Chapter 128 - Liberte

The drive over there was easier than he had expected. It was still early in the morning and just after rush hour, so the roads were practically clear. The scenery slowly changed from lush greenery into an industrial setting. An emphasis on buildings and asphalt were the theme of this area versus the nature wealthy individuals could afford to maintain. The area he was travelling was considered a "dingy" part or an area where the financially struggling lived. He saw nothing wrong with it however, it was just the skewed perception of the port from people who had not experienced hardship. Not everyone could be born wealthy and while that did not guarantee a peaceful life it was better than having no food or roof over your head. 

His eyes were dark as he remembered the times that he had struggled to get a meal and the comparison to the wealth he had now. None of it felt concrete to him, as if it would disappear if he was not careful. Thats what drew him into intelligence work in the beginning. They had the need of course, but he excelled in it for his own personal reasons. The anxiety of not knowing was not an emotion he cared to let fester. If he could - he would find out the answer. 

That desire is also what drove him crazier about the Valentina situation. He cared for his friend but there were too many illogical points about her he had to clear up. Even while driving his mind wandered on the ways he could begin his search or what parameters he should look into. Physically, she was an ethnic Chinese woman, athletic build, and had pale jade like skin. Her height was fairly tall at five feet seven or eight to his estimations. Yet, hair, height, and eye colour can easily be changed depending on the identity to cover you chose to have. Her skin colour now was light but it would only take a little bit of sun to make it darker. He felt like her current shade had everything to do with her reclusive lifestyle than her desire to maintain a beauty standard. Therefore, there were very little parameters he could search on that were stagnant on her. Even with a little bit of makeup she may be able to change her ethnicity. He had seen items that change your eye shape and different techniques that help alter appearances to a racially ambiguous stage.

His intention was to do some initial background search on her and then use certain factors to lay a tracker online. Though he had done a search on her when she was in the office, there was a limit to what he could do from his work laptop. The equipment was limited and so was the security breaches he was willing to engage in. Imagine he tried to do an extensive search from the corporation's IP address, it would be a complete mess. They did build a strong security system and paid millions to ensure that their IP address and systems were hidden. Yet, higher level things should be kept separate from the business grounds. If there was an emergency his phone would have been alerted and they can decide their next steps after seeing what it was. 

His car slowed down into a garage and parked inside as if he was dropping it off for maintenance. There wasn't anyone around the vehicle when he did but he knew that there would be no issue. The staff there knew what to do after seeing his license plate, though it was a fake one that connected to another alias. Slipping out of the vehicle he kept his head tilted down with his mask being pushed into his pocket and his keys in the empty hand. The plain black mask was already placed on his face for extra measure, he had put it on at a stop light as he was nearing the location.

Just as he had done many times before he made his way down the familiar streets. He walked in an aimless pattern pretending to be a local, taking lefts and rights until he approached a bar. It was boarded up on outside with a closed sign hanging on its door. The building was covered in red bricks with randoms black ash scrawled against it. There was even a small graffiti sign on the left side of the building with the words "Liberate". The bar itself was a small place named "Liberte" it was French but they forgot the accent on the letter. So it easily became something people misread as lib-berte or liberate. 

Knocking on the door twice he pretended to be a customer searching for alcohol mid-day. "Helloooo anyone there, open up. I need some beer."

There was an immediate answer from inside that said "go away, we're not open yet."

"Pleeasseeeee. I'll pay extra." He changed the tone of his voice to a more whiny tone and slurred his words as if he had ingested some alcohol already. This was all a ruse to speak his second sentence which was his key to enter the building. It took a couple of seconds before the door in front of him clicked and was opened to let him in. 

The figurative 'show' did not end there, "took you long enough. Rum with ice right noww."

"Yeah yeah, remember you said you would pay extra." The individual that opened the door ushered him in like they were consoling a drunkard before closing the door behind them. The second the door was cleared the atmosphere between them shifted. Taking a step back he slipped on his secondary mask to cover his face more before acknowledging the other. 

"How has everything been?" 

"Stable sir." The voice that responded was paired with a monotone voice and expression. 

"Good, I will be in the back room. If there are any emergencies or items that must be brought to my attention then you can enter. Otherwise, I hope to be undisturbed for the period of time I am here." 

"Of course sir."

"Alright, I'll see myself to the back."