Ben got in the driver’s seat after he making sure that Dana had sat down comfortably.“Do you think he’ll hurt me?” Dana asked hesitantly. She felt frightened for some reason and the fear was reflected in her eyes.“I’ll be there with you”“No. Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose? Do you think he will speak in your presence?”Ben felt that what she said made sense. He dialed Shadow using hands free option.“Boss” Shadow’s voice floated into the car.“Can you restrain the prisoner so that his movements cannot exceed half a meter?”“Yes, Boss”“Also leave the rear entrance open. I am heading there now.”“Okay”“ETA 20 mins”“Noted”Ben hung up.Shadow knew his boss was giving him a heads up so that Ed and Frank can get to the viewing room and be out of sight. Shadow relayed the plan and sped up.Ben entered the manor through the rear entrance and opened the door for Dana after parking close to the building entrance.Dana looked around uncomfortably. It was dark and gloomy. The rear entranc
“Didn’t you ask me not to listen in?”“Oh…” Dana raised her eyebrows unconvinced ‘Who wouldn’t listen in just because she told him not to?’“Can I listen in on the recording?”“No”“Baby, I want to listen” Ben acted like a spoilt child. He started being dishonest by kissing and nibbling on her neck.“Okay” Dana just wanted him to stop. She remembered the conversation with Mr. Bosner. ‘Not good… she didn’t want him to know. What should I do?’ She racked her brain.“Don’t take anything I said seriously as I was just trying to stimulate him psychologically” Dana added in a relaxed tone. This was her excuse for what she said in the room with Mr. Bosner.“Thank you” He kissed her on her nape.“Why didn’t you just listen in…?” Dana asked in exasper
Ben drove straight back. He had to discuss with Ed and Frank what their next step should be, and he wanted to watch the recording of Dana’s discussion with David. On the way, he dialed Shadow- “Boss” “Dana’s car is parked at Downtown café. Get it to her house and return straight back.” “Noted” Shadow paused, would it be presumptuous if he asked?’ “What is it?” Ben noticed the hesitation in Shadow’s voice. “Boss could you wait for me before you discuss…” Shadow’s voice trailed off; he couldn’t get himself to complete the request. Ben hummed before hanging up. “Style” Shadow yelled with urgency into the walkie-talkie. Ed and Frank looked at Shadow with raised eyebrows. A well-built man with a high and tight hair style with long bangs swept to his left arrived in front of Shadow and saluted mischievously. He had an unruly and frivolous aura with a distinct sharpness in his eyes. He was one of Shadow’s elite
The next day-Ben arrived as agreed at Dana’s company at 10 am and messaged her “Downstairs”Dana came out of the building in a second. She was waiting in the reception downstairs.“That was quick” Ben opened the passenger door for Dana.“Wasn’t the appointment for 10?” Dana checked the time on her mobile“Yes, but aren’t women usually fashionably late?” Ben started the car.“Don’t know. My time is valuable, and I assume so is everyone else’s” Dana had a nonchalant expression.Ben sighed!“Do you mind if my friends listen in our conversation?”“I am not sure if whether what I am going to suggest would make sense.” Dana hesitated.“They are my best friends; you don’t have to be conscious of them listening.”“
“There is however a catch!”“What?” Ed felt like his bubble was about to be burst; ‘Was the sliver of hope for this impossible mission about to be taken away?’“For the success of this operation, we would also have to find someone who matches Jack and David not only in stature but also David’s blood composition.”“Let me look into this” Ed pursed his lips into a straight line.“I will screen my dark guards” Frank added.Ben pursed his lips. He didn’t want to volunteer. He didn’t want this plan to work. He stared gloomily into Dana’s eyes.Dana raised her eyebrows in a questioning arc and gave him an imploring look.“I will look into mine too!” Ben added unwillingly under Dana’s prompts.“Great” Dana’s eyes sparkled.“Let’s leave it at this and meet once we have a few more answers
“Verdict monsieur?”“Magnifique maestro” Ben praised lavishly. He thoroughly enjoyed Dana’s infatuated gaze.Tarz bowed theatrically.“Now for my payment” He paused “a picture for my collection.”He took his camera and ordered “Now stand together.”He looked through his camera lens “No…no…no...”He walked towards them “Allow me!” He raised his hand to pull Dana but was pushed by Ben “No!”“Tsk…. tsk…Anna, be dear and let’s show this wooden couple how it’s done in style.”Anna walked up to Tarz and he pulled her into his embrace, and she leaned gracefully onto his chest “See” Tarz raised his eyebrows mockingly.Ben lips curled upwards ‘This twisted idiot was interesting’. He pulled Dana close to him holding her habitually by her waist. Dana turned her head towards Ben and raised her chin and eyes to look at Ben. He stared into her eyes affectionately.“Click” The camera shutter flashed.“No…no…no” Tarz feigned unhappiness and walked up to Dana and pressed her head against Ben’s chest “
David looked up as the door opened. He sat upright as he saw Dana. His face brightened as he realized that Ben didn’t follow her.“Dana" David called excitedly “I have drawn all of them.”Dana looked at the pictures and smiled.“Is this how they really look?” Dana asked feigning surprise.David nodded confidently.“That’s great! Do you remember anything else like a tattoo or a cut or any distinctive feature?” David thought for a while before drawing the picture of the beak of a bird within a shape that resembled a broken ‘T’, without the left half of the horizontal line and the vertical line seemed to be wacked in a bit. “This was on the left hand” David pointed to the back of his palm.“Umm” Dana nodded and looked in interest.David’s ego took a boost seeing Dana was interested. He started to draw more bits and pieces to the other portraits. All he wanted at this time was for Dana to sit admiring him.Ben was anxiously waiting outside. ‘Why was she taking long? Has he hurt her? Why
Dana shook her head ‘This man has a venomous tongue.’Ben’s gaze was fixed on Dana’s face contemplating how to ask what was bothering him. He didn’t know how to ask as he had never previously been interested in other people’s business and hence never learned the art of tactful enquiry. This was Frank’s forte; He was neither tolerant nor diplomatic. His world was blunt, he spouted whatever he wanted to ask, and the other party would oblige if they didn’t have a death wish!“What?” Dana couldn’t stand Ben’s burning gaze.“Did he ever hurt you?”“What?? No” Dana shook her head “Why? I mean whatever gave you that idea?”“You seem to have been rather shaken when I came in…” Ben paused not knowing how to continue.“Oh… that’s nothing. I let you see a joke” Dana laughed shallowly and tried to brush it off.“It didn’t look like nothing and I would like to know but if you don’t trust me, then I won’t trouble you” Ben looked intently at Dana. He didn’t want to be polite with her; In his mind, s