APPOINTMENT LETTER
"НЕ БОЙТЕСЬ, ОНА НЕ СОБИРАЕТСЯ ПЛАТИТЬ, НО ТЫ УВЕРЕННО СДЕЛАЕШЬ, УБРАК.( DON'T WORRY SHE ISN'T GOING TO PAY, BUT YOU WILL SURE DO, FUCKER.)"
His ominous words reverberated through the room, casting a pall of unease over us all. Even the stoic Russian operative seemed to falter in the face of his chilling threat, the weight of it pressing down on our collective consciousness like a leaden fog.
As I exchanged a glance with Vijay, the gravity of our predicament hung heavy in the air. "It appears they're unaware of the identity of their employer," I remarked, my tone measured but tinged with a hint of empathy. "Given their status as mere foot soldiers, it's understandable they lack the vital information we seek."
Vijay, ever the pragmatist, rose from his seat with purpose. "Nevertheless, it wouldn't hurt to interrogate them," he suggested, his voice laced with a subtle urgency. "There may be hidden gems buried within their confessions."
With a nod of agreement, I watched as Vijay prepared to take his leave. But as he turned to go, a sudden realization struck me like a bolt of lightning—a recognition of his astute intellect and keen insight. This wasn't merely chance; it was destiny presenting an opportunity too valuable to pass up. I couldn't let someone of his caliber slip through my fingers.
Determined, I called out to him, halting his departure with a sense of urgency in my voice. "Wait, there's something I need to discuss with you," I implored, my words tinged with a sense of urgency.
Vijay turned back, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "What's on your mind?" he inquired, his interest piqued.
Summoning my resolve, I presented an idea veiled in the guise of a casual invitation. "Remember our plan to grab a meal together before tackling this task?" I proposed, hoping to entice him with the promise of food and camaraderie.
To my surprise, Vijay chuckled softly, his laughter a balm to the tense atmosphere. "I didn't expect you to remember," he admitted, his amusement genuine.
Caught off guard by his response, a flicker of disappointment briefly crossed my features. But before I could dwell on it, Vijay's laughter ceased, replaced by a calculating glint in his eyes.
In an instant, the pieces fell into place—Vijay had orchestrated this, manipulating my emotions for his amusement. Anger bubbled up inside me, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.
Without a word, I issued a command, my voice firm and unwavering. "You're coming with me," I declared, my tone brooking no argument. "No excuses."
Vijay's demeanor shifted in an instant, his compliance immediate as he fell into step beside me, his expression a mask of neutrality.
Together, we ventured into the unknown, the allure of a meal masking the tension that simmered beneath the surface. But amidst the facade of normalcy, a silent battle of wits unfolded—a dance of manipulation and cunning that would shape our destinies in ways neither of us could have foreseen.
As we made our way towards the restaurant, the streets seemed to narrow, closing in around us like the walls of a labyrinth. Yet, despite the palpable tension, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie between us, forged in the crucible of uncertainty.
"I must admit, you surprised me back there," I remarked, breaking the silence as we walked. "Your ability to read people is quite impressive."
Vijay nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Years of experience," he replied cryptically, his tone revealing little of his true thoughts.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the man walking beside me, his enigmatic aura only adding to his allure. It was clear that there was more to Vijay than met the eye, and I was determined to uncover the depths of his mysteries.
As we reached the restaurant, I couldn't shake the feeling that our journey together was only just beginning—a prelude to a partnership that would test us both in ways we had yet to imagine. But for now, we would indulge in the simple pleasure of a meal shared between allies, knowing that the path ahead would be anything but easy.
.....
As we savored our delightful pastries and coffee in the cozy cafe, the case unfolded before us like a captivating puzzle. "You know," I mused, taking a sip of my black coffee, "there could very well be a shareholder pulling the strings behind this." Vijay nodded thoughtfully, his cream roll momentarily forgotten as he considered the implications of such a revelation.
Initially, we had planned to dine at a restaurant, but the quaint, run-down establishment we stumbled upon didn't quite meet our expectations. Determined to treat my companion, we opted for a larger restaurant, only to find it bustling with the late afternoon crowd at 5 PM. Disliking the crowded atmosphere, we sought refuge in the nearest café, marveling at its unexpected tranquility amidst the bustling cityscape.
As Vijay responded, I couldn't help but marvel at his innate ability to unravel mysteries effortlessly. While I had merely speculated based on intuition, his insights carried weight. It dawned on me that underestimating his suggestions would be a mistake. After all, his knack for deciphering enigmas was a force to be reckoned with.
"Very well I'll see into the case..."
I told him while thinking about something, and when I looked towards Vijay, I saw him smiling towards me.
As I contemplated delving deeper into the case, my thoughts swirling with possibilities, I glanced over at Vijay to find him wearing a mischievous grin. "What's with the smirk?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued, my gaze narrowed in suspicion. It seemed there was more to his amusement than met the eye, and I was eager to uncover the reason behind his cryptic smile.
Vijay's chuckle filled the air, his observation cutting through the tension like a ray of light. "You know," he remarked with a grin, "when you get lost in thought, you've got this innocent look, like a child pondering life's mysteries." His words hung in the air, punctuated by his laughter, adding a touch of whimsy to our conversation.
Vijay's playful jab caught me off guard, his laughter echoing in the cozy ambiance of the cafe. Despite his lighthearted demeanor, his gaze held a hint of seriousness as he shifted the conversation. "Why did you call me here?" he queried, his tone betraying a sense of anticipation. It was clear that there was more to our meeting than just discussing the case.
My heart raced with anticipation as I finally voiced the proposal that had been swirling in my mind. "Would you consider joining me as a professional detective to solve crimes?" I asked the words hanging in the air with a weight of uncertainty. And then, to my surprise and relief, came Vijay's unequivocal response: "I accept."
"Haaaa!!!"
My exclamation escaped before I could contain it, my surprise evident as Vijay readily embraced my offer. "I didn't expect you to accept so easily," I admitted, still trying to process his swift agreement. Vijay's sheepish response mirrored my initial skepticism, highlighting the unexpected turn of events. It seemed our assumptions about each other had been challenged, setting the stage for an intriguing partnership ahead.
Vijay's unexpected response left me momentarily speechless, his willingness to accommodate my preferences catching me off guard. "Would you have preferred if I didn't accept?" I was Caught off guard by Vijay's sudden willingness, I scrambled to reassure him of my genuine intention. "No, no, I meant I'm glad you accepted," I hurriedly clarified, extending my hand for a handshake. As our palms met in a firm grip, a sense of mutual understanding washed over us, solidifying our newfound partnership in the world of crime-solving.
"Thank you,"
....
RING RING....
As we stepped out of the cafe, the tranquility of our conversation was interrupted by the shrill ring of my phone. Answering the call from the police team, I was immediately intrigued by the prospect of a new lead. "They might have found something," I relayed to Vijay, excitement coursing through me. With a glance in his direction, I extended the invitation, eager to delve into the unfolding investigation together.
"No, I am fine... It's your case you solve... You can do that easily right...."
Vijay's playful rejection of my invitation to join the investigation added an unexpected twist to our conversation. As his mischievous smile met my narrowed gaze, a subtle tension hung in the air, hinting at the dynamic between us. "Yes, I can handle it,"
In response to Vijay's reluctance to join the investigation, I emphasized the importance of acclimating him to our work environment. However, his resistance hinted at a deeper resolve, challenging my attempts to sway him. With a firm nod, he declared his departure, leaving me to ponder the complexities of our evolving partnership. Despite his departure, I remained intrigued by the enigmatic nature of our dynamic and looked forward to our next encounter.
....
Eager for updates, I turned to my colleague, a professional hacker with an uncanny knack for espionage, poised to uncover the latest developments in our investigation. His response confirmed my suspicions, revealing a crucial connection to one of the shareholders. "You were right," he confirmed, his words sending a chill down my spine. "His name is Gray Hickman, holding 39% of the shares in Great Pharmacy Rex."
Reflecting on the intricate web of connections, I couldn't shake the realization that the individual Vijay mentioned held significant sway in the company's affairs. As I pondered further, tracing my fingers along my jawline in contemplation, my thoughts turned to the other key players involved in the scheme. "Have you heard anything from the six suspects?" I queried, my curiosity piqued. "Do we know the extent of their involvement, or how much cash changed hands in this nefarious endeavor?"
With a curious expression etched on my face, I leaned in to hear my colleague's latest findings, eager for any insights into the case. However, before I could delve deeper into my inquiries, he interrupted with a bombshell revelation. "All members of the shareholder, including those working under him, were directly involved," he disclosed, his words sending a shiver down my spine. As I processed this information, my colleague dropped another unexpected detail. "Oh, and there were seven people there," he added casually. My brow furrowed in confusion as I tried to reconcile his statement with my memory. "What do you mean by seven people? Weren't there only six?" I questioned, my tone tinged with suspicion as I narrowed my eyes, sensing a discrepancy in the narrative.
As I recalled the tense scene with the six individuals glaring at me, their eyes brimming with animosity, I couldn't help but brush it off as another routine encounter in my line of work. However, a nagging thought tugged at the corners of my mind—despite my usual attention to detail, I distinctly remembered only five Englishmen and one Russian present.
"Yes, initially when the cops arrested them, there were only six of them, but when the officers conducted further investigation of the factory, they found one more guy who was unconscious, lying near the bushes at the back gate of the factory."
As my colleague recounted the discovery of the unconscious seventh person at the factory, my mind raced to reconcile the new information with my memories of the scene. Despite my years of experience in the field, the thought that someone had eluded my detection sent a chill down my spine. How could I have missed someone lying mere feet away from where Vijay and I had stood? The revelation sparked a surge of unease, prompting me to scrutinize every detail of the investigation with renewed intensity.
"Detective, I think someone's approaching from behind. Can you go check? I'll go see what's up front..."
As I wracked my brain, attempting to piece together the events, Vijay's words from earlier echoed in my mind. Could he have been the one to incapacitate the unconscious individual? Despite his seemingly fragile appearance, I couldn't shake the suspicion that there might be more to Vijay than meets the eye. Was he concealing a hidden strength or perhaps even a secret agenda?
As I mulled over the notion of Vijay concealing his abilities, a wave of skepticism washed over me. It seemed improbable, almost cinematic, to imagine him harboring secret strengths like a character in a movie. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. Despite his undeniable intelligence and keen observational skills, there were still aspects of his character shrouded in mystery. With a determined resolve, I made a mental note to broach the topic with him, knowing that our conversation would unveil layers of intrigue hidden beneath the surface of our partnership.
Determined to focus on the task at hand, I directed my attention back to the hacker, who had uncovered damning evidence against the main culprit and his accomplices. With a sense of satisfaction, I instructed him to compile the proof and initiate legal proceedings against the guilty parties. As I commended him for his exemplary work, a sudden realization struck me—I had found the perfect opportunity to bring Vijay officially into our team.
With a smile, I instructed the hacker to prepare an appointment letter for our recruit, confident in Vijay's capabilities despite his enigmatic demeanor.
....