Rewired: Project Insula

Chapter 9

George Triller first met Daniel Green on a Sunny Afternoon in Kent, following a demonstration from Barrier regarding new investigative techniques when dealing with language barriers in foreign countries, using the new police grade smartglasses.

Triller had been intrigued by not only the topical and technical discussion that the demonstration brought about, but also by Daniel himself. The way he carried himself and seemed so deductively intelligent, made George Triller (in a classic cliché way) think about himself when he was a young aspiring detective, perhaps the perfect son that he never had.

If George had met Daniel at this age however, he probably wouldn’t of felt this same “proud father” feeling, infact he would of instead been met with the unstoppable force of jealousy and hatred for somebody who was doing everything better than he was at the same stage of life.

Throughout George's 20's, which sat between the 1990's, he often struggled with his journey of success and fulfilment. At age 23, George began his job with the Met Police as a Trainee Detective Constable, but never really fulfilled his dream of being a “real detective”, even though he had often told himself that this is what he wanted, what he had been working towards.

Even when being crowned Chief Superintendent in the year 2022, after being famously involved with multiple anti-terror cases throughout the late 2010's, George realised that his boyhood dream, the thing that kept him up most nights, that would gnaw away at his will and heart, would never be fulfilled. Dreams are just that, he now thought, they will never come true in the way you imagine them, life isn't that kind.

On this sunny afternoon in the year 2028, however, George was able to feel some fulfilment finally, in the work of Daniel Green and his work at Barrier.

George had been invited to the demonstration by his superior, Commander Roberts, to sit in, take notes and meet with the two young lads from Barrier, Daniel and Michael Green. George was used to doing everything that his Commander was supposed to be doing, he didn't mind, Roberts was 78 years old with about 3 years left he would often think, death or retirement, either one would do.

Little did he know that Roberts would still be alive and kicking in 2032 at 82 years old, still in his Commander role, still getting Triller to do all his jobs.

…

George stood outside the entrance to the North Kent Police Station, smoking a cigarette. Since the new standing law that any body born past the year 2027 would not be allowed to buy tobacco at any age, Triller enjoyed his cigarettes even moreso.

He had been waiting outside to catch Daniel and Michael on their way out of the station, he wanted to thank them for a brilliant demonstration and for some reason had the biggest urge to reveal his feelings regarding the reminiscence that seeing Daniel gave him.

George knew that he came across as a mean and strict man, but he would never hide his true feelings to anybody, perhaps that's why he was so stern in the first place.

It wasn't long before Michael came out of the door, carrying two bags containing the banners that had been erected for their talk. He was followed closely by Daniel, who coolly walked out, hands in his pockets and head down.

George took a double take at the two young detectives, before calling to them in the excitable way a fan might call to a favourite celebrity.

“Hey guys!”

When Triller had called after them, they had already passed him slightly on their way to the car park. Michael was the first to turn around, swinging the banner bags loosely as he did so.

“Hey there!” Michael said with a slight pause before speaking.

He instantly began walking towards George, a big smile on his face and arm extended already for a handshake.

George began walking too, meeting Michael halfway and shaking his hand firmly. Daniel, followed suit and shook George's hand with a smile and a typical British greeting of “Alright?”.

After the niceties of greeting had come to an end, George began to focus his attention mostly on Daniel. Not that Michael hadn't come across well or anything, but just because he had taken to Daniel's talk slightly more.

“Look guys, I just wanted to say that I absolutely loved your talk. Thought you handled everything fantastically.” George said, smiling.

“All things considered anyway” He added in slightly awkwardly.

“Ahh yes, considering the view that the Met Police have of us” Michael said, nodding towards George's uniform.

“Absolutely” George replied.

The met police often condemned the work of Barrier, with the media taking the police force's side, labelling them as “An expensive nuisance, run by a corrupt Government and young inexperienced detectives”.

This was mostly down to the fact that nobody really knew how the young brothers ended up having a Government funded private investigative company in their hands, but it was simply because they didn't know everything and instead went with whatever anti-government conspiracies that the met police Commissioner would dream up next; or of course, whatever some Youtuber would preach to everybody.

“Well thanks for the kind words… Superintendent Triller.” Daniel said, squinting at his name tag.

“Yeah its nice to know that we have some friends on the force, makes our lives quite difficult without your guys support!” Michael added.

“Anytime” Triller said.

The two young men began to walk off back to the car park when George called out to them again.

“Wait!” George shouted, briskly walking over to them again.

“Here take this” He said, catching his breath.

George handed them a card each, on them were his contact details.

“Look, I know that you guys are important to solving these huge cases around the world, some of my superiors might not, but I do.” George said, passionately.

“If you ever find yourselves stuck on a case in London, God forbid!” George continued, laughing at his remark.

“Give me a call and I will help you in all ways that I can.” He said.

Daniel held out his hand for another handshake, this time placing his other hand on top of George's.

“That means a lot to us Sir, it really does.” Daniel said, looking gratefully into George's eyes.

“It's the least I could do.” George said as Daniel let go of his hand.

“You know something..” George added before pausing.

“You guys really remind me of myself when I was your age, you both have that drive and determination that I remember having.” He continued.

Michael and Daniel both smiled and nodded appreciatively.

“Obviously I wasn't travelling the world solving cases for the Government, but the drive was definitely there!” George added jokingly.

“Thanks for the kind words superintendent” Daniel said, smiling at George's jest.

“Yeah and for the support too.” Michael added, as he gestured a friendly goodbye.

The two young men, proceeded to say goodbye and left towards the car park.

…

“Sir, I have a Commissioner Daniel Green on a call for you.” Spoke a quiet voice through George's smartglasses.

George was alarmed by this. That was a name he hadn't heard for many years and was somebody that he had never forgotten about.

“What is it regarding?” George replied, slightly bewildered.

“I don't know sir, he said it's urgent though and that he must talk to the commander.” The lady insisted.

George had asked Veronica, the receptionist to patch through any calls asking for the commander to himself. After all, he basically did everything that that old f**k was meant to do anyway.

“Alright, patch him through.” George said.

Within a couple of seconds, a booping noise came from George's glasses as the call was connected.

“Hello?”

“Daniel! Nice to hear from you! How can I help you?” George said, struggling to hold back his joy of speaking to Daniel again.

“Is this George Triller?” Daniel asked rather bluntly.

“Yes it is, how can I help?" George asked again.

“Perfect. George, you need to get an armed response unit down to the Royal London Hospital urgently.” Daniel said, again staying blunt and calm.

Without hesitation, George sent the clip of his phone call directly to the Armed Response service, alerting them of the ask.

“What's happened Daniel? I have two detectives onsite there right now? Everything okay?” George asked, now suddenly worrying for his two recruits.

“Have you sent the Armed police?” Daniel asked, ignoring all of George's questions.

“Yes I have, they will be on their way now.” George responded.

“Great. I am currently en route to your station now. I will tell you everything when I get to you.” Daniel said, before ending the call abruptly.

George took a moment to digest what had just happened in this very short period if time. He removed the glasses from his head and looked up to the ceiling, before letting out a heavy sigh.

…

George was sat playing nervously with his hands. The news had just reached him that one of his detectives had been killed at the Royal London Hospital, with the other on the way back to him.

The dark and sombre tone of the small and messy office, matched the thoughts running through both detective's heads.

Daniel had been sat in George's office with him for the best part of 30 minutes and sat in silence also.

He had spent his time there explaining to George the details of a case that he had been working on his own.

George had let Daniel talk without any interruptions and now they both sat silent. George felt lost, even though he had been on the force through some tough times, losing a detective was always an awful thing to happen.

This paired with the new knowledge of these brutal killings across the world, that have now seemingly hit the streets of London, caused George to be in a deeply horrible place.

“George I want to speak with the other detective that was there. Just for a few minutes.” Daniel said, breaking the depressing silence.

George shook his head and slammed his fist on his desk.

“Why is this f*****g happening!” George shouted.

Daniel leaned back in his chair.

“That's what we're trying to fig- .”

“In my f*****g city!” George shouted, interrupting Daniel.

Daniel stood up and put a hand on George's shoulder.

“I just need a few minutes with the other detective.” Daniel said.

George was looking away into the distance, breathing heavily with despair and rage. He nodded, without moving his gaze.

“That's... that's fine.” He said “I'll get my commander to organise it for you when she gets here.”

George walked to the back of his office and faced the wall, away from Daniel.

“I suspect you will ask for her to help you… Now she has seen it first hand?” George asked, looking over his left shoulder slightly.

Daniel waited for George's gaze to reach him and then he nodded.

“I don't agree with it…” He said before trailing off.

“… But I understand.” He sighed.

George turned around to face Daniel, this time looking stern and aggressive.

“But don't you f*****g hurt her, she is going to be distraught right now. She is one of the best detectives we have, and you better take care of her… If she decides to go with you that is.” He said.

“Of course, George.” Daniel replied.

“She may seem like a handful at times but give her a chance. She deserves it.” He finished