FIRST CRUMBS 2

As he walked towards the meeting point, Junta's mind was focused on the task at hand. He had a feeling that this meeting would be crucial, that Clarissa would have information that would help him crack the case. He spotted Clarissa waiting for him, her eyes scanning the crowd before locking onto his. Junta nodded, and she fell into step beside him.

"What did you find out?" Junta asked, his voice low and urgent.

Clarissa smiled, a small, enigmatic smile. "Let's talk about it somewhere else," she said, her eyes darting around the crowded street.

Junta nodded, and they walked in silence, weaving through the crowds. They eventually ducked into a small café, the sounds of the city muffled by the door.

Junta leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he thought. "It's a symbol that's been showing up in various places around the city," he said. "At first, I thought it was just graffiti, but then I started to notice it in more... strategic locations."

Clarissa's eyes were locked onto his, her expression intent. "Strategic locations?" Junta nodded. "Yeah. Places like government buildings, corporate offices. It's like whoever is leaving the symbol is trying to send a message."

Clarissa's fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes scanning the screen as she typed. "I'll see if I can find any connections between the symbol and these locations," she said.

After a few minutes of silence, Clarissa looked up from her screen, her expression less than encouraging. "I've got barely anything," she said. "No known organizations, no clear meaning. It's like the symbol doesn't exist."

Junta's eyes narrowed, his thoughts turning to the possibilities. "That's not possible," he said. "Someone's using it for a reason."

Clarissa shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. But I did find one name that might be connected to the symbol." She paused, her eyes locked onto Junta's. "Victor Crane."

Junta's eyes snapped to hers, his interest piqued. "What about him?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Clarissa's expression was neutral. "Not much, to be honest. But his name came up in my search, and I think it might be worth looking into."

To the public, Victor Crane was a kindhearted philanthropist and multimillionaire who donated generously to various charities and causes. He was known for his charm and charisma, and his philanthropic efforts had earned him numerous accolades and awards. But Junta knew better. He had seen the darker side of Victor Crane, the side that was rumored to be involved in all sorts of illicit activities.

Junta's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "Tell me more about Victor Crane," he said, his voice firm. "What do you know about him?"

Clarissa leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the ceiling as she thought. "Victor Crane is a wanted man," she said. "He's been charged with some serious crimes: drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal weapons dealing... and mass murder."

Junta's eyes locked onto Clarissa's, his mind racing with the implications. "This is interesting," he said, his voice even. "But I'm not convinced Crane is behind the symbol."

Clarissa raised an eyebrow. "You don't think so?" Junta shook his head. "I don't know. Something doesn't add up. But it's the only good clue I've had for months, so we can't ignore it."

Junta's eyes narrowed. "How do you know he's connected to the symbol?" he asked, his voice curious.

Clarissa smiled, a sly glint in her eye. "Let's just say I've been in his room," she said, her voice low and mysterious.

Junta's eyebrows arched, his eyes widening in surprise. "You've been in his room?" he repeated, his voice incredulous.

Clarissa nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah. Let's just say I have my ways of getting information."

Clarissa's expression turned serious. "There's one problem, though. Victor Crane's been a ghost for months now. No one knows where he is."

Junta's eyes narrowed. "A man like that can't stay invisible and run his operations. Do you have anything on people close to him?"

Clarissa smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "You only paid for Victor. Finding his associates is gonna cost extra."

Junta raised an eyebrow. "Name your price."

Clarissa leaned in, her voice."The only thing we can go for without alerting him too much is one of his lackeys," Clarissa said. "And luckily for you, I'm giving you a free suggestion. There's a guy... he tends to stick to the shadows, but a little birdie told me he'll be at Azaba next week for a party."

Junta's eyes lit up with interest.

Here's the continuation:

Junta's eyes lit up with interest. "What's the guy's name?"

Clarissa smiled. "Let's just say his nickname is 'The Bull'. He's one of Victor's top enforcers. If you can get to him, you might be able to get some information about Victor's operations."

Junta nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "I'll take it. What's the party's details?"

Clarissa handed him a small piece of paper with the party's location and time. "Be careful, Junta. The Bull is not a man to mess with. And if Victor finds out you're sniffing around... let's just say you don't want that to happen."

Junta chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You can't tell a detective to not sniff around. It's my job, and it's not my first rodeo."

Clarissa raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Fair enough. Just be careful, okay?"

Junta nodded, tucked the paper into his pocket, and stood up. "I'll transfer the money now." He walked away, pulled out his phone, and initiated the transfer. After confirming the transaction, he turned around and asked, "By the way, where's the best place to find waiter's uniforms?"

Clarissa smirked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's gonna cost you."

Junta raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her response. "You're really going to make me pay for everything, aren't you?"

Clarissa shrugged, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Information is power, and power costs money."

Junta chuckled, shaking his head. "You're a tough negotiator, Clarissa. I like that."

Clarissa smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "That's why you come to me, Junta. I get results."

Junta nodded, his mind already focused on the next step in his investigation. He turned to leave, but not before Clarissa called out to him.

"Junta?"

He turned back to her, his eyes questioning. "Yeah?"

"Be careful," she repeated, her expression serious. "Victor Crane is not a man to underestimate. And neither is The Bull."

Junta nodded, his expression grim. "I'll be careful."

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowded streets of the city. Clarissa watched him go, a thoughtful expression on her face. She knew that Junta was a skilled detective, but she also knew that he was taking on a formidable opponent in Victor Crane.

She shrugged, turning back to her computer screen. She had done her part to help Junta. Now it was up to him to follow through and bring Victor Crane to justice.

As she began to pack up her things, Clarissa's phone buzzed with an incoming message. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening in surprise.

It was a message from an unknown number, and all it said was: "Be careful, Clarissa. You're playing with fire."

Clarissa's heart skipped a beat as she realized that her involvement in the investigation may have put her in danger. She quickly deleted the message and glanced around the café, wondering if anyone was watching her.

For the first time, she felt a twinge of fear. Had she gotten in over her head?