Chapter 7 Time Is Running Out
"I need the money as soon as possible if you want the investigation to start now."
I glanced at Dave from my cup of espresso. The man is leaning back on the collapsible chair outside a famous cafe while looking at his phone. Passers-by cannot help but throw us a glance from time to time. I can't blame them. We are quite an eye-catching pair.
Dave is wearing an old English-style outfit. He looked as dapper as an Englishman with his Victorian-styled hat, double breasted jacket and overcoat made in leather. He finished the countenance with his cane and dark brown spectacles on his head. I on the other hand is screaming in colors. I'm literally in neons. My shirt is neon pink with a neon green scribble on the center paired with a striped yellow and red neon pajamas.
"How much?"
He spared a look at me from his concentration on whatever he is reading from his cellphone. "One million."
It's a good thing that I just put down the coffee on the table after sipping before he answered me. If it were a second later, I could have been swimming in a spilled coffee. Coughing, I fumbled for a tissue which is unluckily not on my side. Dave offered me a handful to which I accepted and wiped my wet thigh with a scowl in my forehead. When all is dried again, I gave him a sharp look as he got back to his business on his phone.
"One million?! Are you fucking serious?! I'm looking for a fucking dog not a Yamashita treasure for crying out loud!"
He sighed exasperatedly from him seat and abandoned his phone and whoever he's talking to.
"It's not just an ordinary dog, Femella. It's a Tibetan Mastiff dog, one of the most expensive breed of dogs in the whole wide world. It's a million dollar dog and it's what we need to get the lead."
I stopped to munch the words in my head. "No, I still think a million is too big for searching a dog, a freaking dog, Dave."
"And I stand by my statement that it's not just an ordinary dog."
I squinted my eyes at him. What a ridiculously hardheaded being, I thought. "Are you trying to play your tricks on me again, Dave Estrella? Don't you dare do it again. I might not spare you this time. You don't know me."
"Woah, Femella Alcantara! Are you threatening me now?" he asked grinning from ear to ear while sipping on his cup to hide his whole face in the process.
"No, I'm just telling you not to mess up with me because if you do, you'll not like it where you'll end up so you better not do your dirty games with me." I crossed my arms and studied the smirking man across me.
"Now you're threatening me." He smiled cockily.
"Why, you're scared now?"
"No, not all all." He leaned back. "Back to the business, I need a million or you would have to find me a replacement to do the job."
I released a long sigh. When would this guy ever get that I'm not playing around with him this time? I shoved all the errant strands of my hair back to my neatly restrained bun and threw a blank look at him.
"Dave, let me ask you a question," I said impatiently.
"I hope it's not another threat. I'm sick of talking to every client serving me their top-tier death threats. Now be different and don't come at me with those most used lines."
"Who recommended me to you?" I said ignoring his statement.
A knot formed on his forehead. "It's Mr. Rowald."
I nodded approvingly. "Yes, that's right. Mr. Rowald recommended me to you. Do you even have the slightest idea why?"
The crease on his head just got another twist. "Where are you heading up to?"
"Nothing. Nothing. I have nothing to point out. Now, answer my question."
"He said a client wanted a detective. He can't cater to you because he's had too many high-profile cases in his plate as of the moment."
"Uh-uh. I'm hurt. So mine is not considered to be a high-profile one. Anyways, that's not the real reason why. You see, Rowald is too exposed in the detective scene so he's not a part of my choices. He can easily get detected that's why he slowly retired in the litigation industry. He gave me to you, no, practically he gave you to me to handle my very high-profile case because I need someone, a novice. A rookie, a newcomer in the world of con artists and you Dave is the perfect one."
He went silent for the rest of the minute. Dave just scribbled something on the coffee table while thinking about what I just said.
"And to add further to that obvious shock look you have, I have all your credentials in me." I played with my cup of coffee by twirling my finger on its handle.
And just as I thought, his bulging eyes spell amazement. Shocked is plastered all over his face.
"No way!"
"Yes way!" I smirked.
"That's impossible! Mr. Rowald will not do that to me. He knows my conditions," he said in a higher register, the smile on his face faded.
I just leisurely shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know why he gave that to me. Maybe, just maybe, it's a proof that we were so so..." I raised my two middle finger and stick them together "so close," I finished my sentence.
"I don't believe you. If you're doing this to scare me so that I would give in to you then you're wrong. I could drop your case like a hot potato. It's not my loss."
I sensed that even he is not sure about his words. The tremor in his voice sent me a confirmation that he's just convincing himself.
"Really Johnny boy? You'll drop me like a hot potato? What if I tell your grandfather right at this moment that you are not really in America to study? All this time you were here in the Philippines trying to be like what, like Sherlock Holmes? Uhm, what do you say?" It's my turn to smirk.
He turned pale the instant I mention his grandpa. Yes, the young man is just trying to hide his real age by wearing retro and baggy clothes.
"N-no, please. I don't want to go back to U.S. I don't like it there." The kid bowed down his head.
I grinned. "Good. Now we're on the same wavelength. I'll give you half a million next week. I think it's time to up my game. Oh well, as if I have any other choice left."
I stood up and tapped his shoulders.
"Rowald gave you to me because he trusts your ability. Now I'll send the money to you and after that you'll find the dog for me. Understand? Okay?"
He chuckled a little and met my eyes, a different twinkle is on his face. "I'll be expecting the money. After that, I can guarantee you the information about the dog."
"Good. I better go now. You know, I need to find myself a million pesos for you. Adios!"
I left the place and went back to the car which is just parked on the outskirts of the area. Chino opened the door for me when I knocked on the window.
"What happened? Is it a success?" he asked right away.
I sighed sadly and shook my head. "Unfortunately, it didn't go as I planned." I sighed again and sat on the seat. "He doesn't want to let me borrow some money." I faked another exhausted breathing. "I have no other choice Chino but to go with my bidder next week. I need the money so bad otherwise, someone will get killed if I don't give them the money."
"But are you ready now? What if it's Mr. Samontina who will bid for you? I heard him talking with the boss the other night. He's eyeing for you, Femella. It should have been the last bidding but Maverick bought your time with his newest car. You really got him in the hook, girl. You are really something! It's not everyday that you will have the likes of Maverick under your palms!"