough and humorous! This style makes a perfect leader in the army.

Greg looked at his son and saw his beaming youthful charisma. He looked proud, unyielding and unintimidated even in front of these high ranking military officials. Greg felt proud seeing his young child grow like this. Finally, he has someone to count on to among his sons.

"So, are you still interested to buy my goods?" Neil spoke suddenly causing everyone to snap back to the original topic.

"We'll figure this out. Leave this to us. But it would be best if you let him know his situation and convince him to come home."

"Ha! Don't you know that the others will hunt him down if he just break away from his group without a protection? " Neil couldn't hide his sarcasm anymore.