Pools of Blood

chapter 33

The journey was very tiring for both of us. It took a huge amount of time to crawl through the traffic and reach our hotel. Actually, it was not a hotel. More like a small lodging for poor travelers. Why did I choose such a derogatory settlement? well, only to cover up our identity. we both looked like two haggard pilgrims from up north who have traveled a long distance only to pay homage at the shrine of The Lady.

We had booked two rooms side by side on the third floor of the building.

"It looks creepy", said Jasmine while we trudged upwards slowly upon the rickety stairs.

"Yes. My informer would arrive any moment to give us news of that bastard Rumi. if we had stayed in a posh hotel, that would have alerted him."

-"How? "

-" Don’t you think FTH is keeping a watch upon us? Everyone would expect us to book a clean and not so creepy room. That’s where we will checkmate them."

Jasmine raised her eyebrows and smiled with an 'I admire your intelligence' expression.

Our rooms were identical. Side by side with only a door and a wall to separate. Plasters were peeling from the walls. A gloomy damp air pervaded the room. A stinking smell, maybe of the damp pillows and bedsheets. I was habituated with these establishments. but it was the first time for Jasmine. I didn’t know how she was holding up.

Our plan was simple. There was an informer of mine who worked as an undercover agent long ago. Die to a misshape he was relieved from the job but he still helped me in return for a few bucks. I had already informed him about my plan. We have to search for all the garages and repair for a man with a brand on his arm. That’s all.

I knocked at Jasmine’s room.

"Are you okay?", I whispered from outside.

-"Yeah", she replied. "It's just too smelly here. But I think I will survive a day or two".

I laughed. How could that lady crack a joke in this situation? She was just like Alfred. Never serious when needed to be.

The lodge owner came with a plate of food. Some dumplings and a coke. As I was devouring them, there was a slight knock on the door.

"Who is there? ", I asked.

-"It's me, Sir. Khwajim."

I opened the door. There stood my informer wearing the attire of a monk with head shaven and black kohl under his eyes. Nobody would doubt him in this appearance.

"Wow! You look amazing! ", I remarked.

He gave me a toothless grin. That man was around sixty years old but still had the stamina of a lion.

He came in and took a seat. I called Jasmine from her room. The meeting began.

"I have done some digging", he started.

-"What did you find?"

-"Once a brawler will always be a brawler. These people can not stay put from brawling and gambling. It's in their blood."

I agreed. That’s why they were so easy to find. They basically have no brains and worked as per as dictated.

"There is an incident two days ago in a night club here. Someone big and burly slapped a bouncer and a scene began. A lot of cracking bottles and hurling chairs. At last, the police came and threw the man out. He was taken to the police station. But after a good spank, they allowed him to go. I investigated in my own way about the man. I came to know that he had a brand mark just above his elbow. he might be the one you are searching."

Jasmine and I exchanged looks.

He might be the one.

"Where can we find him?", Jasmine asked.

-"I heard he has a garage here. In the south corner road of the food plaza. Although that remains closed half of the time."

-"We should go and find out, don’t you think so?"

I agreed.

"Ok. Here is the plan", I stood up and clasped my hands together.

"I and Khwajim would go now to that garage and see what we can find. I know he won't be staying there in the garage. He probably is holed up somewhere else. But at least we can find a clue."

-"What am I supposed to do then?"

-" Stay put. Securely; lock the door and wait for me to get back".

Jasmine started to protest but I sharply rejected her plea. She was by no means fit to take another journey immediately. She needed rest. Moreover, I had no intention of taking her to battlegrounds. Her security was my prime priority.

At last, she agreed. Khwajim went outside to bring the car.

"Michael, take care of yourself. No need to be heroic."

I knew why she was saying that. Had Alfred behaved rationally, he would have been still alive. He went into a lion’s lair alone, foolishly. That was his biggest hamartia which costed his life. I wasn’t like that. I calculated each step.

"Yes of course Jasmine", I knelt before her and took her hands. "Listen to me very carefully. Do not go out of your room at any cost. Okay?"

She nodded.

-"Do not order any food or water after I m gone. If anyone is keeping an eye, they might try to poison you to end the game."

She nodded.

-"Call me immediately if anything happens. Do not try to do anything by yourself. You are still weak".

She nodded.

I stood up and put on my shoes.

"Here is a gun for your protection. You know how to pull a trigger?"

She laughed. "You are forgetting, I am the wife of an Interpol officer. He taught-"

She paused. "I was the wife of an Interpol officer. It's too hard to speak in the past tense".

I hung my head. I had faced these long ago. Somewhere in my heart, the injuries would never heal. The pain would never subside. I would live with those injuries forever and so would Jasmine.

I came out of my room and went down.