Chapter 4 The Task.

Ethan had his mind made up. He was going to go through with the offer.

He had reverted back to the authorities, informing them of his decision.

He knew he had to make lots of preparations in advance. Already, there was hardly enough time as he was called immediately to the meeting that had been set up for the purpose of briefing.

He had barely arrived when few other cops scooted towards where his car was parked, exchanging pleasantries for it has been a long time since they last saw themselves.

"Hit me on the secret, man" A female officer stared admiringly at Ethan. "What is it that you're eating and I'm not?"

Ethan laughed a little before giving her a stumbling response "Riches."

Her grunt of surprise bridged against his side as they made their way into the place. The subtle act sent everyone laughing.

Ethan took time to let his gaze linger around. He couldn't tell a lie even if he was asked to. He obviously did miss the place.

"Detective Daniel would come in shortly" Mickey, the female officer had informed "He asked that you give him few minutes."

"It's fine" Ethan drew out a chair which he sat on, having it on his mind that the wait might be long. He was familiar with Detective Daniel and his stalling.

While he sat, his attention was drawn to the planning board before him. He was convinced that useful information had been prepared, and correspondingly, research was done on the gang as he skimmed at the paper picture of a strange man who he could clearly tell was the subject of the investigation.

"I see you didn't wait too long." Ethan's observance was interrupted by a voice, but he knew exactly whose voice it was. He had always ignored the fact about the detective being proud. He invariably makes his statement give him credit.

"Detective Danny." Ethan called in a familiar tone, he had always deemed it easier than calling the full word.

"Ethan" Daniel had returned the subtle act of calling first names as he leaned over the table, nearing Ethan and meaning to emphasize on the phrase.

"That's me" Ethan only smirked "I hear you need me."

"Oh, you're too proud" Detective Daniel had panned, taking a seat across Ethan.

"I think the same of you" Ethan voiced out and both men set off laughing, letting their laughter trail off Just as a third person joined.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late." Patrick's heart skipped a little too fast, it seemed as though he ran there.

Patrick was a cop in the same station as Daniel, they were in fact, team members.

"Welcome" Detective Daniel replaced the word with his vanished smile.

"Thank you." Patrick gave a quick response as he let out his left hand to Ethan. "Mr Ethan"

Ethan returned the gesture with a genuine smile and the men set into talking business.

"So.." Patrick dragged, flipping the pages of a file he held tightly within his grip. "We made research and it's a tough place."

Before coming, Ethan had told himself that nothing was going to put his mind off the project. If innocent lives were involved, then he was fully involved.

"So, what would be our approach?" Ethan let the air off his chest, leaning a bit further onto the table and placing both his elbows on it.

Daniel's eyes flashed with a glitter of hope, a little much of a big reaction to a mere acceptance in his stance.

"A member was killed few days back" Daniel butted in "we thought we could make a story out of it"

Ethan knew where this was going, it was too easy. The only solution was to claim he knew whoever was killed.

"He was the personal advisor and closest man to our suspect, the whole point of the investigation, Elio Riccardo." Daniel stood from his chair and headed to point out a particular picture on the planning board. "Right here."

"You have to claim to be his fake son" Patrick right out added, as though he hung through Ethan's thoughts.

Ethan nodded, he wasn't sure of the research outcome, he knew nothing about the said member. "How old is he?"

"About fifty years of age" Patrick tapped the tip of his fingers on the surface of the table, handing a profile to Ethan thereafter. " Thomas Wilder"

"That's his name?" Ethan's brows creased, taking the article from Patrick. For him, it was a name too nice to lose its owner.

"Yes" Patrick had answered, there was a lot in his book which he needed to spill.

"You won't be his actual son but a ward" Daniel butted in, with his eyes averted toward Ethan. "It's untraceable if you use that."

"yes" Patrick confirmed, looking down at his file. "Following the research, Thomas Wilder has just three children which may be possibly recognized by the gang."

Ethan ignored the confusion the new information caused as he looked further to hear more.

"But.." Patrick had continued "He once ran something you'd call an orphanage, he took care of a tiny group of little children."

Ethan shook his head, he clearly understood the whole point. It was easy to claim to be one of the kids which the man cared for. "Tell me, which of the kids might be the key?"

"His name is Noah Turner" Patrick had flipped a page from his file for the umpteenth time, adjusting the sides of his glasses. "Has been missing for a year, and neither has he been found dead."

"Good steal" Ethan confirmed, taking yet another profile from Patrick. He could see that it contained the background of Noah as he screened through the report.

"That's the background made up for Noah" Daniel added, seeing as Ethan looked leniently at the article. "We could have it look like he ran from home and suddenly returned, I'll take care of his backstory in advance."

"That's the only way" Ethan exuded in his ideas. His expression looked a bit too serious now. "How about his family?"

"He has a blind mother, and that's all. Everything you need to know is right there" Patrick pointed to the paper Ethan still held up in his grip.

"Wow" Ethan's eyes searched the whole article "Nature sure does play everyone."

"We have been able to find out the most about Noah" Daniel paused, promptly staring at both men in front of him. "We have people on deck searching for any more information."

Patrick closed his file, confirming the words of the detective. "What's left to think about is how you would execute your role."

His words were directed to Ethan. Ethan of all people was very much aware the execution process meant nothing to him. He always had his own ways.

"That's not a problem."

"Good" Daniel let out an obvious sigh of relief prompting a light chuckle from Ethan. To him, it had seemed as though Daniel was mentally playing his role, but only Daniel knew just how hectic it was to find someone that could easily go through with the offer.

"I do think it would be a success." Ethan proceeded to assure both men. It was only better that he had full confidence over the investigation.

"I trust you." Daniel did not lie. He was familiar with Ethan, and he very well knew how the man worked. "You would be introduced to the few other men in this with us."

"Yes" Patrick hadn't failed to concur. "One of which is a computer exponent, everything has to be in perfect place."

Ethan shook his head. He was already convinced the plan was more on the successful side. He was informed earlier about the frequent meetings required in a bid to get by heart the activities of the gang.

He pushed back his seat, rising from its flat surface as he made to leave for the door. "I'll get going then."

The two men stood along with Ethan. They only leaned scarcely towards each other, trading handshakes before leaving for the door.

Ethan made to his car, getting into it after saying a few good byes. He had so much to do on hitting the floor of his house. The case needed as much attention to avoid unnecessary mistakes on his part.

Before long, Ethan was at the entrance of the mansion, letting himself in with an exquisite looking card. It was a smart mansion and the building instantly recognized him.

Heading further to his room, he heard his phone chime. It was bothersome because he expected no calls or messages at the moment. His thoughts were at their peak already.

He looked down at his phone. The device shone brightly, splattering blue light through his features.

A notification indicating a missed call is displayed clearly, leaving out the time forgone.

Ethan tapped on the spot and it came into view that he had missed a call from Detective Daniel.

His fingers paused, as he wondered the reason for the sudden call from the detective. It was probably to pass more information, he had thought.

He went ahead to dialed the phone number, watching it go through almost immediately.

"Yes" Daniel's voice sounded from the other end.

"I saw a call from you" Ethan felt the need to say. "I'm sorry I missed it."

"Oh yes" Daniel let out a heavy breathe. "Noah Turner might be alive and accessible."

"You sound like it's bad news" Ethan knew very well that it could be contradictory to their plans. The presence of the actual Noah might ruin everything.

"And it's not?" Daniel asked from his end. Ethan could swear he heard a heavy heart thump from the end of the phone. "Can we work with two Noah Turners?"

"Is that not possible?" Ethan couldn't beat his positivity even if he wanted to.

Silence only filled both ends of the call, as both men waited on each other for a response.