Chapter 12 The Mystery of the Omega
Monday, February 21st. Magnus Mansion, 9:00 a.m.
Lev was in the room where Nikon was hospitalized. To everyone's relief, he was recovering quickly thanks to the skills his animal side provided. Adrik would only leave his side to wash, as he refused to leave him to tend to his wounds and needs himself.
-Well, your wound is healing properly, which is a good sign. No infection, no bleeding - Lev recites as he changes the bandage, then smiles affectionately -. You gave us all a scare, you moron. Next time be more careful.
-Wow, I love your words of love, sweetheart - he mocks, complaining about the pain when he tries to move carelessly -. We were hit right in the balls, taken by surprise. If not for Yaakov, I don't think we have all made it back - he confesses seriously.
-Do you think it could have been Rocco? - Lev requests, disposing of the waste in the trash can -. At the meeting, you said you didn't have a good feeling about the guy.
-We haven't completely discarded that possibility. But Yaakov seems to have confirmed that Abelard Kirchner is the conductor of the orchestra - Adrik adds, sitting by Nikon's bed.
-Is that so? How? - Lev questions with growing curiosity, he was always the last to know the magnitude of events and plans of the organization. Even Fred, who spent most of his time in the arsenal, knew first.
-Maxim captured one of Kirchner's minions before he could run away and made him sing. It seems that, according to the poor sucker, it was Kirchner who hired the hacker to infiltrate our database and obtain the necessary information about the embarkation's mission - Adrik ends up, crossing his legs.
-Well, well. Finally, the old man pulls out his claws - Lev mocks, smiling maliciously -. I wonder what Magnus will think of this, surely it will give him the little push he needed to send that decrepit old man to hell.
Just then, the door of the room opens, letting in a powerful beam of light, revealing a tall, corpulent figure standing as if it were a fucking horror movie. The three members of The Gang turn their attention to the door, surprised to discover (and there the horror was real and not faked like a low-budget thriller) who it was.
-What decrepit old man do you mean?
Control Room, 9:25 a.m.
Yaakov was sitting next to Reiji, lost in the task of getting as much information as possible about this King Phantom. Since yesterday afternoon they started and the only thing they have obtained is very poor data, all mostly gossip created by people who supposedly worked with or for him.
It's like the guy's a ghost or a hallucination, which in itself was a colossal irony. Maybe that's why he chose such a nickname to establish his reputation.
-Fuck! - Yaakov exclaims in exasperation, scaring the Omega a little bit with his sudden outburst -. How is it possible that we didn't even manage to get a fucking picture? Can the bastard teleport or some shit like that? He should have at least an address, some article, a fucking document, some fucking thing, Reiji - he jumps up to walk around the room -. Either the fucking goon of Kirchner lied to me or the so-called King is really the most elusive guy I've ever seen.
-I've searched in the police database, in different departmental areas of Saratov, in hospitals around the city... Nothing, boss - he admits with resignation -. I couldn't find anything - Yaakov keeps going around, stops just to light a cigarette, and then starts walking again.
-There has to be a way, something we must be missing, someplace where we're not looking - he gestures with his open palms as he tries to express himself -. Something, Reiji! There has to be something!
-Hold on, boss... - intervenes, the mechanisms of his mind spinning -. There's a place. A clandestine site I discovered recently, it's not very well known as it's relatively new and besides it's not easy to find - typing commands into the computer with a speed that humans would envy, it reaches the destination -. Here, boss. This is it.
On one of the monitors, a web page was displayed, designed with a completely black background, most of the paragraphs highlighted in red or white, giving it a sinister and gloomy look. There were sold or auctioned an infinite number of illegalities, some of which even Yaakov himself was astonished to discover.
Between drugs, arms trafficking, organs, people, and even fucking cakes made of human flesh. What the fuck? That was repulsive even for him.
-Shit, Reiji... This doesn't look like anything new - without trying to hide the amazement he felt -. There are thousands and thousands of offers. Are you sure we can find this King here?
-Oh, no. The page is new, boss. Only it seems that the word has spread quite fast among allies - he informs, going to the end of the site -. Look - he points with a finger -. It was created only three months ago - then he clicked on the search bar -. I will try to enter the name of the hacker.
True to his word, he enters "King Phantom" in the search globe promptly. They both take an insecure look at each other before Reiji presses "enter" and the results are presented. To their surprise, an ad that meets the criteria symbolizes a reward.
-Holy shit, Reiji. You were right! - celebrates the Alpha with a smile, squeezing the Omegas shoulders with both hands -. Let's see who the fucker is.
Reiji enters the link, with equal amounts of excitement and nervousness squirming in his stomach. It was like a kind of curriculum, which was the last thing they both expected to find, detailing the skills in which he specializes, emphasizing "security systems hacking" as the most relevant.
«I found you, motherfucker», thought the Alpha, already creating a bunch of macabre scenarios to torture him.
-Does he provide any method of contact? - Reiji quickly reads the information in the ad before responding.
-Yes, boss. An e-mail address is all he has. Maybe we can pretend to be a client and try to contact him.
-That's exactly what I was thinking and that's exactly what we'll do - adds, sitting next to him again -. You will write him a message telling that you need to access the database of an important businessman, but that it is extremely important to discuss the details in person - he orders enthusiastically -. Write to him now, see if responds.
He watches anxiously as his request is skillfully obeyed. When the message has been sent and both are waiting for a reply, Yaakov extinguishes the flame from his cigarette end in the ashtray on the desk. A couple of long, tiresome seconds go by and the sound of a new message startles them.
-He answered! - Reiji shouts fervently -. He says: "Greetings, I regret to inform you that I do not usually meet personally with my clients. All my work is done through this medium for reasons of my safety. If you are willing, it is no problem for me. I wait for your reply"- When Reiji finishes speaking, he looks expectantly at Yaakov -. What now, boss?
-Write this down... - Reiji nods, ready to obey -. "I understand your concern, since like you, I also have an identity to protect. But the job details I have to offer you are of high importance, as my target has close relationships with people related to politics. I'm sure you understand the seriousness of the matter".
Once ready, Yaakov sighs when a new answer appears with diligent speed.
-He says, "Wow, I must admit you caught me off guard. It's not the kind of job I'm usually hired for. How did you find me?"
«Fuck», Yaakov thinks annoyed. He couldn't tell him that someone recommended him, he would ask who the person was, and he couldn't risk losing his confidence by giving a wrong or unconvincing answer. He had to figure out another way to convince him.
-Alright - rubbing his palms together, giving a concise structure to the sentence in his mind before dictating it to Reiji -. Tell him that you are a member of a major political party and that you have access to documents that are not of public knowledge. That it is because of the extreme delicacy of the matter that you need him, that you have decided to contact him.
They repeat the procedure again and this time the answer comes even faster.
-He says, "If you have access to such important paperwork then why do you need me? Looks like you can handle everything yourself."
-You think you're so clever, don't you? - Yaakov murmurs to himself -. Tell him you don't want to risk being linked to the crime. That if you could have done it, you would have taken care of it long ago to save him the trouble - he pauses briefly -. Tell him also that he will decide the price, no matter how many zeros there are.
A minute goes by, then two, another five are gone. And so, until ten whole minutes are lost and King Phantom's response shines by its absence. Yaakov was beginning to fear that he would not respond, until for his luck and indescribable comfort, a computer message rang again.
-Says: "The site must be completely discreet and without passersby. I don't meet in open spaces or dark places. I have attached a contact number where you can send me the details of the meeting. I must warn you: it won't be cheap at all"- Reiji finish reciting -. Here's the number, boss. I'll pass the information on to your phone.
-Perfect - smiles, getting up to head for the exit -. I'll take care of the rest. Make sure you pass everything to Magnus as well.
-Yes, boss - the Omega nods gladly, the sound of his fingers crashing into the keyboard is the last thing Yaakov hears before closing the door behind him.
He took long strides through the corridors of The Mansion towards the bedroom where he knew Nikon was resting. Lev had assured him that he was stable, but he couldn't help but be vigilant anyway. As he got closer, he froze. «This smell...», he thought, a chill running down his spine.
That familiar penetrating smell of rain and forest could only belong to one person. His body automatically went into a state of tension, moving so slowly towards the place he thought he would never reach it. Taking the doorknob, turning it slowly, he finally opened it.
-At last, you show up, Yaakov.