Rewired: Project Insula

Chapter 10

Daniel and Meera had begun the miserable, wet sludge back to the car, this time Meera felt cool and collected, with relief managing to overpower her fears of the unknown.

The sun had reached a low position, hiding behind a heavy dark cloud which hung above the horizon, this gave the once bright winter afternoon a dull overtone as the early winter's evening began to approach.

Meera had noticed Daniel to be lost inside his own head since the mention of Triller. She had read a pleased expression upon his face when she had mentioned his name, which had then spurred them to finally leave the area, however his expression had now turned into one of deep thought and even shame, as they further approached the car.

She thought of calling over, but she knew that Daniel was clearly battling with something of his own and she didn't want to interrupt.

The number plate could now be read easily, to which Meera suffered an unexpected shiver throughout her body. “HE81 SUL” she read out in her mind, just to confirm her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.

She smiled as the feeling of relief doubled in potency but turned to check the now distant tower block they had been at.

Something in her mind told her to check, just to ensure that whatever had been inside the block hadn't been chasing them this whole time, the high winds masking the noise of the running.

This was likely to be the last bit of anxiety that the relief hadn't quite got under control, just pushing its way back in at the end to try and disrupt things.

Not this time though; the two detectives had reached the car which was now glistening from a built-up dew.

Daniel reached the car first and looked up towards Meera as she approached the passenger side.

Neither said a word to each other and proceeded to get into the car.

Meera got in and rubbed her hands vigorously, before sitting back in the chair and sighing. It was cold inside the car, and the leather seats made that even worse.

Daniel sat in the driver seat, looking solemnly down into his hands.

“Not going to put the heating on then?” Meera said jokingly, trying to cheer up Daniel.

Daniel forced a small smile and turned the car on. Warm air quickly came rushing in through the air vents and the leather seats began to feel toasty within seconds.

“I thought you were happy to speak to Triller?” Meera asked, finally addressing his behaviour.

Daniel replied quickly, almost as though he had the response already lined up to go.

“Triller is a fantastic man. One of the best policemen I have ever worked with or even met.” Daniel said.

Meera raised her eyebrows to this. “As if he knows a single thing about him” she thought to herself.

“Then what's the issue?” Meera asked.

Daniel became visibly agitated, tapping his fingers along the steering wheel, whilst looking off into the distance.

“He's probably the only policeman in this country who would give me more than a second of his time…” He trailed off.

Meera began to feel more intrigued about Daniel's responses. She could sense a history between the two from Daniel's nervy reply and body language.

“One of the last things he said to me was to look after you and protect you…” He continued.

“Oh come on Daniel, I can look after myself.” She replied, feeling guilty for what she had said before.

“No Meera, he was willing to risk everything in helping with this case. And that's because he believes in it and believes the danger that could come from it.”

“That's good though?” Meera replied, not quite understanding what Daniel was getting at.

“But he also believes in me, which is why we met in the first place and why he is so willing to help.”

Meera shook her head, showing him her state of confusion. She now understood that Daniel and Triller knew eachother before the incident, but she just couldn't understand why Daniel was so agitated. Especially since he seemed elated at the suggestion of contacting him earlier.

“I've been selfish Meera. I've put this case ahead of everything.” Daniel said, trying to avoid eye contact with her.

“I asked George if I could take you on as my partner, as soon as I heard you had survived the attack. It was awful of me I know, to take advantage of you and your state like I did.” Daniel continued.

“Daniel we have talked about this, I understand.” Meera replied.

“No its not just that. George thinks the world of you and…” Daniel trailed off again.

“He said he would only give you up if I didn't hurt you or take advantage of how distraught you would be.” Daniel looked down shamefully.

“I did. I took advantage of your mindset, I lied to you just to get you here today and I definitely put you in harms way.” He looked back up at Meera, tears filled his eyes.

“I didn't once think about what George said to me, infact I didn't even think about George once, since the day I met you.”

Meera sat in silence for a moment, digesting what Daniel had said. She wasn't upset or angry, most of what he said, she had already known. She knew that he had lied about her safety just to get to her and that he had been selfishly putting her mentally and physically in harms way, but she understood all of that. Especially considering she wanted nothing more than to find out what happened to Rhys and to stop it from happening again.

The problem that Daniel was facing what was said between him and Triller, was not of her concern. She didn't know or understand truly where Daniel was coming from, but she could see he was upset.

“George has been putting his trust in me since we met, and I have abused that trust for my own gain. I have been so blind by solving this case, I have forgotten how to think normally.” He continued.

“I just want you to know that I appreciate you helping me Meera and I cannot find the words to say how truly sorry I am for taking advantage of you.”

“Its okay Daniel.” Meera said.

She couldn't tell if she meant it, but she didn't want Daniel to be upset. He was clearly coming to terms with something difficult and after her wild few days of battling with herself, she wanted nothing more than to help.

“I want you to know that if you want off this case with me, then I will take you home right now, and sort this out myself. I don't want you to get hurt, I don't want to let you down and I definitely don't want to let George down.”

“Daniel, lets just get on with this okay? There is a lot of work to be done, so let's get it done.” She said, trying to put a pin in the subject.

Daniel's fluctuating personality, finished off with this slight breakdown, gave Meera a lot of questions about his past, but she knew that the case was more important than either of their problems.

…

George Triller sat silently behind his desk. Daniel had spent the last few minutes explaining what they had heard at the Tower block. Also, that there was no visible gang presence there, which had been strange. The conversation had been completely one sided, with Triller simply sitting and listening; Meera following suit.

She didn't feel comfortable in coming out of the damaged character that people like Triller had expected her to be since the accident. Daniel was the only person she could act normally around without the massive guilt of moving past the incident.

Daniel had finished explaining, but George hadn't finished listening it seemed, as he sat in complete silence. Meera again followed suit, she sat awkwardly, trying her hardest to avoid eye contact with him.

The evening was dark now, paving way for the warm deep yellow lights to radiate the office, giving it a warmth that felt almost satirical given the circumstances. These were cold and miserable times for the three detectives in the room, not just because of the winter, but because they were all terrified deep down and each one of them knew it.

Triller sniffed through what seemed like one nostril and sprung to life, ending the silence. He looked over to Meera and peered over his reading glasses.

She could sense his gaze in her peripheral vision, and reluctantly turned to meet it.

“Meera, how are you feeling?” Triller asked, unexpectedly avoiding what Daniel said.

She was caught off guard with the question. This was a tough question too, considering she had no idea how she was feeling, especially now her boss was in the mix.

“B-better” She replied nervously.

Triller winked and smiled warmly.

“Good.” He said.

This caught her off guard even moreso than his question. She had never seen him show any sign of positivity or happiness towards her.

It was welcome though, and the warm smile was returned.

He quickly looked down towards his desk and rested his head on his closed fist. Frowning, he averted his attention towards Daniel.

“Daniel, do you remember what I said to you before you left?” He said.

Daniel adjusted himself uncomfortably in his chair in response to the question.

“Yes George, of course.” He replied, sounding calm.

Triller continued to frown and looked upwards into the distance, stroking his cheek as if the reply irritated him.

“Hmm, that's strange y'know” He said, looking back at Daniel, the ferocity in his eyes burning brighter.

Meera looked over to Daniel. She felt awful for him. He said himself that he knew he had let Triller down, but it was clear that he had a lot of respect and even love for the man.

Daniel looked down towards the ground, shaking his head slightly and silently muttering in shame.

“It's been 3 days.” He continued.

“3 f*****g DAYS” he repeated, bellowing as he stood up, fists clenched on the table.

Meera was rattled by the sudden roar from Triller and cowered slightly in her chair. Daniel, the recipient of the anger, sat still, head still hung in shame.

“Daniel.” Triller continued, this time much calmer.

“You know you have my support, you always have.” He said, lowering himself back down into his chair.

“But you have completely abused this relationship.”

Daniel looked up to Triller, swallowing his sorrow with a hard gulp.

“George… I'm sorry… I needed her.” Daniel looked over to Meera.

“… I needed you.” He looked back over to Triller.

“I still do George.”

Triller slammed his fist on the desk as his face morphed into that of a man fuelled with rage.

“I don't want to hear it.” He replied through gritted teeth.

“What would Michael think?”

Daniel's eyes suddenly widened, almost crazed.

“Don't.” He replied.

Meera noticed his hands tighten into fists on the arms of his chair, as if he was tied in, ready for torture.

Triller straightened up, analysing Daniel's new behaviour with wise eyes.

“I know for a fact that Michael would be turning in his gra-.”

“STOP” Daniel suddenly shouted, standing out of his seat.

Meera could see the veins protruding on the side of Daniel's neck as he stood furiously, pointing towards Triller.

“What happened to Michael is exactly why I did what I did.” He said, tears collecting in his eyes and spit coming from his mouth after every hard syllable, he looked ready to burst.

“And how is Meera any different?!” Triller replied, changing his body language and tone to match Daniel's. “She lost somebody too and you decided to snatch her up when she was most vulnerable.”

“I have apologised, I was blind. I know what I did was wrong. But don't you EVER bring up my brother again.” Daniel replied passionately, tears beginning to stream down his face.

“I was good enough to let you use her, but WHEN SHE WAS READY.” He replied.

“That doesn't mean devise some selfish plan where you lie to her until she joins you.”

Daniel was shaking his head, visibly angry.

“I said I'm sorry, what more do you want?” Daniel said, holding back more anger.

“I want you out of my office. I will deal with the tower block myself.” Triller said.

“Wait” Meera finally said, attracting the eyes of both detectives.

“Do I get a say in any of this? You have both been talking like I am not even here!”

“Meera, he has weaselled his way into your vulnerable mind.” Triller said softly, still trying to show the now slightly patronising kindness towards her.

Daniel scoffed.

Meera looked over at Daniel and sighed.

“Yes. Yes I know. And I was the first to pick him up on that Sir, I really was.” She said.

Meera stood up from her chair, regretting her decision quickly in a kind of “it seemed cooler in my head” moment.

“Sir, I know that Daniel went against what you said to him. I also know that he lied to me and misled me to try and get me to help on the case, but the truth is…”

“I feel better for it.” She said admittedly.

“Meera what are you doi-.”

“Daniel, shush a minute, please.” She said before turning back towards Triller.

“If I hadn't gone with Daniel today, I would be sat at home battling with myself and falling deeper and deeper into a black hole.”

Triller sat listening intently.

“It didn't seem like it at the time, infact I was close to leaving today at least three times.” She looked over to Daniel and smiled.

“But now… Well now I realise that its what I have needed.” She said finally, sitting back in her seat.

Triller scratched his head and thought for a second.

Whilst he sat and peered off into the distance collecting his thoughts, Meera did the same. She tried recollecting what she had just said, to make sure that she meant it all. She did of course. And she was glad for saying it.

Triller didn't look at Daniel again, perhaps out of embarrassment for speaking in place of Meera, or more likely, Meera thought, that he was too stubborn to issue an apology. He probably still stood by what he said and although Meera spoke on Daniel's side, she saw no reason for that to change.

She also didn't agree with the fact that Triller had brought up something clearly personal to Daniel, about this Michael, Daniel's brother. His reaction to the name was yet another uncharacteristic response she had thought, however the evidence began to add up that maybe she had just got him completely wrong from the start.

The three sat in silence for a while, probably summing up every word and expression that had been shot their way over the past twenty minutes. Daniel looked down at the ground wide-eyed and Triller continued to look off in the distance, nodding his head slightly every now and then, to acknowledge his own thoughts.

Meera opened her mouth to try and break the silence, any sentence would do, however she was cut short.

Thanks to her poor commitment to saying whatever it was she was about to say, she was easily interrupted by the sound of frantic footsteps approaching the office. She retracted all the energy that was about to be spent on tension cutting small talk and turned her head towards the door.

The white shutter was closed on Triller's office door, but she could see a shadow fast distorting to the shape of a person stood on the other side. Just as Daniel and Triller came around and noticed the figure too, the person proceeded to tap on the door. Gently, but with an unsettling sense of urgency.

“What is it?” Triller barked impatiently.

The door opened to reveal a slim, dark skinned man, who's smart suit had been given a slight dressing down as the day had gone by.

He swallowed before shaking his head anxiously, a heavy breath exhaled from his nostrils.

“Sir…” He said, breathing quickly.

He swallowed again and put his hand on the wall for support, before shaking his head again, trying to regain his breath.

“What is it?” Triller asked, now worried and standing up, staring directly at the man.

This is what worried Meera most of all. Triller's reaction to the man was almost as though he already knew what he was going to say. His wide eyes and sudden rise from his desk portrayed a frightened man, something that Meera had never seen in him.

“They're all gone.” He said, sweat starting to drip down his brow.

Triller looked down at his desk.

“No… No, no, no…” He said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“I received a call from Decker about a minute ago, I heard everything.” The man replied, wincing at the words.

Daniel suddenly burst up out of his chair.

“You sent a unit?!” He cried.

Triller ignored Daniel and continued to shake his head in disbelief.

“Oh you fool!” He continued, taking Triller's body language as an answer.

“There was another thing, sir.” The man said.

“Decker reported around two dozen assailants.”