Detecting Love (ENEMIES TO LOVERS-DETECTIVES)

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝟖: 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵 𝓑𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓴𝓸(𝓔𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓻)

My head is pounding and the bright white light does not make it any better. I'm in a chair in the center of the room, restricted, unable to move as my arms and legs are tied.

The room is made of nothing but cement. In front of me there is a door made of pure metal, to the left of it a plastic white chair is facing me against the wall. Above the metal door, a tiny red light on a camera pointed directly at me.

I don't know how long I was unconscious, and how I got here. All I remember is being hit in the head pretty damn hard, and then nothing.

Adrian is not here, and I wonder where he is? or what happened to him?

Of course he is okay. He was not the one who got hit in the head.

He made it perfectly clear that he wouldn't even lift a finger to help me if things went wrong. So why am I crying now? It's not as if he let me down. We both knew from the start that we weren't in this together and I shouldn't expect anything more. And yet, why does it matter so much? I despise him, and he too holds just as much disdain for me. The fact that I care, it's infuriating and sickening. If he doesn't, why should I?

If anything, I have another reason for making me hate him even more. I should've known better.

The click of a key turning, followed by the creak of the metal door opening. Halted my tears and pulled me out of my thoughts.

In front of me, stood a tall man who looks to be in his forties, dressed in a brown turtle neck, black vest, black pants, and polished black shoes standing in front of the open door.

On the other side, someone closes the door leaving us two alone.

An uneasy silence lingers, neither of us utter a word, and the strange man grabs the plastic chair and sets it right in front of me. He sits down and the silence continues as he looks at me.

I take the time to study his features, he has short brown hair, a beard and distinct facial lines encircling his brown eyes. His nose is broad and points slightly down.

"Hello special agent Eleanor Branson", breaking the silence, the man spoke with a heavy eastern European accent.

"In the light of all this being unfamiliar and the questions swirling in your head about where you are?, how you got here?, who am I? and how might I know your name? I urge you to remain calm, I'll do my best to explain everything you need to know. "

"To start, my name is Daniel Branko, you are currently being held hostage in one of the 'Cobras' hideouts 70 miles away from New York. You are here because I had my men capture you and special agent Adrian King, but unfortunately, was unsuccessful."

"We heard, that the FBI recruited you and Adrian for the case, tell me is this true?" Branko waited for my response but it was hard giving him one as I was studying him.

He knows of my role as an FBI agent, considering my inability to disclose information. Yet, his demeanor is composed and non-threatening. He's building a sort of comfort and easiness, to allow me to open up and give him the information he's looking for. But, beyond those doors I don't know what he is capable of doing or contacting. Even more so of the fact that I was not able to see who closed the door. He's smart, that's one thing but it's simple knowing the moves he's already taken.

"I am aware of the accusations, Branko. However my position does not allow me to deny or confirm such claims. You are quite skilled at creating an environment which allows disclosure, but I must abide by the rules of my position." I met Branko's gaze with a sincere look.

"I understand your determination, but the 'Cobras' will see to it that the FBI will be stopped, and we have one of your own. However, I won't reveal too much prematurely; as all will align in due time. For the time being, I'm open to questions you may have. Much like you, I can't answer many, neither confirming nor denying." Branko retorted maintaining a guarded expression.

"Who are you?, and what can you say about the 'Cobras' so far?" I ask blatantly.

"As you already know, my name is Daniel Branko and I work for the 'Cobras' , we have multiple hideouts throughout New York, and connections from around the world. We are after a certain person who runs a certain corporation. Mainly after the benefits, if you will. But of course the rest remains a mystery."

"When did this happen? Why? and for what?"

"Well it's not just about 'when we target' you know how it goes. A dangerous gang committing god knows what, blah blah blah. As for 'Why' simply it's work. We were looking for something better, something bigger. Targeting a corporation like this one and the person behind it was what we wanted. Believe me, this has nothing to do with wanting attention and breaking free from the system that did us wrong. The movies are over exaggerated. If I wanted to I could start dancing on the street and get attention. But I don't as I have everything I want. Really it's about feeling alive."

"How do you plan on stopping the FBI?"

"As I mentioned previously, certain questions you ask cannot be answered. You will find out, but I don't want to spoil it for you."

"Alright, what's your purpose and role within the 'Cobras'?"

"My role within the 'Cobras' is confidential and is only known to a select few however. Without revealing too much, I act as a strategic and insightful lead, my ideas and strategies are done in a way which not only get's the gang to the end goal, but remains anonymous to those who do plan to uncover our motives."

I couldn't deny Branko's statement. He is in fact just as he described himself to be.

"Well it's safe to say special agent Eleanor Branson that our time has been cut short, while I do enjoy the questions you have asked. It's time for me to get back to work, and continue on the next stage of action regarding the case you so happen to be working on. " Branko got up and readjusted his jacket.

More questions began filling my head, what does he mean by 'the next plan of action' what is it? What does it look like? I needed more information about the gang, and even about what will happen to me?

"I will be back soon, try not to mull over what we talked about too much. It won't get you far. You can't escape anyway and noone can save you." Branko finally said, as he turned away from my direction and instead to the door.

The sound of the door creaking open was all I heard. But once the door was fully open Branko remained where he was. The outline of a man stood right in front of Branko permitting him from going out any further.

Adrian I thought.

"Well well look who's here. "

*****