Butcher : Let me guess the last one…. Hahahha.
Owen nodded.
Looking around the amphitheatre, as if trying to guess where I am, Owen finally called out to me.
Owen : Hibiki…
I got up and stepped out into the light.
All eyes were immediately on me.
HIbiki, the one holding the coveted top spot in the organisation. I could smell the bloodlust in the air.
The ego, the ambition, and the allure of being the best at what we do. Among the looks of admiration my colleagues gave, I detected the urge, that need to be better.
The need to be the best.
Butcher : hahahhaha….. Hibiki……finally…. We meet….
I stood about 10 steps away from Owen and he waited for my reply.
I felt a certain excitement in my veins.
One I cannot describe. I felt like an animal.
How apt given the location we are in.
Owen did not choose the spot randomly. He choose it because he wanted the animal inside all of us.
And he has 5 of the worst predators the country has bread right in front of him.
I wanted to consider longer, I have questions, questions that needed answers but the animal inside me made the decision for me.
I nodded without a word and Butcher’s low laugh filled the amphitheatre with his hollow echo.
I have only 1 question on my mind.
What kind of prey justify the need for so many predators like us ?
………………………………………….
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Baboonator
Correct me if I’m wrong, but This is the same building that Jude worked in if I’m not wrong. The one that housed the Facility.
This story happens after it got tore down by Jake and White Snakes I presume? And Lynn works for them? Because after they shifted to Tuas for the Altenate Facility, they left only the Specialist clinics around still on the 3rd floor of the same facility. Which is the floor where Lynn’s Clinic is located…. and I remember reading somewhere that this building is newly renovated or something iirc…
So is this also the same Aaron that was in charge of the R&D in the facility? The snobbish character sure feels the same…. And could it be also that Xuehua was part of the Facility? Either as a staff or a breeding cow?( I’m inclined [and prefer]to think it’s the latter if she really was part of the Facility.)
So Jeff is also part of the Facility without himself knowing it? since Lynn’s Clinic is linked to Jeff’s “company”?
Interesting theory haha.
Facility has no links to the building we are in
wah seh hahaha.
All the interesting theories and possible plot lines.
No comments.
Only time will tell. hahaa
Polishing up today’s update.
Check back in a couple of hours
Owen : alright… I’ll be in touch with you all…. The armoury will be open.. for your own equipping….schedule your dates with operator…
No one said anything and we all just looked at Owen.
The armoury has never been opened to us before. Previously when we needed or wanted something, there are forms to fill in, someone needed to sign off on it.
Owen will give you shit about why you need something like that, but this.
This is interesting.
An open armoury.
Butcher : hahahaha….are you high on drugs Owen ? hahhaha…
Butcher’s hearty laugh filled the amphitheatre again.
Owen : No.. there are no restrictions on what you can get….but the responsibility is yours…you get caught with it…outside project execution period…. You bear the responsibility….
Butcher took a seat and leaned back on his large arms.
Butcher : Interesting.. this is really interesting… hahah… hahaha… you looked afraid Owen….are you ??
Owen ignored the question and continued.
Owen : Take what you need…but there’s no guarantee that you can use them…. It depends on where the project will take place…. The target must die… period…
Butcher : hahahha… you are…. Afraid…so are the rest of the mother fuckers standing around… ahhaha… no one spoke a word… hahaha….
Iron spoke next, breaking the silence he kept.
Iron : Are we allowed to kill each other….if someone gets too noisy…. And affects the project…?
Butcher : What the fuck….. what did you just say ?? !!
His cleaver came out immediately off the side of his thigh and he stood up.
Butcher : go ahead and try….i’ll fuckng carve a steak out of you…. Maybe gourmet will digest some of that iron in your blood … hahahaha…
Iron’s hand appeard from behind his back and I could see 2 customised knuckle duster on him.
It has a stabbing blade on one end. You could punch and slice your way out of any situation with that.
Butcher : come on you dick !! those knifes are meant for a girls’ play pen !!!
Owen : Enough !!
I have never seen Owen lose his temper before.
Butcher shook a middle finger at Iron and settled back down on his seat. He grumbled to himself, his voice resembling the growl of an animal.
Owen is always calm, composed. He did not even lose his temper back then when I think he should have with the incident with Kenneth.
He is the kind of man to plan, to think through stuff, strategize, then execute. He has some of the best killers in the country working for him.
There is really nothing much that can scare him if you put things in perspective.
Owen : I know this is a bad idea for all of you to be working together… but this is important… this is the first… and probably the last time….get it done… and don’t fucking kill each other in the process…. That’s a fucking order…
Raptor spoke next. His voice calm and strong. Like that of a newscaster. In fact, I think he has a good voice. He can easily be a voice talent, or a DJ, maybe even a singer if he wanted to.
Raptor : Do you have more information… about the target… that you can share…
Owen took a few moments to consider before nodding his head.
Owen : Aiko Hattori …. Japanese….34 years old…. Wife of Hiro Hattori….
Gourmet could not resists holding back any longer.
Gourmet : Japanese ? ….. really ?
Owen : yes… are you expecting someone from Afghanistan …. Or Iraq ?? Please don’t stereotype people with extremists ideas….they come from all over, regardless of race, language or religion….
Butcher : hahah… they are not here to build a democratic society that’s for sure…
I laughed. I could not believe he just said that shit.
Jeff: hahha..
Butcher turned and looked at me before pointing his large hand at me.
Butcher : Now….. that is one motherfucker with a sense of humour….. I can work with him…hahah
I tipped my cap towards him and he did the same.
Iron : We’re only going for the wife ? … what happened to the husband ?
Owen : Hiro has been taken care of 3 weeks ago….by another colleague of ours…Barbwire…
Barbwire. An up and coming newbie with only 3 years under his belt but he is rising fast through the rankings. 3 years and he already has 6 kills to his name. I know Owen likes him, he’s eager to learn, follows instructions and after years of dealing with jaded old birds like us, it’s fresh to have someone listening to your every word.
Owen : Barbwire took care of Hiro… and I sent him to go after Aiko…. He never returned…he’s gone quiet for more than 2 weeks…. He’s probably dead…
The silence went on longer than it was comfortable.
Being told that a colleague died while going after Aiko is hardly reassuring news.
Raptor : Aiko … what can you tell us about her… ? is she formal military… does she work for the Japanese government…. In a different capacity….?
Owen : No… Aiko is a housewife…
Gourmet : Really…. A Japanese housewife…..
Owen : Yes…
Gourmet : A Japanese housewife…. That is a terrorist… really…. This is a new JAV plot ?
Butcher laughed, clutching onto his stomach and pointed to Gourmet this time round.
Butcher : I like that…. But I’m not having any meals with you…. You’re disgusting… ahhhhaa….
Gourmet : My meals are works of art… yours just grows out of the ground….
Butcher : hohoh… hahaha.. hohohhahah…
Owen : Aiko is a teacher….at an international preschool…..Hiro, her husband, use to work for us ….
Raptor : What ? he is one of us ?
Owen : Not in the same capacity as what you all do…. Hiro works in the logistics arm of the company…..we conduct regular checks on all employees… and discovered some irregularities with Hiro…. We probed further… and opened a can of worms… that’s all I can share with regards to Hiro….
Owen went on to say that Hiro passed on information and materials to his wife. Information and materials that can cause a lot of damage.
Owen : She knows we killed Hiro…. She’s hiding now…
Raptor : Any idea where ?
Owen : We’re trying to find her…. A lot of resources are being dedicated to this project…. We know she has help….we don’t know from who….if not, there’s no way we are unable to find her…..whoever that is helping her…knows what they are doing…
I asked my first question.
One that made everyone turned to look at me.
Jeff : Does Hiro and Aiko have kids ?
The hesitation on Owen’s end told us the answer. Everyone could see it.
His expression, the pause as he tried to search for the right words.
Butcher : woah…. I don’t do kids…. Sorry boss…
Iron : Boss…. What’s the play on this… everyone on site has to go ??
Gourmet : It’s ok…. I do everyone… all of us are just pieces of meat once our heart stops beating…
Raptor : I’ll do it…. I’ll make it fast….and painless…
Gourmet : hey…. Are you trying to say I’m slow ?
Raptor : No… but you like to take your time…
Gourmet : hahah….
Butcher : And I thought I was the sick one….
Jeff : How many ?
Owen looked at me and when he finally replied, I could see the hesitation on everyone’s faces.
This complicates everything.
Owen : a 4 year old girl…. And she’s 4 months pregnant…
Iron : you got to be fucking kidding me….
Iron gestured to everyone in the amphitheatre.
Iron : You are sending us…to go after a pregnant woman…and a kid….
Butcher : I think I’m going to be sick….
Owen : I already said…. It’s unprecedented …you are still free to walk away…
Raptor : who is the one helping her ? her organisation ?
Owen : From what we could gather so far, Hiro is working alone on this…. There are no major organisations involved… none of the usual suspects…
Jeff : What is Hiro planning for ?
Owen : I’m afraid I can’t share that….
Owen took a look at his watch and said he needed to head to the airport.
Owen : I have a flight to catch… can I give you all a lift to the front door….? Or you want to fucking go back the way you came…..
Pointing to Gourmet , Owen chided him for taking a baby monkey.
Owen : Give that fucking monkey back to it’s mother…
Gourmet ; How could you possibly know that… ?
Owen : It’s going to fucking give you ebola virus or something…
Gourmet : I never said I was going to eat it…
Owen : Put it back… fuck
I could hear the hissing of brakes of the tram arriving at the top of the amphitheatre. Owen started to make his way up. No one moved, each trying to see what the other would do.
I was tired, drenched in perspiration, I don’t mind a lift to the front gate.
When the others saw me heading up, the followed suit.
No one sat together. Owen went to sit beside the driver while the rest of us chose a section each. The tram started moving and we got to the entrance in a couple of minutes.
I got off and I could see Owen’s car waiting for him.
A staff of his handed him a brown project folder.
He took a look inside and pulled out a few photographs.
Owen handed out the photographs of Aiko and Hiro together with their daughter.
He was holding onto 3 different photographs and I was a little late to gather in front of him.
He gave out all 3 of the photos. I adjusted myself discreetly as the rest of my colleagues gathered to look at the pictures of the family and committing them to memory. I positioned myself behind Owen, pretending to look over at the gathered group while my eyes shifted to the folder he was holding.
Jeff : Any more ?
Owen opened the folder to check for more photos and my eyes did a quick scan of what I can see. Information gathering is all about being sharp at the right time. My eyes took a quick snapshot of what is in front of me as my mind slowly processed it.
I could see the project number . 331390. There were sheets of reports and texts, some black and white photos of a industrial area and a car. I can’t make out the car plate number. All the sheets of paper are loose sheets, unlike the ones we usually received that are properly binded by sections.
The folder is new, hardly any creases, nothing out of the ordinary.
Owen shut the document and looked back towards me as if he had a feeling I was looking at him but I was faster.
I already orientated myself away and I had my hand out towards Butcher, gesturing for him to let me take a look at the photographs.
Owen : No… no more photos… on my end…
I looked at the family portrait.
I’m sure I’m not the only one with questions but no one said anything.
Hiro and Aiko look like your average middle income family trying to make a living.
Still I should not generalise people’s thinking and behaviour with their looks.
Looks can be deceiving.
We all know that.
We handed the photographs back to Owen after passing it around.
Owen : I’ll be in touch once I have their locations…. It’s going to take a while…. Rest up… get ready….
With that, he got into his car and it disappears promptly down the winding road.
I started walking away and so did the rest of my colleagues except Gourmet. He went back into the zoo but not one cared.
It took me an hour to get back to the car. I kept my equipment back at the niche at the columbarium and went back home.
After a hot shower, I put in a call to the operator. The sun is already up that Sunday morning.
Belinda took a while to answer my call. Technically operators are not on standby unless there is an ongoing project.
Belinda : Operator… zzz…
Jeff : It’s me…
Belinda : I know… what’s up…
Jeff : I have authorisation to access the armoury…
Belinda : huh … really ? …. Alright… let me check and get back to you…. Time and location ?
Jeff : Rifle range road….9.30am
Belinda : ok… I’ll call you back..
The armoury we use do not have a fix location. It’s mobile.
The reason why we don’t use a centralised location is because Owen does not want some overly zealous staff that wants to start a massacre to raid the armoury.
Having these amounts of sensitive stuff in a fix location is also hard to explain if it gets discovered by other agencies. Most of the weapons have their serial numbers filed off, some are confiscated off the projects we do.
I shut my eyes for a bit of rest and it was 20 minutes before Belinda calls me back.
Belinda : ok. 9,.30 Rifle range road…. It’s… not for the Korea job right…. We need to take a plane you know…
Jeff : No.. it’s not…
Belinda : Ok… see you tomorrow in office… today is my last day as your operator by the way…. Tomorrow I will..
I hung up without waiting for Belinda to finish and looked at the time.
It’s coming to 8am.
I took a quick nap before making my way towards the location agreed.
9.30am
I was leaning against my car by the side of the forested area when I saw the truck come towards me. Disgusted as a mover’s truck, the armoury switches location every week. The driver is a 60 year old man, Gerald, with his son Callum, as his assistant.
A legit shell company’s moving contacts and advertisement are plaster on the exterior in bright yellow letterings. Owen uses the company for logistics purposes and of course, to process cash seized from individuals who no longer need them. The cover is perfect. How many times have you seen mover trucks along on the road everyday when you drive ?
No one bothered to question what is in them. Probably someone moving to a new house.
No one gives a fuck.
From what I know, the armoury position is passed down from father to son. Gerald is the 2nd generation to take over. That hardest part of their job is to look away and keep their mouth shut. It’s a cushy job, pays well, most of the time you are free to do anything you want.
The truck parked at the agreed spot and I walked up to the passenger side of the truck.
Jeff : Do you have a street directory I can borrow brother ?
I was handed one and I flipped it to the page and pointed the location which would identify myself to the father and son.
I’ve only seen Gerald a couple of times and it was several years ago.
Callum : let me help you check the GPS…
He fiddled with a machine the size of a credit card reader. He nodded his head and got out of the truck.
He opened up the back of the truck and I climbed up to face a wall with 3D painting of boxes. From far and at a quick glance, it would look just like a delivery truck if anyone looks in.
I keyed in my passcode at the keypad on the side and one of the panels slid open.
Stepping into the hidden compartment of the truck, I stepped into a toy shop, for adults that is. Unlike the fancy interior of a Hollywood production, the interior of the 25 feet moving truck is pretty bare.
There’s a row of screens on the wall showing the concealed camera views covering 360 degrees of the truck’s exterior. I could see Gerald and Callum pretending to check on the wheels of their truck.
If anyone passes by, they would look as if they are checking on their vehicle.
There are no rows of guns sitting on racks with pretty LED lighting. Almost everything is kept within the rows of drawers & cabinets that are custom made and bolted to the floor.
I went to the drawer with the revolvers and helped myself to 2 of them. A Sig sauer with suppressor & one more Chinese made QSZ-92.
I put them into a black bag I pulled from a tray.
I checked the bin in the truck and I saw something in it.
I pulled it up and saw it’s the wrapping for a brand new assault rifle, the manufacturer’s sticker still intact. The oil from the rifle still dripping from the bag.
The trash is cleared at the end of every say.
This meant someone ahead of me just grabbed a big fucking gun. I skipped the knives drawer and I opened the rest of the drawers. The locks on them area all electronic, controlled by the server offsite.
Some drawers will remain lock, it really depends on what kind of access you are granted.
I was surprised to find so many unlocked. The handguns, the automatic weapons, assault rifles. Even the explosives drawer is open.
I could not believe this. Owen basically opened the armoury up for us to get everything we need.
I went to the explosives drawer and whistled when I pulled it out.
That drawer is always locked. I’m talking military grade stuff right there.
Well, Christmas came early, no harm stocking up on some stuff. Others would do it too.
I picked out a coil of detonating cord, and a box of detonator. I grabbed a few primers and took a crimping tool.
I tried the bottom drawer where the electronics are kept but it’s locked.
It’s ok, I can still set these fireworks off manually. I grabbed a coil of safety fuse and added it into my bag.
I’m probably going to bring both my knives and a gun to this project just to be safe. One of our colleagues is missing.
The rest of the stuff I’m taking is more for my own collection.
You never know when you will need them.
You must be wondering what my plan is.
Will I really be able to kill a pregnant woman with her child ?
Honestly I don’t know but I know some of my colleagues would do it.
All I needed to do was to tag along, and go through the motion, and tagging along meant almost half a million in bonus.
This my friend, is call working smart.
Someone makes the kill, I take the money. They can have the kill count, they can have the top spot if they want. I’m already thinking of retirement before I fucked up my head any further.
I was about to walk out of the truck when I saw the only full height cabinet in the truck with it’s door slightly ajar. I tried to close the door but the timber door has warp slightly, it wouldn’t close properly.
I opened it and saw a full row of body armour. Made out of aramid fibres, it has 5 times the tensile strength of steel. It’s a good light weight armour against handgun calibre projectiles.
I’ve tried being shot wearing one before during training. It still hurts like hell and I had the bruises for almost 2 weeks. It literally knocked the air right out of my lungs and I was left gasping like a fish out of water on the floor as my instructor laughed at me.
I thought about it for a moment. This will probably make me look weak. Butcher will probably laugh at me if he sees Hibiki walking into the project with a body armour on.
Fuck this. I grabbed one and added it to my stash.
He can laugh and tease all he like.
I’m not getting shot in the back on my last job. What’s an extra few KG to me when I’m not doing the heavy lifting ? Just hang back a little and relax.
I’ll happily retire with Xuehua after that, get a private property, rent it out for income and takes things easy. Just the thought of it is making me excited already.
I exited the truck after making sure the surroundings are clear on the screens in the truck.
I kept the stuff I took in my car and I gave Gerald a thumbs up.
He nodded and gave me a wave.
I drove out of the small road and made my way to the pawnshop in Chinatown.
By the time I deposited everything in my cabinet, it was almost noon time and for my date with Xuehua.
I’m looking forward to see her.
Xuehua was already dressed and waiting in her living room when I got there.
Dressed in a white dress with white canvas shoes, she looked so pure and seductive that day.
Xuehua : I’m trying to go for the student look….
Jeff : Yeah ?… the canvas shoes works..
Xuehua : Really ? hahaha
She lifted up the back of her shoe and showed me a friendship band that had sunk below her ankles.
Xuehua : See… friendship band ok… don’t play play…hahaha
Jeff : Wow… definitely have that 90s school girl feeling…
She laughed and we linked arms and left the house.
What followed was a relaxing and enjoyable Sunday out in the suburbs.
We text Lynn to wish her well on her banquet day since we don’t plan on attending that. There’s too many colleagues invited and I hate to think what Butcher’s voice would do to my appetite.
Time seemed to fly by when I’m with Xuehua. The more time I spend with her, the more convinced I am that she is the one for me.
How do you decide whether you will get along with someone ?
Simple, just see if your values are aligned.
Values define us more than we realise.
We have similar views towards money, life, the society.
Xuehua’s ideal retirement is a quiet place, out of the fast pace city where she can draw and paint.
I’m not a painter but I want out of this city as well.
Singapore will always be my home, but I know moving to a place with a slower pace of life will be better for my overall well being.
I told Xuehua about my childhood, how my mother died during birth.
Something I have never once revealed to any of my short lived relationships. I was lying down on her thighs and just looking up at the evening skies when I told her about my day dreams as a kid while cloud gazing.
Xuehua brushed aside my hair and she just looked at me with the sweetest smile ever.
Xuehua : My parents… passed away in a car accident…. The driver….was in a truck…. Trying to get her wife who was bleeding to the hospital….
She told me the driver was worried about his wife and the child inside her tummy. He sped, and he ran a red light.
Jeff : I’m sorry to hear that…
A teardrop landed on my face but her smile remained.
Xuehua : He survived…. His wife and child didn’t…. I was angry… so angry… not at him but at myself….
Jeff : Why ? … it’s not your fault…
She shook her head.
Xuehua : I was angry why I was not in that car that day… we could have gone off as a family…
Jeff : Don’t say that… I wouldn’t be able to meet you if you were in that car…
Xuehua laughed.
We went to a coffee shop for bottled drinks, and ordered fried crispy squids from the seafood stall.
There is absolutely no airs whatsoever for Xuehua.
Her cheerful personality is infectious.
Within 30 minutes of us sitting down at that coffee shop, she was bantering with the table of old uncles drinking beside us.
Laughter hardly stopped and the drinks kept coming.
By the time I sent Xuehua back at 11.30pm that Sunday night, we were a little tipsy from drinks and we were giggling most of the time.
There were no hesitation when we kissed outside her gate. The moment I felt the cold tease of that tongue stud, I think I wet myself as my tongue shivered in Xuehua’s mouth.
It’s the first time I’ve kissed a girl with a tongue stud. The feeling, that sensation, the raw taste of metal, the tapping against my teeth.
My erection could almost imagine that same tongue on it.
Our bodies pressed against each other as we explored the interior of each other’s mouth.
Xuehua : erngh… shit….is this too fast…. Are we going to fast…
Jeff : No… I don’t think so… it’s just nice for me…
Xuehua laughed and we continued kissing outside her door.
When we finally pulled away, our foreheads connected and we laughed.
I knew I was almost getting there.
If I asked for it, she would allow me to go in.
And once I’m in, there’s nothing to stop us form fucking each other’s brains out.
Xuehua : should we…..or save it…. For the Korea trip ? … hahaha
I laughed as she put her arms around my neck, kissing me against. I hugged her waist, bringing her body tightly against mine.
Jeff : I’m a man…. You should know the answer before you even asked… hahha..
Xuehua : Tsk !…
She gave me another kiss, panting hot air into my face.
Xuehua : couple more days then… hahah…. Something to look forward to ?? hahahah… aside from work…
Jeff : haha… couple more days it is then… hahah..
We parted ways after I made sure she locked her gate and door.
15 July 2013
Monday
8.30am
I was already at my desk when Billy came in with Belinda in tow.
Belinda : alright… shall we get started ?? !!
She looks excited.
We spent an hour going through the primary plan. It’s a simple job.
Belinda told me Owen has gone through it and made some adjustment to her proposal so it’s all good.
Belinda : He’s in Thailand this few days… by the time he’s back, we should be done with this…
The plan is simple.
The 20 room hotel is located a few stops away from the city centre. Intel suggests that when we check in, the staff will decide which room we will be assigned to.
Billy : I’m pretty sure they will give you and Xuehua the…. Erm…. Special room….
I gave Billy a middle finger as he went on.
Billy : They have only 2 staff…. Owner, Ricky, won’t show unless he sees a target he is interested in.
Preliminary investigations suggest that they will drug the girls or couples they are interested in, usually by means of a complimentary bottle of alcohol or pastries like cakes.
Belinda : We got the construction drawings of the hotel, the 2 rooms here and here…. Has a false wall that connects to the freight elevator behind it…. We suspect owner will either rape the girl in the room when she’s passed out, or bring her to his basement…I know you don’t want to use Xuehua as bait but she’s the fastest way we can draw Ricky out….
Before I could say anything, Belinda quickly added.
Belinda : He will never even get to touch her….all we need… is for him to show up… come out of hiding…. And it’s all over…. You will be there with her… every step of the way…. He’s won’t even be able to smell the scent with Hibiki in the room…
I wanted to speak but she cut me off again.
Belinda : We booked the entire hotel…..the rest of the rooms bulk blocked by a shell tour company…. Only we will be there… tour group will be delayed… they will not show…the suspected girl in the basement…. We just need to get her, deliver her to the embassy and our job is done…. Simple… very simple…
Billy : Hardest part is probably you doing it with your own hands…
I was about to give my take when I froze.
My eyes saw something peculiar.
Taking my silence as consent, Belinda asked if we could call it a day so she can go get ready.
Belinda : Ok ? Boss Hibiki ?
Jeff ; Huh…. Er.. yea yea…whatever…
I was lost in my thoughts as I tried to rationalise what I just saw.
Belinda : great… see you guys at the airport tomorrow… i’ll go talk to Xuehua for he details to get tickets for her if its ok with you Jeff…
Jeff : Huh.. oh… yea yea yea… sure sure.. thanks…
When the door shut behind her, I turned to Billy.
Jeff : You have a soft copy of project documents right ?? ….
Billy : Yeah…. I’m always the soft copy person….
I asked Billy to open it on his terminal.
Billy : What’s up ?
Jeff : Open it….
Billy : What are you looking for ?
Jeff : what’s the project number for this ?
Billy : Hmmmm…. Here.. 331390… buying toto or 4D ?
Impossible.
I felt my heart skip a beat as I asked Billy to scroll down to the project budget.
Billy : Hmm… ok…. Here…budgeting….and… woah…what the fuck…
My throat felt dry as I stared at the figures.
Contingency allocation.
It’s almost 3 million.
Billy : There must be a typo…. Bonus for this type of job averages 45 to 68k… that’s catered for under this section here…. Woah… what the fuck….
The budget for this is way higher than the jobs we’ve done. 5 times the amount.
Jeff : go to the audit tab
Billy : err… ok…here…. All in order… approved… Ricky’s a fucking asshole… he deserves to die… I think probably Owen trying to move money around…. He does stuff like that sometimes…
Jeff : Approval date for this….? When did the Audit team start looking into this…
Billy : wow… this started almost 3 months ago… and only now then he assigns it out…. Quite unlike Owen to sit on stuff like this….. ok… I see.. here… look… this date… when another girl goes missing…. Probably wanted more information before acting… everything ok ?? no one ever looks at this section of the documents… why the sudden interest ??
Jeff : Audit approval…. Who approved it ?
Billy : let me see….here… Hiro Hattori….he approved it…. Last week… why are we looking at all these again ??
Jeff : Nothing… just curious….
I went back into my room as the revelations of what I just uncovered slowly sank into me.
Owen’s trying to piggy ride another project on this. Hiro is already dead.
My heart started beating faster. Something is wrong. Very wrong.
I opened my office door and I shouted across to Billy
Jeff : Staff details… how many are Japanese working for the company.. ?
Billy : oooohh…hahaha… there are a few hot ones…hahah… let me see…6… all permanent residents… been here for more than 10 years…with the company for at least 7…
Jeff : ok… thank you…
My mind is in a mess. I don’t know what to make of this.
Owen is trying to pass something off right under our noses.
Billy knocked on the door and I gestured for him to come in.
Billy : Bro… you ok ? … you looked worried…
Jeff : err.. no.. nothing… just… ermm worried about Xuehua that’s all…
Billy : Bro,,,Ricky is 50,… did a double bypass last year… barely survived a heart attack… you would probably scare him to death… don’t worry…
Jeff : Yeah… ok…
Billy was about to close the door when he popped his head back in.
Billy : Oh… if you are interested in the Japanese babes… hahah… ask Dr Lynn for a intro… ahhaa….. she’s close with all of them…
Jeff : what ?
Billy : Yeah… she knows I’m single… ahahah… tried to hook me up… haha… I have my eyes set on one…I mean just in case Xuehua doesn’t work out for you hahaha…
Billy shut the door and I tried to calm my thoughts down.
The puzzle is in pieces.
Nothing fits.
Nothing conclusive so far.
Nothing fucking make sense to me.
As far as I know, Owen is trying to pull something off. He’s trying to get rid of Aiko and I want to know why.
I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on it’s end as I opened the door and walked out so fast that it gave Billy a shock.
Billy : Wah… what’s wrong with you…
Jeff : Does Lynn speak Japanese ?
Billy laughed as if I said something stupid.
Billy : what are you talking about hahha..? ….. Dr Lynn’s mother is Japanese… it’s her mother tongue…
………………………………………
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sigg4
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/ea...box=1553096329
Is this the Korea Hotel?
hahaha. no.
i think the people who visited it must be damm worried now, especially if they visited with people they shouldn’t have
I blinked a couple of times before turning away.
The pieces started to fall but they are not falling into place. In fact, it’s all over the place. Something still feels off about this.
Lynn is no terrorist.
Yes, she speaks Japanese, she’s a doctor. If I’m a pregnant woman with a child, she would be the one I would go to. She’s the prime suspect.
Let’s not forget she’s the company’s doctor.
Many staff go to her. Being able to speak Jap is a plus point as well.
I would choose to go to someone who speaks my language as well if I’m working overseas. Hiro was a senior executive with the company, Aiko would have access to the benefits he enjoys in terms of medical care.
No way. Not possible.
The man Lynn married, the people her husband deals with. He would have made sure she is clean. Cleaner than clean.
How else are you going to have the prime minister at your wedding otherwise ?
Lynn just got married. She’s going to go for her honeymoon. She’s rich, practically a modern day version of a princess, Why would she get involved with something like this ? Her views are never on the extreme ends of the spectrum.
She is like a sister to me. If she has any ill intent to anyone, I would have been the first one to detect it. Unless she is really that good at hiding it.
And if it’s true, would her husband be able to see through it ?
If he’s blinded by love and we hurt Lynn, it’s going to be a clash beyond proportion.
Men like him don’t do subtle.
They don’t know the art of being subtle.
They are like bulldozers with big guns. They’ll fucking mow everything down in their path, then shoot you again.
The more I think about this, the more I’m convinced I’m wrong. This cannot be.
I’m looking at this from the wrong angle.
This is fucked up. I could feel the area around my jaws going numb and I massaged it a couple of times as I looked out the window and onto the streets below.
Jeff : Billy… go back to the audit approval…. Only the head of departments are authorise for the final sign off … am I right ? what is the structure like within Audit ?
Billy : I’m pretty sure they covered this during orientation…
Jeff : I’m pretty sure we went through different orientation…
Billy : Ehh… ok….what’s wrong with you today man…. ? yes… only head of departments ….. Finance, Operations and logistics…. They are all within the Audit umbrealla……It’s usually the head of operations that signs off…..A lady call…. Ermm… Ailing… Finance and logistics head, they do it too, very rare, mostly to cover of Ailing if she’s not around…
Billy searched the server for a one page infographic given to new employees during orientation.
Billy : Owen’s own team of operators will submit proposals and information gathered to the Audit team….. then it gets passed through the various departments, clearing each level of checks….
Billy pointed to the chart and say that Operations first make sure of the accuracy of the information, then it goes over to logistics.
Billy : logistics checks through the preliminary proposal Owen submitted and makes sure the movement of resources and manpower are available…. This includes the shortlisted agents like you…. Usually 3… They coordinate not only the clean up crew , they are also the people helping to pull the strings with local law enforcements, so everyone knows when to look the other way if this is an authorised hit.…. If you know what I mean….
Billy told me that the agents Owen proposed for the project are screened before hand to make sure they are not connected to the target.
Billy : Distant relatives…. Same surnames…. clan associations….ex lover…. Puppy love in secondary school….. Logistics make sure agent proposed will not complicate the job….. if project requires travelling, like ours… to Korea…. Logistics team are also the one coordinating with the Embassy staff in Korea…. To let them know there will be a team of operators coming in…..
Jeff : I see….
Billy : Finally… finance has to give the green light of course…. Then we get the sign off to proceed.
Jeff : any of the 3 head of department can sign off ?
Billy : yeah….. as long as it’s been cleared by all 3 departments… just need either one of the 3 signatures….i’ve never been inside the office but I know how it is laid out base on some old construction drawings I’ve seen.
Imagine 3 horizontal lines of work stations, on one end is a meeting table for 6. On the other, is the desk for the head.
Billy : The desks of the HOD are aligned such that they are a couple of meters away from each other. ….. open concept office…. Everything in there is confidential and all staff are cleared even before going in…. there’s no need for more rooms…
Jeff : What if say…. You skip a department…and the head of department still decides to sign off ?
Billy : hahahah… bro… you fever ah… hahaha…. No way la…. Got processes, due diligence … we only short of ISO only ok… hahah..
Jeff : so say Finance clears the last hurdle, why not the finance chief sign off, since it’s already at her side of her desk ? why go back to operations ?
Billy : Bro, by signing, I don’t mean bringing 3 cartons of documents to the boss, it’s all electronic…. Gets routed to the 3 chiefs….. any one of the 3 can sign off… trying to safe paper….. green campaign …
I nodded, getting a clearer picture of how this works.
Jeff : so if I have access to the HOD accounts, I can sign off on projects…
Billy : What the fuck man…. ? are you ok ?? why would you want to do that?? …
Jeff : Nahh… nothing… just thinking out loud…
Jeff : but money…. How does finance know how much budget to approve ??
Billy : Well…. Honestly, I have never seen Finance reject any proposal before…. If you get past Operations who vetted the accuracy of the information…. It’s pretty much a go…. Owen has money… a shitload of it… as long as they keep coming in…. Finance won’t say no… it’s up to Owen how he wants to play it… finance are the people that is stopping us from flying first class and staying at the Ritz….hahaha
Jeff : I see…. Ok…. Ok…
Billy : Look bro….. as long as the facts of the target are real, verified, he’s a fucking asshole….the rest usually gets approved…
Jeff :Yeap I got that….
Billy : anything else you want to know ? …. You want to know how to file your taxi claims ?…
Jeff : You can do that ???
Billy : forget I asked….
Jeff : Do you have access to my past projects ?
Billy : Not projects specifics… but general information including approval… yes… hold on…. 29 projects so far…. 27 approved by Ailing… 2 by Finance head, Cassie, and…. Our Korea holiday this week…. Hiro Hattori…. Head of logistics…
Jeff : Are both Ailing and Cassie on leave ?
Billy : No way of knowing that…. Sorry… Bro… seriously…. Are you sure everything is ok ? anything I should know ?
Jeff : ermm… not at the moment…. I’m just a bit confused with some issues….can we go into the audit department ?
Billy : That’s like sacred ground man…. Mortals like us are not allowed…. Owen has access… but if you really want to kill everyone on the way in….
Jeff : ok… fine… fine… I’m good… no more questions… thanks for the help…
Billy : I’m heading to the money changer…you need to get some Korean won ?
Jeff : help me get 2k, I’ll transfer it over to you later…
Billy : alright…
I left the office and went to the clinic on the 3rd floor.
There is a replacement doctor coming in to cover Lynn while she’s away. I asked the receptionist when will Lynn be coming back.
She will be away for a month. I thought of giving Lynn a call to find out what she knows about Hiro and Aiko but I don’t want to disturb her honeymoon. She would surely press me to reveal the real reason for calling her.
I can picture her on the line saying something like ; “ you fucking called me… to ask if I’m a terrorist ? …. You fucking piece of shit…. I’m going to fucking castrate you… you fuck “
I dismissed the thought. Lynn can wait.
I made my way to the café and I dropped Owen a text.
I’m not going to confront him on this yet, not until I have more information. I sent him a text on the pretext that I have something I wanted to discuss with him when he’s free to talk.
One thing I know for sure, Owen is hiding something. He’s trying to sweep something under the carpet and the first victim is Hiro. He killed him and is currently controlling his account.
Hiro knows something. His wife knows something. Something that Owen don’t want anyone else to know.
I reached the café and I saw Belinda and Xuehua talking to each other. Lala gave me a wave and started to prepare my coffee.
I paid for my drink and saw a reply message from Owen.
He says he will call me in a bit.
I sipped my drink and I saw Eddy coming out from behind the stall. He walked towards me slowly.
I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally.
When Eddy spoke, I choked on my coffee and spilled ¼ of it on the table.
Eddy : I will kill you….
Jeff : bleruhhhhhhhhgggg!… what ?
Eddy : hurt my niece….. and I will fucking kill you… you hear me ?!!!
I stared at Eddy in shock as he literally said that out loud in the middle of the café.
Xuehua : Eddy !… stop it… you’re scaring him !…
Eddy : Scare what scare…. Your boyfriend no balls meh ? VOICE A BIT LOUDER ONLY WHAT !!….he no balls ??!!!
Xuehua gave me a napkin to wipe my mouth as I composed myself for a reply.
Jeff : Eddy… i.. I will take care of Xuehua….i will… it’s just a short trip…
Eddy looked at me and I could see he was about to say more shit but he saw the look in my eyes.
I’m sincere, I mean what I say. I will take care of Xuehua.
Jeff : I mean it….
Eddy : Zhun bo ?? ( you sure ? ) …. You eh siew buay siew ( literally translation, are you sure you have what it takes )
Xuehua : Eddy !.. enough… stop it…arghhh !… I’m old enough !…
What I did not expect was for our resident security guard to step in.
Leng : Eh… let her go la…. So big girl already… you worry for what… ? scare he eat her meh ? ahhahaha
Jeff : what??
I turned and looked at Xuehua, trying to make sense of what is happening.
Then the cleaner, Annie cut her way into the conversation.
Annie : yah Eddy… Xuehua big girl already…. Don’t always worry about her can or not… she can take care of herself…
Xuehua gave me an awkward smile.
Why the fuck does the whole café including the cleaner and security guard know about our trip ?
Lala bounced over, giggling as he rubbed the side of his thighs as if scratching an itch.
Lala : Jeff…. Can buy face mask for me ? hahah… I like korea face mask… the Innisfree type… Jeju island….
Jeff : wow…. Ermm..yeah… sure…
Xuehua started pushing everyone away from the table and shooing everyone away from me.
Xuehua : go go go… shoo. Shoo…. Shoo…. You all very irritating leh…. Shoo shoo. Shooo….
She gave me a sheepish smile.
Xuehua : Sorry…. i… didn’t expect news to travel this fast….
Jeff : It’s ok….
Eddy : Jeff… I mean it…. I will chop you !!… if you hurt my niece…. !! I will fucking chop you !!
Jeff : No no… don’t chop me… I won’t hurt your niece…
Annie laughed.
Annie : Eddy…. Hahha… I think you better pray your niece don’t hurt him can already… hahaha…
Xuehua : Tsk !…
Xuehua’s hands rest on her hips as she gave Annie an irritated look.
Annie chuckled as she scurried to her cleaning trolley.
Leng chuckled and popped a cigarette into his mouth as he slowly shuffles back to his hideout in the carpark.
Freddy, Lala’s father came out from the drinks stall and half shove and push Eddy back to the chicken rice stall.
Freddy : she’s no longer a little girl…she can take care of herself la… you worry for what… everything also worry…..
Eddy : Her parents entrusted her to me !! of course I need to worry… when I die…. I meet her parents… I need to answer on ok ??!!
Freddy : Please la… your old antique way of thinking….go go… go… got people waiting for you la…
The commotion finally cleared and I could see Xuehua blushing slightly.
Xuehua : sorry… old people like to gossip…. It’s a small café…
Jeff : it’s ok… no problem….
Xuehua told me the flight details have already been made known to her by Belinda.
Xuehua : are you done packing ??
Jeff : ermm.. I have a bag….packed and ready to go… I’m used to travelling….
Xuehua : Nice… so…erm… I guess… I’ll see you at the airport…? Tomorrow ??
Jeff : sounds good…
She turned and I could see she wanted a kiss but there are several pairs of eyes staring at us.
Xuehua : see you tomorrow.
I went back to my coffee and had a short chat with Belinda.
Jeff : all ok ?
Belinda : checked through everything…. Air tickets booked…. All in order….
Jeff : Belinda I have a question for you…
Belinda : Shoot….
I asked her if I’m the only one getting an intern.
Jeff : What about the rest of my colleagues….. are they getting one too ? I’m sure you know the other operators that…. Say work with… Butcher…. Gourmet…?
Belinda : ERmm… we do lunch together sometimes… but we don’t really talk about work….
Jeff : I see… it’s ok… never mind….
Belinda : I’ll text you the flight details…. See you tomorrow….
I went back home after that and Owen called me shortly after.
He sounded different.
Almost cheerful.
A stark difference from the Owen that spoke with us at the zoo.
His voice sounded as if something was resolved.
Owen : What’s up…. Are you packed for your trip ??
Jeff : Nothing urgent…. If you’re busy… this can wait…
Owen : Nah… I’m waiting on the tarmac for air traffic to clear us for takeoff…. What’s the problem…
Jeff : No problem… just erm… want to talk retirement…
Owen : I see… well…. I said it… I won’t stop you guys if you want to…. But Jeff for you… I hope you can consider staying on…..not in current capacity of course…. More of a … mentoring role…. For future…. Employees….
Jeff : I’m thinking of relocating…
Owen : Oh…sigh….ok…. where ?
Jeff: No idea yet…. But… say we finish the last one…I should be packing up and getting ready to leave….
Owen : Alright… I understand… hey..i understand if you don;’t want to give a location…. But at least give me an email address…. In case things come up… just in case…
Jeff : ok…
Owen: anything else ? …. You need a loan or something ? hahahha
Jeff : About the new project….
Owen : What about it… ?
Jeff : nevermind…it’s ok… we’ll talk when you are back…..
Owen : Oh… before I forget…. Your Korea trip…. Belinda has to do it… with her own hands….make sure you see it happen… or else it’s not counted…
Jeff : How long will she be stuck with me ??
Owen : Not long… don’t worry… just need her to clock one before I can move her out to another spot I have in mind….
Jeff : And if she can’t do it ? I’ll do it ?
Owen : no…. get Billy to do it….
Jeff : you’re kidding…
Owen : I don’t joke when it comes to project… will be waiting for your report….
He hung up and I just stared at the ceiling in my flat. It felt like I’m just a cog in a gigantic machine. No one but the person controlling it could see the whole picture.
I went to my storage at chinatown to keep Gwen’s drawing pad in my cabinet.
I’ll look through the rest of the drawings when I retire and relocate.
I was about to shut the cabinet when the familiar sight of my stash brought back a string of memories.
I felt goosebumps rippling across my skin as I stared at the spot where my old HE grenade use to sit.
The pieces started falling again.
My grenade. The meeting with Danzo and Nakamura. The missing Ronins in the country.
Jeff : fuck….
I exclaimed softly to myself as this latest revelation start to hit me.
I shut my cabinet and I drove to the Japanese association when I last met Danzo and Nakamura.
I walked into the association. The receptionist asked me if I needed help.