Disclaimer : I'm a huge KPop fan and you will come across names and photographs of KPop idols in most of my stories (The photographs and pics are downloaded from the internet and I do not have ANY intellectual property right over them). They are my muse and inspiration in so many ways. The incidents and characters are fictional and have no resemblance to any K pop idol in any manner.
I was ready and waiting at the parking outside the Secretariat as usual when I saw Lucas walk into the booth. Before he could dial his brother’s number, I called the public phone number. Bewildered, he looked around as he took the phone with a shaking hand and said said, "Hello?"
I- Lucas, it’s Detective Jeon. You wanted to speak to me. Meet me at the Cafe Delight opposite your book shop in 10 minutes.
I hung up but Lucas was still holding the phone, shocked and speechless! I could see him looking around as he came out of the booth and literally ran towards his shop. I felt sorry for him as I walked towards the Cafe, because he didn’t even stop by the food stall today! I could see him all nervous and jittery as I walked into the Cafe and sat down opposite him at his table.
He looked at me incredulously, while I took my mask off and introduced myself, "Hi! I’m Jeon."
Lucas- Detective Jeon?
I ordered us some breakfast and told Lucas, "Yes. You seem surprised. Why were you looking for me?"
Before he could answer, the food arrived and we both got busy eating. After paying the bill, I asked again, "Lucas, you have been looking for me and even tried to get me killed! Why?"
I waited for an answer, till Lucas finally asked, "Can we talk in a safer place, please?"
I shrugged as we got up and walked towards my car and thought about driving straight to Jin’s Bar as that was the only place I could think of. But I drove to the HQ instead. I also sent a message to Jin that I wanted to talk to the fake Lucas and would be there in an hour’s time.
My passenger suddenly slumped into the seat, eyes closed and heaving a long sigh, as though releasing pent up tension.
I- Are you ok? Why were you threatening your brother?
Lucas- I wanted to scare Keith. I was abducted the moment I landed here a few months back from a business meeting abroad. I was locked up in an abandoned building at the outskirts of the city for days. I somehow escaped my abductors and decided to keep a low profile.
I- That’s why you work at that book shop and live in a dilapidated house?
Lucas- Yes. I needed a job to sustain myself. I needed money, food and a roof over my head.... Initially I thought of blackmailing my brother for money but I didn’t want him to know I’m alive! As stupid as it sounds, I was the one who stood him up at that shady nightclub because I didn’t want to face him alone. I even followed him in a taxi to Jin’s Bar although I walked till the parking and even eavesdropped on your conversation. I recognised you straightaway and wanted to speak to you because I remember Jin telling me how good a detective you are! I needed help and I couldn’t risk being found. Previously I had planned the bogus contract to kidnap you with the help of the Home Minister’s PA . I caught him red handed and threatened to expose him for some petty bribery incident and he agreed to call Raghu and Gopal for the ‘assignment’. If you don’t believe me, you can call the PA here and ask him! My instructions were to bring you to me alive and my intention was only to meet you because I didn’t know what else to do! However, those two idiots got caught! Then I decided to get to you through Keith. I didn’t want to involve Jin in this mess and needed your help to expose Keith and get my rightful position back, as the heir of GEM.”
I- So it was you who hired those two clowns for a mere lakh rupees to kidnap me? I honestly found it unbelievable, hilarious and insulting too! Did you accost your brother yesterday?
Lucas-Yes. But I only wanted to scare him. I wanted to reach you somehow! Anyhow! I was desperate!
We reached the HQ and I immediately walked into the Chief’s office with Lucas. I had a plan in place and I requested my team to follow me to Jin’s Bar. Soon the men were ready and seated in the police van and followed me as I drove out of the parking lot.
I resumed the drive to Jin’s and after sometime, as I parked, I had already seen a familiar bIack Mercedes parked outside the Bar. I saw Dylan and Jin talking to Keith( posing as Lucas).
I- Lucas, Keith is here. Stay calm. I’m here.
Lucas nodded as we came out of the vehicle. I could see the police van turning into the parking lot. When the trio inside saw us walking in, taking off our face masks and hats, Keith went white as a sheet to see Lucas with me. He slowly got up but I held his shoulders tight and told him to sit down quietly.
Jin and Dylan looked totally confused as they looked at the twins, mouths and eyes wide open!
I- Gentlemen, meet Lucas Gomes and his identical twin Keith.
Jin and Dylan finally looked at Lucas as he hugged Jin and smiled. Dylan went towards the counter while I handcuffed Keith to the chair and called my team in.
My entire team was here. Keith looked defeated and upset as his best laid plans were undone! But he knew he had no escape now.
The police read out the charges against Keith as they pulled him out of the chair, handcuffed him and took him away. Lucas hugged his brother and said, "I forgive you, Keith and I will always love you! But you must take responsibility for your actions....."
Keith cried with remorse as the brothers hugged. Finally he was ready to confess to his wrongdoings and was being taken to the HQ. I followed in my car with Jin and Lucas and the latter told his friend all about the abduction and his shabby life thereafter. Jin hugged Lucas and comforted him with kind words saying he had missed his childhood friend a lot.
Keith confessed to abduction and impersonation of his brother.
I saw Lucas fidgeting and asked him if something was wrong.
Lucas- Detective Jeon, I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you.... I was desperate and definitely not thinking right... I’m ready for any punishment or legal procedure....”
I- Lucas, I think you have already gone through enough although your actions weren’t exactly pardonable. However, I feel you are harmless. I will give you one more chance to make it up to me by saving my phone number on your phone and NEVER make creepy calls from creepy public phone booths! Like, never ever, okay??
Lucas laughed and nodded as we shook hands and walked out of the HQ. I offered to drive Lucas home and we were on our way towards Gomes Mansion. As the guards let my vehicle in, I smiled at Lucas and said, "Welcome back Lucas. Welcome home!"
Lucas thanked me and offered a celebratory drink but I declined . We promised to meet soon and then I drove back home, thinking of Minnie. The Chief had already given me the weekend off and I planned to surprise Minnie tomorrow!
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