“Where’s Bevan?” said Brigid, and looked around.
They could not find the Celtic Guardian anywhere. But it didn’t take long for him to make an appearance. He emerged from the corner of one of the building’s outer walls. He looked either way before crossing the street, a jubilant smile on his face. “There’s an entrance to the side of the building. There’s just a single camera covering that spot.”
Brigid looked at the remaining two. “We’re leaving now.”
Both her and Bevan headed to the trunk of the car, which opened fully on its own even before they stood before it. The Celtic leader extracted a jacket that she wore. She handed two to Epona, who in turn handed one to Maitho. The duo wore the jackets, concealing the bulletproof vest they were wearing.
Maitho took the extra precaution of zipping up his jacket and noticed the women do the same.
“Let me talk to her,” said Brigid. She was referring to Jennifer.
Maitho thought about her suggestion for a moment. She definitely looked like she had a more trustworthy face than him. Much as he disliked admitting it, he understood that the world paid attention to aesthetics, even when it came to fellow people. If someone had pleasing facial features, they were more likely to receive the confidence of others. He wasn’t devaluing his looks. He was told by a few that he had attractive features. But if someone had told him that he had just one shot to make this mission right—and he probably did have just one opportunity—he would agree that Brigid had a better chance of communicating with Jennifer. Then there was the fact that this was essentially her mission. "Alright. I think you stand a better chance."
Brigid gave a quick nod and headed followed Bevan, Epona close behind.
Maitho hung back and placed his hand on Quinn's roof. “Try going around the block frequently to check for potential threats. Change into a different car when you get the chance. Don’t return to this spot in the same body.”
“Good thinking,” said Quinn. “If I am not here, I’ll let you know where to find me.”
Maitho tapped twice in acknowledgement and pushed himself away. He began walking towards the Celtic team. Behind him, he heard the sound of a car engine. Soon, Quinn took off in one direction. Maitho caught up with the rest and together, they made their way around the perimeter of the building. The wall that surrounded the property was a little more than twelve feet high. It was an imposing height, made to show the residents that they were within absolutely safety. For the money that the apartment owners were shelling out, such sucurity measures were a given.
The door that they reached, on the other hand, was a normal sized one that probably served as an exit for the staff or workers. A cylindrical shaped camera was mounted above the door, it’s lens facing away from the street. It wasn’t there to see who walked the streets, but to check who enters and exits the building.
Without stopping, Bevan picked up a rock from the ground. He tossed it up once and caught it without looking. He then flicked the rock from hip height.
The projectile was so fast, it might as well have been fired from a gun. Bevan's aim was true. The rock struck the camera so hard that it nearly twisted it around a hundred and eighty degrees.
Bevan walked up to the door and opened it. “Security will have noticed that one of their cameras is down. They'll be here in a few minutes at most, assuming that someone is on patrol right now.” He ducked his head inside and checked both directions. “It looks clear.”
Maitho crossed the doorway and entered a large compound with the others. A small stone path led to a glass door, which in turn led inside the building. A card reader was mounted on the wall beside it, a red sliver of red light on the device showing that it was active, but locked.
The ground on either side of the stone walkway extended into grassy paths. It seemed as though they might be at the building’s rear entrance, seeing as how the ground on either side was narrow, able to fit just three people standing side-by-side.
Bevan walked up to the door. He grabbed the handle and with a little tug, ripped the door open. Some kind of locking mechanism broke off, flying over their heads.
He entered the building and the rest followed. He headed straight for the emergency stairs. “The elevators will be monitored. Besides, I think we might need a keycard to access it.” He opened the glass doors, which were unlocked as they needed to allow the flow of human traffic in case of emergencies, and reached the stairs.
“She must be really successful in MLM to actually live here,” said Maitho. “Or there is a lot more to her.”
“Maybe a rich husband?” said Epona.
“Could be. But if that is the case, why even join an MLM organization?”
They climbed up the stairs in silence. When they noticed the number six on the wall and a door beside it, Bevan spoke. "This is it." He opened the door of the floor.
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The four stepped inside a wide hallway. Golden lights dominated the ceiling at regular intervals. A carpet featuring geometric designs spread on either side of them. Bevan examined the nearest apartment door, then he looked at the next. He then headed in the opposite direction. “This way.”
Oddly, there were no cameras to be found anywhere. Maitho guessed that while the residents loved security, they valued privacy as well. Still, he wasn’t going to complain about an advantage that they could use.
Bevan eventually came to a door with the number 606 emblazoned on it in gold. He stood to one side of the door and nodded to the others. Epona took position on the other side, leaving some space free so that if someone opened the door, they wouldn’t see her immediately. Maitho stood next to her.
Brigid positioned herself in front of the door. She tugged her jacket lapel and freed her hair from within the collar. She gave a quick glance at Bevan before walking up to the door and knocking on it twice. She took a step back, clasping her hands in front of her and fixing a smile.
Maitho heard faint footsteps approaching the door. It was soon opened and he heard the sound of pieces of metal clinking. Jennifer must have opened the door as far as the lock chain allowed.
“Yes? Can I help you?” The apprehension in her voice was obvious, even though she tried sounding friendly.
“Hi, Miss Yansay?” said Brigid, looking inquisitive, but never dropping her jovial demeanour.
“That’s right. I’m afraid I don’t know you.”
Brigid raised her palms. “How could you? You probably might not have noticed before. But I moved to the second floor. I just got to know that you were living in this building as well.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”
Brigid was quick to respond. “You misunderstand. I’m not selling anything. My friend told me about you. She was in one of your group meetings and just made her first investment a couple of days ago. She was excited about joining your business, but I never got a chance to attend your meetings.”
The reaction was instant. The talk about investment must have triggered the greed mechanism in Jennifer’s mind. “Of course,” she said, ecstatic. “Give me a moment.” She closed the door and Maitho heard her remove the lock chain. When she allowed entry into her apartment, it was by opening the door wide. “Come on in.”
Brigid smiled and stepped inside. “Sorry if I’m intruding on a family moment.”
“Not at all,” said Jennifer, enthusiasm marinating her voice. “It’s just me.”
“That’s so perfect.”
What happened next was something no one could predict. There was the sound of a slap. Epona and Bevan shared a look, but Maitho stepped around them and walked to the entrance. Inside the apartment’s main hallway, he spotted Brigid grasping Jennifer’s neck, pushing her back against one wall. The other woman’s eyes were wide open. Her eyeballs rotated until her pupils were focused on Maitho.
“What are you doing?” said Maitho.
“We don’t have time for a chat,” said Brigid. She brought her face closer to jennifer. “And I’m guessing you are not going to scream, correct?”
Jennifer nodded repeatedly, as though her head was moving beyond her control.
“Get in and close the door,” said Brigid. Using her free hand, she unzipped her jacket and pulled out the handgun.
Jennifer’s eyes opened even wider. A whimper escaped her lips. Maitho was too stunned to react. He wanted to say something. To do something.
Brigid spoke. “Maitho, the longer this takes, the more chances that someone will spot us. Get the hell in.”
Thankfully, Bevan and Epona joined him.
“Brigid, what the heck?” Bevan could not hold back his surprise.
“Inside, you idiots.” Brigid practically snarled at them.
They had no choice but to comply. After he stepped inside, Maitho heard the door close behind him. Someone put the door chain was back on as well.
Brigid looked Jennifer square in the eye. “I’m going to let you go. But if you make a single sound, I will be forced to use this weapon.”
“What do you want?” Jennifer practically stammered her words out.
“For starters, let’s head into the living room,” said Brigid. “I don’t need to tell you the consequences of calling for help, now do I?”
Jennifer shook her head and the hold on her neck was released. The woman coughed, but soon recovered, looking at each of the intruders in her apartment.
Brigid pulled back the hammer on the handgun. Jennifer reacted as though she was delivered a shock through her body. She began moving further into the apartment.
Maitho walked up to the Celtic team’s leader and grasped her elbow. “This is not how we do things.”
After giving a sigh, Brigid spoke. “Let me go. I don’t want to hurt you too.”
It was as though someone had stabbed Maitho’s hand. He released the woman’s hand, watching her follow Jennifer into a room at the end of the hallway.
“What is she doing?” said Bevan.
“Has she done this before?” said Maitho.
Epona answered. “Tae potential threats, ay. Tae civilians? Never.”
“Now I want you to listen to me Jennifer,” came Brigid’s voice from the other room.
“We better see what she’s up to,” said Bevan.
Maitho led the way. When he entered the spacious living room of the apartment, he stopped.
Brigid had her handgun pointed at Jennifer, who was sitting on the sofa with her hands held in front of her like they alone were enough to shield her from a bullet. “Please, I will do as you say. Please don’t hurt me.” Tears were streaming down her face
“I won’t have to,” said Brigid, her expression cold. “But you control the outcome. We are going to have a little talk and you are going to be honest, you got that?”