Chapter 10
The Cyprus diffuser was extinguished, the lights were dimmed. It was almost 12. After a while the owner came down. The box was put on the table. A post it was affixed that read :' For the owner of BlueMoon pawnshop Signed - Wolf Group. ' The man had long slender fingers that opened the lid. The black diary and the small box lay underneath. He was tall and lean . A lazy smile appeared on his face as he brushed through the pages of the diary . The cashier came downstairs while handing him the key to the counter. As he was going upstairs he stopped midway.
"Mr Crow , the man came today , he brought what you needed. "
"Yes I know. Proceed for the payment. " he replied . The cashier nodded and walked upstairs.

There was a huge glass window. The only window in the room. Outside was dim and reflected the cars parked in the underground parking. His eyes lingered on the rows of cars parked . The glass window reflected his lanky figure and rimless glasses. He picked up a Times magazine and started reading but after a while he put it away. He glanced at the photo frame on the desk. The photo was a happy picture of a boy and his dad. After a while he called someone. The receiver had an excited tone of voice.
"Hey Will , long time huh...how are you Buddy ? Did you forget me ? No calls , no messages , I thought I became a stranger? "
"Sid I'm good. " his voice was pale .
"What's wrong ? Are you okay ? How's uncle ? "
"Dad has passed away. "
There was a silence .
"Are you okay ? Should I come over ? "
There was silence again then he spoke.
"I need your help. Come over. "
"I will reach there in 2 days. Be prepared Will. "
"Hmm ." And the call disconnected .
He opened the call log and edited the last caller's details
' Name : Sid Brooks
Profession : …….'
In the empty space he typed archeologist and clicked on 'Save '
He called an unknown number again.
This time it was not Sid.
"Mr Crow what can we do for you ? "
" I need that your help again I think. Help me investigate into Robin Cook and Tim Cook . "
"Yes Mr Crow. but the payment ..? "
"It will be paid like last time. "
"Okay then. Rest assured Sir. "
He edited this caller's details also.
"Name ……"
There he typed WG.

Johnny and Kent woke up in the same pub. They were lying haphazardly on the sofa. It was mid noon and the sunlight had replaced the hazy night lights. The smell of alcohol and cigarettes were replaced by lavender smelling floor cleaner. The cleaner was mopping the floor and the manager was trying to wake them up.
"Sir you can't sleep here. Its almost noon. We have to close the pub. "
Their head was hammered and they had no energy to get up. They walked with pain in whole of their body and walked out.
"Are we forgetting something? "Kent asked.
Johnny had a realisation. The box and the diary. The items they had on them last night. He checked his back pocket and front pockets . His wallet was with him. But these items are not there. They banged the doors of the pub. The manager came out .
"What happened?" When he saw them he couldn't help but shout.
"THE PUB IS CLOSED SIR...PLEASE COME IN THE EVENING. "
"We forgot our things. " Johnny pleaded.
"There are no things except the bill that you already paid last night. " he pushed them .
"But our things. " Kent argued.
"There weren't any. " the manager had a deadpan face.
"Ask your waitress, she knows. " Johnny was nearly shouting.
"She is not here. The pub is closed. " He pushed them away and locked the door and went inside.


© hardianadkat