"I know you love a challenge, and this is one we've been struggling with for a long time," he said as he watched Nicki walk further into his office and eventually take a seat on the couch, diverting her attention towards him.
"Go on," she said softly, waiting for him to further explain what it was he wanted her to do.
"Serial assassin, Aubrey Graham. We need him, dead or alive and right about now he keeps beating us at our own game, but we've found common ground between you guys," he explained and she just listen with a neutral expression. "You both went to Harvard Law school, were in the same cohort in fact, but he dropped out just before he got his degree, less than a month even, but that's not the point. You have friends that overlap and we think he might be at an event coming up this weekend,"
"And what event is that? She asked as she leaned back into the chair and crossed her legs.
"Nessel and Jessica's wedding. We know he and Nessel are very close and although we aren't sure he'll be there because people will be after him, we also know he doesn't fear showing his face regardless," he said making sure she caught on. "And we know you and Jess were friends also and that you were extended an invite to this wedding, so you're kind of our only loop to catch him in a possibly vulnerable environment,"
"So what exactly makes you think he doesn't know already that you guys are onto him," she asked. "Because surely if you've failed before, and multiple times, it's almost promised you will fail again,"
"Is failure something you take well Ms Maraj?" he asked and she just sighed. "To him you're an ex classmate. And from what I know, you two didn't really get on too well," he said with a slightly smug look. "So wouldn't it just be lovely if you could finally beat him at his own game,"
She remained silent for a moment as she thought back to what had been a very competitive three years of her undergraduate life. She'd been in competition with someone she just couldn't quite be better than, and only graduated at the top of her class because he dropped out, something that frustrated her more than not being able to beat him. Made her feel like he did it out of pity.
"I can have backup at the ready for you, but just know I want him here. And preferably without ruining the big day for the couple," he said with a chuckle that she didn't return.
"How long do I have?" she asked.
"As long as you need, but you know if you take too long we'll lose him,"
"Anything else I may need to know?" she said as her attention now diverted to view for the floor to ceiling windows.
"He will most probably introduce himself to you as Andrew or Drew Jordan, a name we've heard passed around since we struggle to get a face to match it," he said and Nicki furrowed her brows as she looked back over at him.
"So you're sending me in blind?!" she asked, clearly confused by the situation.
"Well considering you went to university together, I would hope you had some idea," he replied.
"Our cohort was big, and we never really spoke so for me to tell you what he looked like would be a shot in the dark. The name only rings a bell because he was always the one I got sent to, the one I would always be made aware, was just that bit better than me,"
"Well then you know what to look out for. And if you need help you can have it,"
"I don't need anything," and with that she stood from the couch. "I'll come back to you when I have what you want," Leaving him with that statement she walked out of the office with the door closing behind her...
