Chapter 267

267 Conduct A Secret Investigation

As soon as Marcel was out of the prison, he was calling Adele on the phone and thankfully, she picked on the first ring.

“Hello?”

“I need you at the base instantly,” He commanded her knowing this couldn’t wait any seconds.

“Well, guess who is in luck?” She said to his surprise.

“What?”

Marcel still had the phone on his ears when Adele appeared in his line of sight, waving her phone with a smile.

“I knew there was a reason I picked you.” Marcel was glad she was here.

“Don’t flatter me please, boss, it might get to my head.” Adele switched back to her professional mode.

“Well, I’m here to duck you in the pool if you lose your track,” He reminded her of the pool incident and Adele stiffened until she understood he meant it as a joke this time.

.....

“Thank you but I’d pass,” That incident still scared her and she hasn’t forgiven him about it. One thing was sure though, she’d have her pay back one day.

“Come, let’s discuss in my office,” Marcel gestured to her to take the lead, “Ladies first.”

Adele hardly trusted anybody but Marcel had no reason to hurt her nor was there a pool nearby to “duck” her, so she fearlessly led the way.

In Marcel’s office, they were served coffee and Adele scrunched her face at the stinging bitterness of the drink. How could someone drink these? Well, that someone was sitting right in front of her – and he couldn’t hear her thoughts thankfully.

“Don’t worry, you’d get used to the taste,” Marcel said at her facial reaction.

She’d get used to the taste? Does Marcel intend to feed her this everyday? She might as well make up excuses and conduct their meetings online from now on. Adele knew this position wouldn’t be easy but she never thought black coffee would be the reason.

“The magic lies in the smell not the taste,” He tried to appease her. Not that she was convinced.

Well, it did smell better than the regular coffee now she thought about it. But then, just because she was a tough lady doesn’t mean she wants her coffee to taste like charcoal.

“About Elijah...”

“That is exactly the reason why you are here.” Marcel said, dropping his cup. He glanced up at her, “Tell me your findings so far, I guess you have something for me if you came all the way to see me.”

Adele tucked her own cup on the lap – thankfully – and sat up straight, “I have nothing.”

Marcel’s brows arched, “Nothing?” He was not comforted by the news, “You came all the way here to tell me you have nothing on him?”

“Yes, I don’t,” Adele answered him fimly without fear. But she added afterwards, “However, I for one think that we have been going about this the wrong way?”

“Do tell,” Marcel was now interested in whatever she was saying, no, he was interested in whatever would bring Elijah down.

Adele began on, “All this while, we have all been searching for a mercenary called Elijah aka the phantom ghost. What if he’s not a ghost afterall?”

“I still don’t get you,” He was having a hard time connecting the dot.

“How many crime families do we have in this city?” She asked hopefully.

“Five of them – us included,” Marcel gasped, the whole thing beginning to make sense in his head, “Wait a minute, you are trying to say that Elijah might be a member of one of the crime family?”

She merely shrugged, “That’s a guess. But then, isn’t it strange how he’s so good at everything he does and his knowledge of the city? It’s as if he knows every inch of it and the reason why he has been able to hide efficiently from us. An outsider can’t do that, he has to be from one of the crime families. ” Adele stated.

For a minute, Marcel didn’t say a word and finally exclaimed, “God, you are so brilliant. That explains why I don’t have a thing on him. He must be using his family’s influence. So what’s left is to figure out the power of what family he’s welding?”

But that was easier said than done because that would involve an in depth investigation of the four families and just like he wouldn’t take it lightly if someone poked his nose into his family’s affairs, none of them would thank him for poking his nose where it doesn’t belong. This investigation needed to be done as carefully as ever else he might trigger a war with not just one, but all four families.

“This Elijah...” Adele said, her gaze focused, “I’ve been studying everything you have on him and my closest guess is that he’s a lone wolf.”

“What are you trying to say? That’s he estranged from his family?” Marcel looked better now that he has a lead.

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“I don’t know about that but he’s definitely far from home,” She instinctively guided the coffee to her lips only to frown in the next seconds. She had forgotten this wasn’t her cup of tea.

This time she placed the coffee on the desk, pushing it far away from her else she forgets and reached for it once again. Marcel noticed the gesture and said nothing, they didn’t know a thing about luxury.

“What about you?” It was time to hear from him, “You called me over, that must mean you have something for me. What is it?”

Marcel peered up at her, “I have this nagging feeling that Elijah has infiltrated my gang.”

Other than the slight widening of her eyes, Adele showed no other reaction other than calmness in this situation, “And?”

“If he loves her as much as the girl claims, then he must be here to rescue her – and fuck with me as well.” Marcel said.

“And?” She asked.

“I want you to look into our latest rescuits. From my findings, he must be using a fake identity and appearance as well – he’s efficient in the use of hyper-realistic masks. And most of all, he’s left-handed.”

Marcel had a serious look when he told her, “What I am trying to say is that you should conduct a secret investigation. Anyone with the slightest alteration on his body, get him to me.”