COMING BACK UNPREDICTABLE

Chapter 3

Ethan watched the young man sitting across him with caution, he knew that this man didn't approach him by coincidence.

"What do you mean that the answer is hidden in the facts?" Ethan asked watching Duncan's expression closely.

"The money went missing is currently untraceable, when the authorities froze the firm's account the money had already vanished, the police were able to trace it to an offshore account before it disappeared completely." Duncan moved his bishop.

Ethan stared at the younger man, he seemed knowledgeable but he didn't want to conclude without testing his knowledge, was he actually smart or was he just bluffing?

"I want to hear more." Ethan said urging Duncan to go on.

"I think instead of following the money trail forward, tracing where it went and how it was moved, I think the police should try tracing it backward. Look for any inconsistencies and investigate it properly, I think the answer lies there." Duncan said.

"You are suggesting the reverse thinking method?" Ethan asked, his brows raised in surprise. Why haven't he thought of that? His son has been on this Brimstone money laundering scandal for months yet he kept on arriving at a closed end.

"You got it right." Duncan replied with a smile. "Brimstone is just a loan bank, it doesn't have what it takes to move such amount of money without a trace, so the question is, which company has the ability to move such amount of money without being suspected"

"That's what we've been trying to find for months, why don't you answer that?" Ethan asked testing Duncan's knowledge.

"I know you must have looked into banks, shell companies, firms but the answer lies somewhere else." Duncan moved his player, not taking his eyes off the board once.

Ethan remained silent, they had actually looked into such areas, they usually hold the key in this type of cases.

"You need to think of the company that can move such huge and dirty amount if money naturally without raising suspicions."

"And what company comes to your mind?" Ethan asked.

"In chess, the key to winning is dependent who has the ability to control the centre of the board. Just like this case, the said company is at the middle, we just need to find the company that has the ability to control the flow of funds without raising suspicions as I said earlier."

"Interesting." Ethan noted as he made a move in the game.

"Through in depth data analysis and strategic thinking, I think you can find patterns in brimstone transactions, look into it, you might find find companies that are involved in the money trail then you use reverse thinking to trace the source." Duncan said moving his knight forward.

"That's quite impressive." Ethan replied.

"Checkmate." Duncan was smiling.

"Wait- how was that even possible?" Ethan asked baffled. "I didn't even notice that move."

"Bobby Fischer was not only known for seeing ten moves ahead of his opponent, but he also believed the best moves were the ones that were least obvious." Duncan said, his smile widening.

"I can't deny you leave me intrigued young man." Ethan said with a smile on his face. "Would you like to play again? I can't deny I'm amazed at your skills, they impress me."

Duncan got up ready to swing into action, "I'd love to but in as much as I enjoy your company, I have to leave now, I have an interview to prepare for tomorrow." He said picking up his things in pretense.

Ethan got up, he wasn't about to lose contact with such intriguing young man. "Please a moment of your time, I will love to play again some time with you." He said searching through his pockets for his wallet.

Duncan stood tapping his leg on the ground as though he was in a hurry. "What are you searching for sir?" He asked staring at the older man who kept fumbling with his pockets.

"My wallet, I think I placed it somewhere her- oh! I found it." Ethan searched through the wallets pulling out a card.

"This is my number, I will appreciate it if you send a text or call, I really would love to play with you again, I learnt your move and I hope to use it against you." He said handling business card to Duncan who collected it with a small bow.

"I'm honoured sir." He said, "I'm glad you found my skills interesting, I will make sure to call." He added turning to leave.

Ethan suddenly remembered the bag Duncan had gifted him, he hurried to where he had placed it, then put it on the table. "Oh this, I forgot to thank you for it."

"It's fine, they are local specialties, I hope you'll like it." Duncan said watching the old man.

Ethan unzipped the bag revealing the carefully arranged plates, he took them out carefully as sweet savour filled the room.

"Oh my goodness." Ethan muttered as he set the plates aside revealing the meals he had fallen in love with when he married his wife.

"These meals are only made in my wife's locality." He said astonished. "Since I got married, I've loved every meal she made, this is a one of my favourite." He said.

"I'm glad you like it, it's a gift." Duncan said, the joy on Ethan's face made him happy.

"Just you wait till I show this to my wife, she will be overjoyed." Ethan said as he carefully arranged the dishes back into his bag he turned to Duncan. "Thank you so much for this, if you don't mind, I will love to invite you over for dinner, but of course, after your interview."

Duncan nodded, "It will be my pleasure sir." He tried his best to keep his smile normal but he was almost failing. His plans were working.

"I wouldn't want to keep you waiting any more, thank you so much for today." Ethan said watching Duncan who replied with a small bow.

"The pleasure is all mine." Then he left.

As soon as Duncan left, Ethan pulled out his phone calling his son. After two rings, his son picked.

"Hi dad."

"How are you doing Michael?" Ethan asked.

"I'm fine."

"I want you to give me every information you can find on Duncan Stone." He said.

The sound of fingers clicking aggressively on a keyboard filled Ethan's ears as he waited.

"Duncan Stone, he was the winner of the last medical licence examination but surprisingly, he failed the re-examination." Michael said.

"That's a little strange, was any reason stated?" He asked.

"No, just a letter informing him that were was an error and he didn't make it to the required score." Michael answered. "Who is this Duncan Stone?" He asked.

Ethan cleared his throat, "That's for the better then, I want you to recruit him."

"What? Why dad?" Michael asked.

"He will be useful in your department." Ethan replied before hanging up.

The next day, Justin was sitting in his living room when his assistant called.

"Yes, today is a work free day so why are you calling me?" He asked.

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir, you said to call if there are any update on Mr Duncan."

Justin went still, "What is it?" He asked.

"He has an interview, my source says he still has qualifications." The assistant said.

"What?" Justin scoffed aa he hung up, he had made sure that Duncan's medical licence examination failed, but how was it possible that he still had interviews?

In a hurry, he dialled the state health department. "I just got a call that Mr Duncan still has am interview, how is that even possible?" He asked furious.

"That has nothing to do with us sir, Mr Stone was specially recruited by the police department." The receiver replied.

"What do you mean specially recuited?" Justin asked surprised.

"I am sorry sir, but I don't know the entire details." The receiver said.

"How's it even possible?" Justin asked.

"Judging by how his name was mentioned, I believe he has strong connection with the police department."