THE LAST SPY

Chapter three

His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel, his mind racing. The drive home was silent save for the hum of the engine, but his thoughts were anything but calm. The image of the man wrapped in plastic and the fight with Dragon Tattoo replayed like a loop in his head.

When he reached his apartment, the familiar dim lighting and sparse furniture did little to calm his nerves. He locked the door, tossed his keys onto the counter, and exhaled deeply. His blood-stained hands were a stark reminder of the night’s events. He headed to the sink and scrubbed them vigorously, the crimson streaks swirling down the drain.

Before he could take a breath, his phone buzzed. The name on the screen made his stomach tighten on Adrian graves.

He hesitated for a moment, then answered. “Adrian.”

“We need to talk,” Adrian said, his tone clipped, almost mechanical.

Kelvin leaned against the counter, trying to mask the unease in his voice. “What’s this about?”

“There was a break-in at Victor Alonso’s casino tonight.”

Kelvin froze. His mind raced, searching for an answer that wouldn’t betray him. “How do you know about that?”

“Turn on your television.”

Kelvin grabbed the remote and switched on the screen. A local news channel was already covering the story. The headline flashed: Attack at billionaire’s casino two victims found dead..

The news anchor’s voice cut through the silence. “...two bodies were discovered in the aftermath of the break-in. Authorities are investigating connections to organized crime, but no suspects have been identified. Surveillance footage appears to have been tampered with...”

Kelvin’s grip on the remote tightened. Adrian’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Kelvin, you sound... uneasy,” Adrian said, his words sharp like a knife. “Tell me, do you have anything to do with this?”

Kelvin inhaled deeply, forcing his tone to remain steady. “I went to check the casino. Thought it might be a front for Alonso’s drug operation.”

“You thought?” Adrian’s voice rose slightly before he seemed to regain control of his temper. “Do you realize how reckless that was?”

Kelvin clenched his jaw, remaining silent as Adrian continued.

“Two bodies, Kelvin. One stabbed, one shot in the head. Care to explain?”

“The guy I took out was coming at me with a knife. The other one... that wasn’t me. Victor’s men shot him.”

Adrian fell silent for a moment, and Kelvin could practically hear the wheels turning in his head.

“Did anyone see you?” Adrian asked finally.

“No,” Kelvin replied. “April hacked the CCTV. There’s no footage of me anywhere near that place.”

“You’re lucky,” Adrian said, his tone hard. “Very lucky. For now, the authorities have tied the crimes to the dead man who was stabbed. It seems clean, but you can’t afford another mistake.”

Kelvin exhaled slowly. “I have a picture of the body from the room. It could be useful if—”

“No,” Adrian interrupted. “That evidence is useless now. Focus on the task at hand. Victor Alonso is still your target. You need to get the evidence of his dirty business, time is running out.”

Kelvin nodded, though Adrian couldn’t see him. “Understood.”

“Good,” Adrian said, his tone softening slightly. “Don’t screw this up, Kelvin.”

The call ended, leaving Kelvin in the silence of his apartment once more. He tossed the phone onto the couch and leaned against the wall, his head resting against the cool plaster.

A few minutes later, the phone buzzed again. This time, it was April.

“Kelvin!” she said, relief evident in her voice. “I’ve been worried sick. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said, though his voice carried the weight of the night’s events. “Thanks for pulling off that hack. No one suspects me.”

April sighed. “I saw the news. Two bodies, Kelvin. Did you...?”

“One of them was me,” he admitted. “The other was Victor’s men taking out their own guy. Things got messy.”

She was silent for a moment, then said, “You need to be more careful. You can’t take risks like that, Kelvin. Not with Victor.”

“I know,” he said. “But this is bigger than just me, April. Victor’s operation, the people protecting him, it’s all connected. We need to stay ahead.”

April hesitated, then said, “What’s the plan now?”

Kelvin glanced at the television, where the news was still covering the casino murders. “We focus on the big fish. I need to attend the Masquerade party in person. That’s the only way to get close enough to bring him down.”

April sighed again, but there was determination in her voice when she said, “Alright. Let me know what you need.”

“Thanks, April,” Kelvin said. “I'll be in touch.”

The tailored black suit hugged Kelvin’s frame as he adjusted his tie in the mirror. The room was dim, the only light coming from the overhead lamp. His reflection stared back at him, composed on the surface but brimming with anticipation underneath. Tonight was critical—one wrong move, and everything could fall apart.

His phone buzzed on the dresser, and he picked it up. April’s voice came through, sharp and steady.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

Kelvin exhaled, forcing his nerves into submission. “I guess so.”

“Not good enough,” April said firmly. “Put on the glasses. They’re equipped with a discreet camera. And don’t forget the tracking device, it’s in the sole of the left shoe.”

Kelvin picked up the black-framed glasses from the table and slid them on. They felt heavier than normal glasses, the weight a reminder of April’s careful preparation.

“Got it,” he said as he reached down and adjusted the shoe. The tracking device clicked into place.

“Good,” April said, her tone softening slightly. “This way, if anything goes sideways, I can get to you. Or at least know where to find your body.”

Kelvin smirked. “That’s reassuring.”

“I mean it, Kelvin,” she said, the worry in her voice barely masked. “Be careful.”

“I will,” he said, grabbing his keys. “Nothing bad will happen to me. Trust me.”

As he stepped into the garage, the sleek black BMW he’d used before gleamed under the fluorescent lights. He slid into the driver’s seat, the leather creaking faintly as he settled in. The engine purred to life, and he navigated the car out onto the dimly lit street, the party’s address programmed into his GPS.

The drive was silent except for the occasional updates from April. “How close are you?”

“Ten minutes out,” Kelvin replied, his eyes scanning the road ahead. “What do you know about the location?”

“It’s Victor’s private estate. From what I’ve gathered, it’s massive. Security is tight, but the mask theme makes it easier for you to blend in.”

Kelvin grunted in acknowledgment. “You think he’s hiding anything in plain sight?”

“Victor is too smart to leave anything obvious lying around. But this party isn’t just a social gathering, it’s a display of power. Everyone there holds a piece of the puzzle.”

As the estate loomed in the distance, Kelvin slowed the car. Tall iron gates marked the entrance, flanked by two guards in sharp suits. Beyond the gates, the estate was lit up like a beacon, a stark contrast to the surrounding darkness.

Kelvin parked a short distance away and stepped out, pulling a sleek, ornate mask from his pocket. It covered the upper half of his face, the intricate design catching the light as he adjusted it.

“April,” he murmured, his voice low as he began walking toward the entrance.

“I’m here,” she replied instantly.

“I’m on the move,” he said, his tone steady despite the tension creeping into his chest.

The path to the entrance was lined with luxury cars, their owners likely already inside. Kelvin approached the two guards, their eyes sharp and assessing. Unlike the guests, they wore no masks, their faces stoic and unyielding.

“Invitation,” one of them demanded, his tone curt.

Kelvin reached into his inner pocket and retrieved the invitation—a sleek card with gold lettering. He handed it over, his pulse quickening as the guard placed it on a handheld scanner.

For a brief moment, the device blinked red, and Kelvin’s heart jumped. He whispered, “Now,” under his breath, his words barely audible.

Seconds later, the scanner flashed green. The guard nodded and returned the card. “Enjoy the party.”

Kelvin exhaled slowly and stepped through the grand doors.

The interior of the estate was a picture of opulence. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the crowd, their reflections dancing on polished marble floors. Guests moved through the space with practiced elegance, their masks giving them an air of mystery. The hum of conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter, filled the room.

“Kelvin,” April’s voice crackled in his ear. “What’s it like there?”

He glanced around, noting the lavish decorations and the well-dressed crowd. “Warm. Luxurious. Everyone’s in masks except for the guards.”

“Stay sharp,” she said. “This isn’t just a party, it’s a playground for predators.”

Kelvin’s eyes scanned the room, cataloging details. Powerful men and women mingled, their conversations guarded. He recognized a few faces behind the masks of politicians, CEOs, and others who held sway in society. This was more than a party; it was a gathering of puppeteers pulling the strings of the city.

His focus shifted to the far end of the room, where a grand staircase curved upward. At the top, a man stood, observing the crowd. Kelvin didn’t need a clear view to know it was Victor Alonso.

“Victor’s here,” he murmured.

“Don’t engage yet,” April said. “Blend in. Gather intel. Remember, the goal is to build trust.”

Kelvin nodded slightly, making his way deeper into the crowd. His posture was relaxed, but his mind was alert, every movement calculated.

Then, a voice cut through the hum of the party, stopping him in his tracks.

“Well, well, Who do we have here?”

His breath caught, his body tensing involuntarily. The voice was smooth, familiar, and carried a dangerous undertone.

He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto the source. A woman stepped forward, her mask unable to hide the sharp features of her face. Her lips curved into a sly smile, her piercing gaze unsettling.

“Maria Freshman,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement.

Kelvin’s mind raced.