Chapter 136 - 136: Focus

After meeting Erick's parents and having to endure the moment while witnessing the couple's sweet interactions, James and Selena left the hospital with indescribable expressions.

Selena went back to Arison's Holding and Mining Company Main office. James asked their driver to bring her back to the company since he could not accompany her.

James did not say a word but Selena understood that her brother has some personal matter to do. She did not ask him further.

He called Black Shadow. He wanted to confirm something. After leaving the hospital, James had a nagging feeling that the Joint Task Force's operation had something to do with Black Shadow.

He dialed Black Shadow's number, it rang several times because his phone was answered.

Black Shadow: "Hey, we just met yesterday, you missed me already?" 

James: "I have no time to joke around with you."

Black Shadow: "Okay. Calm down and take it easy. What's the matter? Have you trace already who bought that necklace?"

James: "No. I called you for another reason."

Black Shadow: "Oh... what is it?"

James: "Did you have any encounter with the police authorities the same night your friend was killed?"

Black Shadow: "How did you know that? Do you know those police who targeted me? They almost caught me at that time, if not for Reaper's help."

James: "F*ck! The Joint Task Force already knew that you know something about Catseye!"

"I told you to be careful when giving the tips to them about Catseye identity. But they were still able to track you."

James felt his head throbbing when he thought about Black Shadow's carelessness.

"Hey... why are you blaming me? You are not sure yet if they were able to track me because of that. I was very careful not to leave a trace at that time." Black Shadow retorted.

"I wonder how they got a grasp of information that I learned the identity of Catseye. Hmm... so that's the reason for attacking me that night."

"If they catch you, don't you dare mention about Skull Gang!!" James said with his serious voice, warning Black Shadow.

Black Shadow's unrestrained chuckle could be heard on the other line.

"Do you think I will let that happen to me twice? They were just lucky that time."

"Oh, by the way, so you also knew the guy who was shot by my friend. Did he survive?" Black Shadow asked him.

"Yes, he was just fine. I had just visited him with my sister at the hospital a while ago." James answered.

"That's good. I need to give him a lesson when we see each other again. Aside from Catseye, I have few scores to settle with that guy."

"Don't do anything about him," James ordered him with his authoritative voice.

"Why are you protecting him? Is he your friend?" Black Shadow sounded displeased.

"Because he is the man my sister likes." James simply said.

Black Shadow laughed after his reply. "Well... I can not promise not to hurt him. Don't worry I will make sure not to kill him. A few beatings will do."

"Did you not wonder? Everything that happened between you and the task force might be related to Catseye killing your friend." 

There was a moment of silence after that.

"Why did you think that the two events were related?" Black Shadow could not help himself to ponder.

"Because I could not believe that they were just merely a coincidence. What do you think?"

"But I could not think of any reason why she would do that? Does she have a relationship with the task force?! That is very absurd, right?" Black Shadow laughed from that thought.

"Okay, we will leave the possibility for now. I am warning you. Be careful! Don't let the task force catch you." James reminded Black Shadow.

"Relax. I know what to do. Just investigate that necklace. That is the key, in solving this mystery. Haha, Goodluck. I have to go now." Black Shadow said before he hung up the phone.

After that call, James headed to the Skull Gang Headquarter. He should start making a move.

"Catseye... I should be the one to catch you first. I have thought so many ways how will I deal with you once I see you." he mumbled to himself.

When he arrived, he walked straight into his office, members of Skull Gang greeted him but he just ignored them. He was not in the mood today.

He leaned on his office chair as he squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth as he massaged his temple.

He was not making any progress in terms of catching Catseye and now, he was even distracted because of a certain girl named Elle.

He was not like this when it comes to other women, only Elle could affect him like this.

He only treated women as his pastime. He did not want to commit himself to someone.

But when the moment he witnessed Elle and Erick acting like that, he felt envious and... jealous.

"D*mn James... clear your mind! You are just confused right now." James scolded himself.

"You just think of her as a challenge. Yes... Elle is just a challenge!" He mumbled as he convinced himself.

Seconds later, he heard a knock. He told the man outside to come in. It was Spike.

Spike slightly bowed down to greet him before he politely said: "Boss, did you ask for me?"

James just gave him a side glance before he picked up something inside his drawer.

"I have a task for you," he said as he placed the small square box on his desk.

Spike walked over to get the box. He opened it and he saw a necklace inside. He gave James a questioning look.

"I want you to investigate that necklace. Find out what stores are selling a necklace with the same design as this."

"It is better if this necklace is a unique one because you can easily find out the store who sold this."

Spike did not want to interrupt James so he was just listening attentively to him. He was waiting for him to finish his instruction.

"If possible, trace those persons who bought this kind of necklace. Catseye must be one of them."

Spike just nodded at him. Now he understood that this necklace belongs to Catseye. James wanted to investigate it to know more about Catseye's identity.

"Just take a picture of that necklace and assigned other members to assist you with this. There are lots of jewelry stores here in City Z."

"There is also a possibility that she did not buy it here. You can send out other members to investigate the nearby cities."

"Got it, boss."

James just waved his hand to dismiss him. Spike just left after that.

Now he was back to being alone in his office. He sighed deeply as he made up his mind, for now, he decided to focus his attention on Catseye.

--------------------

At Falcon Cafe...

Meanwhile, Phantom and Charles also started to move. Elle gave them the task to search the main headquarter of Assassin's Guild.

Since Charles's life was put in danger before, they let Phantom do the groundwork.

They were also taking a precautionary measure because there was a possibility that Charles's face would be recognized by Catseye's enemies.

Since Charles's acted as Catseye's middle man when transacting with her clients, there were people in the underground world who were familiar with his face.

He might become the target of Catseye's enemies and might use him to lure and catch Elle. They did not want that to happen once again.

"So Master, how's is your spying? Did you get some vital pieces of information?"

Phantom just smirked at him which indicates that he found something useful.

"Three days from now, Assassin's Guild has a schedule of releasing missions to each member."

"I think Elle will be excited about that. That is the best time to scare those Assassins. To be honest, I like Elle's idea." Phantom chuckled gleefully.

"Hmm... you always like Elle's idea. Nothing changed. You always favor her. Hmmph" Charles sounded jealous.

"Well, you know she is smart. Too bad, she has to use it in this line of work instead of living an ordinary and happy life." Phantom was starting to get sentimental.

"Master... I am not used to seeing you get emotional like this. Haha... Can you stop doing that? You are ruining your image as the legendary Assassin of all time." Charles teased him. 

Phantom broke into another laughter. He did not know why he was being sentimental right now.

Maybe the fierce Phantom before had also changed. Besides, he already retired a long time ago.

"I am excited to see how frightened those assassins will be once they receive Elle's warning." 

"Well, Master, don't you think it is very dangerous for her to enter their headquarter? It is like she is delivering herself to her enemies."

"I don't think so. Catseye's identity is still unknown to them. I am sure that she will accomplish it without encountering any hassle." Phantom sounded certain and confident about it.

"Besides we are there to back her up. I won't let anything happen to her." Phantom added.

Charles smiled hearing that. Now he was assured that this plan would work well.