Chapter 15

After washing my hands, I checked my phone for any response from Mikee. I still got nothing from him.

Instead, I received an anonymous text message. It only said, ‘Hello, Milady.’

Okay…

Looking into the mirror, I found myself raising a questioning eyebrow with my phone over the bathroom sink. There was no name nor any email indicated, and I thought it was odd. But this wasn’t really the first time I’ve received a message from someone anonymous.

I thought it could be important, so I responded with a message of my own.

‘May I know who this is?’

The dubious greeting was sent not too long ago, perhaps before I asked for the restroom area. As expected, the response was swift, but still cryptic.

Unknown: ‘That information is irrelevant. I am here to help you with your task. For some important reasons I can’t tell, I must remain incognito.’

After reading the message, I thought that this may be some sort of prank.

Ignore!

I left the restroom and tried retracing my way to the kitchen, when my phone vibrated again.

‘Do not ignore me,’ it said.

I felt myself frown, staring at the screen.

I quickly typed back a response. ‘How did you get my number?’

Unknown: ‘I have my ways.’

Unknown: ‘I know who you are and why you came to Sylvan. I am here to assist you on Samantha Roberts’ case.’

I felt myself falter upon reading the last message. This person claims to know my motives for being here… and wants to assist me?

‘Who is this? Are you blackmailing me?’

Unknown Number: ‘I assure you. I am not a threat. But my identity must remain a secret. My only goal is to offer you assistance.’

‘Why?’

Unknown Number: ‘That is irrelevant.’

I scoffed to myself. “Yeah right.”

‘Non sequitur… I only accept help from people I can trust. As far as I know, you are a mere stranger to me. So I refuse.’

Unknown Number: ‘I understand that you have had access to all of Samantha’s social media accounts, but there is more information I can offer to speed up your investigation.’

‘So, you’re a hacker?’

Unknown Number: ‘More or less.’

The more I got to read this guy’s messages, the more I felt frustrated by his unsound tempo. ‘More, or less? Which is it?’

I wanted to get rid of him the soonest possible but I don’t think blocking an unknown person would put an end to this. He could just use another number. Plus, changing my number would be a hassle and I doubt a self-proclaimed hacker couldn’t get my new number. I need to crush his resolve and refute him.

‘If u already knw who I am, then I suppose u also know that I can easily find assistance from a professional CEH anytime I want. So what makes u think u could convince me to accept ur vague reasons? Can u guarantee results?’

I punched the send button using my thumb with a triumphant, “There!”

I almost jumped when Kassy appeared out of the blue, calling my name. “Milady, we’re starving. Let’s eat! Hurry up before－” She stopped herself when he noticed my crossed expression. “Are you okay?”

Despite my exasperation, I managed to give her a tight-lipped smile. “Yeah, I just need to make a short call. Leave some food for me, okay?”

“Sure!” It was clear that Kassy looked worried, but thankfully she let it go and left me alone.

For a moment, when I looked back at my phone, I thought I saw it glitch. “Huh?” The screen glitched again, like some sort of technical disturbance was penetrating my trustworthy gadget. “Impossible…”

I hastily swiped the screen to its homepage and tapped on the icon that Dalton installed in my phone. It was an anti-hacking bot that notifies me if any sensitive information in my phone was being leaked and sets up firewalls as defense system.

A warning popped up, but the screen turned to a digital mess of green binary codes, and red glitchy warning signs. I tried to tap the emergency format mode but there was a software malfunction, it said. I felt myself panic, my fingers trembling from repeatedly and forcefully tapping on the screen. I see several browsing sites and data were loading and being uploaded, before the screen turned black.

“No way,” I whispered, leaning against the wall for support. “All my data…”

Dalton and I have been friends for four years. I knew him and have worked with him for longer than I had with Mikee. I had full trust in his capabilities as a cybersecurity agent, but I can’t deny the fact that I was a tad bit scared that this anonymous individual could very well surpass him.

*****

“...Everything seems taken care of. It’s all thanks to everyone’s hard work,” Kassy was saying.

We were now having supper, discussing our progress and the things we had left to do.

Roman gave us a brief update about how everything went well earlier. “There are already announcements on the town’s bulletin board and we’ve officially had the support of the mayor. He’s willing to give away supplies for the volunteers.”

“Like what?” Pam piped in.

“Bottled water, neon vests, caps, umbrellas, fans, towels and packed lunch during breaktime,” he read off from the list that the mayor’s secretary gave him. “Some of his personnel will oversee the distribution, so we at least have aid in this management.”

“I’m still going to post flyers to other nearby towns, just in case,” Suzy cut in. “After work tomorrow, I’m going straight to Bleakwoods.” I realized then that she was talking about those bounty flyers with Samantha’s picture and details about the vice-mayor’s reward money.

“How ‘bout the police? Do we have enough officers to round up everyone by group?” Pamela was doing a good job at asking all the important questions for me.

I was still a bit unnerved by what happened earlier but I was trying to do my best to act normal so that they won’t notice.

“No,” Roman replied. “There are only five who were enlisted to join us.”

“But that’s obviously not enough,” Kassy mumbled audibly. “I mean, we are coming up with a very huge search party...”

“I understand. I tried to request for more aid, but the chief－”

Pamela groaned and stabbed the meat on her plate with her fork, interrupting Roman in the middle of his sentence. Sometimes, her beauty and her actions really appear mismatched to me. She would do well with seduction, but not with gentility though.

“I swear that chief ain’t good for nothin’!”

Kassy, Suzy and Pam’s face looked sour upon this news. Damien and Keith have remained silent all this while, and I looked at Roman, expecting him to say something to cool everyone down.

To my disappointment and utter bewilderment, I found myself staring at a cold mask that was Roman’s. His face was blank as he stared at Pamela who was sitting beside me. The moment he caught me staring at him, it was as if he remembered himself and corrected his facial expression into a smiling one.

I tried smiling back, but it was obviously forced.

I felt the hairs at my nape stand, causing me to remember the first time we met. He had exactly that same look. But at the bar and at the restaurant, he seemed friendly to me though. Has he been putting up a front all this time?

When I turned my head to look at everyone, I immediately caught Keiths eyes. He was looking at me, causing me to blink. A look of surprise must’ve been painted all over my face, because he then returned his attention to his meal afterwards.

Everyone else were either stabbing their meal, sipping from their glasses or eating silently. It seemed to me that no one was going to break the ice so soon.

That leaves me then.

I cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention. “So, regarding that concern, I guess I can help with that.”

The girls immediately perked up at my words. Kassy and Pam even spoke simultaneously.

“Really?”

“Seriously?”

“How exactly can you help?” Suzy asked.

“Tourist guides, scouts, and hunters…” I enumerated. “Samantha has co-workers like them, right? I’m sure they’d be good candidates for the task. Besides, I bet they’d be willing to help us.”

Kassy clapped her hands together. “That’s right! Why didn’t I think of that?”

“As expected of Milady,” Roman commented which made me flush in embarrassment.

This guy…

“It’s no big deal. Really.”

“How did you even know where she worked?” Suzy was staring daggers at me. I thought she’d be relieved with my suggestion, but she didn’t look all to pleased.

I pointed a thumb to myself. “I’m a tourist myself, and I happen to visit her workplace not too long ago for the purpose of entertainment. I couldn’t help but overhear the gossips about, I quote, “the missing girl who used to work here.” It doesn’t really take a genius to put the pieces together. Plus, on my way to the restroom, I saw some of Samantha’s pictures by the hallway with some of the tour guides I had met there.”

“That’s a valid point.” I was a bit startled when Keith made that subtle comment. I didn’t expect him to speak at all.

“I know most of Sam’s colleagues. I’ll contact the manager and everyone I know who’s willing to join us,” Kassy added. “Pam and I will pay them a visit tomorrow.”

“I really thought this would be more difficult and challenging.” I could feel Pam then turn to look at me, since we were practically next to each other.

“Yeah. I was a bit surprised Mrs. Pierce agreed to help us then. Her support is necessary because of her influence over the town. But I hardly had hope she would actually agree with such a vast search party.”

I didn’t want to have their attention drifted back to my contribution. It was already enough to be the one planting the idea of the search party, so I wanted to blend into their circle and not stand out too much.

Before they could say anything else, I decided to divert the subject. “Oh, actually I’m moving out of the hotel I’m staying at tomorrow. I decided to rent an apartment to myself. So, anyone can visit me there anytime.”

“You’re staying at aunt Felice’s hotel, right?” Suzy inquired. She was sitting next to Roman who sat opposite me on the table.

“Yes. It was Keith who suggested the hotel.”

“My, my,” I heard Pam drawl beside me, but everyone ignored it.

“Do you need help moving your things?” Kassy asked me but I declined though.

“I don’t really have much things to pack and unpack. Plus, I have my own car. No problem.”

I didn’t tell them the car was rental. I never buy my own vehicle because I rent one every once in a while. Having your own plate number identified and traced is really troublesome for someone like me.

Keith was the first to finish his meal, though he was also the last one to arrive earlier. He must’ve wanted to leave immediately. Standing up, he took his plate to the kitchen sink and disappeared into the hallway.

I was almost done eating myself, but then, I remembered something. “By the way, Kassy are you free tomorrow morning?”

“Why?”

“Wanna go drink some morning coffee?”

“Around what time?”

“Seven to eight? Is that a good time for you?” I noticed Damien’s hand stop from reaching his glass at the corner of my eyes.

“Oh.” Kassy looked crestfallen at that. “I’m so sorry Milady. I don’t think I can. My parents and I have to visit grandfather tomorrow. It’s half and hour’s drive. We’re travelling at seven and return at nine.”

“That’s okay. Maybe next time. How about you, Pam?”

Pamela pouted her supple red lips. “Sorry, pumpkin. I have acting lessons tomorrow.”

I really didn’t want to resort to this, but I felt it would be rude not to ask. “Anyone?”

There was either Roman or Suzy, with the exception of Van of course.

“Is it a date?” Suzy asked, her brow furrowing in anger. “You know I’m going to the next town tomorrow, so that only leaves Roman and Van.”

I blinked, feigning a look of surprise. Of course I knew that. That’s why I offered because she would most definitely not be free tomorrow. However, unlike her assumption, I didn’t want Roman joining me tomorrow because that would defeat my purpose of having a one-on-one talk with Samantha’s boyfriend a.k.a. the so-called prime suspect of the local police.

“Actually…” I cleared my throat. “Van owes me a cup of coffee. He’s treating me tomorrow. I was just asking if anyone else would care to join us. The more, the merrier, right?”

I witnessed as Suzy’s face became invaded by a red flush. She must feel embarrassed now. Though I didn’t want to rouse her ire, I was left with no choice. Making friends isn’t as easy as I make it look. It’s hard to anticipate and meet everyone’s expectations.

Roman had been sipping his own drink casually and was just putting it down the table, when he gave a terrible answer. “I’m free tomorrow, since I am my own boss.”

I almost slapped my own forehead.

Great… My plan and mental concentration for Van’s interrogation session tomorrow would likely go haywire.