Neo couldn't sit and wait anymore. He wanted to know what was really up. So he took his spy cam, some office clothes, and some other belongings. He was going to work for THE Chordis family. Ezekiel, his boss, already made it possible.
He wore his favorite leather jacket and hopped into his little old sedan van, tossing his bag to the passenger side.
"Are you sure you really want to do this?" Ezekiel asked as Neo ignited the engine, his hands folded behind him like an old man tired of life.
"It's the only way to know the hidden truth. Elizabeth will not die a mysterious death for nothing. I need to get to the root of this. I don't care how dangerous it gets." Ezekiel grinned heartily and crossed back into the old crusty house. He wanted to know how his daughter died but he didn't expect this proposition Neo brought. The Chordis were dangerous. Everyone in town knew that and Neo was walking right into a den he'd never return from.
Neo's sedan revved to life after several failed attempts and cursed words. He would be working as the financial advisor to Mrs Chordis in her home office. He was still a little curious: how on earth was Ezekiel able to bag this job?
Putting the curiosity in check, he stopped by a coffee shop downtown. He needed something to clear his head.
"I need a cup of espresso, cappuccino, and cold brew."
"Okay sir Neo." The new Baristas answered. She turned to carry out his order.
"You know what?" She turned, her grey eyes shone under the dim light. "I need you to add a shot of espresso to latte. The cup of cold brew should be mixed with milk. That's two cups now." she nodded at him and started with the drinks.
Neo tapped the table lightly, observing the changes put in place. He liked the color play and the artistic mural.
"Sir Neo. I didn't know you were in town." Leonard said in high spirits. He walked over to Neo and rested his side on the counter.
"Ezekiel got me a job in town." he smiled and tapped on the counter.
"The whole town is talking about it. The most handsome bachelor is in our town, planning to work for Mrs Chordis." He gave a little laugh and sighed.
"Don't flatter me Leonard. I guess nothing is a secret in this town." Neo said lightly. His cups of coffee were already in the table, ready to go.
"Oh please. We're all one big family." Leonard squieked revealing his rotten front teeth.
"We'll catch up some other time. My new boss will be needing me." he said. The baristas looked at Neo and blushed. Never in her life had she thought she'd serve coffee to Neo. The Neo. It took a whole lot of professionalism to keep her hands from shaking in excitement.
Neo took a sip of the cold brew, shook his head in satisfaction and blew a kiss across to the baristas. He took another sip when he got to his sedan and exhaled. Great! The whole town already knows I'm working with Mrs Chordis. What else do they not know. He thought and entered his car. Placing both cups on the cup holder. An image of Elizabeth flashed through his head as his sedan touched the road. She was really happy. One of the happiest person he knew. He wanted to know what she was doing before she died. He wanted to also know how she died. Was it an accident? Or did the Chordis orchestrate it all. They were always up to something. He shook his head and focused on the road. Old Ezekiel need not worry about him or this case. He wasn't exactly a professional investigator but he sure knew how to get things done well with no trace. He recalled the previous job he had done in Texas; the case involving a four years old Annie. She had been missing for some days. Turned out; her sister traded her for Molly and weed. The audacity. Their mother had cussed and howled at the sixteen years old child. Anastasia had been taken to a mental asylum afterwards.
Neo smiled as the drama unfurled in his head. He loved his job. It was a one man mission but he loved it regardless. He didn't notice the pot hole and rode right into it, a cuss word escaping his lips. He growls and check the rear mirror in a glance and focused on the road. He kept wondering why the road was still like it was in the previous years. The mayor had promised to do something about it in his manifesto. He snarled and slowed down when he saw a bigger puddle up front.
"Who the fuck is this Mayor guy?" he asked no one in particular. His hand moved to the radio, twisting the switch to put on music. He loved the jam so he increased the volume and sang along.
He took the last turn and rode right into the massive Mansion. The Chordis mansion was the biggest in town. The gate keeper had been informed of his arrival so he didn't have to do too much work. As he parked his truck, he opened the coffee cup and gulped down the content. He did this for the two cups; then he was ready to move.
He hopped down, his clothes straightened, his tie in place. He held his bag over his shoulder and strolled to the front door. The door opened and he walked in.
"Is anybody home?" He called out. The living room was two times the size of Old Ezekiel crusty house. It was white and decorated in gold murals. Mrs Chordis sure has taste.
"Good morning Neo isaiah." came the voice. He could hear her walk, it was slow and deliberate, like someone who loved keeping her guest waiting. The image on the wall got his attention. Nadia Chordis, the one and only child of the Chordis. Nobody really said anything about her. She was someone that kept a low profile. He looked at the image for too long, he could feel himself smiling. She was a brunette. Elizabeth was also a brunette.
"She has that effect on every person that walk in through that door." Mrs Chordis said as she got down the last stair. She smiled and stared at the picture with him. "She's beautiful just like her mother." She said again. Neo looked at her, he couldn't agree less. He cleared his throat and snatched his eyes off the image.
"You know why I'm here." He said with all seriousness.
"Do you know why you're here?" She looked at him and turned towards the living room.
"I'd be working as your financial advisor."
"Ezekiel sure told you. I don't need to brief you, do I?"
"Like you said; He told me everything." He smirked.
"Good. Your room is set." She said and picked up a book.
"Room?"
She sneered and crossed her legs. "Do you know how long I had to wait for you to arrive? You'd stay here and work for me. Lilian will show you your room. You're dismissed." She said and stood. "Work starts by 8. We'd be going to a gala tomorrow."
"That's not part of the work description. I'm your advisor not your escort."
"The door is that way."
He smiled. Chordis never played fair.
"Okay Mrs Chordis. We'll start tomorrow then. I'll need something to eat and a warm bath."
"Lilian will sort that out." She said and walked towards the other end of th
e living room. He exhaled. This is going to be a long ride. A really long one.