by V. K. ANANTH
At 9.05 p.m., the informant arrived at the table, pulled a chair before making himself comfortable as Jason was sipping a mint cooler.
‘Okay, here we go...The Raging Bull is getting admitted to the Tranquil hospital. This heavy envelope has a bunch of medical documents. I can’t imagine how much this will be of use. I will call you if I get more, okay?’
Jason became excited, ‘Don’t worry, I will figure out a way to interpret the contents. But this is of good use to me. Thanks, and we will be in touch.’
‘I’m always treating the highest bidder well,’ he said and departed.
As the clock struck ten, they checked into an apartment. Sonya unpacked the pizza boxes, which they took out on the way, on the dining table. At the same time, Jason laid out the documents in a specific order, occupying the remaining half of the table. He clicked the pictures of all the docs. They spent the next hour multitasking, brainstorming the contents of the document, chewing the hot cheesy pizza slices, and gulping soft drinks as they were racing against time.
They now had the complete documented evidence of Project-X.
Later, Sonya shared the scanned documents to Rosita from Jason’s new phone and switched it off. They disposed of the papers into the fireplace.
CHAPTER - 11
The Chase, Monte Carlo
Rosita and her team were waiting at the entrance of the apartment building. She had received a visual confirmation that Diego and a lady entered the building. Rosita nodded and announced on wireless radio, ‘It’s a go.’
The team split into two groups. One took the stairs while others took the elevator. They were now right at the entrance door, quiet and communicating with each other with gestures. One of them was glancing at a heat sensor. In ten seconds, the team stormed into the apartment. They split and searched room by room as Rosita heard ‘clear’ at different intervals.
‘Are you saying we lost him again? How is this possible?’ she yelled.
‘Looks like they escaped via a secret door behind the bookshelf and took the service elevator that led to the street behind.’
Rosita told herself, ‘We were so close...lost him again.’
A few minutes later, Rosita opened the documents via email with a subject :
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
The contents read:
‘Please assemble the best scientists to go over the contents of Project-X. According to the documents, The Raging Bull is getting admitted, at the Tranquil hospital the day after tomorrow, for a gene edit. It’s an illegal genome manipulation developed in a stealth lab. The hospital does not approve of it. However, he has plans to switch the genes before surgery. The Bull will have his genes edited so that he can impersonate another human and be untraceable forever. He can keep changing his face with every gene edit. He has hacked the national genetic database and has access to the genetic code of the top twenty-five richest people in the world. It’s a crime against humanity. We believe that it could be connected to Furioso.’
‘I know most of this stuff. I’ve almost solved this case, but nice work to whoever you are.’ Rosita smiled and departed to Paris.
CHAPTER - 12
The Jet to Callisto Island
A private jet took off from the Monaco airport over the Mediterranean Sea. Sonya and Jason were the only two passengers on board, facing each other.
‘We can never let anyone play God and defy nature with genetic engineering.’ said Sonya.
‘I agree!’
‘Jason. We need to validate, if Furioso received the wire transfer on April 2nd, and from whom.’
‘You’re right!’
‘As we speak, I translated ‘the raging bull’ to Spanish. Look at what I found...’
‘Are you sure it’s him or just a coincidence?’
‘We never know,’ she smiled and continued, ‘All that’s remaining for us is to find who the Bull is.’
The flight touched down at Callisto Island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. They were met by a local who guided them to the real Diego. Sonya remained outside while Jason entered the abandoned factory, where he found Diego tied against a chair.
‘Who are you?’ asked a shocked Diego.
‘I’m your reflection. What did you expect?’ and continued,
‘Let’s get to the point. You are involved in Project-X and paid half a million to this account number. Tell me who is the beneficiary and who is the negotiator.’
‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’
Jason pulled out a loaded syringe, ‘It’s up to you, my friend. I have all the evidence I need. All I have to do is, inject this... you’ll slip into a coma and wake up in prison. I can let you escape if you tell me the truth. If you resist, I will finish my work and simply walk away.’
‘Alright, I will tell you...I don’t know their names, but I know that the beneficiary and negotiator will meet at the Tranquil hospital tomorrow as the raging bull is getting admitted.’
‘Who’s the Bull?’
‘I haven’t seen him. All I know is, he paid five million to the negotiator who has a tattoo of a wolf.’
‘Thank you for your co-operation. We will meet again soon to discuss your escape plan,’ and Jason pierced the syringe on to Diego’s arm as he screamed and left.
‘Recording complete,’ whispered Sonya.
CHAPTER - 13
The Hope, Callisto Island
At noon, Sonya called Rosita, with a filter to hide her original voice. ‘Evening Rosita, I hope you have analyzed the details of Project-X with the help of scientists,’ she said.
‘Yes, thanks for that!’ she nodded and continued, ‘May I know your name?’
‘Sorry, We don’t have time for that. Listen carefully. I’ve shared the link to recorded video evidence as well. Tomorrow, the raging bull will be at the hospital. We also know that the negotiator has a tattoo of a wolf on his neck. We think it is Furioso. If that’s true, he received a wire transfer from the Bull for five million on April 02nd. You’ll need to validate that.
The second customer, as mentioned in the evidence, Diego, will be at hotel Alpha, room#444, in Callisto Island tomorrow morning. Your team can get him. We believe that the doctor, Jason Brown, is innocent, abducted, and held in an old factory on the same island, the coordinates I will share shortly. I hope you can figure it out.’
‘Whoever you are, thanks for the tip-off, and just to let you know the Bull was at the Opera, yesterday. We know who is the Bull,’ said Rosita raising her coffee mug.
Sonya smiled as she hanged the phone.
CHAPTER - 14
The Hospital, Paris
Rosita was at U33 when the beneficiary’s ID flashed on the screen.
‘I never expected this,’ she said to herself.
Rosita walked into the hospital with her team when she got a message that Furioso has regained consciousness.
She stepped into the ICU when Mario was by his side,’Mr. Furioso, how are you doing today?’
‘I’m good, better, thank you.’
‘I’m glad you have recovered. Technically my work is done here. Can you explain to me the details of €500,000 in the trunk of your car? It was wire transferred to you on April 2nd, and you withdrew the money the same day.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘We know, you’re the negotiator, and we have recorded evidence. The tattoo of the wolf doesn’t lie. You can take more rest behind bars.’ smiled Rosita and stepped out when she met Emmanuel.
‘Rosita. I’m glad that the patient has recovered, and I would like to thank you for your services.’
‘You don’t need to thank me for that. We have evidence that you transferred five million to Furioso. Can you explain to me what’s going on?’
‘I’am not who you think I’am, Rosita.’
‘I know that you are not the Bull because he is right next to you. Mario, we know you are the Raging Bull, and you’re not Furioso’s manager. We’ve been tracking your move
ments for a while.
On the day of the conference in Zurich, you made a call to confirm if the taxi driver handed over the envelope to Jason. We know that you dictated the text.
When Diego was in the hospital, you both exchanged a glance. From the archives, it was clear that you both were involved in Project-X.
When we tracked Diego, we found that he transferred money to an informant and met him in Monte Carlo. He gained access to crucial documents but was curious to find out who was Bull, which didn’t make sense.
It became clear when you presided over the high table at the Opera in Monte Carlo, and we have the entire discussion video-graphed. Furioso received five million from you via Emmanuel. He was going to exchange that for modified genes with the stealth lab. But, he slipped into a coma, and your patience ran out. You called the head of that stealth lab to secure the modified genes yourself.
And that was enough for us to nail you down.’
Rosita and her team arrested Furioso, Mario, Emmanuel, Diego, and the stealth lab head.
CHAPTER - 15
The Beach, Callisto Island
It was the golden hour. Sonya and Jason were enjoying the sunset at the beachfront, seated under an umbrella on white sands.
‘Jason, you were brave enough to undergo a gene edit. I appreciate that.’
‘Not without your help, Sonya. You helped me in identifying the key gene to knockout, which sent Furioso to coma later. That helped us buy time, evidence, and help catch the Raging Bull.’
Jason regained his original face at the end of ninety-six hours. He was rescued from an old factory and was declared not a fugitive anymore, and he resumed work. Diego could not explain the video evidence against him.
Sonya continues to contribute to scientific research, and they continue to be great friends.
Hope you enjoyed reading!
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About the Author
V.K. Ananth is the author of 27 Days into the Blur and The Fatal Mistake. He discovered his passion for writing while living in Europe in the year 2018. Ananth is married and loves to read, take photographs, and travel. He currently lives in Chennai, India.
