Maelstrom

Touch Of Love

Canaveral called Dr. James over to his office the next morning. James walked into his office and took a seat across from Canaveral.

"How's it going with the investigation?" Asked Dr. James,

"We have a promising lead." Said Canaveral,

"Is that so? That's good to hear." Said James.

"Well, what do you think? You think we will find it?" Asked Canaveral,

"Well, you said you have a lead." Said James.

Maria took a deep breath then slowly opened her eyes as the sun's blinding light shined through her barely closed curtain windows. She moved a little and felt a pair of arms holding her. She turned her head behind her and saw Alberto asleep while holding her in his arms. She smiled and looked at him for a moment. He seemed peaceful and cute in his sleep. She moved his arms a bit to get out of his grasp as she started getting out of bed. As she was about to get off the bed, Alberto woke up half asleep and placed his hand on Maria's, "Where are you going?" He asked, half-awake, "Just to make some breakfast in the kitchen." Maria said, smiling, "Morning sucks, I'll get up in a few minutes." Alberto said as he laid his head back on the pillow and went back to sleep. Maria chuckled a little as she stood up from the bed and left the room downstairs to the kitchen. Giulia was already awake as she was in the kitchen feeding her cats. "Morning, Maria!" She said as she placed a bowl down for the tabby cat while the other two ate from theirs. "Giulia? How are you already up?" Maria asked as she walked into the kitchen, "You slept past your alarm again." Said Giulia, "Oh shit. I better call my boss." Maria said as she walked over to the living room and grabbed the family phone and started dialing her work.

Pete and Miranda were in the aquarium doing their usual duties and noticed Maria wasn't present. "Where's Maria?" Pete asked, "Hopefully she's safe at home. I don't feel comfortable around here anymore." Miranda said, afraid they might get caught. Just then, one of the phones on the wall started ringing. Pete went to answer the call, "Hello?" He asked, "Pete, it's me!" Said Maria, "Maria! Why aren't you here? Did something happen?" Pete asked, concerned, "Okay, first off: calm down. I'm fine. Second, I accidentally slept through my alarm again. So, I missed my daily shift. May I ask to speak with Mr. Globavich?" Maria asked, "Uh, sure." Pete said, "Hey, Miranda, could you go get the boss?" He asked. After a few moments, Mr. Globavich came to the phone. "Hello? Ms. Maria?" He asked, "Hey, boss. I'm sorry I missed work today, I've been feeling a little sick lately." Maria lied, "Oh, that's okay." Said Globavich, "Just make sure to keep the creature hidden from sight." He whispered on the phone which shocked Maria, "How did you know?" Maria asked, "Who else knows how to take care of sea animals? Make sure to keep him dry when you're outside." He said as he hung up the phone and walked over to Pete and Miranda, "You two should check in with your friend at some time. Just to be sure she's safe." He said, then walked back to his office. Maria placed the phone back down in shock. "What happened?" Giulia asked, "Apparently my boss knows I helped Alberto escape." Maria said as she walked back into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. "He's not gonna tell anyone else is he?" Giulia asked, worriedly, "If he did, I'm pretty sure we would've already been caught." Maria smiled. "Huh." Said Giulia, surprised as she helped Maria with breakfast.

Dr. James was in his home ironing his clothing when he heard a knock at the door. He went over and opened the door to reveal his real boss and one of his men accompanying. "Please, come in." He said as his superior entered his home and took a seat at his table. "Your extraction plan will be ready soon." Said James' boss, "First, I have a question for you. The asset. After you injected it with poison, what did you do with the body?" James didn't answer for a moment as he prepared the men some butter cake, "I performed an autopsy. Unenlightening." He said, handing the men their cakes as he hides the butter knife behind his back ready to defend himself, knowing that his superiors might know what he hasn't done. As the two men finished their cakes, they stood up and walked towards the doctor. "Perhaps you're misremembering." Said his boss, "Wait for our call. Shouldn't be much longer." Said James' boss as he and his associate left through the door.