My Own Decision

Lucian took his cup of coffee in his hands and said, "So, you DID come here. I wanted to thank you, Nicolo, for not disclosing my mother's name to Ralph."

"I already told you, it's not a big deal.", Nicolo smiled, while drinking his coffee.

"So, are you a full time investigator?", Lucian asked casually.

"Yes, I am.", Nicolo replied and Lucian's next question came immediately, "Oh, is it easy or hard? Like, what are the things you have to do for TGC?"

Nicolo thought for a second and then answered, "I don't usually make many decisions for this case, I, for the most part, execute orders from higher-ups."

"Right. I understand. I just wanted to know about Ralph. I saw him struggle yesterday, he was looking really depressed. Is he financially unstable? If he is, then I can help him.", Lucian leaned towards Nicolo, bringing a helping hand.

"No no. That's not the problem at all. His financial condition is all good. He was just frustrated that he couldn't catch the Ghost.", Nicolo answered.

"Oh, I thought I could help, but this is something else then. But why was only he so frustrated? I didn't see you reacting the same? Is he some kind of higher-up then?", Lucian asked again.

"Yes! Kind of. He is indeed the leader of TGC. He is the one who plans most stuff.", Nicolo answered with excitement.

"I guessed that actually. Well then, tell more about yourself then. For how many years have you been working in this group?", Lucian slided another question.

Nicolo seemed to take another 5 seconds before answering.

"Agh….you see….TGC is a new group..so.."

"Oh, I get it. So you joined it recently.", Lucian said and Nicolo nodded as an agreement.

"But, where did you work before TGC then? Like, I myself am a full time painter. I mean I did make a mistake by working for 'The Ghost', but I realize it now. What about you? Where did you work before then?", Lucian threw some words at Nicolo, expecting something unexpected.

"Me?", Nicolo was stuttering a little, "This is the first time I'm working."

"Really? Oh, right", Lucian said, but then he raised his eyebrows a little and put his cup on the table, continuing with, "But by your looks, you look like you're in your mid 25's. Oh, right, I'm stupid. You said recently, and it can mean more than 2 years as well. Sorry, I misunderstood, I think."

This time, Nicolo didn't answer at all. His cup was sitting on the table on its own.

"What happened, Nicolo? Drink the coffee please. Is something off? Do you not like it?", Lucian asked as he saw Nicolo sitting still.

This question broke Nicolo's illusion and brought him back to reality, "No no. The coffee is really good."

"Oh fine then.", Lucian drank and emptied his cup in another minute, and then broke the silence by asking another question, "You know why I truly asked about what your previous job was? It's because I heard about a rumor."

Nicolo looked at Lucian with a hidden shock and asked immediately, "What rumor?"

"I heard there is an unknown organization hiring people from intelligence sectors and then using them for their own illegal tasks. And all of those employees end up dying soon.", Lucian's sentence was completed and Nicolo instantly replied, "What?!"

"Yes! Though I don't know if it's completely true or not. Or from where this rumor originated, but I was a little concerned about you. You know? You're from one of the intelligence sectors, so..", Lucian left his sentence incomplete, most probably for Nicolo to join it.

"No no. I don't work at those. D-Don't worry.", Nicolo closed his eyes while saying it.

There we go. He definitely works there, now it's confirmed.

"I never said you do. I was just confirming. Cause you could have been in great danger if that was the case. You know what? I think working there would be the same as how I felt while working with the ghost! It might be filled with deception and lies, and perhaps, guilt!", Lucian cleared his throat.

Nicolo was silent.

"That being said, if you know someone who works there, feel free to contact me. I have wealth, and I'll be using that money to help others as usual. I might be able to cut those people's ties with that organization with whatever I can.", Lucian paused, then said again, "Nicolo, you may complete your coffee! Is there a problem? Or do you know someone like that?", Lucian's face became suddenly curious.

"N–N-No….", Nicolo became silent for another 30 seconds, before finally speaking again, "I….I work there."

Lucian's eyes widened as he reacted with, "What?! Really?!"

"Yes.", Nicolo was staring down at the table beneath his hands, whispering those words.

"Nicolo! I didn't expect that at all!", Lucian paused again for a second and then said, "But don't worry! I'll do something! I'll help you with all I have!"

"First tell me, do you know anyone else who is working with them or under them? Please tell the truth, that would be a great help to solve this!", Lucian asked his questions.

"Yes. There is another person I know who works under this. He is...Ralph.", Nicolo's voice was still quiet, but he was looking at Lucian with teary eyes now.

"B-But why? No, I shouldn't ask that now. I should rather try to help!", Lucian said with a panic, "But, I saw how great of a detective Ralph is, by all of his skills that were visible to me! Why would he fall for something like this?"

"No, that's not the case. He is not working there on his own will, he is forced to work for them!", Nicolo's voice rose a bit.

"Forced?! That's even a worse situation than I imagined! How is he forced?", Lucian asked.

"His sister. They kidnapped his sister, and kept her as a hostage, forcing Ralph to work in TGC!", Nicolo rapidly flew through his words.

Wait, what? So Nicolo works there, and Ralph doesn't. But Ralph has to work for them because Ralph's sister has been kidnapped by them and kept as a hostage, right? But why would they go this far to make Ralph work for TGC?

"Wait a minute Nicolo. Tell me, what is even TGC? Are you telling me that TGC is just a team of a few people made by this organization?", Lucian asked curiously.

"You're right!", Nicolo shouted a little, but then quietly said, "And I-I was told to look over Ralph as he was doing the investigations, as his left-hand. All the people at TGC are from this organization, except Ralph. He was…..he was forced to work for them.", Nicolo's face drowned in guilt it seemed like.

"I promise you Nicolo, I'll take down this organization and free you and Ralph from them! And I'll ask you later, why you joined them in the first place. So answer my last questions then. Do you know the name of Ralph's sister? And what is the name of this organization?", Lucian asked.

"Yes. I do know his sister's name. In fact, that was the least I was told. Her name is...", Nicolo pronounced the name, and, after hearing it, Lucian had the biggest shock of his life.

His eyes genuinely widened this time and he kept thinking and thinking, not getting time to process what happened next.

"And the organization's name is..", Nicolo was about to tell the name, but as soon as he was about to pronounce the first letter of the name, something happened.

"O....", Nicolo's head exploded, and a fountain of blood came out on the table, a lot of blood splashing on Lucian, and some of it got mixed with the leftover coffee.

Nicolo's headless body fell on the floor…..