Shadows

EPISODE 8: SAFE BET

After paying and getting off of the cab she rode on her way back to the penthouse, Carissa hastily walked towards the elevator. Upon reaching the elevator she then waited patiently until the elevator arrived at the

penthouse. Upon getting off the elevator she then headed to the direction of Stephen's room.

She knocked a few times before Stephen opened up his door. "Tobias Bristle is asking for a meeting with you. Should I accept or

schedule it on a different day?" She asked. "Prepare the meeting room. Tell them to come 1 hour from now." Stephen answered through sign language.

Carissa just nodded and then walked off. She then went through the telephone and asked some admin staff to prepare the meeting room in the penthouse as a VIP guest will come soon. She then texted Tobias' number "Mr Stephen has agreed to meet with you. A car will be there at the hotel 30 mins from now to give you a ride. Have a safe trip and we're looking forward to meeting you later."

Tobias' phone received the message

notification shortly afterwards. Him and Emilia are currently eating a pizza they ordered on the way back to the hotel in Tobias' room. After reading it she then told Emilia ``Go get changed Em. And please wear something formal." "I'm not finished with this yet-" Emilia wasn't finished on what she was about to say when Tobias pushed her out of his room.

He quickly changed into a black polo and pants. Abandoning his usual white polo and

red necktie outfit. But of course he still wore his brown trench coat and hat. After a few sprays of a men scented cologne, he quickly went outside to wait for Emilia in front of her room.

After 10 minutes waiting outside Emilia's door opened. Her brown hair is tied very neatly, her cheeks and lips are red. She is wearing an above the knee black dress. And her pearl necklace completed the outfit. "Well?" Emilia said. "I think it's a little tight at the back." She added while turning her back in front of Tobias. Tobias didn't even answer. He just can't as this was his first time seeing Emilia dressed this way. "Hey?" Emilia snapped her fingers on Tobias' face then he quickly turned his head away. "That's too formal." He then walked towards the elevator leaving Emilia behind. "Hey wait!" She quickly locked her door and quickly walked to get to Tobias.

Tobias then just stood in front of the hotel's entrance waiting for the person who will fetch them following what Carissa said. Emilia just stood there beside him waiting. "Can you tell me what we are waiting for?" Emilia asked and after she said that Lex came walking towards them. "Sir Tobias." He then reached out to shake hands with

Tobias and he quickly accepted it. "I believe we had met already sir. I'll be the one to drive you to the penthouse. I believe Carissa already told you that." Lex said. "Yes she did. Sorry for the trouble." Tobias answered in which Lex just smiled too.

They then walked into the limousine. While

inside the limousine, Emilia quietly tapped Tobias' shoulder. "Can you tell me what's going on? And who are we going to meet? Who's Carissa?" She asked with a soft voice. "Oh sorry I haven't explained. I met them yesterday. This is Lex. He is the personal bodyguard of Stephen Maxwell. The girl I called a while ago is Carissa, Stephen's secretary. Stephen is a famous businessman here in Mersham." Tobias answered.

"Why didn't you even bother telling me? And how did you even meet them yesterday?" She asked. "I met them when I was going out to buy a few beers." Tobias answered. "Mr Stephen is a fan of the Captain and what he was able to do for Bordeaux." Lex said to join their conversation. "He even hopes that you can also do that for us here in Mersham. I know he said that in one of his interviews for a magazine recently." He added.

"Wow you're even famous

around this parts partner." Emilia sarcastically said while tapping Tobias' shoulder. The three of them just laughed it off and then after another minute they arrived at the tower. The Maxwell Conglomerate tower is one of the highest buildings in Mersham with exactly 70 floors excluding the rooftop.

Tobias and Emilia were in awe while staring at the tower. Even though its walls are painted black, you can still say that it is one of the most beautiful and brightest towers in the city. Lex then opened the door of the car for them and told them to follow him. He then led them through the tower's security guards straight through the reception.

He told the girl to accompany them to the elevator and lead them to the penthouse. He went back to Emilia and Tobias that were waiting for him and said "It's all set just follow our employee here and she will accompany you to the elevator that will take you directly to the penthouse.

I'm sure Mr Stephen and Carissa are already waiting for you there. I'm sorry as I won't be able to personally accompany you since I still have other errands to do." Lex said in which Tobias answered "Its okay no need to say sorry we had fun spending time with you. Let's grab a few drinks soon." Lex smiled and answered "I would love to sir. Well then, bye!" Lex then headed to the tower exit after that.

The reception girl then accompanied Emilia and Tobias to the elevator for Mr Stephen's penthouse. And after almost a minute going up they arrived. Once the elevator doors opened they saw Carissa standing there already waiting for them. "Good evening Sir Tobias. And you are?" Carissa asked

while offering her hand to Emilia. "Emilia Riggs." Emilia answered after she accepted the handshake. "Good evening Emilia, by the way I am Carissa Montoya. Follow me, Mr Stephen is already waiting in the meeting room."

They then walked into a room that is not surrounded by walls, instead it is enclosed by black tinted mirrors. After entering the room Stephen greeted them with a smile and shaking both Emilia's and Tobias' hand. They all then sat down and settled. "You have a nice place here, and safe. Extremely

safe. You know, with all these bulletproof mirrors." Tobias said while looking around the room. Stephen then made sign languages directed to Carissa in which she translated to "Yeah it's not that I wanted to though. But as you know being a businessman in Mersham is quite risky. This kind of security really is necessary."

Stephen then made sign languages for Carissa to translate. "You didn't say you're going to take someone with you. I believe I haven't properly introduced myself to the woman with you Captain. I am Stephen Maxwell, chairman of this company. Nice meeting you." Carissa said and after that Stephen reached out his hand to Emilia.

"Hi I'm Emilia Riggs, partner of Tobias." She answered while shaking Stephen's hand. "I didn't know the Captain has a partner." Carissa said in which Emilia quickly replied "Not as a partner, I'm his police partner." "Oh I'm sorry." Carissa replied. Emilia just turned her head down to hide the visible blush on her face. "Well enough of that, I'll just go get straight to the point as I don't want to stay long. I know you're a very busy person. By the way thank you for agreeing to meet with us." Tobias said.

"Before I tell my purpose for this

meeting I just want to tell you the reason why I'm here in Mersham is for a personal reason. I'm currently on leave from BCPD." He added. "I understand. Please go on and tell us what you need." Carissa translated for Stephen. "For you to become this successful in this kind of city, you would need some connections that aren't actually 100% clean. You know what I mean right?" Tobias explained in which Stephen just nodded to. "I'm in a hunt for someone, a vigilante named Black. Apparently his name is already famous in Mersham's underground before he went mainstream the other day. I just need someone that may have information about the guy. Any information will do." Tobias said and after that Stephen just sat there silently.

It's obvious that he's thinking something. And after a few seconds made sign languages again. "I have someone that can help. But before I contact this person I would like to make a condition first." "Tell me." Tobias' answered with a straight face. "From this point on you and your friend will

stay in the penthouse." Carissa said. Emilia just looked at Tobias waiting for his answer. It's very obvious in his face that he is thinking very deeply about what Stephen said.

Tobias is weighing all the factors and possibilities very carefully before he makes a decision. For him Stephen offering them to stay at his penthouse can be very safe but also dangerous for him and Emilia. He saw the penthouse's security and the whole tower's security in general. You can say it's more safe to stay here than the hotel but he also can't trust Stephen 100%.

After a few seconds, Tobias asked. "How many rooms are in this penthouse?" "Five." Carissa answered. "I agree with your condition. But me and my partner here will only stay in one room." Tobias answered. Emilia's eyes widened. "Wait, what?" Emilia uttered. Stephen then made a set of hand gestures directed to Carissa. "Deal. You can go pick your room now, don't worry about your things at the hotel. I'll just go ask someone to get it for you plus the money you have paid already." Carissa said. "You're allowed to do that?" Emilia asked. "Mr Stephen owns the hotel so it's not a problem." Carissa answered.