The next day, While coming...Aren notices the same man again: Black coat, and masked face, while he was going to the Police station for his work. A fear entered his mind and heart. As soon as he reached the Police station, he went directly to Captain Rethan.
"Come in" Rethan answered after hearing someone knocking on the door. "Ohh Aren...yeah I was going to come to you to know about the task I had given you...so did you find anything about who would be...controlling from behind?"
"There is definitely someone controlling the trucks sir, the trucks has no logos in it...hidden under the name of Helios, and someone is using the trucks to transport something...probably illegal" said Aren.
"And Sir, I think I am been watched...", Aren said. Rethan paused for a Minute and asked.
"The man you saw that day, did you see his face properly, is he the person you are saying is watching you?" Rethan asked, and Aren replied: "I don't know Sir...He was wearing mask, but he definitely looked Wealthy..." as Aren was talking, suddenly a thought came into his mind...The Chairman of The Helios...
"Aren!...Aren!!"
"Sir I will be right back" saying Aren left. Aren went to his office to get the picture he had of the Chairman, Slovar. Mirelle, who was busy reading the report, looked up and said "Morning" casually. Looking at Aren, Mirelle Added: "looking for something?"
Aren replied: "yes, the Chairman of The Helios Logistics...picture". They both searched the desk, for minutes, and Mirelle then remembered that it should be on the case board.
But Aren had no time to give reaction, he took the photo and ran...outside the station he knew the black coat man was still there, but he didn't bother...because this time his instincts told him he was going to the right person. And also thought foolish of himself to not interrogate the Chairman directly.
The Helios headquarters stood tall above the business district, glass walls reflecting the afternoon light. Inside, the building was quiet and precise—like every detail had been planned carefully. And Aren smiled a little. A little fear took a place in his heart, but he stepped inside anyway. "I am Officer Valric from the nearby Police station". The lady spoke on the phone for a minute and said: " You can head to Chairman Slovar's office now, Officer Valric". Okay it's time to be firm...Aren thought to himself.
The office was wide and orderly. Large windows overlooked the city. Behind the desk sat the chairman of Helios Logistics, Slovar, calm and composed as he reviewed a document.
"An officer from the police department. This must be important." Slovar said smoothly, setting the paper aside. Aren remained standing. "Officer Aren Valric." Slovar gestured lightly toward a chair. "Please. Sit."
Aren sat, placing a small folder on the desk.
"I'm reviewing several transportation routes connected to Helios Logistics." Slovar nodded once.
"A successful company tends to have many routes." Slovar said
"Some of them seem… irregular." Slovar's expression didn't change. "Irregular in what sense?"
"Unregistered stops..." Aren replied, "Unreported storage yards. A few delivery times that don't match the official logs."
The chairman leaned back slightly, studying him." Interesting." His voice remained calm.
"But you understand, Officer Valric, a company of our size operates hundreds of shipments daily. Small inconsistencies can appear."
"Perhaps."
Aren opened the folder and slid a page across the desk. "These routes repeat the same pattern." Slovar glanced at the paper briefly. Then he smiled faintly.
"You've been working very carefully." Aren didn't respond.
The chairman placed the paper down again.
"Tell me, Officer Valric… are you accusing Helios Logistics of something?"
"Not yet."
The answer was quiet but firm. Slovar's eyes sharpened slightly with interest. "So this is still an investigation."
"Yes."
A moment of silence settled between them.
Then Slovar spoke again. "You're quite young to be handling something like this."
Aren remained calm. "I handle what I'm assigned."
'Of course."
Slovar folded his hands together on the desk. "Still, investigations like these can become… complicated." Aren met his gaze.
"I'm aware."
For a brief second, the room felt colder.
Slovar leaned forward slightly. "Let me offer you some advice, Officer Valric." Aren didn't move.
"Large systems often look suspicious from the outside," Slovar continued calmly. "But when someone examines them too closely without understanding the whole picture…"
He paused.
"…they sometimes misinterpret what they see." Aren closed the folder. "That's why investigations exist." Solvar smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Slovar thought for a minute, Then he spoke again. "Tell me something honestly." Aren waited. "Do you truly believe you will find something here?" Aren stood slowly.
"I don't know yet."
Slovar watched him with quiet curiosity.
"But if something is there," Aren continued, "I will."
For the first time, Slovar's smile faded slightly. "Confidence is admirable."
Aren turned toward the door. Before he left, Slovar added calmly,
"Be careful, Officer Valric." Aren stopped.
"Investigations can lead people into places they weren't meant to reach." Aren looked back briefly. "That's usually where the truth is." Then he walked out.
After Aren left, Slovar thought for few minutes and called his Assistent, and said to him: "That officer has some courage to come here...and I am little impressed, but I can't ignore the fact that he can be a real threat to my hidden business...you know what to do right?..."
While in courthouse, Veydrick wins his case again. People applaud as the Judge compliments him in front of everyone for the way he talks. And presents himself. Later in his office, Veydrick still remembers Aren's eyes that night.
Returning to the station, Aren told about his theory of how the man in the mask, that day might be the Chairman Slovar...Mirelle asked what did they both speak about....and time flew by. Mirelle left first. And then Aren.
On the road, Aren was happy to find atleast a lead, on whom he has to investigate. Suddenly, a car speeds through the intersection, almost stamping on Aren, if he wasn't pulled back by the people back. But what Aren saw was a car which did not stop, and it was the same black coat man...meaning...Aren didn't want to think about it. He walked fast and the first house he saw was Veydrick's.
He felt unsure whether he can step up that often. When a soft voice from behind called him: "Aren", Veydrick called him inside. Aren looked as usual, good looking, but somewhat quiet. Veydrick, on seeing him, finally asked him firmly: "There is something happening which I don't know right?..." Aren looked a little surprised with a little tense face, and looked down.
Aren's gaze stayed lowered, avoiding the question in Veydrick's eyes. After a moment, Veydrick raised his hand and rested it softly against Aren's cheek, tilting his(Aren's) face upward until their eyes finally meet.