'Mr. No One...'
When Spike awakened, he texted Turner immediately.
'Inquire around if anyone used the alias 'Mr. No One' or just 'No one!' Learn about their background but do not approach. Hire additional men if you must! And add Qila's landlord as one of your suspects!'
'Yes, sir!'
Spike called his former chef, Soledad.
"Good morning, sir," the old woman greeted him cheerfully.
"Good morning, Soledad! How's your arthritis?"
"Good! I can move my fingers... The new medicine worked. But what do you need, sir? I'm sure, it's not my arthritis," Soledad replied with a saucy grin.
"I need you to look after a girl."
"Ah, the one you brought in the clinic! How is she now?"
Spike chuckled. Nothing escaped his old chef!
"Qila is okay now. She's still sleeping. I want you to see to her needs. She has no clothes and personal things."
"Okay, sir! Thank you for entrusting your Qila to my care," Soledad bowed courteously.
'My Qila!' It was well said, indeed!
Spike was in good mood when he started his day. He went to the gym and lifted weights for thirty minutes. He did this every day before he went to work. He let his mind wander as he exercised.
He knew why the shadow was featured in his dream. He was there. The poster of the dragon was there.
It was maddening though. Spike could not place the shuffling steps. He was certain that he knew someone who moved like the shadow.
He peeped on Qila's room before going to his room. She was still asleep. Soledad smiled and signed to let her sleep. He nodded.
He was whistling a love song when he turned the shower. Having Qila inside his home made him contented despite the problems at work.
"Sir, the powder is some kind of mind-altering drug. It is potent and can be fatal when ingested heavily," Turner reported to Spike.
They met face to face when Spike arrived at the office.
"Everything is contaminated. Even the bottled water in the refrigerator," continued Turner.
"The landlord?" Spike asked.
"He says he installed the correct length of door chain. He didn't know how it became that long. He is being watched, sir!"
"Good. What is the origin of the drug? Is it synthetic? What is the base?"
"It is pure. It originates in a plant, which is a hybrid. It is given the pet name cocci," Turner scratched his head. He had the military haircut.
"I'm sure, it is illegal. Where do the plants grow?"
"We are currently scouting to its location, sir."
"Have some men check out the underground."
"Yes, sir!" Turner made notes on his cellphone.
"The old man. Do you have him watched, too?" Spike remembered to ask.
"He is mentally-ill so we sent him to the mental institution."
"I want him watched. Check on him." Spike drummed his fingers on the glass desk. "That's all for now. Keep me posted."
"Right, sir!" Turner saluted before leaving.
Spike's next appointment was Attorney Babie.
"What is the development from Dollie Lerma?"
"Miss Lerma has left the premises this morning. She received a fat back pay but with no employment certificate, sir." Attorney Babie read the paper with her while reporting. "She is still suspended in social media. She made attempts to create accounts but our connections detected them so... but this won't go on. She could penetrate somehow."
"As long as it takes, do it. I have faith in your competence!"
Attorney Babie smiled widely. "Thank you, sir!"
"That's all for now. Keep me posted," Spike repeated the words.
The meeting with the department heads was re-scheduled to this afternoon. It was supposed to be yesterday morning.
"Miss Rodriguez, kindly start the meeting with the department heads," Spike instructed the elderly personal assistant.
"Yes, sir!"
He stood by the glass window facing the conference room. He could observe the occupants without being seen.
Spike would offer his employees an attractive retirement package. They could still work if they wanted but on a different capacity and with reduced hours. They would have a free one-week vacation and--
Wait a minute--that shuffling steps.
His eyes turned red suddenly. In his mind's eyes, he saw the 'Shadow!'
"Turner, get your men ready! I think, we have the 'Shadow' here!" Spike called security. "Do not alarm the other employees. We are having a meeting."
Spike spoke through the sound system. "Good afternoon, everyone!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Pendragon!" All, except one, answered to his cheerful greeting.
Abigor Limrick could be the shadow who visited Qila at her flat!
Abigor had pasty skin and bulging eyes. He had drooling full lips. His spectacles were thick. He had bald head. He always wore black: black sweatshirt and black pants. His speech was slurred. Yet his stance was arrogant and sure of himself. Did he work for someone?
Spike remembered interviewing Abigor Limrick, twenty years ago. He was younger and better-looking. He was conceited and big-headed then but he was a genius. He was a walking encyclopedia of plants.
'Plants... A coincidence?'
'What went wrong with you, Abigor Limrick?' Spike asked himself.
"Sir." Turner spoke quietly. He appeared beside Spike.
Spike pointed to Abigor Limrick silently. Turner took pictures using his cellphone. He showed them to Spike to be sure.
Spike nodded.
Turner walked a few meters away from Spike before he gave instructions to his men.
Spike continued with the meeting. He enumerated the company packages to all employees with ages fifty and up.
"I hope to hear from you by next week. Advise the employees under you about the company packages. Good day!"
"Sir, Mr. Limrick wants to speak with you," Miss Rodriguez informed him through the intercom.
"Okay. I shall speak with him. Give him the receiver."
"Where is Qila Arrow?" Abigor looked straight to the glass window. He knew that Spike was gazing at him.
"Qila Arrow?" Spike was startled but decided to play the innocent.
"You gave the marching orders for Dollie Lerma while Qila Arrow was missing," Abigor dribbled saliva on the receiver.
"I don't know what you're saying, Mr. Limrick. Good day!"
"Your end is near, Brantley Pendragon!" Abigor's threat was heard by Turner before he plunked down the receiver.
"Abigor Limrick just signed his marching orders, sir," Turner concluded.
"Yes," Spike shook his head. "Did you record that? Go to HR with that. And find all infos that you can find about Limrick!"
"Okay, sir!" Turner saluted again before leaving.
Spike called Soledad.
"Sol, how is Qila?"
"Miss Qila awakened an hour ago. She had breakfast and she's having a warm bath."
"Did the couriers send the packages?"
"Yes, sir... but Miss Qila rejected them," Soledad reported hesitantly.
"Hmm... may I please speak with Qila?"
"Ah, wait, sir..."
"Hello?"
"Hello, darling..." Spike whispered huskily.
"Spike?"
"Have you seen the clothes I bought for you?"
"I'll accept them if you will let me pay," she replied firmly.
"Okay," he agreed readily. There was a mischievous lilt in his voice. "On one condition..."
"What?" Qila asked curiously.
"Wear the red dress!"
"Red dress? What? I can't wear that!"
"Why? It is a respectable dress," Spike reasoned in his most seductive voice.
"Respectable? It is just a short tube!"
"Just try it on, darling. I'll be home in a few minutes..."
Spike signed a few papers. He checked his calendar.
"Miss Rodriguez, what is this? Interview ten applicants for p.a. position?"
"You will choose the next personal assistant, sir. I'm fifty-five so I'm eligible to accept the company packages."
"No need, Miss Rodriguez. I already have one in mind. You can go to HR and apply for retirement!" Spike picked up the pen and crossed out the appointment.
"Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you!" The matronly figure went out of the door hurriedly.
When Spike went down to the basement parking lot, he saw Abigor Limrick walking towards a black pick-up truck.
Abigor paused to what he was doing to stare at Spike with hostility.
Spike was surrounded by a dozen security men. His expression was enigmatic. He could have Abigor killed there and then. But he would not.
Patience...
'Limrick has many cohorts. He will not be this defiant... And why is he asking about Qila? How did he know that I have Qila?' Spike thought while he sat at the back of the white Cadillac.
He would ask Qila about Limrick.
When he got home, Soledad greeted him cheerfully.
"Good afternoon, sir!"
"Good afternoon--you sound happy, Soledad!" Spike observed with a smile.
"Miss Qila is delightful to care for, sir!"
"Where is she?"
"Miss Qila is waiting for you by the fountain, sir."
"Did she--? Oh, never mind! I'll surprise myself!" he chuckled.
Spike followed the sound of the splashing water. He looked around.
"Qila darling?"
"I'm here!"
He saw her face only. Her body was hidden from view.
"Come out here," he invited huskily.
Spike admired her fresh and young beauty while strolling towards her.
Qila was watching him breathlessly. Her sparkling eyes traced his lips and chin while he was getting nearer.
"I like it when you stare at me, Qila!" he whispered throatily. "Come, my darling..."
Qila accepted his outstretched hand and came into full view.
"Do you like the dress?"
She twirled while holding his hand above her head. She was wearing the red dress!
"You are beautiful, Qila Arrow!"