Chapter 3: Chapter Three

Back to event at the AirportPeter opens the door to the security room where the chest is kept under tight watch by some U.S. Feds agent. He walked straight in, and to his relief, the three-Feds agent attached to it, was busy playing some poke game; Hey, guys!" "Look who is here," Ron Cage one of the Feds agents guarding the chest called to the others; "you must be proud of yourself to be the one assigned to this prestigious job." "I wish I could be trusted like you," "and get the country's admiration. He compliments Peter as he saunters in to join them. He stroll in and took a seat close to Ron watching the other two as they play on; well, is just an unmerited honor." He replied as he adjusts his seat; "therere a lot of guys out there better than I do," "but all the same," "thanks for the compliment. He said. He sat there regarding them quietly for a while; Ron Cage was a fat bulky man, and from his appearance, he could tell that he would be in his mid-forties, all he does was talk. Peter wonders if he ever pulls down his weight; he had earlier learned that he was a family man with two grown-up girls. He knew if it comes to physical strength, Ron Cage was no match for him, he wonder how the Feds had managed to keep him this long or why they had even attached him to this crucial task that he believes should require the service of smart young Feds agent should anything goes wrong. As for the other two, Steve Colt and Aaron Hart, he believes they are a perfect symbol of the U.S. Feds agent. Colt was a tough one, he rarely spoke, and he was tall, strong, and gallant, he would be in his early thirties, and Peter knows he was no match for him if it comes to physical strength. He was something else that gave him a thump in the stomach; he knows he had to avoid contact with him as much as he can. Aaron was different, although he was tall, strong, and well-built like Colt. But, unlike Colt, he was much more sociable, Peter has learned from his boss by an introduction that he was in the army before he was signed into the Feds service. He looks younger than the other two, he could be in his mid-twenties, however, Peter had learned never to take his mildness for granted; for he was certain that he could be more deadly than the others. And although he couldnt sight their guns, he guessed that they had them hidden under their suit, tuck in the gun case. Do you think all this watch is necessary?" Ron asked not paying much attention to the game but facing Peter who was sitting next to him. "I mean how big the box is?" He asks while pointing at the chest, which was sitting parallel to them; "how much is it worth that we have to babysit it? Well, it is worth two billion bucks if you must know," Peter said in a whisper in an attempt not to be audible to the other two sitting opposite them. However, his words got their attention and they quickly turn to him; two billion bucks!! They exclaimed as they both turn at him briefly. Colt attempts to say something and then retreats with a shrug. It was an intercontinental return," "a loan the U.S had lent to the R.S a decade ago," "and as a tradition," "the state does save keep them in the Swiss until a need arises for it, Peter explained.Sounds interesting, Aaron whispered in a calm tone. I have never seen cash nearly that much in my entire life," Ron said and then he hesitates for a moment and then he asked a shocking question. "I would have loved to get a quick look at them so as to know how it felts to be wealthy." "I mean, even if it was only a glance at it," "I know my wife would be proud to know that her man has seen the national lot once in his lifetime. he pleaded Peter felt a thud in his heart as it beat faster than it should. He needs to control his nerve from the shock as he never foresaw it coming. Rons request was way too outrageous. He only felt a little pity for the fat bulky man, knowing he will never live to see his dear wife and daughters again. Sorry," he said casually, "its confidential!" "Even the bank's staffs are never allowed near it. He replied with a calm tone, feeling a little rush of sweat rushing down his face. Its ok, I understand, Ron replied, feeling like a kid being denied a piece of chalk. I guess we should be getting ready to leave soon, Peter said, simultaneously standing to his feet to leave. Theyve rescheduled our flight for 8pm, Aaron informed him. Peter checks his time briefly, it read 7:30pm, and that gives him forty-five minutes for his own flight which leaves by 8:15pm. And if everything goes as planned, he should be in Italy by midnight, and that would be enough time for him to listen to the news of the crashed plane. I will go take a short rest at the guest room;" he said while moving toward the exit door, "besides, we still got some twenty-five minutes to go. He added Care if I join you, man?" Ron asks out of the bloom. "Im sick and tired of being holed here, is almost two hours now, since we are here. He complains while making an attempt to stand to his feet to join Peter who was already a couple of steps from the exit door. Peter turn back and gaped at him in amazement; this bulky man is beginning to annoy him, he thought to himself, he needs to be careful with him, seeing how Ron could by being nosy, ruin him, thereby discovering Perez, and this would lead the Feds to believe he was up to something fishy even before the flight takes off. He notices Aaron and Colt watching him in silence as well, as he gaped at Ron; I think you are missing your place here, man!" He said to Ron in an attempt not to sound rude and at the same time not to annoy him; "besides, I believe your superior wont be happy with you, should he come here and found you not at your duty post. He pointed out tactically. And that settle it, for Ron sat back as quickly as he had stood; and that, you are right about my friend," "I should be wise enough for my age. he said coldly as he took his seat again. So long guys, and see you later, Peter said and he took one long stride, and bolt towards the exit door not waiting for any more surprises. So long then..., Ron replied, while Aaron and Colt sat still and stared after Peter as he ambles out of the room. What a character?" Colt said, "he seems to want to run out on us. he noted. I observed he turns a little tense too," Aaron admitted, "maybe the pressure killing him, as this was his first time on this assignment." He suggested in an attempt not to be judgmental while turning his gaze to stare at Ron who seems not to be interested in their conversation, for he sat relaxed, and half resting his head on the table. Dont you think its weird of him coming here, only to ask about the departure time when he could easily have just put a call through? Colt asked. Weird?" Ron asks in a stuttered tone. "Well, I dont see anything queer about him," "I only think he is just been cool," "perhaps he just needed to stretch out," "or needed someone to talk to. He was staring at that chest all the while. Colt pointed. Well, I dont see anything wrong with that.., Cage retorted with a shrug. I still believe he looks a little creepy." Aaron returns bluntly. "He almost freaked out when you asked if you could look inside the chest. He was just doing his job!" Ron retorts sharply, "he was only making sure we dont get ideas about it. Cmon!" "Dont say that," Colt retort back at him. "Besides, he knows we are Feds agents," "I cant imagine he is that dumb as to think wed try to mug the state, Could he? He asked with fury in his tone. We are talking about two billion bucks here men!" "I bet you wont trust even your mother with that.., Ron replied. Exactly my point," Colt retorts again, "I still believe hes got something up his sleeve. I dont buy that idea," Ron said and pause, "I dont see him coming here, hoping to lay his hands on some cash when he knows quite well that we are here on watch." "No, I dont agree with you on that." "Besides, he could have done that in the bank should he had want to, Rod replied in defense. He lost color after you asked if you could join him. Colt chips in; for he had been observing the drama between Peter and Rod in silence all the while. I still dont think that has got anything to do with the cash delivery," "I am quite sure that he was just a little tense or nervous! Ron replied in an attempt to end the conversation, as it sounds absurd to him. Well, It makes a lot of sense to me," Aaron said, interfering in the conversation again, "look he has the laptop." "He can undo the lock from his side and come here hoping to find us asleep. he pointed. I believe you guys are overreacting," "I understand when one stays too long in a Feds secret agent," "everything becomes an idea," "and every slight action become suspicious, he said in an ironic tone, at the same time trying not to hurt their ego. I dont know about that, Aaron replied in a casual tone. Well..," Ron said, "One thing I do know is that we are making too much out of nothing," "and Ill be glad if wed change the subject. He added, thinking about how he could rest his head for the next fifteen minutes. They both stare at him in amusement for a moment and then shrug and they turn back to their game and continue with it. Ron, having satisfied with his achievement, rested his head on the table and doze off.