Hunt Down Rose

Chapter 5: Close Encounter

Sunshine is almost near and it is already 7 a.m., the weather cloudy and the necessary preparations are set. Doing a little bit of grooming since I'll be having a job interview on a water refilling station near Mr. Hassif's subdivision. The location is in Esmeralda Street in front of a certain restaurant in which I forgot what the name is. 

So far It is the only way I could get inside without any problems given that I already used most of my prosthetic materials. The name of the business is Water's up, a couple of years of experience in the industry and I could say they have improved their way of transportation.

I'll be applying myself as a driver scheduled at Mr. Hassif's delivery time around 8 a.m. today. It would be nice if there are no rivals for that slot or else I'll use the power of influence and money. A very fine opportunity for me instead of covering myself with too much camouflage around the place and get caught. I can still remember what Melissa did last night with her fancy and yet annoying experiment to track me down. 

It was kind of successful but her ways and gestures are predictable. It is actually based on the term body language that easily marks the personality of a person. She has this aura of happiness and joy that radiates to everyone except for me. And with that no matter how tricky her get up is, as long as she doesn’t notice what is necessary for her disguise, it will be hard for her to adjust.

I went outside the building with some of the people murmuring about something; maybe they are intrigued on my actions at this moment given that I’ve been on and off the headquarters. Though I should only rely on my skills, not on their perception about me, I’m just particularly goal-oriented. Walking straight to the exit I started to wear my glasses and earpiece. Finding the keys of my motorcycle I had my alarm set for this day. 

The schedule should be met at exactly 7:30 in order to make the slot existing without any compromises. Wearing my helmet I immediately went on my way to the water station. The same old route and traffic here in QC is one of the worst nightmares when you are chasing something important. The stoplights and the roads being fixed could be a major problem for anyone. A little bit of shortcut on the sidewalk I made it through a certain street winding to the back entrance of the subdivision. And with just a few minutes I arrived at the refilling station and went inside.

 "What can I do for you sir?" A guy wearing a black jumpsuit with a cigarette asked.

"I was wondering if I could apply for a job."

"Really? You don’t seem to be the usual type of applicant. What makes you think about applying?"

"Well do you know Mr. Hassif?"

"Why yes. Do you know him? " 

"Indeed. It is his birthday and I was about to deliver a cake to him. Since I want it to be a surprise I should have myself dressed up as one of your drivers for some reason." I showed him some computer edited photos (done by Carlos) of me and Hassif. I also unboxed the cake for a little bit, allowing him to see the surface of the cake with Hassif’s name and age, trying to convince him further.

He checked the calendar in his office. I noticed on the mirror parallel to the room some dates marked on the calendar. Today is Friday and the date is 19, stating Mr. Hassif's name on it and with the least expectations, I should have this conversation on my ways now. I also arranged a few things even if I’m not able to have this opportunity, I can still enter the gates through fake identities.

"Well, you are in luck. We have a delivery schedule to him right now so you better wear a jumpsuit for your uniform. And give this to him as a sign of our regards." He said handing over a souvenir along with my uniform. 

Taking the dressing room I left my things in the trunk of my motorcycle for safekeeping. But my knives are well placed on my body and the rest of my pockets. Just in case I might need them for unexpected enemies once I'm inside the subdivision. I have already predicted the fact that I am not the only one who's after him. The guy from the bar could be one of the major suspects but I am not in the position to prove if it is him who killed Mr. Yun. 

Focusing on my objectives, I went out and he gave me the keys along with his primary list of deliveries. I applied for 5 deliveries inside and the last one would be him along with his so-called cake that I ordered earlier. As I entered the subdivision, I started delivering the water containers to their respective owners. The first one is at Imelda Street a few blocks from his location. Two containers with a receipt automatically stated on their phones for a quick charge on the account. The second and third one is located on the same street so I didn’t get any problems finding them. 

The fourth one is almost 3 streets in distance from the last delivery I've made. A lot of twists and turns due to the trees unsymmetrically planted on the sidewalks. Though I have to admit, they do promote environmental values in this place quite well. The surroundings are almost the same not to mention the architectural aspect of the houses. It’s a good thing the street posts are obvious enough to be seen within the area.

Reaching my destination it's just an old house own by one of the most feared people inside the subdivision. The house of Davy Crooke, as stated on the signpost and I can see an old man on the balcony staring at me as I deliver the water containers at the entrance of his house. I left the place with a weird expression on his appearance and actions.

Now for my last delivery, I excitedly went to Mr. Hassif's house. The landmark is a large mahogany tree on the left side of his blue colored house. It is the only place where a mahogany tree exists so I won’t have any problems searching for it. Plus I have the address in which tells me that I am almost there. Reaching the place, it is precisely what the description tells it, literally.

Without any more preparations, I started to knock on the door using a small stone I got from the foot of the tree. Waiting for his response or someone else at least, looking at the windows to see if anyone is there or not. This lasted for 2 minutes until I finally lost my patience on the door. I dropped the water container and kicked the door breaking it.

Checking the premises if he is still there I can notice the exit routes are closed. It seems to me that he is still here due to the cup of hot chocolate on the table with a newspaper. Looking closely at it; there is a trace of dust that has a brownish color on the handle. It is usually found in rooms due to the humidity of wood furniture or commonly located at the attic. Rushing upstairs at his attic there doesn’t seem to be a way or an attic in this house. Forcing my way to another door, there he is on the windows about to jump on the backyard.

As I got closer he got his way down and so am I, fighting my way into the bushes. He began to throw stuff at me such as gnomes and garden equipment, jumping from fence to fence just to wear me out with a few obstacles from the neighborhood gardeners. Then I noticed a dog started to bark at him, so I immediately untied the leash and had the dog do the rest for me.

Just when he was about to cross the next fence, the dog bit him on his thigh forcing him down. I rushed my way to him and tied the dog back up and handcuffed him for safety reasons.

"Pl-plea-please don’t kill me!!" He begged, catching his breath and using his hands to block his face.

"I am not here to kill you. I want to ask you a few questions about a certain case that I’m handling about Mr. Yun." pulling him up on his feet again.

(To Be Continued)