As early as 5 am, James prepared and left for work. He was so keen on keeping up with this game he was playing that he didn't want anything to jeopardize it.
When James got to work, all eyes fell on him. The workers at Emerald Multisource Cooperation began to wonder how he was able to challenge both the Carl's and the Sterlings, and get their sons arrested.
To some, it was practically impossible. 'How could he possibly do it?' 'it seems he has an external family backing him up. But who?
While to the other workers, he was indirectly digging his own grave. No one ever crosses the Carl and goes scout free.
James passed through the gate and tried as much as possible to avoid having an encounter with the two security guards. Luckily for him, they just stared roughly at him and let him in.
He smiled at them but they looked away. 'Perhaps, the news of yesterday's arrest must have gotten to them. How news flies'.
He got to the dressing room and put on his work clothes before joining the other janitors to check out the duty rooster and know where he would be working that day.
When he got to the notice board, and checked the rooster, he found his name but was not able to recognize the exact offices he would be cleaning since he's new and Emerald Multisource Cooperation is a very big company.
He began to ask his fellow janitors for direction so he could locate the offices he would work on but everyone he asked snubbed him.
One of the janitors noticed how James was not really familiar with the company and decided to come over to where he was and help him out.
"Hi. it seems you're not familiar with this company so I came over to show you around."
"Oh really? I was getting frustrated already. You know, I'm new here."
"Yes I noticed. Follow me."
He took James around the company and showed him everywhere.
"Thank you so much for helping me find my way around."
"You're welcome. No problem at all. I love helping people, that's all." The janitor said.
They both shook hands.
"By the way, I didn't catch your name. What's it? I'm James."
"I'm Anderson. Nice to meet you, James. If you need any more help, just ask."
"Alright."
He quickly joined the other janitors and began to clean the offices before the big staff arrived for work.
When he was done with his part, he decided to join the other Janitors at the janitors quarter.
They were all discussing and laughing among themselves but when they saw him, they kept quiet. He greeted them but they snubbed him, again.
They began to leave the quarter one by one and he knew they were avoiding him.
Anderson, who was in the quarter, knew what was happening and decided to stay behind with James.
"Hey what's going on?" James asked him.
"Why is everyone avoiding me?"
"I don't know. Maybe they are not done with their work" Anderson lied.
He doesn't want James to feel bad. He couldn't understand why the other janitors could be so mean to James.
"I feel they are avoiding me. Even when I asked for help this morning, they all snubbed me."
"Hey, Don't worry about them." He tried as much as possible to take James' mind away from the incident.
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes!"
"Alright let's go play."
In truth, one of the senior staff has called all the other janitors and told them to avoid James if they want to keep their Jobs.
Nobody knew where the order was from and so they decided to be rude to him except for Anderson who saw no reason to do so.
****** ***** ******
That morning, as early as 6 am Kate was already in the ESU barracks begging for the release of her son, Henry.
She loved Henry so much that she couldn't wait till morning before going to the station.
When she got to the station, she was denied access to see him.
The ESU agents on duty were so strict towards her that they decided to throw her out at once.
"Leave immediately or we'll throw you out." they told her.
"Please, he's my only son, release him for me." She begged.
"Your only son is a menace to society and is being apprehended. Get out of here! Are you deaf!" They warned her for the upteenth time.
Just then, the agent's phone rang.
"Hello Sir."
"What's going on?" The leader of the agents asked from his office.
"It's the mother of the boy from last night. She's causing a lot of trouble already."
"Let her into my office."
The agent allowed her in and took her to the Man's office.
The leader of the ESU agents had a big, neat office. There was a big window behind. The walls had awards on them, showing the leader was good at the job. In the middle, there was a big brown desk with several computers. Some which connect the CCTV. There was a big chair behind the desk where the Man was seated. There were also some books on shelves and a flag on the wall.
The office was clean and organized, and it was clear the special unit knew what they were doing. There were a few chairs for people to sit, and a small table with drinks. It was a room for making important decisions and leading the agents.
Mr. Duncan was busy with some paperworks when she got in. "Please, sit," he said.
She sat down.
"What is it you want?"
"I came to bail my son."
"Your son? What's his name?"
"Henry… Henry carl."
"Ok."
He picked up his phone and called one of the agents to bring Henry to his office.
Few minutes later, Henry was hurled into the office in handcuffs.
"Henry! Are you alright?" Kate rushed to where Henry was standing and hugged him.
"Mom! How could I be? You guys should get me out of here ASAP. I can't stand one more night."
"We're working on it son."
"Ehem! Ehem!" Mr Duncan coughed, bringing the whole attention to himself.
"I've come for the release of my son."
"I'm afraid it's not possible as your son would be charged to court. The ESU do not grant bail to arrested criminals especially when the evidence against him is too much."
"My son is innocent!"
"I'm innocent, I didn't do anything." Henry protested.
"The evidence showed otherwise. Listen here Madam. I'm not even supposed to allow you here in the first place but I just felt pity for you because I know how hard it must have been for you."
"Officer, he was only trying to defend himself. It was a matter of self defense. They both got into a fight." She lied and began to cry.
She was hoping the agents would let her son go if she acted well.
But he was not buying any of that.
"Hmm you want to act smart," the agent pulled out a file containing Henry's name.
"All this is the crime committed by your son against an innocent young man. He illegally connived with one Mr. Jaxon to maltreat James. Look closely here, this is not a self defense matter. I believe you both can read or even if you can't, I'd do the honor to read it out to you."
He read out the file to her.
Kate knowingly fully well that the agent knows she's lying decided to bribe him out.
"Ok officer, how much are we talking about here. Name it."
"Madam this is not a police station, this is a special unit. I'm afraid your request cannot be granted so leave."
"Relax officer, let's talk this out."
"Agents!"
"Yes Sir!"
"Escort this woman out, and send this man back to his cell."
"Please sir! This is not right! Release my son!"
"Move or we move you."
The agents held her and half dragged her out of the office and finally out of the gate while she kept screaming and cursing at the top of her voice.
She was not one to give up, not when her only son is in custody. She decided to go over to the company and drag the hell out of James until he releases her son.
Around 9 am, she hurriedly made her way to Emerald Multisource Cooperation.
When she got to the gate, the two security guards recognized her and allowed her in with all smiles on their faces.
Since her daughter is the manager, they decided to act nicely to her so as to secure some favor from her."
"Hey, Big Mom!" They greeted her.
"How are you big Mom? What's wrong you're looking vexed this morning."
"Is anything the matter? Tell us."
Kate took out her phone and showed them an image of James. "I'm looking for this bastard."