Chapter 188 - ShadowCard (2/2)
”Excuses. If you wan't to do things at a fast pace none of these will work. Just find an already established group of freelancers. That is the best thing you can do,” said Robert. ”As long as you are willing to pay them, they wouldn't care of the rest.”
”That is right. Why didn't I think about this before? I just need a hired gun for now, but I must be able to pay them,” said Balthazar.
”Again, with the jokes. Tell them your name and many will willing join you. You are at the height of your reputation and you the grandson of the patriarch of the Blyth family. A family of medical professionals who are world renown. No one would suspect you lack money.”
”Yes. I have still been thinking with the mentality of my past life. I was disgraced and out of my family at that time. I had to show that I could pay people before anyone partnered with me,” thought Balthazar. ”I am not in the same state now.”
”Thanks, Rob. It was good talking to you. I will leave you so that you could continue your conversation with Richard,” said Balthazar.
”It is about eight at night. Fancy going to an early dinner?” asked Robert.
”Sure.”
”My treat. Let us get to ambrosia,” said Robert and they both walked out finding Richard waiting for them.
”Dinner time, Richard,” said Robert with a smile.
”Ok. I will join you two. We can resume after dinner,” said Richard.
”Cool, we are going to Ambrosia,” said Balthazar.
”No. You are not. We are in a hurry, master Robert and you don't have the time to waste on roaming around. We shall go to the dining hall and resume after that. I know that you are a bit frustrated with the present situation, but I insist that you will have to persist in your efforts,” said Richard in a stern voice. ”I will hear no objections.”
”Maybe another time,” said Balthazar surprised that Richard would stop them like that. Robert also found it unexpected. Richard was never too pushy and gave him time to enjoy. So, he decided to let it go.
After dinner, Balthazar went to his room and called D.i.c.k. He thought about Roberts suggestion and it felt like the best path he could take now. D.i.c.k responded immediately. He seems to be in a shuttle on move when he lifted the call.
”What's up dude? Did anything happen?” he asked in a serious tone. He had just sent a mail to Balthazar a couple of hours ago indicating that he would get to the party with the identity cards that Balthazar requested. So, he thought that something else might have happened for Balthazar to have called him.
”Nothing happened. You coming tomorrow? I hope that you could bring Barbara and Bruce too,” said Balthazar.
”Bruce was already invited by Robert. Barbara and I will be there,” said D.i.c.k. ”You need something or is it just a social call. In that case, I would rather you call in a few minutes later.”
”I need an account in the ShadowCard,” said Balthazar.
”Nice joke. That is for clandestine agents,” said D.i.c.k looking at Balthazar, but he didn't find any change in Balthazar's expression. It didn't look like Balthazar was being sarcastic. He quickly parked the shuttle at a parking lot near a hotel. He took a device from his glove box and attached it to his wrist device as the picture blurred for a second and started up again. It was a way to prevent the call to be recorded.
”You on a secure line? You are serious?” he asked.
”I am. I need an account in the ShadowCard.”
”You want to put in a bounty, or you want to take one?” asked D.i.c.k. ”You don't need an account for putting a bounty.”
”I know D.i.c.k. I still want an account in the ShadowCard.”
”You don't understand. Once, you are in ShadowCard you will have to take at the very least a few cases. It is mandatory. Those need to be improving in difficulty slowly else they will send men after you. There is no getting out of it, once you enter,” said D.i.c.k. ”You will be forced to live a life of an assassin or thief.”
”I know the details, D.i.c.k,” laughed Balthazar. ”I know that it is anonymous except to their leader. He will only be able to access it when the mandatory number of missions are not done. I also know that there have always been a few government personal in the alliance that have used these accounts to impersonate others. The ShadowCard will pursue the person who failed to perform, but I know the way, the loophole that could avoid that.”
”You have done your homework, huh,” said D.i.c.k surprised that he already knew that the alliance had members using the organization for their purposes. ”Wait! Wait! There is a loophole to avoid that.”
”Yes.”
”What is it?”
”Can't say that. It won't be useful if the alliance knows it. No offence, but regarding such details, alliance clandestine services could be considered the world's biggest gossip group,” said Shadow.
”Wow! Really?!”
”Yes, and I am sure of that. The ShadowCard have ears in most places. One can't be sure of loyalty these days and you know that I wouldn't trust people easy,” said Balthazar.
”Why don't set up an account on your own, then?” asked D.i.c.k.
”That is simple. My duplicate identity. I need it to be done on my duplicate identity,” said Balthazar. ”One will need to swipe the ID card at the interface when creating the account and as I need it urgently, I am asking you. Else, I wouldn't have informed you at all.”
”You didn't think that I would set up the account on my original identity, did you?” continued Balthazar. ”Even though only one person is supposed to be accessing my identity. I don't want them to know of it. It is best to always have my identity covered.”
”Fine. I will set this account for you,” said D.i.c.k. ”Anything else?”
”No. I hope that it will be done as fast as possible,” said Balthazar.
”Takes just a few minutes. I already have equipment ready to start,” said D.i.c.k as he ended the call and made a call to Bruce.
”What is it?”
”The Blyth boy wants an account in the ShadowCard. He asked me to set it up on one of the duplicate accounts we set up,” said D.i.c.k. ”He also tells me that he knows a loophole that could avoid him being hunted if he didn't meet his quota.”
”ShadowCard and the loophole. Are you sure?” asked Bruce.
”He seemed pretty sure of it. I think he is in contact with one of the ten,” said D.i.c.k. ”There is only one way to get out of that right?”
”It definitely wasn't me. I can't speak of the others. They would never let me know,” said Bruce. ”But it worth investigating whom he managed to get in contact with. Never expected him to have been involved in ShadowCard. I didn't even know he was in contact with any member.”
”Walter. He was always in contact with Walter,” said D.i.c.k.
”Don't waste your time. Walter knew of it, but he would inform me, if he wanted to tell such important information that he got from me. Could you confirm about his method?”
”No. He insisted against informing me of it,” said D.i.c.k. ”He was adamant.”
”Well, at least he knows that it is to be kept a secret. It would be pain if that becomes public knowledge,” said Bruce.