Cold-Blooded

Chapter 6

The warehouse was abuzz with activity as we set about organizing our plan of action. Theodore and Eric were deep in conversation about surveillance strategies, while I took it upon myself to help sort through the supplies Eric had brought. There were maps, gadgets, and various pieces of equipment spread out across the table.

As I sifted through the duffel bag, trying to make sense of the assortment of items, my hand brushed against something unusual. I pulled it out and blinked in surprise. It was a maid's outfit—complete with a frilly apron, a black dress, and a white headpiece.

"What the—" I said aloud, holding up the outfit with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

Eric, who was busy setting up some high-tech equipment, glanced over at me. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of the costume. "Oh, that," he said, trying to sound nonchalant as he quickly crossed the room to retrieve the outfit from me. "I didn't expect you to find that."

"Didn't expect me to find what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Eric, what is a maid's outfit doing in your duffel bag?"

Eric's face reddened slightly, and he ran a hand through his hair, looking a bit sheepish. "It is part of a backup plan. In case we need to get close to someone without drawing attention."

I stared at him, struggling to suppress a laugh. "A backup plan? For what, exactly?"

Eric sighed, clearly not pleased with the turn of the conversation. "Look, sometimes blending in is the best way to gather information. If we need to get into places or situations where we would not normally be allowed, sometimes disguises are necessary. The maid's outfit was just one choice I packed. I did not think it would come up."

Theodore, who had been listening in, could not help but chuckle. "So, you have a whole wardrobe in here? What else is in the bag?"

Eric smirked, his embarrassment fading into a grin. "Well, besides the maid's outfit, I have a few other disguises—like a repairman's uniform and a delivery driver's outfit. They are all practical for blending in with different environments."

I shook my head, still amused. "I suppose it makes sense. Disguises can be useful. But this outfit..." I trailed off, holding it up again, "is quite the statement."

Eric took the outfit from me and folded it neatly, his demeanour returning to serious. "I understand it is a bit unconventional, but sometimes it is the unexpected things that work best. We never know when we might need to use them."

Theodore, who had been thoughtfully examining the maps and planning routes, suddenly straightened up. A determined look crossed his face as he pieced together something in his mind. He turned to Eric; his expression resolute.

"I think I know what we need to do," Theodore said, his voice steady. "If we are going to use these disguises effectively, we need to find the key players in this conspiracy and find out their schedules. We should start by infiltrating places where we can gather information without raising suspicion."

Eric and I exchanged a look, impressed by Theodore's clarity. "What's your plan?" I asked, curious to hear more.

Theodore continued, his eyes focused and intense. "We will use the maid's outfit and the other disguises to blend in at locations where we suspect our targets might be. We can start with places like offices or social gatherings where these individuals are likely to be. By seeing them up close, we can name any inconsistencies in their behaviour or uncover connections that might lead us to the core of the conspiracy."

Eric nodded, clearly impressed with Theodore's approach. "That is a solid plan. We can use the disguises to gain access and gather intel without drawing attention. It will give us a chance to piece together the puzzle."

I felt a surge of relief and confidence. Theodore's plan seemed both practical and ambitious, a clear direction amidst the chaos. "Alright, let us get to work then. We have our disguises, and we have a plan. Now we just need to execute it."

Theodore gave me a reassuring smile, his earlier uncertainty replaced by a newfound confidence. "We will do this together. We will find out who is behind all this and clear your name."

As we set to work, organizing our resources, and planning our first steps, I could not help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. Theodore's leadership and Eric's support gave me hope that, despite the challenges ahead, we had a solid chance of uncovering the truth.

With the disguises packed and the plan in place, we prepared to move forward, ready to confront the dangers and deceit that lay in wait. The warehouse buzzed with a newfound energy, and for the first time in a while, we were finally gaining control of our fate.

(A/N - Don't forget to vote and/or comment)