He stood some distance away. According to the description of Ms Caul, Donald was not given the opportunity to enter the school. That act signified that they had been waiting for him to arrive. It could also mean the marauders must have followed the bus that brought him. His sense brought the memory of Moore and how he was abducted. Could this be from Mikey or someone else? Why we're they interested in three humans instead of one they had taken? From another angle, why were they giving Caul the assignment of finding students for them? Everything appeared clumsy. They didn't asked for students with particular identity, any would do. The more he thinks, the confused he became.
There was nothing going on in this place. He was ready to leave when a car arrived and the gate opened. The security man opened for them. They drove into the compound. Dick took after them and sneaked in while the guard was speaking with them. Then, two people came down from the front. They were a man and a lady. They were Lao and Harper. Both Lao and the guard talked for sometimes before Lao produced something from his pocket and handed over to him. He also produced some bundles of cash and tossed at him.
"Do it well we have a future together, I promise," Lao said.
"Sure boss," guard replied with his hoary voice.
He opened the gate for them again.
Dick could not imagine the kind of business that could be going on here but if it were a clean one, they should have fixed broad day light. The guard sat down to have some meals. He stuffed some pie in his mouth. He sure knew how to do it. He swallowed the mixture in his mouth passing down his throat. His hand ran down to his pocket to Pat the currency, he smiled.
"The future will be good," he said to himself.
He had to wait until he finished meal. He expected him to get up and leave but just sat there. Soon, he started to doze until he fell asleep.
"This man must be pig," Dick was worried.
He had to know what business was going on here. By 4, the man was still sleeping.
When the day broke, school resumed its busy schedule. Students came in personal rides, while some others by public means. Some parents had decided to use the schools means of transportation since they'll have to pay. A few had made bicycle their choice. What really matters was that each student find his way to school.
The security consciousness of that morning was top notch because they just lost a student. Men in their uniforms stood at strategic places. They had their eyes on every student and parents and the teachers were not exempted.
As usual, Dick used the public bus. As soon as the bus arrived, his eyes was looking for the security guy whom he saw in the night. As he alighted, there was another guard walking to the gate, backing him. He thought he was the same guard he saw last night so he ran after him because he saw him putting his hand in his pocket. He pushed everyone out of his way. When the police around saw this, they took after him. Soon, the place was thrown in chaos for the moment. Dick reached the man and grabbed from the back and he had to struggle with him. The police got to them and asked what the matter was. When he eventually turned to him, he was not the man he was looking for. He was confused and embarrassed.
"Em, em," he stammered. "I... I'm sorry," He said as he hurried into the school compound.
The police knew something transpired between them but there was no way to pester any of them since Dick had apologized.
Dick went straight to Ms Caul's office to know what she had come up with. The door was locked and there was no sign she had been there recently. There was an inscription hung up which reads 'On break.'
The writing was bold and he felt it expressed the mind of the writer. She was not resuming soon. There was no clue yet on how to reach Donald.
When the school closed, Bret walked with him. Bret had promised to help with his findings but he had no clue on how to start the investigation. They met Homa who was waiting.
"Homa, sorry for the delay," Dick apologised. Then he introduced Bret as his only friend.
"Bret, good to see you," Homa said.
Both of them walked to the car.
"Come inside," Homa said.
Dick was timid. This was a limousine. He had not been this close to it and he had adored it. From what he had learnt from books, it's a ride with six doors and it's made for the wealthy who specifically order for it. He learnt that a king of a renown land first used it.
"Let's talk here," Dick replied. He was saying the discussion should not be in the ride.
"Dick, please, c'mon," Homa insisted.
"I don't want your friends to meet me here," he lied.
"They won't be coming with me today. So..,"
Homa said.
Dick bent his head and entered. He saw the same man like the other time.
"Good afternoon sir," he greeted.
The man didn't respond. He was looking at it strangely. Giggle from Homa made him shift his attention to her.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked.
"Sorry, you made me did. It's a robot," Homa said.
This was one of the produce of her father, Dr Bin. It was a special gift to her on her birthday. When many scientists had not thought of robot controlled vehicle, Homa was already using one.
Thinking out of the box was crazy, he thought.
The reason for this meeting was to give him some warning. She had been in disagreement with Jemma and Harper because of her newfound friendship with Dick and she knew how dangerous they could be at this time. They had vowed to desist from her unless she parted her way from Dick.
They had sinister plan which was not known yet. Homa told him not to look for him anymore as that would help calm the tension. She was going to find a way to get across to him when right time came. Fortunately, there was a guy known as Bret now, he could do the work of an intermediary.
She brought out s credit card and handed to him.
"Use this anytime you need cash," she forced the card into his hand.
Dick was short of words. He had not complained about having issues with money and collecting a credit card would show he was a pauper. No, I am not that. Since I don't ask for anything, I am not a pauper. But he didn't need to explain all of that. Only Dick's appearance showed he needed financial assistance and she knew that was one of the reasons her friends had rejected him.
"I will help you find Donald," She said.
Dick was surprised at the statement because he hadn't discuss with her about him.
"I know those who took him," Homa assured him.
After the discussion, Homa was driven off by his dummy. He was yet to recover from his experience when Bret touched him.
"That was a fine girl, don't mess up," Bret cautioned.
When Dick was in the office of Ms Caul the previous day, his discussion and promise went beyond that room. Ms Caul had offended someone who hide an audiovisual in his office. When she gave that book to Dick, she had let out a secret which had been kept for ages. The book had a connection with Almora which Lao had been working on for his invention. Unknown to Caul, she was giving out an important book material.
They wanted to force her to bring the book. They had done the kidnapping before afternoon when Dick eventually returned the book. Dick dropped the book without uttering any word so there was no recording his conversation.
From Laos calculation, the book was still with Dick and Caul must fetch it out. She must be made to pass through torture before letting out the reason for the kidnap.
If Donald was taken, there was possibilities that Dick would not be exempted in the long run.
In the night when Dick came to the school, he found out some money were given to the security guy and there was another thing still attached. The guy had been given a camera to plant by the gate. This was to monitor the movement of those who come in and go out.
The primary target was Dick. The man he attacked outside the gate was actually there for Dr Lao. He was there to pass information to their main man.