The Unusual Tales Of Winfrall.

Chapter 6 : Man In Black

Nicholas’ POV.

"Mr.Smith I'm coming in." I announced my arrival and opened the door to his study room, without waiting for an answer.

As I made my way inside, I noticed the man standing by his maple wood bookshelf and examined some of the books while he attended a call. 

However, the first thing I noticed was his left arm encased in a black sleeve of a shirt tucked in. There was a slight raise that was visible under the cloth concealing his arm, which signified that he had taken care of the injury.

".......Yes it has been established." He nodded in concentration and seemed to hold onto every word that came out from the receivers end. His dark eyes glanced at me and he sighed in defeat like he was expecting this.

"Tim, can you hold on a minute? Thanks." He cupped the receivers end with his free hand and gave me a look of disapproval.

"Nicholas could you excuse me for a minute or two," he lifted the phone in my direction, "it's an important call." He motioned me towards the door but I stood rooted to my spot. 

I wanted answers.

He was about to get back on the phone but his arm froze when he heard me question, 

"Have you told mother about the occurrence of a casualty at your success party?" 

After he recollected himself, he turned around and raised his thin eyebrows, "What casualty?"

I laughed humourlessly, "Playing pretend, are we?"

"Hold on Tim I'll call you back." He kept his eye contact with me as he spoke on the phone and slowly kept it on his broad sleek wooden table. 

"I have no idea what you're talking about son." He creased his eyebrows and feigned confusion like he was clueless about it. 

"Okay then," I shrugged and casually placed my hands in my jacket pockets, "Roll up your left sleeve please." 

"How dare you give me orders." His eyes narrowed at me and I scoffed.

"Don't make me come there and roll it for you." My voice held warning as I stared at him with all the anger I had inside of me.

"Come one step ahead and you know I'll destroy you." He smirked and leaned against his table when he saw my anger double over.

I gritted my teeth in rage and curled my hands into fists. I wanted to smash the hell out of him right then and there. 

However, I didn't take another step.

Because I knew the consequences.

But I wasn't one to back off.

"I presume mother doesn't know about your arm injury then?" I scratched my chin and noticed the colour drain out of Daniels face. 

"You wouldn't."  He all but seethed.

I raised an eyebrow in amazement when I saw him boil in resentment.

Why didn't he want mother to know? 

Was he working as a mule again? I thought to myself in astonishment.

"I haven't yet." I shrugged, not giving away my inner shocked state and made myself comfortable on the grey chesterfield sofa which was strategically placed beside the entrance door.

 The salt and pepper haired man however, was getting restless as the seconds ticked by.

"I see you didn't even visit the townhall today?" I examined the surroundings to notice something out of place but everything looked normal. I rested my foot on the thigh of my other leg and looked up at him with raised eyebrows, when there was no response from his side.

We both seemed to have a stare down for an approximate 5 minutes, where neither of us were willing to look away.

But someone had to, so he tried to cover his tiny defeat by giving me an evil smile.

"How is Amelia?" He changed the topic and manoeuvred his way around the table to sit on his dark brown executive chair. 

My hands automatically curled into tight fists but I let out a breath, like it would blow away my anger.

"How kind of you to ask," I gave him a counterfeit smile, "she's alright thanks." 

He solemnly nodded and began delving into the stack of paperwork which was placed on one corner of his table. 

"And don't waste your time son," He said after awhile, his eyes trained on the written documents, "You wouldn't get your answers here in the study area." He looked up briefly and for a second I thought he was indicating something. But his wicked wink and smirk made my assumptions vanish into thin air.

"Looks like mother needs to be informed about your injury then." I slapped the sofa handle in anger as I got up to leave, hoping that I would be stopped and asked what I wanted.

But he just considered my departure casually this time and added, "Do tell her to get some painkillers."

My fists curled for the umpteenth time as I made my way out of his study area, not once glancing back at the smirking bastards face.

***

I went back to my room feeling more annoyed than ever. Something was definitely up. Smith had been keeping his hand well hidden from everyone. I had to know why. And I knew exactly how. 

I closed my eyes in concentration and shifted all my attention to the party. I could sense mixed feelings of agitation and turbulence all over my body. 

The party. 

As I opened my eyes, I was brought back in time to the golden estate. People dressed up in evening gowns and suits. Clinking the glasses in their hands with each other's.  Whispering, giggling and exchanging smiles. 

I was back at the party. I could see everyone. Mom. Amber. Mrs. Whatever. Amelia. I could live the party again and see them all. Only this time, they couldn't see me. Or hear me. Or sense me. 

This is the power I had. I can go back and forth in time. Play with it. Deal with it as I wish. All I have to do was close my eyes and focus. Oh, and not be spotted while doing so. 

Right now, my complete undivided attention is on Daniel. He is standing on the stage, giving his speech. Blah, blah, blah. I mean I can't believe I have to go through this twice. 

As I was standing there waiting for Smith to finish his 'the-great-mayor-thanks-everyone-speech', I started scanning the hall. 

Mom, Amber and I stood close to Daniel who was on the podium. His secretary, Tristan stood on the other side of the stage. Tristan had been with Daniel ever since he became the Mayor. He had always been there, standing at the side, doing his job, unnoticed. 

I had no idea what his first name was. 

He wore a white shirt underneath a black coat and black pants and a black and white chequered tie. That was his everyday outfit. Apparently, one he wore to parties as well. 

Suddenly, Tristan adjusted the device he wore on his right ear, which looked like an earpiece, listened a while and then murmured a single word. 

I'm no lip reader but this one was pretty obvious. 

'OK' 

Daniel had finally got done with his speech and as he was about to get off the stage, when Tristan beckoned him and whispered something. 

I remembered this bit, this was when he gave a tiny smile to the audience and excused himself. 

I could sense this is where something went wrong and I quickly followed him. Daniel was clever, so he walked towards the exit first and stalled for five minutes in the lobby area. After he made sure everyone in party were distracted to notice him he went up to the first floor and turned right towards the store room. He stopped and looked around to check no one followed him. 

I leaped behind a pillar making sure I wouldn't be caught. But then I remembered he couldn't see me. 

By the time I went inside the storeroom Daniel had removed his coat and loosened up his tie. He looked tensed and was probably waiting for someone. Maybe Tristan? 

"Where are the samples?" A muscular, tall, strong looking man emerged right through me as he entered the room. He wore a black suit and black glasses. 

"I told you I need some time-" the colour on Daniel's face had started draining off. 

"You told boss the samples are ready. Where are they?" The taller man said in an indifferent tone. I had never seen him before. But he looked like one of those bodyguards who protected their 'boss' in Hollywood movies. 

"Well, they're not read-" Before Daniel could finish, the Man-In-Black had reached behind him, twisting his arm behind his back. 

"You lied to boss." He whispered menacingly in Daniels war and in a split second, he pulled out a hand knife out of nowhere and slit Daniel's hand. Just like that. 

Daniel suppressed the pain and stopped himself from screaming. He probably didn't want to catch attention. But his face revealed how much he wanted attention at that moment. 

"I... Said... They're not... Ready yet... But... They... Will be... Soon" He squealed in pain. 

"Boss said this is just the beginning. Give samples, live life." MIB concluded still in his indifferent tone and departed. 

Daniel kneeled down and pressed his hand with pressure to stop the bleeding. 

And I just stood there not believing what I saw. I wasn't able to interpret the same. What had just happened. A zillion thoughts raced my mind. 

Who was that guy? Definitely not some side actor portraying the role of a bodyguard in Hollywood films. He was the real deal. Or maybe his 'boss' was. But who was his 'boss'?

And what samples was he talking about? What has Daniel got himself into? I always knew there was something wrong about him. Is Daniel a part of a criminal organisation? Was MIB a mafia guy? Definitely looked liked one. 

Daniel stood back up after a while, wore his coat and left the storeroom.

My thoughts raced like a jet and I had no idea why and what had just happened. But I needed answers. I deserved answers. Amber deserved answers. Mom deserved answers. The town deserves answers. 

If Daniel does have anything to do with the mafia or criminals or the underworld, I have to find out more. I have to expose him. But I would need one thing- Evidence.