Chapter 5
Chapter 5
“Hey, Boss!” Crow’s voice burst through the phone, so full of energy that it could power a city. “You’ve been off the radar for ages. Don’t tell me you’ve ditched your favorite wingman.” The words spilled out in a rapid-fire stream.
Cherise felt a throb behind her eyes and rubbed her temples.
“Boss, are you there?” Crow continued to chatter away without any intention of pausing.
“Crow, you’re speaking too quickly for me to get a word in. Slow down, or I’ll have to hang up,” she warned, her tone chilling the line.
Abruptly, Crow’s voice ceased, leaving an expectant silence for her to speak.
“Alright, I need you to dig into something for me,” Cherise began. “Investigate who Claire Garcia was communicating with before her death 15 years ago. Additionally, confirm the truth about her supposed death from a stray bullet in a warzone.” With a sense of urgency, she emphasized, “I need this done promptly.”
“Understood,” Crow responded succinctly, and with that, Cherise ended the call.
After the call, Cherise’s gaze landed on a massive wooden chest in the corner. She moved closer, drawn to its intricate carvings, and opened it to see a collection of identical, beautifully crafted wooden boxes.
Lifting one, she felt its weight and opened it to find shiny diamonds and a note that read: “Cherise, happy 18th birthday! Grandma’s been saving for your wedding. In the best of times, diamonds are a girl’s best friend; in the worst, they’re a safety net.” Another box held more diamonds with another note that read: “Cherise, today marks your coming-of-age, and it’s more diamonds for your wedding. I’m all about practicality. When you turn 20, I’ve got a big surprise for you.”
Cherise chuckled, tears brimming in her eyes, as a mix of warmth and profound yearning filled her chest. ‘So, Grandma had intended for me to receive this precious wedding gift on my 20th birthday,’ she mused. Gently, she replaced the boxes, shut the chest, and secured it with a lock. With more wealth than she could ever use, the diamonds held no practical value for her.
This treasure was a testament to her grandmother’s love, and she couldn’t bring herself to convert it into currency. It would remain untouched in the chest, just as her grandmother’s affection had remained eternal and unchanging.
*****
An hour later, Crow reported back. “Boss, I’ve found three people who were in contact with Ms. Claire Garcia before her death.
“The first is Jacob Leach, the current patriarch of the Leach family. The second was a war journalist named Colin Chapman, who also died in the conflict. The third individual used a disposable phone, originating from Betrico, with no identifiable user.” Crow’s news puzzled Cherise.
Crow was ranked as the world’s third-best hacker, and Cherise held the second spot as Darknight. But if Crow couldn’t crack it, it signified that the mystery was truly formidable. Exiting the secret room, Cherise headed to her personal space and powered up her high-spec computer. She encountered the same obstacle-a burner phone number. Her attempts to restore the call recording yielded only disjointed pieces and incomplete data.
She considered someone who might be able to solve it: King, the leading hacker, known for his elusiveness and unmatched skills.
Cherise reached for her phone and made a call. “Dora, locate hacker King. I have a call recording that needs restoration, and I’m prepared to offer ten million for the job.” Dora Xenakis, Cherise’s efficient assistant with a vast global network, handled her various affairs.
“Got it. I’ll handle it,” Dora responded courteously.
After ending the call, Cherise pocketed her phone, her thoughts lingering on the message she’d found on the back of the photo in her grandmother’s secret room.
Her recollections of her mother were few and far between. As a war correspondent, her mother was frequently absent. The last time Cherise could remember seeing her mother was at her grandfather Oliver Leach’s birthday when she was just four years old. The last information Cherise received regarding her mother came when she was nearly five; her father informed her that her mother had been killed in a bombing in the perpetually conflicted nation of Astamia.
Cherise took a deep breath and gazed out the window, realizing that a journey to Betrico was now a necessary step.