n

n

nIn Ray's perspective, Asher appears to be a discerning yet ambiguous young man.

nDuring the first few hours they were together, he tried to figure out why he was beating around the bush. The fact that he didn't go straight to business baffled him. He toured him all around their secret base from morning until afternoon - or at least the visible parts of it.

nIt seemed that there's more to this place other than what he already saw.

n

"You look like you are still in your twenty's. Yet the way you smoke already resembles how an old man does it,

" Ray pointed out as he took the cigar he was trying to hand over to him for a while now.

n

"Like how you do it?

" Asher muttered lowly, still smirking.

n

"Yeah. I won't deny that.

"

n

"Rather than how I smoke, shouldn't you be more concerned about how you will go around this situation? You probably didn't notice, but I did try to show you a few exits that you could easily slip into, you know.

"

n

"Oh, is that what the tour about?

"

nIt was true that Asher did that. Of course, Ray would notice the exits, though he didn't expect his reason. However, leaving like that would only waste this opportunity. Escaping may have been his top priority last night, but not right now.

nAt any rate, it wasn't that difficult to tell that he was only testing him the whole time. He probably thinks he doesn't trust them enough and that he thinks that following them will not be worth it.

n

"I believe we still have some things to talk about, though. I went with you for the deets,

" Ray continued when he only stayed quiet.

n

"It takes more than what you think to make me spill all the beans. But at least, let me tell you about those murder cases that you've been investigating for days now,

" Asher brought up with a scowl marring his frame.

n

"You mean the suspects for the Millicent's assassination?

"

n

"Yeah. The thing is, they're our men.

"

nRay reacts taken aback by this, his eyes widening a little in nonplus. He expected that Asher would only tell about that single suspect who managed to survive and got away from the mastermind of the assassination.

n

"They're what...? Now that you said it, just what are you people?

" he asked in confusion.

n

"I thought you already have an idea somehow, especially after you saw all those guns and this secret base. The only thing I can tell you is that we're a group who carries out certain orders from various people who have the money to pay us - big shots, tycoons and personages,

" he answered with a nonchalant tone, sounding as if he wasn't revealing such an important information.

n

"I see... I get that I can't ask more than that, huh?

"

n

"Well, if you're working with the police, I will not even keep you alive right now. All you want here is to know about the suspects for your private investigation, though, am I right? Lucky for you, we're holding a grudge against the one who killed them. That person was blasted enough to break the agreement they decided upon. So, we wanted to make the bastard pay.

"

n

"That person... The mastermind of the assassination, you mean? So then, if you guys are working for wealthy people, then does it mean that this person is also...

"

n

"Let's just say that they're not just any big gun out there. The answer may shock you. But again, I can't just spill all the beans like this. I also want some things from you before I get to the main point here, old man Ray.

"

nThat's when Asher gets a bit more serious, expression turning darker. His gaze sharpens like a knife while his lips form a thin line. Sensing the air around him thicken out of nowhere, Ray braces himself for what he is about to say.

n

"You see, those suspects you say - they were not aware of who exactly they were targeting when they carried out the assassination. They only knew about which car they had to blow off. Seemed like the mastermind was keeping the identity of the target as a secret. Then again, instead of a bomb, they could just order them to shoot the target, right? That way, the chance of the assassination succeeding would be higher,

" Asher explained, making his eyes widen a little more in both surprise and enlightenment.

n

"Indeed... But how did you know that I'm working for the Millicent's if they don't even know who's the target? Did you get that information from the driver before he died?

" Ray questioned with a quizzical look.

n

"Of course not. We did not even know that the driver was involved. We learned about the identity of the target because that suspect who survived told us. You know why he quit his job at that car rental? He was almost at death's door, you know. The mastermind and some other people were pursuing him, so we had to step in and take action.

"

n

"Well, that's what I already suspected. I take that he somehow learned about the target being a Millicent when the mastermind and those people tried to finish him off?

"

n

"Close call. All the suspects learned about the target being a Millicent along with the true identity of the mastermind only after the assassination failed, which was why they were killed. That person really wanted every single evidence wiped out.

"

n

"What the...? So, it's not only because they found out who the mastermind was, but also because they knew who the target could be? And they didn't know the one who hired them beforehand?

"

n

"Yeah, that's how it went. It's normal, though. Well-known personalities who hire us don't usually reveal their identities. The masterminds send their workers or have a messenger negotiate with us most of the time. However, it's quite rare that they don't reveal who their targets are - just like this incident.

"

nAt this point, Ray is already getting the picture that Asher and these people are members of a mafia or an underground organization. It's starting to get obvious just from the dark nature of their jobs.

nHowever, he doesn't have the luxury to know more about them at the moment. He might end up getting shot for real. What he needs to prioritize here is getting the information and leaving unscathed.

n

"Anyway, that's quite a good amount of deets, no...? Now, it's your turn to answer me,

" Asher started again after he finished registering all those details in his head.

n

"Right. What do you want to ask?

" Ray calmly replied.

n

"Confirm this to me, Ray. Who exactly from the Millicent family was the target?

"

nHearing his tone get darker and thicker, he nearly jolts in flummox. He appears to be craving for the truth - perhaps, even way back before they began this conversation. It seems like there's no escaping that question this time around.

nRay still thinks that answering that is an unethical and dangerous thing to do, but he discerns that Asher is already aware of who it might be anyway. After all, he said 'confirm' which probably means that he has an idea at least.

n

"What would you do if I told you?

" Ray asked with a serious look, holding his ground.

n

"I would help you with the investigation - but if and only if you would let me see that person as well,

" Asher firmly muttered, making his brow twitch for a second.

n

"That's not for me to decide, but I do want to have you lend me some help. We're running out of leads, and you guys are the strongest ones so far. For that reason, I'll do what I can to have you meet my employer.

"

n

"Yeah, well, first... Confirm it.

"

n

"The target is-

"

n

"Asher, we've got bad news!

"

nThen came one of his companions all of the sudden.

nEveryone outside of the alley is thrown into panic out of nowhere. Some are rushing to one direction and the others are zooming away with their motorcycles. This gets the two abruptly cutting off their conversation and turning to look at the commotion.

n

"They got him, Asher! They killed him! The others are pursuing the gunmen now, but they won't be able to hold off for too long!

"

nHis companion didn't have to elaborate the details for them to know that the last remaining suspect in the assassination had just been murdered. While Ray stiffens at that in aghast shock, Asher can't help but curse underneath his breath and bolt out furiously.

n

"Shit! Damn it...! How the hell did they even know where he was...?!

" he exclaimed in rage before lashing his head back to him.

n

"Listen here, Ray! If you won't let me see the target as early as today, I won't be able to help you on time! Those **heads are still not giving up, you know! They're still after that person! They're going there right now!

"

n

"Huh? Going where? And right now? What the heck is happening?

" he blurted out with a perplexed and wary expression, sensing an impending danger.

n

"If you won't be able to do it now, I'd go there and see her myself!

"

nLike what Ray thought, Asher already knew that the target was Cassidy, but at that moment, he also sensed a strong outburst of feelings with the way he shouted out his intention to see her.

n