The Rules: Book Five

Chapter 15

New York City.

A man sat on a bench across the street from an apartment building. He pulled out his phone and called Korea. "Hey, we tossed that apartment like you asked. Do I still need to watch it or what?"

Jang smiled mischievously, "Yup. I'm going to send you some pictures. I need you to let me know if you see any of these people show up." The man heard his phone ping and saw a group of pictures downloading into his messages. "Got 'em. And if they do? You want me to jump 'em?"

"Nooo. All I need you to do is snap a picture and send it to me. Nothing more. Easy money."

"Really? That's it?"

"That's it. Just hang out for about a week. If they don't show, then you're free to go."

"Only a week?"

"They move fast. Someone will show up."

The man paused, "And the money? My time ain't free."

"Man after my own heart...half now, and how about this, I'll sweeten the pot. I'll double it if you stay the full week, and if you send me proof of any of those people in the pictures showing up, I'll triple it.  But don't let them see you, and DON'T mess with them. Understand?"

The seedy man smiled, "Sir, it will be a pleasure doing business with ya.  Later." He hung up and flipped through the photos sent to him. He didn't recognize any of them, "Ok. Blonde girl, fuck, they all look the same. Tattooed gym-bro. He shouldn't be hard to spot, theeeeen ok, Korean gym-bro, that's new. Korean dad-guy and two other Korean dudes. Fuck." He got up, walked to a hot dog stand on the corner, got something to eat and drink, and then got comfortable as he started people-watching the New York City life meander by.

South Korea.

Jae was deep in thought when she heard a knock on the office door. "Come in!" She called out.

"Hey there, do you have a minute? We need to update you on a few things." Namjoon smiled as she looked up at him. "Work updates or personal updates? Is Kai ok?"

"More personal than work, and he's fine. They just landed in Iceland not too long ago. He texted Su, and they were getting settled in. Come on, we have other news we need to discuss, though. Equally as important." He held the door open as Jae scooted around the desk and headed out to find everyone in the living room waiting for her. Su was packing up his computer and paperwork, looking like he was getting ready to leave.

"Hey, all. Family meeting, huh?" She sat down in the overstuffed chair they had saved for her as everyone nodded.

"Pretty much. So," Su started, "first of all, I'm going to preface by saying everything is fine. But, in about an hour, Wendy is getting on a plane in Bangkok and heading here."

"HERE? Wait, what?" She sputtered with excitement as Su held his hands up so she would pause for a moment.

"Her apartment was broken into in New York." Kook said calmly, "She's going back to deal with it. Riggs can't go with her, so he asked for our help. We've asked Su to go."

"Oohhh. Shit." Her hand flew over her mouth as she sat back, shocked and blinking. "Riggs can't go?" Everyone shook their heads in reply. "Do they know, um, who did it? Did they catch them?"  She could feel a wave rush over her, transporting her instantly back to how she felt standing in her old apartment bathroom.  The message written on her mirror—the feeling of intrusion in her private space.

"Jae," Su said as she finally looked up at him. He held his eyes softly as she blinked to focus. "She's going to fly here, and I'll fly with her to New York. I'll talk to the police and figure out if there is anything we need to be concerned about..."