Chapter 9
"Jem, you gotta shadow Dennis today, get acquainted with him. That's your ticket to an early advantage," Alan's voice crackled over the phone as I lounged by the pool at Jay's villa, the sun kissing my skin, casting a golden hue over everything.
"Got it, tail Dennis, get acquainted, check!" I affirmed into the phone, ending the call with a click. The air was filled with anticipation as the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the approaching night. Time was of the essence; I needed to act swiftly to make progress.
A week had slipped by in Rome, and my encounter with Dennis remained unproductive. Jon's warning echoed in my mind, cautioning against rushing and the perils of making a misstep in this operation.
Emerging from the pool, I wrapped myself in my coat, a shield against the evening chill. I set out to find Jay, my partner in this mission. Starting with the study and then his room, I was determined to locate him before embarking on the next phase of our plan.
As I approached Jay's room, I heard him speaking a strange, yet familiar language. Pidgin English, a language I didn't expect him to be fluent in. I listened intently as he spoke vehemently over the phone, depicting an annoyed tone.
I knocked on the door and he muttered, "Come in!" hastily. I held my coat tighter around me, ensuring no bare skin was showing.
"How many more languages can you speak?" I quizzed as I entered, my curiosity piqued.
"And how many more languages can you hear?" He retorted, matching my tone. The room crackled with unspoken words, waiting to be decoded.
"Countless reasons!" I retorted, my eyes gleaming with purpose.
"So, what's the plan?" Jay probed, smoothing down his shirt collar with a hint of intrigue.
"You're my getaway driver for tailing Dennis, and my safety net if things go south," I explained sharply, gripping my coat tightly. I noticed Jay's subtle scrutiny, which sent a shiver down my spine.
"Alright, prep up!" He ordered casually, glancing away. I hurried out of the room, breathing a sigh of relief as I escaped the escalating awkwardness.
"I'm set," I announced a few minutes later. Jay was engrossed in his phone, grumbling as he rose to his feet.
"Let's move," he commanded, leading the way out with me trailing close behind, the tension lingering between us.
"No mask?" Jay inquired as we got into the car, prompting a frustrated sigh from me. I dashed back inside to grab it.
"Ready now," I murmured, slipping back into the car. Jay revved the engine, and we sped off, me adjusting the face mask and donning fake blue contacts.
"Take this," Jay handed me an earpiece. I complied silently.
"Connected to both of us?" I questioned, watching Jay navigate the road.
"Alan's in the loop too. Gotta stick close for his camera feed," Jay explained.
"Alan's in New York though," I pointed out, arching an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Inventors, right?" Alan's voice crackled through the earpiece, startling me momentarily.
"This spot looks good to stake out Dennis," Jay remarked, parking discreetly.
"Ready for Dennis in ten minutes. How do you want to approach him?" Alan's voice filled the speaker, Jay setting up the camera in the background.
"Unconventional, but here goes," I declared with a determined smile, stepping out of the car.
"Where are you headed?" Jay questioned, concern lacing his words.
"What's the plan, Jem?" Alan queried, but I remained silent, waiting by the roadside for Dennis.
As headlights approached, signaling Dennis's arrival, I stepped onto the road, colliding with the vehicle.
Pain shot through me, drowning out the voices on the earpiece. I struggled to maintain consciousness, battling the urge to slip away.
"Are you alright?" A voice asked, but I barely registered it as I teetered on the edge of oblivion.
"I'm coming for you," Jay's voice crackled through the earpiece, his urgency palpable.
"No," I managed to whisper weakly, halting his impending action.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" The voice persisted, coaxing me back to reality. Dennis stood before me, extending a helping hand.
"Dennis Saunders?" I feigned astonishment, accepting his gesture but keeping up the act of shock.
"I'm terribly sorry. Let me get you to the hospital," Dennis offered sincerely, his concern genuine.
"No hospital," I declined firmly, formulating a plausible excuse on the spot. The impulsive move had led to this unexpected encounter with Dennis.
"Why not?" Dennis inquired, the night growing ominous with the promise of rain, the deserted streets bearing witness to our exchange.
"I was lost in despair, contemplating the end," I confessed with a heavy heart, eliciting sympathy from Dennis.
"You have ten minutes to plant the device," Alan's voice reminded, urging me to act swiftly.
"I'm truly sorry to hear that," Dennis consoled, pulling me into a comforting embrace. Seizing the moment, I discreetly planted the tracker, with another camera tracker left to go.
"How can I help?" Dennis asked, offering support.
"Just need a distraction," I hinted cryptically, hoping Jay caught on.
"Need someone to distract you?" Dennis questioned, eyeing me skeptically.
"Just a certain MACE ON," I replied, emphasizing the Mason, relief washing over me at Jay's chuckle through the earpiece.
"Pretty Creative!" Jay chuckled, through the earpiece causing relief to flood through me.
"Perhaps a check-up wouldn't hurt," Dennis suggested, his voice laced with concern, just as distant sirens began to wail.
"Damn, I have to go. But here, input your number so I can reach you, alright?" Dennis handed me his phone, turning to converse with his guard. Seizing the moment, I discreetly planted the camera.
"Here you go," I returned his phone, concealing my actions.
"Alright, catch you later," he hurriedly bid farewell before speeding off.
"Nicely done!" Alan's voice whispered through the earpiece.
I made my way back to where Jay had parked the car, only to find him gazing at me in admiration.
"Kudos to your acting skills," he commended, to which I simply shrugged. The journey home was quiet, my exhaustion begging for rest.
Upon arriving at the house, we were met by a concerned Vanessa.
"What's the matter?" Jay inquired, dropping his bag on a chair. I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing my temples.
"I think you need to see this," Vanessa urged, leading us to a room. Jay and I exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what awaited us.
"Dimitri, what's going on?" I questioned as we entered what appeared to be an interrogation space.
"We apprehended him and two others attempting to breach the wall," Dimitri explained, indicating a figure slumped in a chair, signs of abuse evident on his person.
"Where are the other two?" I inquired, earning a weary exhale from Jay.
"Dead," Dimitri disclosed.
"What have you found out?" Jay interjected, his hands planted firmly on his hips.
"They were sent by Dennis," Dimitri revealed. I glanced at Vanessa, noting the tension in her expression.
"And what do they want?" Jay pressed, his frustration mounting.
"It's not what, but who they seek," Dimitri locked eyes with Jay.
"And who is that?" I queried, a hint of exasperation in my voice.
"Silent Killer."