The Case Puzzle

Chapter 6

"Oh hello, come in. You've arrived at the right time. Take a seat," I heard Mr Lawson saying as he stood at the table side, near the door.

Attorney Kim shook hands with him and sat down while Eliyah and I walked around awkwardly and took the seats farthest from the scary-looking men. From what I could see, Castiel seemed the youngest out of them all. I tried my best not to glance at any of the men around the table and instead focused on Mr Lawson.

"Since the people you needed have arrived, I'll be going," Mr Lawson said as he smiled at us and nodded at the other gentlemen. Why was he going already? Way to make it awkward.

As he closed the door, a silence filled the room. I shared subtle glances with Eliyah and looked down on my lap. Should we be saying hi or something?

One of the men coughed to gain everybody's attention and stood up. He seemed to be in his fifties but he was still as built as the others. He carried himself with an air of prestige and power. He must be the one who held the highest post of authority among the men present here.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aaron Ford, the Deputy Director of the UK's International Operation Forces headquarters," he said with a serious face.

I leaned towards Eliyah. "Should we be standing up and introducing ourselves as well?" I whispered.

"No," I heard from my left side where Attorney Kim was seated. I guess I need to improve my skills at whispering. He gave me the 'let-me-do-the-talk' look.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Ford. I heard that your team took over the recent case that was under my responsibility. I believe the police already sent you the files concerning the case. Is there a reason why your team has come here?"

"Yes," Mr Ford said and continued, "we need all information about the case and the police files about Argan Gregore are not enough. Since it was a recent case of your firm, I believe your team may be the ones who hold the details. I need all interview and investigation reports. I need your cooperation. So can I meet with your team?"

"That's me," I raised my hand proudly.

Mr Ford looked at me and nodded. "And who else?"

"Me," I raised my hand again.

"Yes, you just said so. But who else?"

"Me. Only me," I said like it was obvious.

"Then, you must be good at your work, right?" someone else asked. Someone who I'd rather he shut up.

"None of your concern," I grumbled and glared at Castiel.

"Actually, Miss, it is somewhat of importance to us since we have taken over the case and we need all the information related to it, which includes previous interviews and investigations," someone else interjected while Castiel smirked smugly. I would have glared at the other man as well but his face seemed to tell me to refrain from that.

"Too late," I said and crossed my arms.

"What do you mean, Miss?" Mr Ford said darkly, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Carter. Haelyn Carter. And what I mean is that the files are no longer in my hands. If you need information, I'll have to write a report again, which could take some time."

"What do you mean you don't have the files?" snapped Attorney Kim beside me.

"Not my fault it was stolen," I mumbled to myself scowling.

Everyone leaned forward, ears perked up in attention.

"Stolen, damn it! The files were stolen yesterday night while I was at the hospital. I was searching for the files to bring to the office a while ago at my apartment but there was no trace of any paper or file linked to Argan Gregore."