The Party
When the night cloaked the sky, we began our preparations for the party. We came to realise that we needed Anastasia to keep a close check on the insides of the party since it would be impossible to do anything from the outside. Besides, she would be the only one who could explore the place and find out more, since the sudden disappearance of us as investors would give rise to suspicion. Our job was to find out about the drug, whereas, her job was to find out about the serial killer.
Because of her consistent persuasion, we came to an agreement that she could come with us, but only on one condition; we would have a couple of officers guarding her at all times until she enters the party.
She explained to us that she would hand us microscopic trackers as well as cameras before we leave. After we get inside, she would track us down and reach the party's location. She also asked us to scatter the cameras around the venue of the party so that she could find a potential isolated place to break in without being noticed and merge in with the investors. She assured us that even if there were special security systems, it would be a piece of cake for her to shut them off once she reaches the place.
It was definitely dangerous and an unsure plan but it was the only way to assure our success.
After the conversation, we went back to our rooms to get ready for the party. Only after unlocking my closet did I realize that I had only a few outfits in total, let alone formal ones. With everything that's been happening, I didn't have time for myself. I rummaged through my closet and finally came to a conclusion.
I slipped into my black jeans and white shirt with a black vest on top of it. After glancing at the mirror and adjusting my shirt a little, I walked out with a satisfied smile.
Waiting in the living room was Noel who was focused on his phone. He wore an expensive tailored suit closely fitting his chiseled body. The suit made him look taller and more handsome than usual.
When he saw me coming towards him, he looked up from his phone and smiled, "Lookin' good, man."
"It's nothing compared to you." I snorted.
Suddenly, we were interrupted by Anastasia's cheery voice.
"How do I look?" She smiled, twirling around, "I dressed up after a long time."
Both I and Noel's attention was directed towards her now. My eyes widened as I looked her up and down.
She was wearing a silky, long, black gown which exposed her shoulders, coupled with a bright silver necklace, and earrings dripping down from her ears. Her hair was neatly swept to the side and her red lipstick highlighted her smile.
She looked really different from the usual Anastasia. I simply found my eyes getting drawn towards her.
"It, uh, looks good..on you." I blurted out awkwardly, but she seemed satisfied regardless, and was fishing for a compliment from Noel, too.
Whereas Noel, on the other hand, seemed the least bit impressed by her attire. It was as if he was purposefully trying to annoy her.
"Maybe if you ate all that makeup, you would be pretty on the inside, too." He sneered at her.
Anastasia's twinkling eyes turned into rage and her smile crumpled like used wrapping paper.
"And if you ran like your mouth, you would be in good shape." She crossed her arms and looked away from him, "You'll never get a girlfriend with that attitude! Take an example from Rai."
"Excuse me? I'm in a better shape than you would ever be." Noel glared at her, as if she hurt his pride, "And I don't treat people rudely. I treat them accordingly."
I stiffled a laugh as I watched them bickering. I felt lucky to have such a normal atmosphere when there was so much chaos going on everywhere around us.
I glanced at my watch to check the time; it was already 8 pm.
"Noel." I stood between them to draw their attention, "We should get going. It's time."
Just as Anastasia had asked, we carried the cameras and trackers with us, all set to head out.
"Good luck." Anastasia smiled at us.
"You, too." I replied before leaving.
Just as Zack had informed, we reached the club. His guards were waiting for us when we reached, but he himself wasn't present to greet us. They escorted us into a black, polished limo car and drove away in silence.
All the while, we had 2 guards on either of our sides, as stoic and robotic as ever, which made the atmosphere extremely uncomfortable. After what seemed like an eternity, the car halted. When we got out of the car, it was pretty apparent to both of us that this place was really far away from Blueburn. .
It wasn't surprising to see that the location was completely isolated. If they were to kill a few people, this would be the perfect place to dump them in.
We were standing on a raised platform made of marble with no sign of buildings or people around except for a food manufacturing factory which was shut down. Infront of us was an enormous, glittering manor decorated generously with lights and what not.
As we passed through the gate, I could see other investors coming through from the corner of my eyes, in the same way as we did. When we entered the manor, the cold air seeped through my shirt. My eyes fell upon one of the most beautiful chandeliers. It hung from the ceiling at the centre of the hall. A pair of staircases travelled on either sides of the hall to the second floor of the manor. And at the centre was a stage.
Men wore tailored suits while women presented themselves with expensive gowns and jeweleries.
The atmosphere seemed calm and there was nothing out of the ordinary until now.
One of the waiters provided us with drinks as we observed the investors from the sidelines.
All of a sudden, a man in a maroon velvet suit approached us with a smile.
"Rather young for a place like this, don't you think?" He said, and grabbed a glass of wine from a waiter passing by. He seemed to have totally ignored me after sparing a glance at me at the beginning. He must've found Noel to be a successful business man because of his expensive attire which matched the man's level.
Noel chuckled, "Nobody would miss an opportunity like this."
"That's true." He laughed.
When I found the man busy chatting with Noel, I subtly slipped out of the scene and placed the cameras wherever it seemed like a hidden corner. After the work was done, I called Anastasia. She picked it up almost immediately.
"Did you arrive?" I whispered into the phone.
"Yeah. I just need to get in. I'll meet you shortly." She replied and quickly ended the call.
A long 20 minutes had passed since the call. I kept glancing at my watch and tapping my feet on the ground. She couldn't have been caught, could she?
"Over here!" A voice called out.
I turned around and found Anastasia waving at me. Relief washed over me as I went up to her.
"Did anyone see you breaking in?" I asked.
"Are you doubting my skills?" She grinned.
I scoffed at her overconfident answer, "Someday you'll seriously end up getting caught."
"Not gonna happen." She said, "And do you know how long we'll have to wait for the promotion to start?"
I glanced at my watch and replied, "After 5 minutes."
I'd asked about it from a waiter while I was waiting for Anastasia. The most important fact I found was that the one who created the drug would personally lead the promotion today, and they would be auctioning it off.I couldn't wait to see his terrified expression when he would get his death sentence after we drag him out of the party.
"Did you find anything on the second floor?" I asked her.
"I found a few documents regarding the drug's chemical composition, but I couldn't stay longer in that room. The guards were patrolling outside."
After a few minutes, the investors began pooling near the stage, waiting expectantly for the man of the event. The three of us walked together near the stage with anticipation. We waited for him with bated breaths.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." A voice greeted us. A tall man in a black suit walked on to the stage with a smile. He raised his hand holding a vial containing a dark purple liquid.
When I looked at the man infront of us, my heart stopped. It felt like my mind was three steps behind reality.
The man standing on the stage was Mr.Ryan.