Shadows

EPISODE 7: THE BOOK

"I overheard your conversation with our captain, and on her behalf I'll be the one to say sorry. She's really not like that on normal days. It's just that the media have been very hard on us since the incident. And of course, we lost some very good men." Marvin explained to Tobias and Emilia with

visible sadness on his face.

"Our mouths are really shut about the incident because as of the moment we don't even know the identity of the enemy

and the men who Black is affiliated to. We just can't trust anyone but ourselves." He explained further. "No need to explain anything to us detective, we completely understand." Tobias told Marvin after he tapped him on his shoulder.

Emilia just nodded in support to what Tobias said. "But I know I can trust you sir, if ever I find something. I'll surely want to discuss it with you. It will be just between us. I'm doing my personal investigation. It

is for a friend I lost from the incident." Marvin said in a tone filled with anger.

Without saying a word Tobias took the pen in Marvin's coat then wrote his number on a piece of paper he saw on his desk. "Just call me." Tobias told Marvin. "Will do. Thank you very much sir." Marvin answered. After that

Emilia and Tobias went out of the building. Tobias saw a coffee shop just in front of it and he dragged Emilia in. They both ordered iced coffee and sat near the door of the coffee shop.

"So what now partner? Seems like we haven't been very productive today." Said Emilia. Tobias just sat there quietly trying to think what could be their next move. It's too early to call it a day plus Emilia's right, they haven't gotten anything going. As much as he wants to he really can't focus and think normally since he met Black face to

face.

The words black said really bothers him. Emilia and Jimm are the only persons who knew he was going to Mersham. Add Stephen, Michelle, and Marvin to the mix and that's about all the people who know he is here in Mersham. And the fact that he met the last three after Black showed up at his balcony bothers him the most. And there's no way Jimm or Emilia sold him out to anyone.

"There should be a hole somewhere," Tobias thought to himself. "Tob? Hey Tob?" Emilia was calling his attention but he didn't notice it until Emilia slammed the table. "What are you thinking? Mind sharing it?" Emilia asked. Tobias still didn't answer but after a few seconds he asked "In the recording you have, the one we'll use as evidence against

Craig. When did that happen?". "If I remember it right the conversation in the recording happened August 16." Emilia answered.

"The hijacking of the plane happened August 19." Tobias uttered softly. "Did Black already make the headlines or at least been mentioned in any newspapers before August 19?" Tobias asked. "Let me check." Emilia answered. This kind of thing really is an easy task for Emilia. She is into technology very much that she has skills in hacking, researching, and accessing private or secured databases.

She quickly reached into her phone and did her thing. After a few clicks and searches she said "Upon searching it, yes. "A guy in a black hood" has been mentioned already in a newspaper. But this is odd." Emilia said with a puzzled look in her face. "This is from Bordeaux Times. And the article was omitted and it didn't make the final cut." She added. "What is the article about?" Tobias asked. "It's almost like a fictional article Tob.

It says here a man reported that he saw a guy in a black hood walking inside the

Bordeaux Public Library at 3 in the morning. By the way the man being interviewed is a 70 year old janitor of the library. This was published July 3." Emilia said to Tobias. "At that time that would really sound silly. But things have changed now don't you think?" Tobias smirked.

"You seriously think this is the same guy?" Emilia said. "Just a hunch. That's the safest place to hide a book full of illegal transactions don't you think." Tobias explained. Emilia's eyes just widened after what Tobias said. "Well what bothers me more is that Valkovsky and Craig are already calling him by the name Black already before he was called Black by the media. They already know he existed before the guy himself made a public appearance." Tobias said.

"We can wait until Marvin contacts us. Maybe they already have information about Black from the past." Emilia suggested. "That could take a lot of time though." Tobias answered. "If only we have someone not connected to the police. Someone powerful. Someone that might have

connections with people that are operating underground." Emilia sighed. "A billionaire businessman in Mersham. It could be possible right?" Tobias

uttered. "Yeah? Do you even know someone like that?" Emilia answered

with a skeptic look on her face. Tobias just smiled and pulled out Stephen's

business card. He dialled the number on his phone and patiently waited until someone answered. "Good Afternoon this is Carissa Montoya speaking. May I know your name and business please?" He was surprised

when Carissa was the one who answered the phone but he quickly realized

why and just went on.

"This is Captain Tobias Bristle from Bordeaux City Police Department. We met last night." Tobias answered. "Of Course

Captain, I remember. So what can we do for you today?" Asked Carissa. "Yeah I would like to ask you a favor. Is it okay if I set up a meeting With Stephen today?" He asked politely. "Mr Stephen doesn't actually have any meeting for today so it is possible but I need to confirm it with him first. Is it okay if I call you back?" Carissa asked. "Of course, I'll wait patiently, please take your time. Thank you Carissa." Tobias answered.

"No problem. I'll get back to you as soon as possible." Carissa then dropped the call. "Carissa?" Emilia asked with one of her eyebrows higher than the other. "Let's go back to the hotel first. And let's order a pizza on the way back." Tobias answered and then he grabbed Emilia to go outside. They rode a cab to go back to the hotel. "I knew it, I should've left this phone at the penthouse." Carissa thought to herself with an annoyed look at her face.

She was in the middle of getting her toe nails done when Tobias called. You can't actually blame her why she reacted that way. It's almost once or just twice a month Stephen lets her have a day off. She then contacted her driver given to her

by Stephen to go back to the penthouse.