Robert Hayek was quite in the mood,he had ample reasons to be. This was the closure of a very high profile case that almost singlehandedly had brought down a notorious gang of drug dealers. After the enforcement of Exchange law everything on the world wasn't sugary and spicy. In fact some liminal criminals colluded with their human counterparts and formed formidable criminal gangs throughout the length and breadth of this peaceful country. So the laws forbidding physical contact between Liminals and Humans were revoked and Liminals got included in the umbrella term sentient-demihumans. Thus there was no practical differentiation between the man and the mon-kind and Law enforcement agencies were given the right to recruit suitable Liminal candidates.
Though Robert was in no mood to hog the spotlight all by himself, if it wasn't his shape-shifting partner Doppel then he couldn't have gotten this big piece of information. Doppel quite easily infiltrated into that "Organization" and got all the necessary infos to bust their asses. She periodically sent all the data to her human partner. But sharing the credit with Doppel would have been a technical Harakiri as that would have had compromised Doppel's cover. The mission was so important that only the chief director and Robert knew about this. That's why Robert felt a bit pity for his hardworking partner.
No sooner had Robert entered the office premises than his phone beeped. "Ah...it's from her, maybe a new piece of information, it's true when they say that Wicked doesn't rest." Robert swiped through the touch screen and opened his inbox.
The information startled him, "They got you, they're sending an assassin for you. It's a she and blind in right eye. Nothing more I know about her. I'll inform if I get something more on her."
Robert gulped, it was trouble in the worst possible form. It's a nightmare scenario, but Robert wasn't any pansy ass agent, he had something in his character which made him quite fearless. "Hmm..guess I've to be doubly sure about my surroundings."
A surprise was waiting for Robert in his office, his superior Kuroko Smith called for him. When he entered Ms. Smith's chamber he saw a stoutly (Muscular and gifted in certain areas) built Jinko sitting in front of his boss.
"Morning, Robert." Smith welcomed him.
Robert saluted Smith and returned the greeting.
"You know Robert, I've been promoted and transferred. This is my last day in this office, by the way meet Hannah Karnina, she will be your new boss." Smith introduced him to the Jinko. Seeing the Jinko's face a cold chill ran through the spine of Robert, she lacked the natural charm of her species. Her hard and determined face was made a bit scarier by the injury of her right eye. It was so deep that the spectacles failed to cover it up, though the right lens was quite opaque.
"Not a pretty face to look at, I know my limitations." the Jinko replied with a smile. Robert overcame the initial shock and saluted her and apologised for any unwarranted mistakes on his part.
"Such a gentle young man. You were lucky, Smith. By the way no need to be so formal with me." Hannah replied with a little smile.
"Robert, how about you give Hannah a tour?" Smith pleaded with puppy eyes.
Robert mentally rofled and outwardly replied, "At once, Ma'm"
Hannah was an enthusiastic observer. She showed great interest in the chemical lab and ballistics experiment lab. She looked very pleased with the staff and the facilities. Her kind and generous nature made her an instant hit with the staff, despite her rough looks.
Robert was guiding Hannah towards the office as the tour had already come to an end, suddenly a remark from Hannah astonished Robert, "Hey Robert, I didn't see your partner, Doppel. Is she on a leve?"
"Yes, she is. Some family trouble popped up in her homeland and she had to take three moths leave, probably it might take a bit longer than that." Robert managed to keep a poker face while giving the answer, any hint about Doppel's whereabouts is a big no-no.
"I see." she replied.
But something was in her voice which suggested that she didn't believe in the veracity of his statement.
The rest of the day was more or less uneventful but one incident stood out. It was Smith's farewell party and the whole department plus Hannah were busy celebrating it.A drunken Smith grabbed Robert's shoulder and murmured something in his ear, her hot breath on his ear lobes was a bit turn-onish thing but her statement marred the moment.
"Robert, stay away from Hannah. That woman is nothing but trouble, her last partner was killed on action and she was in coma for One year due to an injury in the same mission." Smith was going to blurt out more but a very obstinate and drunk co-worker dragged her away.
Suddenly Robert felt an ominous pressure as if someone was crushing his very essence, his peripheral vision helped him to see that, Hannah was glaring at him. The reflection on her right spectacle lens and the intense glare on her left eye paralleled an arch demon.
The party was over around Eight, Hannah took the responsibility on her shoulder to escort Smith to her home. Robert had suggested to accompany the ladies, but both vehemently turned him down. Robert eventually relented and after concluding the parting greetings Robert was on his way back.
A thought quickly ran through his mind, "What if, is this Hannah is the assassin? The way in which she was glaring me during the party and the way she had been asking about Doppel makes her very suspicious."
Robert's flat was located on the fourth floor, so it was quite natural for him to take a pause before ascending stairs. Robert hated elevators, he always championed a healthier lifestyle and ascending staircases was a good treadmill exercise for him.
Upon reaching on the fourth floor Robert was going towards his flat. His flat was the farthest from the stairs, but something in the path caught his attention. Flat no-402 was unlocked. The previous owner moved elsewhere and since last two months the entrance had been padlocked. "Hmm...a new guy has moved in, huh good for him."
Suddenly something collided with Robert and the next thing was him bumping his head on the floor. A worried face greeted him when he opened his eyes, his head was almost dizzy due to the sudden impact. A lithe Hellhound was bending on his body and he was lying on his back, he felt soft fur on his cheeks.
"Are you ok Mister? I'm really sorry, I tripped over the doorsill and crashed right into you." Robert waved his hand to indicate his well being.
The lithe and alluring hellhound breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up her spectacles, which was thrown onto the floor due to that impact. A sudden thing caught Robert's eye. Her right eye showed no movement and was prosthetic. Being a Detective of special branch Robert was well versed in his trade and he could have bet the last penny of his purse on the fact that "Her right eye was prosthetic."
"Are you sure that you're ok?" the seemingly concerned Hellhound jerked him a little. Robert got up and thanked her for her concern.
"I'm Rebeka Watts, I'm teacher in the newly opened "Hope's peak Elementary." Nice to meet you." the Hellhound shook Robert's hand.
"I'm Robert Jonson, I work in the share market. Nice to meet you." In the apartment nobody knew about his profession, staying invisible in the public domain was a necessary and sufficient requirement.
After bading each other Good Night the duo departed. Rebeka went downwards while Robert entered his flat, suddenly something sparked in his mind. Each and every flat on the fourth floor had the exactly same layout and there was no doorsill in his flat.
"Shit she lied and she had a prosthetic eye, is she the assassin? But would an assassin like her show me her identification mark, wait a second she might even not know that I've a source planted in the organization? No-no I've to investigate her too, then again the chief also looks suspicious." Robert felt that his headache is coming back, suddenly his phone beeped again, it was Doppel, "Sry, no info on her though she's an extraspecies and a very dangerous one."
Robert locked the main door and flung himself on the bed, he was done for the day.
Robert woke up with a refreshed mind. The tensions of the previous night were purged from his mind. He started the day with a positive vibe, answering his natural calls, then getting a refreshing bath and a exhilarating shave to kick-off his day. He gobbled up his oat-meal and boiled egg whites. Then he finished the glass of skimmed milk. A taking a belch of satisfaction he went brushed his teeth and got dressed for office. He couldn't help but chuckle about his thoughts of the previous day.
The Office was rhythmically boring and no new updates came from Doppel. Chief Hannah asked him to brief her on some ongoing cases which he did with elegance. The lunch-break gave offered him a good opportunity to get his fill from the newly opened Sea-food restaurant.
Upon entering the place a bunny-girl welcomed him and ushered him to a table and took his orders promptly. Robert was little astonished about the gathered crowd in the eatery. The place was nicely built with sofa cushions replacing chairs and tables were circular instead of squarish.
He had ordered Fish and Chips. Robert enjoyed this dish more than anything. He saw a Mantis girl bringing in his orders, suddenly a rustic and uncouth man pinched the waitresses butt cheek. The waitress ignored him and delivered the order to his(Robert) table, on her way while returning she promptly grabbed the collar of the indecent man and with a single arm throw threw him right through the open door to the pavement. The man looked angry but after assessing his situation he retreated and ran away.
The waitress looked directly into Robert's eyes, he could see that her right eye was under an eye patch; in a steely cold voice she replied "As you sow, so you reap. By the way I'm Karen Warthington, have a nice day sir and no butt-pinching." She bowed to him.
It was Deja-vu all over again.