With everything going on I never for once thought anything could get to me these deep, especially an associate with charisma and most especially a competitive one.
The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd built walls around myself, insulated myself from the chaos, and yet, someone like Alexander Lancaster could still manage to get under my skin. It wasn't just his charisma or his confidence that grated on me - it was the fact that he was a reminder that I wasn't as untouchable as I thought.
A competitive one, at that. We'd clashed before, our personalities and interests at odds. But I'd never thought it would come to this. Hospitalized? What had happened to him?
I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the call. "Sarah, tell me everything," I said, my voice firm and commanding. "What happened to Alexander Lancaster?"
__i got up and tidied up myself and rushed out the safe house without a word to any of my colleagues to meet Sarah in the hospital.
AT THE HOSPITAL.
As Sarah's words painted a vivid picture in my mind, I couldn't help but think about the darkness that lurked in the shadows of our city. Alexander Lancaster, a man known for his sharp instincts and calculated moves, had fallen victim to a brutal attack. The image of him lying in a hospital bed, his usual confidence and charisma temporarily silenced, was a stark reminder that no one was completely safe from the diabolical minded citizens who roamed our streets.
The attack had happened so suddenly, catching Alexander off guard despite his experience and training. It was a sobering thought, one that made me realize just how unpredictable and dangerous our world could be. The streets that were supposed to be familiar and safe had turned treacherous, and Alexander was now paying the price.
As I processed the news, my mind began to wander to the possibilities of who could have committed such a heinous act. Was it a random mugging gone wrong, or was there something more sinister at play? The questions swirled in my head, demanding answers that seemed elusive at the moment.
I looked at Sarah, my expression grim. "Do we know anything about the attacker?" I asked, my voice low and even. "Was it just a random act of violence, or is there more to it?"
Sarah's expression mirrored my own concerns. "From what the police have gathered, it seems like the attacker had a specific target in mind. They knew exactly what they were doing."
The implications were clear: this wasn't just a crime of opportunity; it was calculated. And that realization sent a chill down my spine. In our line of work, you had to be prepared for anything, but moments like these were a harsh reminder of the risks we took every day.
" Where is he? Is he awake?" Asking Sarah who nodded, obliging we go in.
I followed Sarah to Alexander's room, my footsteps quiet on the hospital floor. As we approached the door, I could feel a mix of curiosity and apprehension building up inside me. What would I find when I saw him? Would he even remember me?
Sarah pushed open the door, and I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on Alexander. He was lying in bed, his face bruised and swollen, but his eyes were open, fixed intently on the ceiling. For a moment, I thought he hadn't noticed us, but then his gaze shifted, and our eyes met.
A spark of recognition flared in his eyes, followed by a hint of surprise, and then, a mask of calmness slid into place. It was a familiar look, one that I'd seen many times before – a mixture of vulnerability and guarded emotions.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and rough, likely from the medication or the impact. "I see you're still talking to me, despite everything."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his comment. "You know me, Alexander. I'm not one to hold grudges... unless you're the one who owes me money." I smiled, trying to lighten the mood, but my eyes lingered on his bruised face, concern etched on my face. "How are you feeling?"
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in their depths despite the pain etched on his face. "I don't think I owe you any money, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to have to pay you for your nursing services."
I chuckled, the sound coming out a bit rough. "You can add it to the bill, along with the interest on all the emotional distress you've caused me."
Sarah, who had been quietly observing the exchange, cleared her throat. "I think I'll leave you two to catch up. I'll go check on the security footage and see if we can get any leads on the attacker."
Alexander's gaze followed her, his expression turning serious. "Good. I want to know everything about what happened. Whoever did this isn't going to get away with it."
As Sarah left the room, the atmosphere shifted, becoming more intense. Alexander's eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the weight of his injuries and the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him.
"So, what really happened?" I asked, my voice low and even. "Don't give me any of your usual spin, Alexander. I want the truth."
Alexander's jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer. But then, he began to speak, his voice measured and controlled. "I was out with a... friend. We were walking, and someone came out of nowhere. That's all I remember until I woke up here."
" Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you?" I asked sitting down on a chair beside him.
" Not really Waller." He answered with a tone of disapproval.
His answer gave me an opening to the matter.
" And this friend of yours, where is he?" I asked with my voice steadier than ever.
" It's a female. And she left not long ago." He answered.
__"Ah, a female friend, huh?" I said, my tone neutral, but my interest piqued. "And she just left? Did she seem... shaken up or anything?"
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, and I could tell he was replaying the events in his mind. "She was concerned, but... I don't think she was involved, if that's what you're thinking."
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm just gathering information, Alexander. I don't have any conclusions yet. What's her name?"
There was a brief hesitation before he answered, "Sophia. Her name is Sophia."
I nodded, making a mental note. "I'll look into it. See if I can find out anything about this Sophia and what happened last night."
As I stood up to leave, Alexander's hand shot out, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. "Waller, keep this discreet. I don't want this getting out any more than it already has."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the level of concern in his voice. "You're worried about your reputation, Lancaster? Or is there something more to it?"
Alexander's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes intense. "Just keep it quiet, Waller. For now."
I nodded trying to walk out the door when he added.
" What's your motive? What are you planning? And lastly why help me?"
" Dear Alex, I think your little stroll with the friend of yours isn't just a couple evening. Maybe you were in too deep, and it was time to shut you up__" I was about leaving the room when it hit me__" you might want to avoid visitors, never going to know who put a hit on you.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my hand on the door handle, as Alexander's words hung in the air. The look on his face was a mixture of surprise and calculation, and I could tell he was reevaluating the situation.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Waller," he said, his voice low and even. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
I turned to face him, a cold smile spreading across my face. "Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea, Alexander. And I always play to win."
The air in the room seemed to thicken, the tension between us palpable. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the only sound the beeping of the machines surrounding him.
Then, without breaking eye contact, I nodded and walked out of the room, leaving him to wonder what I was planning.
As I stepped out of the hospital room, the sterile smell of disinfectant and the hum of medical equipment gave way to the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the hospital café down the hall. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number, my eyes scanning the hallway with a mixture of caution and calculation.
"Hey, it's me," I said, my voice low and even. "I need everything you can dig up on Alexander Lancaster's attack. Security footage, witness statements, the works. And get me anything you can find on a woman named Sophia who's connected to him."
I paused, listening to the voice on the other end before responding. "Yes, I know it's a priority. Make it happen ASAP."
As I walked towards the elevator, my mind was already racing with possibilities. What was Alexander involved in that someone would try to silence him? And what did Sophia have to do with it? The more I dug, the more I realized that nothing was as it seemed with Alexander Lancaster.
The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped inside, my eyes locked on the floor display as the doors closed behind me. I was in this now, and I wouldn't rest until I uncovered the truth.
The doors opened on the ground floor, and I stepped out into the bright sunlight, my phone already buzzing with incoming messages. It was going to be a long day.
I choose to make a to do list but first I need to meet Sophia, to what I heard she works at a bar.
Maybe this is going to be revelation to something huge or maybe Alexander has his own agenda.
My next step is to meet Sophia, who works at a bar, and see if she sheds any light on the situation. I'm curious about her connection to Alexander and whether she'll be forthcoming about their relationship. This meeting could potentially uncover new information or reveal Alexander's true intentions.
I walked into the dimly lit bar, the sounds of jazz music and murmured conversations filling the air. The bartender, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, greeted me as I took a seat at the counter.
"What can I get you?" she asked, wiping down the counter with a white cloth.
"Just a whiskey, neat," I replied, my eyes scanning the room for Sophia. "I'm here to meet someone. Sophia, I think she works here?"
The bartender's expression turned cautious, and she leaned in closer. "You're looking for Sophia? What's your business with her?"
I smiled, pulling out a twenty-dollar bill and sliding it across the counter. "Just a friendly chat. I'm Waller."
The bartender's eyes flicked to the bill, and she nodded slightly. "Sophia's on break in the back. I'll go get her."
___The bartender disappeared through a door behind the counter, leaving me to nurse my whiskey and survey the room. The patrons were a mix of professionals unwinding after work and a few shady-looking characters huddled in the corner, their eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
A few minutes passed before the door swung open, and Sophia emerged, her long legs striding confidently across the room. She spotted me and raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering on my face before she slid onto the stool next to me.
"Waller, right?" she asked, her voice husky and confident.
I nodded, turning to face her. "The one and only. Thanks for agreeing to talk to me, Sophia."
Sophia signaled the bartender for a drink, her eyes never leaving mine. "I'm not sure what I can tell you, but go ahead and ask your questions."
I took a sip of my whiskey, studying Sophia's expression. "Let's start with Alexander Lancaster. What do you know about the attack on him?"
Sophia's gaze faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Alex and I are friends. I don't know anything about the attack, but I'm worried about him. He's been getting strange messages and seemed really on edge before it happened."
I leaned in closer, my voice low. "What kind of messages?"
Sophia hesitated, glancing around the bar before leaning in closer. "Alex wouldn't tell me specifics, but he mentioned something about 'they' were getting too close. He seemed really paranoid, kept looking over his shoulder. I thought he was just being his usual dramatic self, but now...I don't know."
I watched her expression, sensing she was holding back. "Is there anything else you can tell me, Sophia? Anything that might help me figure out who did this to him?"
Sophia's eyes darted around the room again, her voice barely above a whisper. "I overheard him arguing with someone on the phone a few days before the attack. He said something like, 'You're playing with fire, and you'll get burned.' I don't know who he was talking to, but it sounded serious."
I pulled out my notebook and jotted down a few notes. "Do you recognize the voice on the other end of the call? Male, female, anyone?"
Sophia shook her head. "No, it was muffled, like he was using a voice changer or something. But...there is one more thing."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"
Sophia's voice dropped to a whisper. "Alex had a safe in his apartment. I don't know what's in it, but he was really protective of it. If you're trying to figure out what happened to him, you might want to start there."
" How did you guys meet? I asked.
" Here." She answered.
That changed the whole of my perspective.
Alexander isn't the type known to be seen in places like this.
" What was he doing here?"
She froze immediately, I could tell by the way her eyes twitched.
What's Alexander up to being here?