Cat and Mouse game

Chapter Six

"Everybody, listen up! Now that all of us are here, let's get to the briefing on our operation codenamed 'NTGARDN'," Chief Carter said, her expression instantly turned serious.

After the woman's words, everyone turned away from their tasks and paid attention to her. Evans, however, took a minute longer to finally look away from his screen.

Agent Morales quietly took a free chair and sat down next to the chief, opposite the big screen. Raven did the same, grabbing a chair as well. He deliberately placed his chair next to Morales to sit closer to him.

Still a bit irritated, Elias rolled his eyes at Eric's pointless action. He tried hard to ignore the annoying factor, or rather, the person that caused his annoyance. Meanwhile, Eric kept staring at him curiously, shifting his gaze from his face to his gloves and back again.

Evans displayed some data with mission details on the screen, and the satellite image of the city was replaced with text.

"Let's skip the general info that you all already know and cut to the chase," Carter began. "We've managed to track down the likely owner of the weapon. Our information indicates that it was brought into the United States from Mexico by the man named Santiago Vasquez. He is a major businessman. His codename during the operation is 'Rhino'. At the moment, he is our primary target. Logan, now it's your turn."

"Okay," the IT man clicked the mouse and a picture of a middle-aged Latin American man with a round face and bald head appeared on the screen. The quality of the photo was not very good. "Santiago Vasquez, 41 years old..."

"What? 41?! " Eric exclaimed in surprise. "He looks like he is at least 50! He can't be less than that!"

"Ahem!" Logan tried to get colleagues' attention back.

Elias gave his partner a contemptuous look and heaved a deep sigh.

"Sorry-sorry, I couldn't help it. I'll shut up," smiling, Eric apologized to Logan and put his hand over his mouth, as if to silence himself.

"I'll continue then," said Logan, catching his colleagues' attention again. "So, 41 years old, originally from Mexico. Basically, he is a big shark in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. At least, that's what the official records show. Not officially, according to the little data we have on him - he is behind the production and distribution of drugs throughout North and South America."

"'Little' is not even close to describe the lack of info on him," looking angrily at the man's photo, Carter added. "Rhino is involved in a number of illegal dealings. And we've been trying to catch him red-handed for years, but he is quite sneaky and hides his ins and outs well. So far, we haven't been able to gather enough evidence to arrest him. And now he's also decided to dabble in trading illegal weapons. Apparently, he thinks he is above the law!"

"Yeah, that's right," Logan said, nodding in agreement with the woman's words. "However! Now we have a good opportunity to take him. And it might be our only one. After all, Rhino is likely going to sell the weapon soon, so he won't get caught ..."

"Do we already know exactly when and where he plans to sell it?" Eric cut in again.

"Agent Raven, stop interrupting Logan, for goodness' sake!" Chief Carter raged.

"Well, so what? I'm just trying to get a better insight," he responded with an innocent look.

"Someone clearly has ants in his pants..." Elias muttered under his breath, but in a way that Eric was sure to hear.

Eric grunted in resentment.

"Logan, go on," the chief ordered as she regained her composure.

"Answering Raven's impatient question - Rhino hosts private parties at his country residence several times a year. They are, of course, merely a pretext. The highlight of these parties is the closed auction for the elite."

"Excuse me, but..." raising his hand, Agent Morales decided to ask, "what's usually put up at these auctions?"

"That's a good question. There Rhino sells various illegally obtained items. From antiques and pieces of art to any information. Sometimes even people are sold," Evans answered.

After the man's words, undisguised contempt was reflected on the faces of those around him.

"And the top lot on the next auction's agenda in two months will be the new weapon formula or the weapon itself. We haven't yet figured out what form he keeps it in. Anyway, Rhino is supposed to be the only owner of the weapon right now, so if we can intercept it from him, it will not reach the market. That's all I can say at this point," Evans concluded.

"Thank you, Logan!" Carter said. "As you all understand, our main objective at the moment is to get to the auction. However, this will only be the second stage of our operation. The first one is to get invited to his private party. Rhino makes the guest list personally, so we need to make contact with him, gain his trust and receive invitations. That's where Morales and Raven come in."

"And we will have about a month and a half for this?" Morales asked, raising an eyebrow inquiringly.

"Even one month only. You have to get invitations before the final guest list is formed," the chief replied.

"How are we even supposed to make contact with someone as cautious as Rhino?" now Raven asked.

"Every week Rhino attends one gallery located in the city center," Chief Carter continued to explain, "and in two weeks from now, he is organizing an event there to celebrate the anniversary of one of his companies. Representatives of large and small businesses, scientists and artists are invited there. If Rhino notices you at that event, there's almost a 100% chance you'll be invited to the private party afterwards."

"Oh, I see. Now we need another invitation!" Raven expressed his displeasure.

"Nah, this one is easier. You can get to this event not only by a personal invitation, but also if you're invited by someone who is going there. Our other covert agents who will be at the event have already prepared invitations for you," Carter said.

"Excellent. Since everything is prepared, it means we have less work to do," Eric said. He smiled, looking at Elias, "Aren't you glad about that?"

"Uh-huh, I am for sure, " Elias replied briefly and indifferently.

When Raven heard Morales' indifferent answer, his smile faded. He pressed his lips tightly together in disappointment.

"One more thing," Eric kept asking, "according to the documents I got, I play the role of Owen Grant, the owner of a small pharmaceutical company, and Elias is Mateo Torres, a chemical scientist at the company, correct?"

"Yes. According to legend, your company moved from Mexico to the U.S. and is now actively seeking investors for business development."

"And Rhino has a strong interest in emerging pharma companies. He's looking to expand his illegal business through them," Evans added. "So there's a good chance he may be interested in you."

"Exactly! We have already completed all the necessary preparations for the first stage," Chief Carter said. "We prepared your fake company's office and the apartment to live, which is located right next to the gallery! And starting today, the two of you will be staying there together."

"Living together with him?!" exclaimed Elias, more emotionally than he had intended.

He could hardly stand the idea of being partnered with Eric. And now, he had to live in the same apartment with this insolent American for the entire duration of their operation!?

Life certainly couldn't have played a worse trick on him than this one.