Chapter 136: Already in the Landfill (2/2)

”Yes, I do have a lot of work, but that can wait!” he claimed.

”And what would your reason be?” I asked, unashamed at our flirting in a public space.

”My girlfriend will be out of the city for a few days and I want to go out on a date with her. Is that so much to ask?” He tilted his head to the side and waited for my retort.

”I need to get the records of who asked to deliver the package before I can do anything. The trail is fresh and hot and I have to find the source before it cools down.”

”And seeing that your hair is a complete mess, I can gauge that so far your quest for the man behind the deliveries is not going well?” he asked, his smile dropping.

”No. I used Nash's batch number to get them to talk and everything. I spoke to the people who made the deliveries in each location.”

Sebastian blinked. ”What was the transfer like?” he asked, walking over to my desk and kneeling down beside me.

”Uh… Basically, this guy ordered a bunch of transits from each location across the city. So, there was five delivery personnel that the box changed hands with… so far before it reached us.”

”And no fingerprints?” Sebastian asked, bewildered. ”That sounds like a convoluted plan, too.”

”Of course, he wants to throw us off and make us go on a wild goose chase. But if he has sent us something physical, I can't just miss the opportunity.” I paused and finally thought back to his question. ”The package was left in an obscure park South of the City. Footfall is so low that they don't even have security guards or cameras. The first guy picked up the package from a bench in the park, neatly put it inside a generic Ziplock pack. They were asked to wear gloves and then the parcel went to several locations all around the city before finally reaching here.”

I huffed.

”And the plastic bag? Where is it?” Sebastian asked, getting worried.

”They were asked to recycle it.”

Sebastian blinked. ”And we have no plastic recycling bins in the station or within twenty meters of it… so…” he thought out loud.

”The last delivery person threw the plastic out a few blocks from the station. Judging the time, the next shift took the garbage around three in the afternoon.”

”It's already in the landfill.”

”Contaminated and there is no way we will find it,” I added.

”Let's not get ahead of ourselves or worry about our losses,” Sebastian said in that soothing voice of his. ”Knowing this guy, he probably didn't even leave behind any traces on that plastic. Have you checked out of numbers yet?” he asked finally.

I shook my head. ”It was one number doing everything. He ordered the deliveries from smaller, local companies from the phone. It's out of service now,” I told him.

”He must have paid somehow!”

I laughed. ”Yes. That is what I need to figure out. How did he pay them through internet banking if he was going to go to such a big fuss about not leaving a trace?”

Sebastian stood up and pulled me along with him.

”Give the task to someone. They can bring out the name of the person who registered, the owner of the bank account. Everything, okay?” he pleaded.

I nodded. ”And where are you going to take me, Mr. Butler?” I asked him.

”It's a surprise. And I hope you really like it… because I worked really hard for it,” he pouted.

”You worked hard for a date?” I squeaked.

”Some guy gave you a present and now you are running behind him. I am inclined to believe that he is not behind me… but you! So, I must catch your attention before this criminal mastermind steals you away!” He grinned, his eyes sparkling and making my heart melt.

”Okay. I'll go with you without question,” I gave in. He retrieved a piece of cloth from his pocket and dangled it in front of my eye. ”What is that?”

”A blindfold,” he said casually. ”It's to protect the surprise. You're too intelligent to not figure it out if you see the signs.”

”The things I do for you,” I groaned. I closed my eyes and let him do what he wished.