'Have you f**king lost your mind?'
Both Anya and Chief Justice turned to Jason at once. They were able to hide their momentary shock at his rare anger and language. They composed quickly.
Jason was ready to walk out of there, Chief Justice asked Anya, "Continue."
Nevertheless, Anya waited for Jason to relax first. She wasn't stupid to put her life in danger. Especially when she had her lovely son and got a husband who loved her so much. More than anybody, she wanted to keep her happiness safe.
Jason uneasily rubbed his neck. Their plans had the risk but the probability of solving them would be higher. Because they always had a clear picture of everything. However, they knew nothing about this case.
If he finds Anya's plan and decision to be reckless, he will personally disqualify her from the job without waiting for the assessment. He cued her to speak.
Anya breathed out when he relaxed. She turned on the smart television in the hall and mirrored her mobile screen. Passing her mobile to Jason, she briefed their situation first, "We are dealing with the mastermind who has abducted talented students in numerous fields."
There was a list of people who went missing for over a decade. She gave them a glimpse of what they can do if they feel threatened by anybody, "A chemical lab expert could create a hazardous explosion, a research doctor could create a new virus, a tech guy could sell our data and information…"
Jason and Chief Justice knew she would gather information before the mission. So they weren't surprised by the information she had collected. Instead, they couldn't believe so many students were missing and many of them were dead.
Anya continued, "They have established their network for years. Breaking it in three years while sitting in some university is next to impossible." She wasn't going to overestimate themselves. There was a high chance that students from different parts of the world might be kidnapped too.
"Even if I catch the person who is sending the students from here, will he truly know the mastermind?" Anya shook her head at her question, "No. He will probably be in contact with another middleman." There could be a large hierarchy in their network.
Anya revealed her motive behind her plan, "I never planned to reach the man behind the network. I will only capture the person who will receive the students in another country." So the risk factor was low.
The Chief Justice was aware of the depth of the crime. And he knew Anya was capable of digging out. He was expecting the criminals to wait in fear of getting caught while she finds the connection from each agent and reaches the real puppet master.
Unfortunately, the agents are desperate to take students before she could join the university. He couldn't ask her to sacrifice the students and go with the actual plan. She wouldn't risk more innocent people so he probed, "Then?" If they catch one dealer, another dealer will continue the work.
Anya didn't respond to that. She looked at Jason who relaxed on the sofa once he understood her plan. Now she could breathe.
Jason thought about his duties to support her plan. He approved Anya's plan. However, he wasn't going to take the credit for her work, "You should go on a world tour with your husband, Officer Owen."
Anya understood Jason's words but Chief Justice: "…"
Jason briefed the next step to the Chief Justice, "Once we gather evidence and some people involved in the crime, we will alert the different countries, their administrations, and the universities." Then it wasn't going to be a Narnia problem but an international issue.
A joint operation would be more suitable than fighting alone. Jason was satisfied with Anya's plan. However, he was planning to make more changes to it. For example, most of the students from this time will be cops or officers in disguise. They will be able to protect each other.
He looked at Anya. There could be uncertainties in the mission. Considering the terrible acting skills of his officer, he needs to meet the weapon expert to make her a nonmetal assembling handgun and the bullets as her accessories.
Jason stood up and warned her, "Don't involve your husband in this." Whereas he knew pretty well Alvin will end up following her even if she tries to fool him.
Anya: "…"
The Chief Justice could never compete with Team Ace. He signaled her to proceed with her plans. He saw her run behind Jason immediately.
Anya hid her unwillingness and suggested, "Chief, you should go on a world tour." She wasn't a good negotiator. She can't convince the universities' deans and administration to give priority to the case.
Jason halted at the door. He was going to negotiate but she will assist the operation in disguise. "You will be a young achiever who gives awareness about ethical hacking and technology." He flashed her a sly smile, "Officer Owen, do learn talking alone for hours." His follow-up plan was going to be a brutal punishment for her.
Anya: "…"
Why is the follow-up plan more difficult than the mission itself?
She put a team behind to watch over the students, the people who were meeting them. They monitored the call logs and recorded the conversations.
–––––
It was half past eleven when she entered the Oasis mansion. Visiting her exhausted, peacefully sleeping son, Anya stood at the door of the study room.
Alvin was sitting on the head chair and Rob seemed to be waiting for something. The seriousness had filled the room with suffocating air.
Alvin signaled her to reach him and nodded at Rob who left the study room. Making her sit on his lap, his fingers brushed the snowflake on her hair, "You haven't joined the university yet, why are you busy?" He asked without a hint of emotion in his voice or expression.
Anya didn't respond, especially when he seemed to be stressed. She heard Casper was discharged from the hospital, gave an interview, and wished everyone a new year.
Even she was curious how paranoid Casper was so cool without fear of legal action and how he managed to make her cool husband, dispassionate.
She tugged at him, "Let's go, I want to do something with you."
'Do?' Alvin followed her to the terrace. He saw her point at the pile of sky lanterns in different colors.
Anya spoke, trying to cheer his mood a bit, "I prepared these for the kids and parents." Then she pouted, "I forgot to inform you." So those were left behind.
"Shall we light them?" Anya asked him hopefully.
Alvin patiently helped her light up more than thirty lanterns that floated in the air. "This is so dreamy!!!" Anya exclaimed, looking at the dark sky dotted with colorful lanterns.
Luckily the winter wind wasn't strong, hence the lanterns were slowly drifting. Alvin saw her leaping on the floor, looking at the dark sky. During the time of the firecrackers, she was enjoying the paper lamps.
He wrapped her in his arms from behind and pecked her forehead. He couldn't help smiling when she flashed him a silly smile, "It's good I forgot to tell you. I never got to light so many lanterns." Anya giggled and enjoyed the moment with Alvin.
Suddenly they heard a loud countdown of people from the nearby estate. 'Five… Four…'
"Alvin…" Anya skipped away realizing there were only three more seconds.
'Three… two… one…' The fireworks lit up in the sky, one after the other. The sky above the city was sparkling with different colors. It was a breathtaking view.
Whereas, Anya leaped back into her husband's arms and wished him excitedly, "Happy new year, my dear husband." Kissing his forehead, she hugged him tightly.
Alvin was burying the little woman in his arms when her mobile rang. It was a video call from her parents. They wished each other and Anya showed them the floating sky lanterns like an excited child.
Their smiles stiffened when Alvin's mobile rang showing Casper's name. Anya had to end the call with her parents and answered Casper's call on speaker when he didn't react.
[How was my new year gift, my son?] A scornful voice followed by a burst of victorious vile laughter.
Anya realized Casper had done something nasty. She looked at Alvin's face turning dark and menacing. Zane was safe, her parents were safe. The Lewis and Collins family were celebrating their new year together.
What could go wrong?
Casper added tauntingly, "I will make up for all the New Year we have missed, you bastard." It had the underlying meaning of harming Alvin.
Anya: "…"
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