Welcome gift Part 2 (Casey POV)

It wasn’t unusual for me to stop by in „The Hidden“, before going into the office. Officially the restaurant wasn’t part of my business, but its former wine cellar used to be the foundation of my underground base. Meanwhile the connection between both „branches“ were also closed-off physical, thanks to the undeclared workers who had helped with the remodeling.

Today I couldn’t spare even one thought on a meal, as I parked my bike in front of the restaurant and hurried down a narrow side alley. As soon as I took a step onto the basement stairs at the outside of the building, the surveillance cameras told the security to let me in. Neon lights welcomed me inside. I crossed the short corridor that was lined with multiple doors on both sides. Naturally my office was situated on the other end of the passageway. I did not meet one soul on my way there, a side effect of the safety precautions I had established. The less people could be connected with this place, the better.

Judith was already expecting me in the office. The long, anthracite meeting room table that just yesterday had been surrounded by the bussing of discussions was now creaking under the weight of countless stacks of papers, in addition to three laptops and several phones. A single glimpse told me a forth computer and a person working on them was missing today.It struck me as unusual, that there were only three of my trusted employees were working on their machines instead of the usual four.They were my analysts, whose responsibility usually was to keep an eye on our international business, were working relentlessly.

„Where it Mr. Argyll?“ My top analyst, a talented Scotsman was hardly replacable and even the three people working wouldn't be able to take over his workload in his absence.

„He's in Yorkshire. His last job was dragging on too long. Since he couldn't complete it in the expected timeline, I had to cancel his flight back.“ This were yet an other set of bad news. Actually, this was by far more aggravating than a few clowns who thought I wouldn't realize that they were after my personal information.

„Allright. Let him stay. The less he has to do with this whole mess, the better. We'll manage it without him.“ But first I had to find out, how serious those people were in their mission and if they held connections to any authorities. Preferably before I had to risk endangering any more members of my organization.

„Get me up to date“, I instructed Judith, nodding towards the big screen behind my desk. Meanwhile my analysts kept to their work, their fingers clacking over their keyboards without rest.

„Jefferson Security. Has been an established security business for over a decade. Their CEO and founder is Mr. Lukas Jefferson.“ A picture of some guy with brown hair and eyes appeared on the screen. He didn't leave the most likable impresson. The way he was staring at the camera made it seem like he was entirely incabable of smiling. (

„Then we have Nathan Walker, the DCEO.“ The next picture showed a tall man with black hair and similarly brown eyes as his CEO. His obvious adversion to seem friendly was an other similarity. There was clear malice in his eyes.

„And the Pierce brothers Damien and Julien. Damien Pierce seems to lead their PR department while his brother is their most renowed bodyguard. The presentation introduced a third, sinister looking man next to the walking definition of a sunnyboy. Great.

„They don't look that impressive. But I've heard from their company already“, I pondered. „We never had any problems with them. Did you manage to find out, why they are so interested in me, all of a sudden?“ It almost happened over night.

„No. But there are some interesting details regarding their background.“ That made me listen up.

„They don't exist.“

„Excuse me, what?“

„The CV of all four men are completely fabricated. They do own valid social security numbers, but all the circumstances point to them gaining those from unknown sources, probably even illegal. There are no valid birth certificates, and even though they have educational degrees, they aren't listed in any school registers and I could track no proof of residence before the day they suddenly appeared twelve years ago.“

„They are over the age of twelve, though“, I commented wryly while studying their photographs.
„Maybe secret service people or a military career?“ It wasn't too unusual that the American government erased the whole past of a person, when they were working the right jobs for the right people.

„So far, none of my contacts were able to find any proof of their existence before their time at Jefferson Security.“ This didn't have to mean anything. Even with the vast amout of money I had to my disposal, I couldn't simply get my hands on sealed Pentagon files.

„Try to find out more. We might be getting ourselves in trouble with the authorities.“ That would be the kind of trouble I would rather avoid. „Or they are in the same business as we are. And if that's the case, we can take action.“

Judith nodded, but I could see that she had more to say.

„Just tell me already“, I instructed her. She hesitated for a moment before speaking her mind.

„If I may share my thougts: I doubt that we're dealing with any official autorities here. Jefferson Security's cooperation with any of them are limited to a minimum. I couldn't find any indication that they are working together.“

That was an interesting point. If they were former Special Forces, they would have exchanged at least some favours during the last years. Military bonds were notoriously strong.

And the idea of them being some kind of agents was also becoming more and more improbable. Even tough I couldn't rule it out completely as a safety company was still a nice cover-up for spionage activities, I believed in the abilities of my people. They would have at least found hints to government contacts or certain patterns in their operations.

„It would be best to expect illegal activities from their side“. That would change my course of action significantly.

„I'm assuming we'll soon hear from those men through more direct channels. Let's prepare a nice welcome for them.“