Shattered Trust

Elena Carter sat at her crowded desk, the newsroom was filled with continuous steady sounds like that of a bee. Her fingers were over the keyboard, typing out the last few lines of her current article. Her phone vibrated, and she glimpsed at the caller ID. It turns out to be David. “Elena, I need you in my office now?” David said through the receiver. “I'll be right there,” she replied, even though she was curious, since David barely called her to his office unless it was something important. As she walked through the crowded newsroom, different thoughts crossed through her mind. David has been her mentor since she started working at the media company, he made sure he guided her through the ramifications of investigative journalism. She knocked on his door and entered. Instantly, David looked up from his desk, with a serious expression. “Close the door, Elena.” She adhered and took a seat. “What's the issue?” David stepped forward, his eyes strongly focused. “I have a task for you. It's huge”, Elena. And this time around, we're referring to Victor Blackwood. Elena's heart skipped a beat. Victor Blackwood was a name that demanded attention. A powerful corporate mogul with a perfect public image, but rumors of corruption had always circulated around him. What’s the angle? She replied, wondering what he had in mind. David passed a thick file over to Rosa. “We have been getting some anonymous tips regarding Blackwood Enterprises,” the man said, “Some relating it to fraud, embezzlement, and God knows what else, I want you to look into it, bring the truth.” Elena looked through the file, grinning; Yes, that is right. “This could be huge”. It will be, David said quietly. “But again, you have to be cautious. Blackwood is not an ordinary man. He is lethal, he has influence even in the prison”. Elena nodded, and the look in her eyes was exclusively determined. “Okay, I will be careful, and I will get the story.” That evening, Elena called a meeting with her team in a small, intimate café with soft lighting. Liam the cyber-genius and Maya the ex-corporate lawyer were already standing at the other end, waiting for her. “Oh, there is one big news, right?” Liam said, taking a sip of his coffee. Elena put the file on the table, then she proceeded and said. “That’s right, we are going after Victor Blackwood.” Maya's eyes widened. An ambitious one at that. What’s the strategy? “I will begin, if you don’t mind, Elena said”. Liam, I want you to search the internet to look for anything that has anything to do with Blackwood, that looks shifty. Maya, you have a few friends? Then I want these people to tell you anything you want to know about Blackwood. Liam grinned. “Consider it done”. Maya nodded. “Uh, I’ll see what I can dig up.” As they spoke about their plan, Elena got the adrenaline rush and surely sensed the matter was going to be historical. One week later, Elena is in her apartment with piles of papers and her laptop. Consequently, she was engrossed with numerous financial records, emails, and reports she invested lots of time in. The more she investigates, the more she found out. There were inconsistencies in Blackwood Enterprises’ financial reports, offshore bank accounts that should not be tied to the firm. Her phone rang, and she looked down to see a new text message from Liam. “Got something, meet me at the usual spot.” Elena looked at herself in the mirror, then picked up her coat and walked out. The usual place was a little park bench by the river, understanding that there would be no one to eavesdrop on them. Liam was already there, with his laptop on his lap, the screen in front of him. “You won’t believe what I found” he said when she got near. “What is it ?” Elena queried, and her inquisitiveness knew no bounds. Liam swiveled the laptop in her direction. These are emails between Blackwood and top ranking officials. They are taking bribes, kickbacks and cover-ups. This is what we have been seeking. Elena's eyes opened wide in disbelief when she went through them. “Wow, this is wonderful…we have to show this to David.” The next morning, Elena entered David’s office, and handed him the printed emails. “David, you need to see this.” David took the papers and looked through them; his face became fiercer with the increasing seconds. This is explosive, Elena, David said in admiration. But this is not enough. We require more substantiation for this. Elena nodded. “Okay, I’m on it, I will dig deeper.” When she came out of David’s office, she had a strange feeling as if she had just left a crime scene. David, as far as I remember, looked especially anxious, as he usually was. But before she could allow herself to think along those lines in detail, she shut off that line of thinking and plunged into the task at hand. Elena and Maya discussed the situation later that evening at a small bar. “By the way, how is everything on your side?” she asked. Maya sighed. “It is difficult”. Blackwood has done a good job in hiding his traces. But I have discovered something rather amusing for you. There is an ex-employee, who might be willing to speak to you. This woman was accused by the company and after then she was dismissed. “Who is she”? Elena asked, eyes wide. “Her name is Rachel,” Maya said. She's from Blackwood Enterprises, she was one of their top executives and thus, she would surely know what happened. Elena's mind raced. “We have to locate her and persuade her to speak”. The next day, Elena and Maya managed to find the house where Rachel was living; it was a small house on the outskirts of the city. They knocked on the door, and a woman, who seemed to be in her early forties, opened the door half-way, looking rather suspicious. “Rachel?” Elena asked. Hi, I’m Elena Carter, I’m an investigative journalist and this is Maya. We need to talk to you about Victor Blackwood. Rachel, grew pale and looked around furtively. “We can’t speak here,” she whispered. I will see you at the old warehouse at the corner of the 5th Street tonight. I'll explain everything to you. That same day, Elena and Maya showed up at the warehouse, bringing tension in the room with them. On seeing them, Rachel was all tensed, looking at Elena and Maya coming towards her anxiously. “Thank you for meeting us”, allow me to ask you some questions about Blackwood, or tell me what you have heard or known about him. Rachel inhaled deeply. I worked for Blackwood for ten years. I observed things, things that could bring Blackwood to his knees, but he is dangerous. He is capable of doing anything to cover his ass. Elena sat up, feeling her heart rear in her chest. We require details, Rachel. We require proof. Rachel nodded. “I have documents, recordings, everything”. But you have to guarantee my safety, since you are a detective, you already know that Blackwood will be out to get me if he finds that I have been speaking with you. Maya spoke, “You have our word,” “We'll protect you.” Rachel handed them a USB drive. “All you need is here”. But watch out, Blackwood’s spies are everywhere. Elena took the drive, she felt a jump of triumph. It’s interesting to note that they were closing in on the truth. However, as they came out of the warehouse, she still had the feeling that they were being watched. Later on, Elena returned to her apartment where she connected the USB with her laptop. The screen came on, and suddenly, there was a lot of juicy information that linked Victor Blackwood to the crimes. Emails, financial documents, and videos were all accessible to her. But just a few moments before she thought she was going to call David, she got a message on her phone. “We have to speak, right now – David.” Elena felt therefore nervous and as she wore her coat and left for the door. Her mind was in a whirl thinking of what David would possibly want to address because deep down, she knew it was not going to be a good thing. As she walked down in the dark, she was left with an eerie, chilly feeling when walking in the ill-lit street. She looked around but didn't see a single soul around. As she reached the corner, a black car came to a standstill beside her. And without saying a word, I gave a quick glance at the door which had just swung open and saw two men dressed in dark suits coming out. “Elena Carter?” one of the men asked. Heavy breathing reached Elena’s ears, and she felt her heart throb in her chest. “Who are you?” The man smirked. “Get in the car now.” Elena stopped, but the men did not allow her this option and forcefully pushed her into the car. The door then closed, and the car zoomed away in the rather dark night.