Chapter 11
The Mutual Benefit
Captain Stein was waiting for James to call back with the news regarding the assassin, grumbling that James is lingering his mission and they are running short on time. He suggested to Nina several time that Captain James is not fit for a job. Nina just giggled, holding her cookie jar. She knew Stein wasn’t fond of James because Nina just nominated James to become a Captain for convenience, when James was only a field agent.
As James was stripped down to his underwear when he contacted Sharine, and the bug was in his clothes, the people in the base had no idea what James was doing. All they got was the message that James was currently in the Sharine’s office, so that they could rescue him later when things go wrong. But instead James had the lovely dinner with the charming assassin. James contacted the base by the payphone booth on the street. They’ve arranged the meeting after two hours from then. Stein went up to Nina and later drove her to the deserted parking lot in the old abandoned building.
The moon was covered with cloud. The grey building stood in the cold lonely street; it was full of ruptures and its skeleton sticking out to the surface. There were several blood marks on the wall, along with the bullet holes, drug pills were scattered on the ground. It was the meeting ground; there they met, stood against each other on the dusty ground.
“So, this is famous Sharine Pestice,” said Nina Polchinski. Captain Stein stood motionlessly behind her, sharply gazing at James and Sharine.
“And you are that legend. I’ve heard Veron is shit scared of,” said Sharine, still in her blue velvet dress, pistol strapped on her thigh.
“No need to flatter Ms. Pestice. I’m sure you are one of his watch lists like me,” Nina chortled.
“Yeah, this plumber here told me about your little mission. Trying to find out what attacked the trafficker’s vessel carrying bunch of slaves. Well, I guess you are too afraid to find out what is lurking inside the sea so you contacted me to become your body guard?” said Sharine, with an arrogant tone. Stein frowned at her from behind.
“With all due respect Ms. Pestice, you are the one who refused to accept our offer of providing our valuable agents. And why is it that you are trying to act like our last resolution if that is the case?” said Nina, plainly. Sharine clenched her teeth.
“If that is the case, why don’t you do it yourself, lady?” growled Sharine.
“It is our business offer, Ms. Pestice, but I have a feeling that you and your chamber already know what lurks behind this attack,” said Nina, her eyes glittered dangerously.
“… I guess you are young enough to believe in the ghost story,” said Sharine, her eyes narrowed. Nina scoffed.
“I don’t know Ms. Pestice, were we ever a child?” Nina smiled shrewdly.
Sharine started laughing hard. She lightened her cigarette, chuckling, stared at Nina.
“I think… I like you, Ms. Polchinski. You have my respect,” said Sharine.
“Good Ms. Pestice, now with all due respect, I suggest you go along with my agents. Mission is set a week from now, the same trafficking company contacted one of my undercover division, who pretends to be one of the mercenaries in this country. For the protection of the vessel, they offered huge sums of money. Now my agents will disguise as mercenaries to slip inside their vessel,” said Nina, her face softened, but spoke firmly.
“How many are in total?” asked Sharine.
“Twenty, fully armed,” replied Nina.
“So, I am acting as a proof, which they will think that your agents are indeed from the Assassins’ Chamber. So, if they see me, then they won’t bitch about further investigation of your agents’ background?” said Sharine, breathing deeply into her cigarette, its tail glowed in the dark.
“Impressive, Ms. Pestice. Yes, indeed that is true,” smiled Nina.
“Time and location,” snapped Sharine.
“Idalian dock, 21.30, this very day next week,” said Nina.
“Roger that, Ms. Polchinski, please to meet you.” Sharine offered her hand. Nina shook her hand with a firm grip. Sharine scoffed and then walked away.
She walked toward the exit, tapping James’s shoulder on the way, smiling.
“Come along if you can, on that trip, plumber,” Sharine winked at James charmingly and went out. James looked as if his heart stopped for a moment. Nina was staring at him, shaking her head, looking at his dumb expression on his face. James coughed, clearing his throat.
“Uhh umm... splendid work, admiral,” muttered James, blushing.
“Yes, you too Captain,” Nina smiled. “See? I was sure that Captain James would do a good job.” Nina poked Stein with her elbow.
They went to the car and James drove. Nina sighed in relief, took out the lollipop putting in her mouth.
“She is beautiful Captain, I can understand why you like her,” said Nina, started giggling at James. Captain Stein stared at James with low growling.
“No, No! Admiral, I don’t have any relation that might affect the operation,” said James, his face becoming red again.
“Captain James, behave yourself, you are not a little kid anymore! And is that the alcohol that I smelling from your breath?” said Stein.
“Yes… Captain Stein, I’m apologize.” said James, sighing.
Captain Stein went on and on about the rules and discipline the agents has to have, James drove away, just nodding and agreeing the remarks Captain Stein made. Nina seemed not caring. She was just rolling her lollipop inside her mouth and staring out the window to see the city light. It started raining gently, pouring down on the car window, James turn on the wiper.
“Admiral,” said James.
“Yes, captain?” said Nina, cheerfully, unwrapping another lollipop.
“What was in that ship?” asked James.
Nina leaned back on the chair, enjoying the sweetness of strawberry flavor spreading inside her mouth.
“I don’t have an exact answer, Captain; I just hope I’m wrong. It is not conclusive. That is why we are doing this operation,” Nina popped the lollipop and started playing with it with her tongue.
“Yes, admiral,” said James.
“Soon, it will reveal itself. Oww…” Nina put out her tongue painfully; she bit her tongue.