Hunt Down Rose

Chapter 7: Day Break (Part VIII)

“Sure, sleep all the time if you have to. You just might need it somehow when you get back.”

I quickly turned the phone off and threw it on the table, disturbed on the actions of Calvin to surrender himself without even thinking.

If he was on the right mind, he wouldn’t be doing that due to the idea that his associates are furious enough to send someone to jail with his hands cut off. A lot of businesses being handled by the Yun enterprise have been affected by the frozen assets, thus economic changes have been brought to a halt even though the will has been completed. It would take some time to return its status back to normal along with the family’s reputation.

Loosening my necktie, I turned the lights off looking at the night sky of Madrid stretching through the vastness of the stars. I wonder if everyone shares the same view as I am. Being unable to change the flow of the situation, the only thing that I am certain of is the irreplaceable loyalty by these people just to make these skies worth seeing for everybody. This is one of the toughest jobs that I’ve taken accounted for ever since I started my work as a forensic artist.

Taking my shoes off I laid myself on the bed and started to close my eyes waiting for my head to force my body to rest and focus on the wild goose hunt that’s about to happen tomorrow.

As the scene of the night started to replay inside my head, it’s obvious the city itself has some issues unresolved. The civilians were surprised with the happening causing almost half of the establishments to close down due to the tension, therefore making the country isolated until everything is back to the way it is. 

Most people reinforced their doors and placed metal railings on their windows to prevent any incoming ballistics.  I noticed everything as I went to the balcony this morning, breathing the fresh air along with a cup of chamomile tea, everyone must be used to it now. It’s written all over the news that the country has declared isolation until the problem has been resolved. 

On my point of view this shows the amount of political power grasping statue of the city. Considering most of the tourist attractions have been visited less, flights to Spain have been delayed, and some establishments closed their business temporarily waiting for this all to end. Occurrences of such disputes are inevitable but quite intriguing because of the actions made by the government. 

Being notified by Carlos that there are weapon markets here in Madrid, it would be an opportunity for me to gather some information to further enhance what I know with guns and the local trades. Sometimes the best way to know everything legal is to indulge your mind in things illegal, except for drugs since I have my own ways of using them in such occasions.

It’s already morning, I immediately jumped out of my bed and fixed myself since I plan on roaming around early. At this moment, I’m at the restaurant in front of the bar Jose had described last night enjoying some breakfast; eggs with bacon and bread along with a cup of coffee to complete my mood. Frittata’s and Peccadillo’s are this place’s specialty, with my mind already full of what’s on my plate, this would be more than enough for me. Most of the food here is served with goat cheese to compliment the meat. A side dish of baked potatoes and tacos could also be on my list of things to eat.

Taking out my phone inside my right side pocket, I started contacting any available person that can help me identify a few stuff back at home. Sending emails, text messages, and voice mails, I’ve been passing over their numbers sending these notices twice just in case they miss the first one; so far none of them called back, not even a simple text message for me to think and ponder.

“This is futile.” I’m the only one who hasn’t even gained a vacation this year and yet, they are the ones ignoring me.

Recalling that Calvin’s trial will begin 4 days from now if I adjust the timeframe here in Madrid. I should wrap up everything here before using the information I’ve gathered here for his trial. Knowing that the case is tied up to both countries, I’ve contacted some of the officials in foreign affairs to help me determine a few people related to the business, dead or alive.

Redirecting my focus on the food that I have on the table, I’ve been staring at the entrance of this bar across the road for a certain period of time. Given the information that the not so fortunate guide will be there later on; I’m scanning every person coming in and out of the place.

This piece of paper given to me last night is the only lead that I have in making this person talk, although I have my own ways of gaining what I need, he better hope that I’m in the mood to negotiate. Definitely one of the main reasons why I hate making such promises, it constricts me to use my abilities at its fullest.

Speaking of reasons, he should be wearing a belt with a skull on its buckle as a trademark of his, in that way he would be consistent enough to be distinguished from the rest of the morning crowd - his actions in that restaurant was obvious enough to catch anyone’s interest, with an envelope filled with a lump of money. The existence of the bar could be a different route for me to investigate - further information is what I need to put everything together.

“How long will this guy show up?” I asked myself eating what’s on my plate.

Suddenly the door busted open, “Buenos Dias!” The man said as he entered the place not being bothered by the people waiting in line to buy breakfast. Most of the people around are pointing their eyes on him for the commotion he’s caused.

He went directly towards the counter ignoring everyone and called for the guy in the cash register, making a conversation out of nowhere. The man pulled out an envelope and gave it to the other side as it was received by the register clerk. From this distance, I can see only a little of the activity going on, but in my description, it could be that this person is giving off bribes.

The cashier rushed into the kitchen as our guest waited for someone on the other side to accommodate him. In just a matter of minutes, someone - whom I presume would be the head cook, went to the counter and started talking to him while wiping the sweat off his forehead using the apron he’s wearing; they exchanged a few words and shake hands. Our guest immediately left the place and went towards the bar that I’ve described earlier.

“He appears to be different, but is he the one the local described?” I said to myself with this hunch of mine. Even though he’s not wearing a skulled belt, he has a familiarity with both places as he seems to have a reputation for going back and forth on these establishments.

“There’s only one way to find out,” I said to myself finishing my food and paid the bills afterward.

I had my knives ready in my pockets just in case I have a bit of trouble inside the bar. I’ve been noted that some fights start here over nothing. Precisely the best place for our guide to be. As explained by Jose, he’s a gambler who has an impeccable approach to drinking and other vices. A place for anyone to spend the rest of the day burning their cash, this could also be the meeting area for most of the businesses around the district. Different dealers must be in here enjoying the ambiance of competition, I might play a game or two but I’m pumped up with meeting this guy and play the big leagues inside the market.

Aside from drugs and weapons, there’s more to it than meets the eye. People sharing ideas through a simple game of baccarat and poker – their satisfaction is unparalleled whenever they win. It is a battleground worthy of various interests, the thrill of uncertainty is what makes everything meaningful. Apparently, I’ll be fine sitting at the minibar drinking some whiskey, looking at the surroundings.

Sitting down on this wooden chair you can immediately notice the texture and architectural structure of the establishment. Not too old and not too new, in other words, they must’ve renovated the place just recently, thanks to the chipped off walls. The lights at some point are flickering adding to the tension of the players. The chandelier illuminated by the morning light passing through a crack in the ceiling. Faces are somehow similar to one another; it would be hard to locate the i***t who caused trouble at that restaurant with the light’s brightness bothering my eyesight.

(To Be Continued)