Good evening. Here is chapter 11. Next chapter…the Jonny and Jessie encounter! Can't wait. We are almost half way through!
TJ12398: I'm so glad you like this story. The entire story had been in my head for over a year before I actually put it on paper. I thought for a while about even writing it since this sight is not as active as my Voltron one (which is what I mainly write). But, I'm so appreciative for your support and reviews. Thank you very much. I'm glad you liked the Phoenix scene. It was hard to write. Not sure how many times I rewrote it. Anyways, thank you for your continuous support. Looking forward to your next chapter.
Jdcocoagirl: Jessie is a smart girl, let's see what you think of her after this story is over. This couple is going to surprise you. Hope you like it. Thank you so much for reading. We are almost half way through.
Anatolie: Wow. What can I tell you…I'm speechless too! I guess I better keep writing and you reading. LOL!
Playlist:
Brink: Fesliyanstudios
Conspiracy: Fesliyanstudios
Chapter 11
It took DR128 a little more than two and a half hours to get back to the city. He arrived to his hotel room and slept soundly for a few hours before going out for his morning run. He was used to sleeping short intervals; his body accustomed to it. After the run, the young man went back to his room, showered walked downstairs to the hotel's restaurant where he had a light breakfast and then drove over to a men's store to buy a tuxedo. On assignments prior to this one, everything had been provided by the agency or delivered. This time, however, Master authorized him to use a credit card to get what he needed. It was as if it didn't matter who would see him there. Just another reason why he thought this assignment was strange to him. As much as he wanted to bail, he needed to finish his assignment to find out what to do next. He knew the risks. It wouldn't take long for the agency to find out what he'd done to the other operative. But, he had to also find out it it was Master who had sent the order for the assassination. He had a hard time believing it, but he still couldn't dismiss it. Either way, he'd find out soon enough.
He parked the car and walked inside. Almost immediately, he was confronted by salesman. He was an older looking gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a receding hairline. He smiled. With straight white teeth and a tailored suit, he offered his greeting, "Good morning, how may I help you today?"
"I'm looking for a tuxedo," he answered in a perfect English accent. "I have a friend from Oxford getting married tonight."
"And you are looking for one now?" the older man looked at him with a strange gaze.
"Well, the chap is a rather spontaneous fellow," DR128 answered with a chuckle. "Fell in love with one of my lab partners, a pretty American from the university I attend and well...he's quite smitten with her. They're my friends and I'm the best man…what can I tell you? I think they are both crazy, but who am I to say anything."
The older man laughed, "Tell your friend that romance is wonderful, but let's hope he's ready for reality."
Smiling, the young man shrugged, "We'll soon see, won't we?" The accent was flawless. No one would have ever suspected he faked it.
"Let me show you what we have," the man replied as the two walked further into the establishment. "My name is Elliot, by the way. Fear not, I'll get you ready for your friend's wedding. By the way, what's your name kid?
He remembered the name on his other credit card, the one from the agency, "Aidan," he raised hand and shook the older man's hand firmly as he smiled, "Aidan. Aidan Summers."
XXXXXXXXXX
"So, what am I supposed to do now?" Claire answered as she and Jessie walked into the Questworld lab at the lighthouse.
"Well, I need to tamper with Phoenix, but the only way I can do it is if I do it inside Questworld. I need you to monitor me from the outside," Jessie responded as she sat down at controls to load the program.
"And just how am I supposed to do that?" Claire asked with a raised brow, "Jessie, I have no idea how to do use any of this equipment?"
Jessie didn't even look up, "I'll set up everything. All you need to do is keep looking at the readings on this screen," she pointed it out a screen in front of her, "If any of these numbers on the first column reach a 101.599 then press this button. It will log me off Questworld immediately."
"Why do you have to be inside to alter Phoenix?"
"Phoenix is running slow inside QuestWorld. I can run the specs from the inside and see what works. Then, once I figure out which specs work best, I can set up the program from the outside. The problem is that I don't want to overload the program. That's why I need your help. You can be my eyes on the outside," Jessie simply replied.
Nodding, but still a bit confused, Claire sighed, "Alright. I think I get it. All I have to do is look over that first column on the screen and make sure that the numbers don't go over 101.5…"
"Nine Nine," Jessie finished. "That's all Claire."
"Ok," she nodded. "So, when do we begin?"
"Let me just…." Jessie's brows knitted together as she found something very unexpected, "Damn it!"
"What?"
"QuestWorld…it's not letting Phoenix in…."
"What do you mean?" Claire walked closer to the screen, "You were just in there last night."
"I know," Jessie nodded, "It must have put up a barrier….damn! Do you know how long it will take me to disengage the barrier?"
"Okay….I'm confused again."
Jessie ran her hand through her hair to push it back, "When another program is entered onto QuestWorld without Doctor Quest's authorization code, it will ask for a code when it is uploaded a second time."
"Didn't you know this?"
She sighed, "Yes….no. Honestly, in my excitement last night, I completely forgot about this feature. It's not like we upload things all the time….damn it."
"Can you do anything about it?" Claire asked as she sat down next to Jessie.
"Yes, but this is going to take me some time. I'm not sure what the code is. I turned off everything last night without looking, but I know how to break it."
"Well, what do you need from me?"
"At this moment…patience," Jessie answered typing in a command. "Just make sure I don't do anything to me. I feel like beating the crap out of me right now. I'm so stupid!"
"Jessie…"
The red head looked at her friend, "Claire, just….grab a notebook and a pen…you're going to have to help me break the code."
XXXXXXXXXX
Moscow, Russia 5:00pm
The group landed at 4am in the morning and was greeted by Ethan Grant who drove them straight to the hotel where the recording took place. Benton wanted to begin the investigation immediately, but Ethan suggested they rested and get settled. He also advised that his men wouldn't report until later that morning, so it would be better for them to get some sleep. Dr. Quest wasn't keen on the idea, but he nodded curtly and did as told. Surprisingly, managed to sleep even more.
By noon, they regrouped in the lobby of the hotel. Grant brought in two of his CSI agents who, as they discussed the case, clean swept the hotel room where Jonny stayed that night. Unfortunately, between the time Jonny stayed and the time the recording made their way to them, a couple had stayed in that same room. CSI had a lot of work to do.
In the lobby, while the CSI team worked, the rest of the group planned the first phase.
"Early this morning I went around the hotel trying to see if anyone had any interactions with Jonathan," Ethan began as the group listened, "I didn't get much. Some had a vague memory of him at most. Seems like they remembered him, but had no important interaction with him."
"But was it him?" Race asked.
"That would be the first thing we would need to determine," Zack answered. "If the CSI team gets a fingerprint sample, we should have an exact identification."
"How long do you think it will take for us to get some answers?" Benton asked as a server came over with some carafe of coffee and four mugs.
"Benton," Ethan shrugged, "I'm not sure. They have to really dig in deep to find a print. You have to remember that the hotel staff has cleaned that room and there was a couple of stayed after him…it's going to take as long as it takes."
Agreeing, but not comforted, Dr. Quest sighed and nodded, "I understand Ethan. It's just very frustrating. What's next?"
"Well," the English man replied, "While the team works the room, I thought that maybe Race and Zack can take the Square. Maybe they can find someone who saw him. A vendor, perhaps. You and I could go back to I-1 headquarters. I'd like to get your perspective on the assassination case I'm working on."
"Ethan, I came here for my son‒"
"If your son is involved in this, he'll need all the help he can. You'll need to help me," Ethan replied firmly.
"He's right, Benton," Zack offered.
"Benton, go with Ethan," Race gave him a small nod. "Zack and I will keep you posted as soon as we find something."
Nodding, Dr. Quest sighed. He'd have to exercise the one thing he least had in a situation like this—patience.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hadji read over a report that had to be signed by his father, or him, in case his father was unavailable. Since the report had to go to the board for review, he made sure to read it a few times before signing and giving it back to Veronica.
His father's office was much larger than his and he felt it was always hard to concentrate when he worked from there. But the two of them decided that in order for the staff and the board to see him as an equal to Dr. Quest, certain protocols needed to be established. One being the use of the CEO's office when he wasn't there. From that moment, every board meeting, every director meeting, pretty much every interaction with leaders at headquarters would be take in the CEO's office with Hadji at the helm. It would establish that Hadji was in fact the acting leader and that he was in fact equal to the rest of the senior leadership.
Unfortunately, he hated working from that office. It was too big and too distracting. Hadji was surprised at times how his father worked. Benton Quest could concentrate even if they dropped him off in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Day. Hadji preferred silence and simplicity. His father's office offered neither. The screens were always on, the computer kept beeping notifying him of incoming mail and Veronica interrupted him every fifteen minutes with briefings of his upcoming meetings, conference calls that he needed to listen to and stock updates that needed to be reviewed.
After being in the office for well over an hour, he called in Veronica to mute the television screen with the CNN channel playing. Dr. Quest also liked listening to the news while he worked. He was on his third reading of the report when Veronica walked in, "Hadji, we have to get started on reviewing the guest list for tonight's event."
"I know Veronica," he answered as Veronica took a seat across from him. She was an attractive woman in her late 40's with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. She had been working for Dr. Quest for well over seven years and had literally become his right hand woman in everything pertaining to the company. "I was not aware that the board wanted this report today."
"I completely understand," she answered with a sigh. "The board likes playing this crap every time your father goes out on business. It's like they want to catch him with his hand in the cookie jar. Don't worry, the report will satisfy their requests. The company is doing better than expected. Revenue is up and they'll be happy to know that your father hired a string theorist for Project Universe."
"Then, should I stop reading this?" he said looking up at her. She sat right in front of the TV screen, but being a rather large screen, Hadji noticed the new report. It seemed like a cabin completely burned beyond recognition. The banner of on the bottom of the screen read, 'Retreat Cabin Burns in a Blaze of Glory." His gaze momentarily on the screen as he watched the cabin burn.
"Hadji?"
He snapped back to really and looked at her, "Sorry. What was it you said?"
"I said that you shouldn't be worried," she continued, "The report is fine. Let's worry about tonight's event. Okay?"
Nodding, he answered, "Okay."
XXXXXXXXXX
The Red Square was full of tourist walking by taking pictures, shopping and enjoying the sights around them. Race and Zack had shown Jonny's picture to several vendors around the area, but no one made a positive identification.
"We are looking for a needle in the haystack," Race commented as they walked out of yet another store.
"Do you know how many people visit this tourist sight on a given day?" Zack asked with a small smile.
"I know," Race sighed, "I'm must getting antsy."
"Listen, we've been doing this for the past hour and a half," Zack answered, "Why don't we take a break?"
"What do you mean?" Race asked looking back at him.
"Phil wanted me to check out where the first UN diplomat was killed. Maybe I could provide him something from this end, while we are here."
"Can't hurt," Race nodded, "Where?"
"That way," Zack said pointing at the large church on the far end of the street.
The two men walked toward the curiously designed church. "The hit happened by the steps of this building across from the church. From Grant's report, they believe the shooter must have been by the church bell."
Race looked around. Then, he looked at the bell tower of the church. It was the perfect place to house the sniper. "What did forensics find?"
"Nothing. According the Grant, the area was sparkling clean."
"Bull!"
Zack shook his head, "I'm not kidding Bannon. They found nothing. Absolutely nothing."
"I've never seen anything like this," Race replied still looking around the area as the passerby's walked around him. "Zack," he said looking at his friend, "It's like we reach a dead end each time."
"Don't start thinking that way Race," his friend walked up to him, "It's only been a day. You can't loose your patience so early in the game."
"Yeah, I know. I guess I'm just tired," Race admonished. Suddenly, his gaze fell to an older man playing his guitar a few feet away from the church. He walked toward him.
"Race?" Zack called out his companion before suddenly following him toward the old man. The old man stopped playing as he watched the white haired man walk toward him.
"Sir, do you speak English?" Race asked.
The old man looked at Race in question, but nodded slowly, "English?" he asked in a heavy Russian tone. "English, yes. A little."
Race pulled a picture of the surveillance video. It had been zoomed in and cleaned for clarity. Jonny's face was seen clearly. "Have you seen this young man around here?"
The old man looked at the picture for a long moment, as if trying to remember. Then, his eyes snapped at Race, "The musician."
"Musician?"
"Yes," the old man nodded, "Young man with guitar. He's musician, no?"
Race didn't know what to answer. Instead, he asked again, "So you have seen him? When?"
The man thought for a moment, before explaining in a heavy Russian accent, "Some time ago. Maybe a week or two? I remember the hair …color of sun. My daughter's дружок has the same yellow hair."
"Your daughter's…"
"дружок," the old man tried to find the word in English for them, "дружок, дружок! They live together. He is the boy she lives with."
"Is he the boyfriend?" Zack asked.
"Yes!" the old man screamed. "Boyfriend!"
Trying to get back to the conversation, Race asked, "So you saw this young man a week ago? Here? At the square?"
"Yes," the old man nodded, "Right here. By church. With guitar."
"Thank you," Race said. Giving the man some money, which he was grateful for. Both men began walking back to the center of the square. "He was here. Zack, Jonny was here."
"No," Zack corrected him. "The young man on that picture was here and we don't know if it is Jonny yet."
Race stayed quiet.
"But we did find one thing."
"What's that?"
"This young man was around the exact place where our UN Ambassador was killed," Zack answered, "The old man saw him by the church. With a guitar? I'm guessing it was a guitar case where he hid the gun that killed the ambassador."
"You may be right."
"Race, part of me hopes to God this kid isn't Jonny. Because if he is, he is knee deep in well...you know."
Race maintained his silence, but he thought the same thing.
XXXXXXXXX
DR128 had just walked in to his hotel room with the tuxedo on hand when his cell phone rang. It had taken him almost the two hours to pick the damn thing and then get it altered on the spot. He picked it up immediately, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do, "I'm listening."
"I need to ask you a question."
DR128 remained silent, but he felt the shock in his system. Just the person he didn't want to speak to.
"Did you cause that fire at that retreat cabin on Emerson?" Master asked with a firm tone.
"I did not," he lied.
"The way the fire was lit, makes me believe otherwise DR128. It is a technique taught by the agency."
He had to keep appearances; at least as much as he could until he disappeared for good, "I did not start the fire at the cabin Master."
"DR128, I don't care if you did. There will be no repercussions if you did it. I just want to know the reason as to this."
For the first time in his life, he wanted to say more, to explain, but he couldn't. He couldn't trust this man at this moment. He could very well have been the same man that was trying to kill him. DR128 took a deep breath, thinking, planning. He had to act fast. This is almost done. I have to see this through before disappearing….
"Did you do this?" Master asked again more firmly.
"No," he finally answered, trying to conceal any feeling from being let out in his voice, "Master, I did not start that fire in the cabin."
"Very well," the Master replied with a sigh. "Proceed as planned. I will meet you in Amsterdam once you leave the US later tonight."
"Yes Master," DR128 answered calmly.
"I'll see you soon, son," he man said before finally hanging up.
DR128 stared at the screen of his phone. The initial plan was to disappear, but now, he didn't know. If he disappeared, they'd find him sooner or later. Maybe it was better to meet the Master in Amsterdam. If he wanted to live in peace and truly disappear, he'd need to cut the problem from the root. He'd have to kill Master, if in fact, it was him that ordered the kill.
XXXXXXXXXX
It had been almost two hours and the girls had not been able to crack the code that would get them into Questworld. Jessie's eyes focused on the screen as typed furiously, "Damn it!"
"Jess‒"
"Shh!" she continued working, "I think I got it…" Jessie continued typing away, until she heard once again the tone that notified her that the code was incorrect. "Aaargghh!"
"Jessie!"
"What!"
"Take a break," Claire ordered. "We've been at this for at least two hours."
"Claire, if you want to take a break, go ahead," she said firmly as she turned around and faced her friend. "I can do this on my own."
"I'm not saying that!" Claire countered. "I'm just saying that perhaps we should take the time that we have left and use it more productively. You are wasting time and you're getting so frustrated it's inhibiting your progress."
Sighing in frustration, Jessie asked as she completely turned around and faced her friend, "What do you have in mind?"
"Have you asked yourself why Jonny was in that club?"
Looking at her friend intently, Jessie answered, "Why do you ask that?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking as you've been typing away," Claire began. "And I asked myself, why would someone who has been missing for five years suddenly show up, out of the blue, to a public place such as Oasis? And, what a coincidence that he shows up at the same night a UN Ambassador's son is assassinated in the same place."
"I'm not sure I understand what you‒"
"Don't play dumb with me, Red," Claire said firmly. "What did you see at that club? I didn't hear you say anything the night that Agent Corvin questioned us, but I'm sure you know more. Tell me."
"Claire—"
"I'm with you all the way," Claire put her hand on her friend's shoulder, "But, you have to let me in."
Quiet for a moment, Jessie finally let out a sigh, "Fine." She took a pause and began, "That night…he appeared out of nowhere. I was dancing with…" Jessie shook her head. "Claire, I saw him walk up to me…then…he was gone again and Stephano was on the floor."
With a gasp, Claire answered in a whisper, "Jonny killed Stephano."
Jessie nodded, "But Claire, there has to be a reason! Jonny would never do something like this. He was probably pushed into doing it."
"By whom?" her friend asked.
"I…I'm not sure! But I have to find out. There's a reason he was taken, I have to find out why."
Quiet for a moment, Claire finally said, "I just had another thought."
"What is it?"
"Well," she nodded curtly as if thinking while talking, "If Jonny was here to kill Remini…would it be safe to say, he's also here to whack someone else or maybe do something else? The UN ball is tonight. Maybe his job isn't done. If he still here, maybe he'll be at the ball tonight."
"You think?" Jessie asked realizing what Claire had just said.
"I'm not sure," Claire responded frankly. "But, who is to say that the chance isn't there?"
XXXXXXXXXX
Benton read over the reports lying on the table, but from time to time he ended up looking up on the display board across the room. In it, two pictures: One was an artist representation of a young man with brown hair. The other was a picture of his son, or at least a young man who looked identical to his son. Worse, he was a suspect in the murder of a UN Ambassador.
He stood up, walking closer to the board, studying the picture. He looked so much like Jonny. He was taller and much more built. Whoever took him built him beautifully. His hair was longer with a youthful style. Shaggy with razored edges. His bangs were swept to the side and the sides were left longer than others. His brows were thick and blonde and his eyes…
"Just as blue as Rachel's," Benton whispered to himself as he looked closer at the picture. He looked like any other young man, but those blue eyes held a darkness that raised the hairs off the back of Benton's neck.
"I'm sorry, Benton," he heard Ethan's voice as he walked in. "I received a call from Race and Zack, they found something. They are on their way up."
"What did they find?" Benton asked as he turned around and walked back to the table.
"Not sure," the English man answered. "They didn't tell me. But it has to be important. I thought they'd be out on the square for a lot longer."
A minute or two later, both men walked in the room. Zack was the first to speak, "We didn't find much, but we ran into a musician who identified a young man fitting Jonny's description."
"Really? Benton looked interested, "What else did he tell you?"
"He saw the kid around the same area the UN diplomat was killed," Zack continued. "He was also carrying a guitar case, by the church you believe the sniper hid."
"So now we have a possible identification of young man, eighteen to twenty-two, blonde hair and blue eyes," Ethan stated, "Same kid from the hotel.""Who happens to look a lot like your son, Benton," Zack responded with a grave tone.
"Zack," Benton's eyes widened, "You can't possibly think it's really Jon-
Zack was about to answer when a cell phone rang. Ethan took the phone off his pocket, "This is Grant." The other three men stood looking at Ethan as he spoke on the phone, "Yes, I understand. Thanks." He hung up and looked at the other three men in the room. "That was CSI. After going over the room, they found some DNA."
The men remained quiet.
"DNA matched a Jonathan Benton Quest."