Simon pulled the chair slightly and took his seat. Between them stood a round table covered with white silk and flowers for little decoration.
Julian didn't want to waste the time because a few minutes earlier before Simon had called him. He received the message from the hospital. He thought of grabbing something for his meal and eating later in the hospital after telling everything to Simon .
As Julian saw Simon adjusted himself, he slowly pushed his phone towards Simon saying in a notable tone, "See this."
"What would you like to order today Sir ?"
Julian stopped pushing his phone midway when he heard the voice beside him. And slowly turned his eyes towards the owner.
A woman wearing white shirt and black short skirt, pitch black leggings covering her whole legs with black shoes , her black hair tied neatly in a bun shape , her gaze slightly turned towards Simon, when he turned his head towards her she greeted him with a soft smile on her lips.
She was a waitress.
Simon eyed Julian if he wanted to order anything, and Julian replied calmly, "yeah..." as he thought that he had told Simon to come here because he wanted to have his dinner and saying no or making excuses wasn't his thing.
"Okay then I'll have too ." replied Simon, and gave his order.
Next after writing Julian's order she took back the menu. Taking a step back, as she bowed slightly and went towards the kitchen.
As Julian watched her walk away, he slid the phone to Simon. Earlier, Simon had noticed it too, but the waitress had interrupted him.
He reached for the phone and picked it up—it was already open, with a video paused on the screen. Without thinking, Simon recognized the scene. He lightly tapped the screen, and the video began to play. It was about two minutes long.
Simon watched intently, absorbing every detail as thoughts raced through his mind, but he still couldn't place the man in the video. After watching, he passed the phone back to Julian.
Before Simon could ask anything, Julian said calmly,
"You see, I've seen that guy a few times; he's probably buying tablets from Baldy's partner."
"Where?" Simon inquired, feeling a bit curious. Since he was the one who had told Julian to keep an eye out, yet he wasn't getting any clear answers.
"Well ..." Julian could feel Simon's curious gaze on him , after thinking for a second he answered,
"Black Palace." Before Simon could say anything, he hurriedly added "don't ask what I was doing there though , after Alex went overseas. Someone had to keep in touch with them. So I just go there once a week to check things out and only if I need some extra info on someone , that's all . And that guy I've seen him three-four times before. Always high on white powder, but last time I visited he was there too. I don't know if it was just a coincidence or not but that guy was taking tablets, not only him but a few others too .
Julian leaned in .
"Tablets are already banned for open, you know that too , right ? Jimmy, one of the guy from black Palace.... you know him maybe, he is black and bald head, all big muscles, yeah.. also he always talked about some God of Light and dark and type of shit. That guy was not only taking tablets in open but also it was someone else's I heard. Jimmy gave him a warning and told that nigga to don't come here for a month or so , and even after searching they couldn't able to track the supplies of tablets. And they also or maybe didn't report it to higher ups cuzz it was only one time issue, after that they didn't saw any tablets usage ."
Julian's voice lowered.
"What I think is, nigga was only taking white powders before and he was already very high whenever I saw him , but why did he take tablets ? from my guess it was probably someone else who gave it him and slide it out himself, and also he clearly knows that tablets are banned in open but still gave it to nigga because he wanted to sell his product, and choose, "nigga" for a bait and maybe it was already working. Higher -ups didn't caught the wind because it was only one time issue but it also enough…"
"Nigga is banned from Black palace for a month so, maybe in frustration or some other shit. He is taking tablets from that medical store."
He paused.
"So before I ask about nigga in Black palace i wanna know… is this matter from higher ups or juss personal shii...?"
Simon silently listened to Julian and thought for a second and answered, "only at first ."
The day before alley incident happened. Philip Grayson. Simon's boss told him to check -on transportation warehouse. And also it was some other high table member matter not theirs. The matter was simple ; someone had stolen the package in there, and they just have to check things up in warehouse, and if possible. They have to find the package with the culprit.
At first Simon thought sending Paul and Sara would make the matter clear. But unfortunately Sara was busy with other work, so Simon himself, and Paul went to the warehouse the next day. About later that same evening they traced down the culprit "Baldy".
Simon questioned Baldy about the package, and Baldy only answered. That he didn't stole anything and they have gotten the wrong guy. Though Baldy was laying. Simon was very sure, but before he could corner Baldy with his questions. He received the call from that High table member's secretary or someone who works under that man. That man said to Simon, that he again checked all of their stuffs in the warehouse, and nothing is stolen.
"Wait" Julian interrupted, a little confused "this doesn't add up, does it ?
"yeah.. we are getting there." Simon said calmly and continued ,
Still having his suspicious on Baldy, he can't do anything much. He thought that, because all the matter is already settled by the High table member. Who assigned him to this work. He thought of asking his boss about this later, or if Baldy is proven guilty later then. It's not their problem.
Thinking all of this Simon was about to leave Baldy as it is, when Baldy's phone rang out . And Simon stopped, and told Baldy to answer the call and put it on speaker, because he still had his suspicions on Baldy.
And throughout all this time Paul was just normal like he normally is. Keeping his silence and speaking whenever he needed to.
At first Baldy hesitated, but he did receive the call and turned the speaker on. But he still holded the phone near his ears , not showing the phone's screen towards them. A second later, Baldy gulped his saliva and said hesitatingly, "hello".
And when the quick reply came back from the other side. Paul hurriedly said to increase the volume and show the phone's screen to him. Baldy of course didn't do it at first, but when Paul pointed his gun at his head silently. Simon also realised something was going on but he didn't stop it first and just waited for Baldy, without saying anything. Baldy felt completely helpless at that time , gun pointed in his head, he had no other choice but to do what Paul says to him. He slowly put the phone down on floor and turned on the phone's screen.
The name was saved under the BOSS, and also with the profile picture of some man around forty -forty five. Simon hadn't seen that face before but Paul slowly picked up the phone from the floor, putting his gun down from Baldy's head. His both eyes and all senses fixed on profile picture for few seconds and then he said,
"You killed them , didn't you ?" His voice sounded cold, filled with rage.
And the reply came back from the other side was, "who is it ? Hey.. baldy Liam what's happening there, answer me you son of bit.."
Paul cut the call before Baldy could scream for help and pointed the gun in Baldy's head again.
"Tell me where can I find him ?"
His voice low and cold, and gaze fixed on Baldy's eyes seeing inside his soul. Baldy felt sudden terror crawling inside him as he answered with his trembling voice,
"I ... I don't know !!, i never met him before i swear. He only told me to deliver some package, and i did, that... that's all ."
"Lie!!" Paul snapped, irritation and fury in his tone.
"Stop this..." Simon hurriedly grabbed the gun pointed at Baldy's head and looked at Paul. And saw the eyes he hadn't seen before .
"Stop what!!!, you don't know anything. This motherfucker is clearly lying. How couldn't he see the man he is working for ?" Paul shouted, turning to Simon, "you don't know how I feel. How much it hurts ."
Simon's thoughts are racing quickly; he doesn't recognise the man's voice in the call. The profile picture and how these two connected with Paul suddenly change behaviour. Calmly he said, "first put down your gun , he'll not answer if he is dead ."
"Don't always try to tell me what to do, I know what I am doing. You don't have any idea how long it 's been ? he... He took everything from -"
"I said put down your gun and think first,"
Simon said loudly, cutting off Paul's rant.
"Yeah… maybe I am overacting " He thought as he closed his eyes for a few seconds and opened it again. Exhaling deeply and internally. Simon whole focused was on Paul and his thoughts still trying to recall if he had missed anything,
"Killed them ? Killed who, am i missing something, took everything? is it -"
Watching Paul calm down a little he released his grip from the gun slowly, turning his head towards the baldy sitting in front of them on the floor.
"What" both have this same thought.
Baldy is gone from their sight, in just a few seconds when they are both not paying attention to him .
Both slightly turned their eyes to each -other, and they got it. Exiting this house quickly. On open street they saw baldy running hurriedly like he was dead if his footsteps stopped. Simon opened the car's door and slid inside Paul followed him .
After that they chased baldy into the alleys , and an alley incident happened that night. Baldy gets killed with the boy he has been trying to hold hostage for his life. By some unknown person.
On the way back in the car. Paul explained everything. What had appeared in his mind, when he heard that man's voice, and after looking at the picture. He was hundred percent sure.
A sudden rage took over him at that time, and he also apologized .
Simon listened carefully without interrupting him, and thought,
"Maybe I had did that too."