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
Dana looked at the time on her phone and mumbled “I will probably be cursed and yelled at … but what the heck!” She dialed and waited for the other end to pick up.“What is wrong with you woman? Do you know what time it is in my part of the world?” A sleepy voice growled over the phone.“Hi Stewart, yes it’s been a long time since we caught up!” Dana smiled mischievously as she retorted even though she knew he couldn’t see her.Ben sat quietly observing Dana, he had never seen this side of Dana. The more he interacted, the more he liked her. He wanted to know her more, know every nuances of her character.“What is it?” Stewart sat up lazily as he fumbled for his glasses on the bedside table.“Can’t I call because I missed you?” Dana still had a playful look.“Does the sun rise in the west?”“Why are you a grumpy old man?”
On the other side of town, Dorsen pub was busy and noisy. It was not your average pub where decent business was carried out. Three unruly tall men walked in arrogantly and ordered their drinks and sat on the corner table. They looked around. The scene that entered their eyes were vulgar. There were half naked women dancing and serving tables. Some tables where men and women blatantly performed obscene activities. The center of attraction at the pub was the arm wrestle gamble table. Two men sat at the table wrestling while the surrounding crowd betted and jeered.“You lot, interested in some fun?” A tall woman juggled her bosoms and smiled seductively.“With what?” The bald one scoffed disdainfully at her bosom.“Ugly, you have to be pleased I took a fancy” She bend down so that her bosom was almost touching his face.The bald one took out his pocket knife and smiled menacingly “Brothers, shall we share the good fo
Frank somersaulted to the collapsed figure on the ground while Ben and Shadow stood shoulder to shoulder and fired their weapons.Ben shot two tranquilizers faster than the time it took to blink and Shadow fired two arrows aimed at the two men on the left with precision. The men didn’t even have time to register the faces of their attacker.Shadow scouted to make sure there were no other hidden dangers “All clear and secure.”The collapsed figure raised his disfigured face weakly in response to the commotion.“Are you okay? We are …” Frank spoke softly.“Don’t tell me who you are if Major General send you. My brain is …Ahh…Ahhhh!” The lad cut Frank off before he could speak and started screaming midway.Ben narrowed his eyes ‘Danton’s assessment was not for naught!’. He raised his tranquilizer and shot Jack decisively.Frank looked at Ben with a que
Ed informed the guards at gate 14 that Ian was expecting a delivery. He then dialed Ian-“Yes”“The gismo is on its way to you. Once you receive, sterilize and bring it over. Let’s carry out the operation tonight.” Ed paused “I am not sure how big or heavy it is. Do you want us to come back?”“Nope. I will get Gurney to help.”“Yes. Gurney is a good choice.”Gurney was one of the orderlies and an exceptionally reliable and honest man. He was also very tight lipped and very loyal to Ian.“Ed, I have not used one of these gismos before. I have only read experimental research stuff….” Ian paused awkwardly.“Dana has asked her mate to enclose instructions for use. If there’s still any questions, Ben can contact Dana for you.”“Why can’t I call her directly?”“Do you want to ask Ben that?” Ed ra