The Case Puzzle

Chapter 19

"Who are you really?" I asked again, glaring at the stranger. He looked down and sighed.

"Look, there are some things I need to say and my identity is not the main concern," he said, taking one step towards me before I halted him with my hand.

"I can't tell you in the open like this," he pressed, glancing around.

"Last time I ran to someone for information, I got drugged and dragged here. You're practically telling me to act like that again," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Okay, I understand," he nodded and turned, continuing his path downstairs. "Let's talk in the lobby, at least you'll feel safe there."

I followed behind him, still maintaining a distance between us. We marched down the stairs to the lobby which was quite spacious. The sunlight hit through the glassdoors, lighting up the place and making the cream marble floor look more shiny and polished. People constantly moved around, going in and out. Even if he wanted to do something, he would not be able to.

He directed me past the reception area, where a man was seated. Near the twin doors that were the main entry, were placed some unoccupied red velvet armchairs that surrounded a tiny table. He gestured for me to sit down on the armchair across him.

I followed suit, sitting down. I squeezed my hands between my thighs out of habit and pursed my lips. I looked at the man anxiously, waiting for what he had to say.

"First of all," I started holding my finger up, "I need a name to your face."

"Luca."

"Luca?"

"Yes, Luca."

"Okay, continue. When did you first realise we were tailing you?"

"From the start," he shrugged.

I raised both eyebrows at him.

"When I got in my van with Boccaccio, I knew you saw us and were also aware of his identity. So it was a given that you'd follow us, not that the stupid one realised. Only I saw you guys."

"That does not explain why you didn't stop us at any point of the night despite being aware we were snooping around," I stated confused, with furrowed eyebrows.

"Because my personal goal is not to stop you. Rather, it is to bring you all to that place and see what is going on."

"Alright," I drawled with a blank mind. I tried to make sense of what he said. "So you were purposefully guiding us there."

"You must have realised by now, how this is a whole complex system of drug trade, not restricted only to Italy," he attested. I nodded frowning, wondering where he was going with it. "I want to bring it down," he finished.

I stared at him dead in the eyes, for a few more seconds, processing what he said. He seemed uncomfortable as he shuffled in his seat.

"Should I continue or you need more time?" he asked.

"More time," I muttered, focusing on my thoughts as I stared at the glass table in front of me.

"Okay," I said after a deep breath. "One question. On whose side are you?"

"My own."

"Eh?"

"I am not supporting any group from any side. I have always been inside the illegal system. But like I said, I have a personal goal, to be more precise, a vendetta against the people in control. That's why I want to break down the whole system."

"So you are on our side? Like the legal side?"

"Not necessarily. What I need is the ability to destroy the system and that is not in my capability but the law enforcement people."