Three days after receiving his suspension letter, Dexter was finally released from the military prison. A gray sky with a cold breeze greeted him as he stepped through the prison gates, watched by military soldiers with long-barreled rifles ready to shoot anyone who tried to escape.
Dexter turned to the soldiers on guard and smiled mockingly. The soldiers glanced at him as well. They all knew that the man who had just passed through the gate they were guarding was one of the best navy soldiers. His name was almost a legend, with his nickname Grizz.
Dexter's appearance reminded them of a giant white polar bear. With his broad shoulders and arms full of meaty muscles, they were sure Dexter could knock someone out with just one punch. Seeing how big and dashing Dexter was, made them wonder why the man was nicknamed Grizz.
Just as the white polar bear looks adorable, Dexter's face is handsome enough to drive women crazy. Dexter looks charming with his gray-blue eyes, sharp nose, thin lips, firm jaw, and grayish hair.
"May we not meet again," Dexter said to the soldier on the left side of the gate. His big, slightly husky voice made the soldier stutter. He didn't respond and glanced back at his friend, who pretended not to see him.
Dexter chuckled and then continued his steps towards the bus stop that was used for guests who wanted to visit their families in detention. He read the bus schedule and sighed softly as he still had to wait another hour and a half for the next bus to arrive.
"I shouldn't be in such a hurry to get out. No one was expecting me anyway." Dexter laughed sadly as he finished the sentence to himself. He laid down on the long seat he was sitting on and covered his face with one arm.
Not long after, a black Cadillac passed in front of the bus stop. It stopped a few meters from the bus stop but backed up and stopped right in front of it. Dexter lowered the hand covering his face and glanced at the car that had stopped nearby. The car's passenger door was open as if inviting him to get in.
Dexter straightened up when he saw a face that looked familiar to him. It was the same face he remembered last time. He had intended to meet that person tomorrow, but the person he would meet had already appeared in front of him.
"What a coincidence that we meet here. Are you coming with me, or do you want to wait for the next bus?" Arthur exclaimed from inside his car.
Dexter chuckled in disbelief after hearing Arthur's words. Even more incredulous was that the man claimed that his arrival at the bus stop was just a coincidence.
"Maybe I can come with you to the nearest station," Dexter said. He rose, slung on his backpack, and walked over to Arthur. "You don't mind if I hitch a ride, do you?"
"Of course, I offered you a ride first," Arthur replied.
Chuckling, Dexter got into Arthur's car. When he closed the door next to him, the vehicle sped away from the bus stop.
"Do you know where you're going after you're released?" asked Arthur.
Dexter murmured for a moment before answering Arthur's question. "I honestly don't have a place to go, and I want to clarify that I'm not completely free yet. They just suspended my detention."
"That's not a big deal. Once we know the real mastermind, we can clear your name, and you'll truly be a free man," Arthur said. He turned and looked at Dexter, who was sitting next to him.
"I have a pretty good place," he continued.
Dexter laughed in response to Arthur's words. "Let's see how good a place you have."
Arthur chuckled softly and turned his gaze back to the street. Dexter turned his head and stared at the road. He wouldn't ask Arthur much about how he came by his coincidence. He was sure the man next to him must have enough influence to know the schedule for his release. Or did Arthur also have a hand in the suspension of his detention? Who knew?
One thing is for sure, Dexter has promised himself to find out the real mastermind behind his sister's suicide bombing. He believes that his sister did not do it without reason, and he will find out the cause to the root.
***
Rayden was stretching and yawning widely when the door to the basement of Arthur's mansion opened. His head snapped around, and he was astonished to see Ramona standing at the door, smiling broadly at him.
"How did you know about this place?" asked Rayden as he straightened up.
Ramona stepped lightly into a room filled with screens and equipment that she always called Rayden's toys. "You seem to be settling in? What have you been up to in the past few days?"
"You haven't answered my question," Rayden interrupted.
"Arthur's assistant picked me up and brought me to this place. I honestly don't know why I'm here. I don't like damp places." Ramona's brow furrowed as she glanced around the basement, which was indeed crowded with electronic equipment. She then plopped down on the chair beside Rayden as she glanced at the door.
Lukas walked into the basement, looking at the tablet in his hand. He looked like he was talking to someone through the pod attached to his ear.
"He's been like that since he picked me up," Ramona whispered to Rayden, while Lukas paid little heed to either of them as he sat in one of the empty chairs around them.
Rayden responded to Ramona's words with a long sigh. He knew Arthur and Lukas were up to something but didn't want to tell his sister. Let Arthur tell her what they had been up to for the past few days.
Lukas' snorting voice made Rayden and Ramona turn their heads simultaneously toward the dark-haired man. Fine stubble dotted his face like swarming ants. Lukas was apparently too busy to clean his beard. He glanced at Rayden and Ramona in turn.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something wrong with my face?" he asked.
Ramona and Rayden shook their heads. But Rayden pointed at the man with the Middle Eastern face. "When was the last time you shaved your beard?"
"I didn't get a chance to shave it. You know we've been pretty busy these past few days," Lukas replied.
Instantly Ramona turned to Rayden and gave him a questioning look.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't know why Arthur brought you here," Rayden said before Ramona could ask him a question.
"Hmmm, okay." Ramona crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the back of the chair. She knew Rayden knew what she didn't know. But her brother seemed reluctant to tell her. Maybe he felt bad if he had to get ahead of Arthur. Because, after all, Arthur was his boss. All the facilities Rayden was now enjoying belonged to Arthur.
"You've all gathered."
Arthur's voice made Ramona, Rayden, and Lukas turn their heads simultaneously toward the basement entrance. Arthur walked casually into the room. Behind him followed a sizeable tall man who walked while carrying a black duffel bag over his shoulder.
The man leaked his gaze throughout the room while nodding his head. Rayden and Ramona glanced at each other. The man's face looked familiar. It was like they had seen him somewhere before.
Suddenly Rayden stood up and gave the man a hateful look while he exclaimed. "YOU!"