"Take this." Josh handed the big bag in his hand to Albert and the man accepted questioningly anyway. Josh could already estimate Albert's response.
"What is this, Sir?" Albert asked when he received the bag from Josh which turned out to be quite heavy.
"Let's talk inside. I don't want to disturb your neighbors," Josh said, which of course means it's not like that. Josh didn't want to risk if Albert's neighbors eavesdropped on their conversation and further threatened this hard-built illegal organization.
Albert nodded and allowed Josh to come in. Although he was a little wary because he had not confirmed whether Anas had slept or not. So, Albert took Josh to talk in the kitchen which was quite far from Anas' room.
"How's the girl?" Josh asked, taking off his coat and draping it over the chair.
"She's sick with a fever, Sir," Albert said, sitting opposite Josh.
"Is that girl sickly often?"
"I don't know. I also don't understand why she suddenly had a fever," Albert said.
Josh nodded and then he pointed at the big bag that Albert placed near the foot of the dining table. "The bag contains rifles of various types with bullets that you often use. I asked Thomas to pack it. Keep it right, you must remember now to live amid normal people."
"But, why did you bother to bring my weapon? If I need to, I can come directly to Ladybug headquarters. I don't think it will provoke suspicion," Albert said, confused.
"No. You can't hang around, Al. Let alone leave the girl alone here. I changed your duties until an undetermined time. Take care and make sure Anastasia is not visible to anyone. If you can, don't let your neighbors see her," Josh explained, in a low voice, but firm.
Albert tried to look deeper into Josh's eyes. He recognized the man enough after cooperating for nearly a decade, but it seemed that tonight Josh was quite good at hiding his worries.
"Mister, I'm not your member who has only been in for a year or two. Are you sure you asked me just to take care of that girl? I have to help George to take care of Emily Casey's case, Louis also needs me to guard Mr. Andrew's dark business," Albert said, starting negotiations with his boss. He can be crazy if it is true that he has to live alone with Anas.
"Al—"
"Mister, please consider. Did my performance drop so much that you threw me here just to keep that spoiled blind girl? I'm waiting for you to take Anastasia as soon as possible," Albert said, trying to muffle his voice.
Josh's position still hasn't changed, his gaze does not imply a change in emotion. Albert thought if there was anything Josh covered up from him like George said this morning? It seems that he is beginning to understand this situation.
"I'm just protecting you from the police who are still targeting our base. If it's only three or four people, you can eliminate them, but your identity is leaked to almost all corners of the New York police force. Anastasia is my new asset and you are my confidant. You both are important to me," Josh said.
Albert snorted. He almost forgot that fact. "So, until when should I be here with the girl?"
"Until I find someone who wants to buy it. Like I always tell you. Be patient for a while. I told you I was going to Italy soon, didn't I?" Josh leaned back as the tension between the two of them had already subsided.
"You will still sell the girl? I think the Harry Young incident has dampened your intentions," Albert said.
"Talking about Harry Young me off. I thought he could be fooled. Fortunately, his body was cremated three days ago," said Josh, this time his face just showed an expression. "And, yes, of course, I will still sell the girl. I have no reason to take it off. "
"But what's in it in selling blind girls, Sir?" For this time Albert never understood.
"You don't know, Al. She's a precious girl, we just need to be more patient. If Anas has been sold, you will also get a share of the profits later," Josh said, with a triumphant smile.
Albert didn't know why he was now annoyed to see the face of the man in front of him. What's more, he was even sick of hearing Josh's words that seemed to call Anas an item. Albert was sure that no one was strong enough to accommodate the annoying girl.
"I go home first. For your salary this month I will transfer tomorrow afternoon," said Josh, as he got out of the chair and returned to put on the coat.
"Is there nothing else you want to say to me?" Albert and Josh threw glances at each other for a moment. Then Josh shook his head.
"No. That's it. Remember, you have to keep all your weapons well," Josh said, before stepping out of the house.
Albert kept both hands in his trouser pockets to withstand the night wind while driving Josh on the terrace. He stood there until Josh's black car disappeared at the intersection. Albert closed again and locked the door. That's right, George said, Josh did intend to take Anas's identity from him. If it weren't for George, Albert would never know that Anas was not the biological child of Max William.