Chapter 222: Murder

"Traitors." The word shocked them to an extent they could not believe. They had never expected the military to have traitors within them.

"Yes. We have traitors in the army and they are killing our sincere and hard-working soldiers. Many of our men have died and many more have been injured because of them."

"That's horrifying," Ryder said, unable to believe what he was hearing. 

"Yes, it is. It's good that we found out about it earlier. We can start taking precautions against them and start eradicating them. But there is a problem." Luis was silent for a few seconds and gazed at the three people to see if they were with him. "There is a powerful man who is helping them get into the army."

"Who is it, Sir?" Valarie raised the question in bewilderment.

"Have you heard of Siman Moore?"

"Ain't he the Chief of the Army?" Preston recognized him as soon as Luis took his name. He had read the news when he was chosen to be the Chief. Many people had expected somebody else to be the leader, but unexpectedly he had been selected. This had been a hot topic for a few months when he had taken over his post. 

"Yes. He is one of the traitors."

"Unbelievable."

"Yes. This was the matter I wanted to inform you about. Apparently, he is not working alone and I want you guys to find out all about him and the person behind him. Before that, I want you to listen to this." Luis nodded and his assistant started playing the audio they had recorded the previous day. Simon Moore's voice was clearly audible in it.

When the recording ended, there was complete silence in the room. Luis knew how the three people were feeling. He was taken over by shock too when he had found about this matter, about Simon's involvement. He had been unable to sleep the entire night. This matter had kept him awake until the early hours of dawn. But he later succumbed to sleep when the day's exhaustion kicked in.

"Oh my God," Ryder exclaimed loudly.

"Yes. I think now you know how serious the situation is. This is the mission I have for you and I would appreciate it if you can keep this a secret. We do not know who is involved in this and many people around us have loose tongues."

The three people immediately understood who Luis was talking about. It was none other than Frederick. He could never keep a secret for long. So, it was a wonder for many how he had ended up being the Chief of Intelligence where everything and anything was a secret.

"We understand, Sir. We will keep it confidential and we will start working on it right away."

"I expect nothing less. I think you have my number. You can call me any time if you find out anything."

"Sure Sir."

Their serious conversation was interrupted when Luis' assistant's phone started ringing. He picked it up without hesitation and listened to it for a few seconds before he handed it to the President.

"Sir, it's the Defence Minister."

"Excuse me." Luis gave them an apologetic smile and started speaking on the phone. He did not move away from them as he knew they were good people who could be trusted.

"What? No way." He stood up suddenly, making the other three to stand up as well. They were startled with the sudden change in his behavior. He looked worried and his forehead was creased. They immediately deduced whatever matter he had heard to be bad for him to react this way.

Luis spoke for some time. They could hear that he was speaking something related to a murder, but it was a little unclear. They waited until he cut the call as he had not asked them to leave the room. He sighed in frustration and pinched the space between his brows.

"Is everything alright, Sir?" Valarie observed him and asked in concern.

"No. This is bad. I think we need to change our plans."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"Somebody has foiled our plans. General Simon Moore is no more. He was murdered at his house yesterday."

"What?" Preston's was one to exclaim loudly.

"Yes. His dead body was found today morning when the cleaners went to clean his house at 7.30 a.m. The police have arrived to investigate the case."

"This is bad," Valarie stated. "Sir, it would be best if you hand over the case to us completely. The police getting involved in this will only make it messy."

"I understand. I will speak to them first and let you know. Now, I have to leave. I need to call for an emergency meeting. Thank you for your time."

"No Sir. We would be happy to help. We will take our leave first." Valarie spoke while the two men beside her nodded.

As Luis and his assistant got busy making the arrangements for the emergency meeting, the three people walked out of the room. They were in deep thoughts as they remembered what the President had said. Simon Moore was helping someone to betray the country. Now that the man was no more, it would only complicate the case as nobody knew who he was involved with. This was going to be a huge headache for them.

Valarie wanted to speak something but was silenced when she heard a reporter's voice over the television that was running in the big lounge. Many people were staring intently at it as they listened to the news in shock. The three people stopped in their tracks and joined them. They wanted to see what had actually taken place. But they too ended up being shocked just like the other people around them, but it was for a completely different reason.

"Chief, this case is.." Preston started.

"Similar. I realized that." Valarie finished what he wanted to say.

"Oh God. What the hell is happening!" Ryder too was stupefied. 

The TV reporter continued to give the details about the murder. Simon Moore was murdered in the same way as the other victims in the case they were handling before. His hands were tied together using a shoelace. There were cuts in a star pattern on each arm. Both his eardrums were punctured with nails and his right foot was chopped off. The only difference this time was that his face was not dipped in acid and he was not carrying any note with him. Also, the man was found dead in his house, unlike the other men whose body was found mutilated on the roads or deserted areas.