Around 6 p.m., Spion met Trevor and Lady News at a private dining room in the Dressrious Salon. Both Lady News and Trevor had also booked rooms for the night, believing something major was going to happen.
“You believe whoever attacked Shemsu will come tonight to steal the flash drive?” Spion asked after Lady News and Trevor recounted what happened.
“It’s possible. The professor’s ex-wife will come next Monday, so the attacker has a limited window of time to steal it,” Lady News said, cutting her steak.
“We are ready for it. We’ve made a perfect plan to catch her,” Trevor said with confidence, eating his grilled flounder salad.
“Did you call the police? It sounds pretty dangerous if you want to catch her yourselves,” Spion asked, stopping mid-bite of his beef bourguignon.
“We reported that someone broke into Shemsu’s apartment and attacked him. The police just looked around and took his statement. They told us he may have been forced to drink a truth serum, but there was nothing to help them identify the criminal, since she wore a tight, full-body suit, so no fingerprints, no hair left. She may as well be a witch,” Trevor sighed, taking a drink of wine. “And after lunch, we had to accompany Shemsu to the hospital because he told his parents, and they insisted on a full body health check,” he added resignedly.
“How about tonight? Will the police send a patrol nearby?” Spion asked.
“No, the police won’t help. Besides, Ali told us we shouldn’t get the police involved in tonight’s action, because it relates to a secret in the Salon—a secret even you don’t know,” Lady News said mysteriously.
“What secret?” Spion looked utterly confused.
“You will see. Right now, Ali has just strengthened security in the Salon. There are many guests here tonight, and we think she may arrive around midnight. We also worry that involving the police might discourage her from coming tonight. So, let’s just wait,” Trevor said, satisfied with his flounder.
“So, how about you? Did you find anything on campus?” Lady News asked, sipping her wine.
“Hmm… I’m not sure it’s related to the case,” Spion drank his wine and continued. “I had lunch with the professor’s students. They told me the professor lost research funding earlier this year due to federal research funding cuts. So, the professor had to find private funding. Six months ago, an organization called Chaotic System Foundation contacted him, willing to fund his research, including support to publish his books. Since then, the professor attended a lot of meetings held by the Founding. He also brought Olivia and some of his postgraduate students to attend. But this Monday, the professor told his students he shouldn’t bring them to those meetings anymore, saying there were many ‘menaces’ there.”
“What kind of meetings?” Trevor asked.
“All about interdisciplinary studies. Many scientists and scholars from different fields attended. Last Friday was a medium-sized academic conference about future wars—like tariff wars, financial wars, cyber wars. One of his students, Andrew, attended. He told me there were many ‘mad scientists’ at that conference.”
“That’s it,” Trevor said, a light dawning on him. “Shemsu told us the professor suspected he might be connected with some dangerous people. He was afraid he was being used by them, which is why he wanted to change his book signing topic.”
“How do they feel about Olivia?” Lady News asked after drinking her bouillabaisse.
“They all think she is kind, smart, and capable. They never noticed any conflicts between her and the professor,” Spion said. “However, they told me they were very close.”
“Not surprising. A divorced professor with his young, attractive assistant,” Lady News commented wryly.
“They didn’t mean that close. At least, they never saw any intimate behavior between them. Just that at all those meetings, it was Olivia who drove the professor’s car and sent him home if he drank alcohol.”
Lady News drank, then stated: “So, Olivia has routine access to the professor’s car.”
“But that doesn’t prove she damaged the car,” Trevor countered.
“Anyway, his students promised me they will watch Olivia and let me know if they discover something,” Spion said, returning to his beef.
They didn’t talk much after that, just ate. After dinner, Lady News instructed a server to bring the unfinished bottle of Bordeaux Merlot to her room. “We shall celebrate after tonight’s mission,” she said optimistically, as if victory was already secured. “Now, let’s go to the party hall to meet Report Man and his mystery customer. Then, we shall go to the Meeting Room with Ali to prepare tonight’s mission.”
The party hall was in a hustle and bustle. They found Report Man at the bar counter, drinking a gin and tonic alone.
“Where is your customer? You said you would introduce him to us,” Lady News asked.
“He went back to his hotel to pack luggage. After I introduced him to the Salon and the Dressrious app, he seemed quite interested. After one glass of dry martini, he decided to live here, so he booked a room for one week. He will be back later,” Report Man explained.
“Looking forward to meeting him. He sounds like a man of taste,” Lady News said.
“So, what kind of adventure are you guys planning to share with me?” Report Man asked, grinning.
“Let’s go to the Meeting Room to find out,” Lady News grinned back.
“Are you planning something?” Bob suddenly interrupted. He was making drinks and had overheard their talking the entire time.
“What makes you say that?” Spion asked, instantly guarded.
“Ali and Little John refused to tell me, but I know something is going on. Little John was supposed to be here learning mixology with Daniel and me, but he’s been out with you two all day. And now, all elevators can’t access the basement, and there’s a security guard by the stairs. Two guards are patrolling the basement, and four guards are in the yards. There are many more security guards than usual,” Bob revealed.
“Nothing, just as usual,” Trevor said with a wide, innocent smile, and then they quickly left.