Page 18 of Pursuing the Egoist
Greg lifted his black eyes from his smartphone for a brief reply, but as if sensing Yugo’s irritation, he pocketed his device and clasped his hands behind his back. “It’s confidential. It probably stayed with the psychologist.”
“Get it. Maybe there is something interesting there.”
“Yes, Boss.”
If he is so normal, why doesn’t he have friends or lovers? What’s wrong with him? Why don’t they stick?Mind buzzing, Yugo flipped the page, finding the medical records. Except for the common childhood illnesses, Leiris was perfectly healthy.Maybe he’s just a sociopath who doesn’t need human connection? But that wouldn’t escape a psychologist. Damn Greg, why didn’t he get the questionnaire?
“This is the most boring dossier I’ve ever seen…” Yugo concluded, yet, he couldn’t get rid of the haunting feeling, as if something didn’t add up. Unable to put a finger on it, he closed the dossier and pushed it aside. “Did the mayor call?”
“Yes. You were busy and he didn’t have time to wait. He asked to hurry because his election campaign is based on this seizure.”
Pushing the photographs aside, Yugo grabbed a cigarette pack that lay on the desk, fetched a smoke then snapped his fingers as he searched for the lighter. Annoyed by the mess his desk had turned into, he ruffled through the pile of papers, until his finger touched the calming coolness of silver. With a long, tension-releasing exhale, he lit up his cigarette and took a greedy draw. The smoke curled in his lungs relaxing him as he came to a decision. “Move forward with the plan. If you can’t get rid of Leiris within three days, use him instead of those the mayor provided.”
“But the mayor said…”
“I don’t give a fuck what the mayor said. The election is coming, and you can’t find anything on this boy. There’s no time to make everything perfect. If the mayor isn’t happy with Leiris, he’s welcome to get rid of him. If not, he has to work with what we give him. Either this or no fucking election for him. I can work with the opposition if I have to.”
“Got it.” The bulky man turned on his heel.
“Greg…” Yugo took another drag, then blew smoky words out, “If you use him, make sure you triple check all the information he receives. Whatever he does, I want to know.”
“Yes, Boss.”
YUGO PINCHED THE BRIDGEof his nose. Two packs of photographs lay on his desk untouched: one from yesterday, another from today, a fat, unopened envelope lay beneath.
Two days ago, after setting his mind on delegating Leiris’ case to Greg, Yugo exhausted his interest in the detective. Now, as the psychological questionnaire rested on his desk, curiosity started scratching in his chest again. Reaching toward the pile of photographs, he grabbed the top pack. Snapping the rubber band off, he flipped through the images.
Leiris in the gym. Leiris buying coffee. Leiris entering the bar to flirt with Greta. He didn’t see a point in looking through the images Greg had already checked. He was about to toss the pile aside when his glance fell upon a photograph of a woman entering the same elevator as Leiris in a hotel lobby. Something in the way she held herself was familiar, but he couldn’t figure out what. Either it was the way she held her chin up, or her pencil-straight back, or how she slightly inclined her head to one side bringing a haughty look to her features. He grabbed the next image, scrutinizing her heart-shaped face, big brown eyes, plump lips, bronze glowing skin, and the thick mane of brown, glossy hair. In a medium grade hotel like this, she looked out of place, especially with an expensive purse tucked under her arm.
Yugo could swear he knew her, but couldn’t remember from where.
“Greg!” he called, then again, as the door didn’t open immediately. He was about to get up to go and look for Greg, but the man entered the room, pocketing his smartphone on his way. Red spots bloomed on his face, perspiration coated his forehead, and his tie hung loosely around his bull-like neck.
Yugo cocked a suspicious brow. “You are acting weird lately. Is there anything I need to know?”
Greg’s cheek jolted. Yugo sat forward, folding his hands beneath his chin as his brows narrowed.
“It’s… nothing,” Greg croaked, looking nowhere and everywhere at once, as if he couldn’t find a resting spot for his eyes but tried his hardest to avoid Yugo’s gaze. “It’s personal. Sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“Personal?” Yugo couldn’t help staring. Yugo had known Greg for more than twenty years, and all this time he’d thought Greg was asexual. He’d never had any affairs to Yugo’s knowledge, or he did an amazing job hiding them. Despite having his own place, Greg barely left Yugo’s mansion. No lover would tolerate such a lifestyle. “Are you dating someone?”
Greg did an uncertain movement with his chin, sighed, and confessed, “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated? What kind of person is she? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Greg’s raw glare surprised Yugo for a second. He could swear he saw a warning glinting in the dark, deep-seated eyes. Such a look could be seen in the eyes of a feral animal, protecting its cubs. The tension drained from Greg’s shoulders with an unhappy sigh.
“A difficult one. Honestly, I don’t think it’s going to work out. It doesn’t look like they are serious about me or anyone at all.” With an awkward shrug, Greg shifted his weight from foot to foot then asked, “Did you call?”
Getting a clear message to drop the topic, Yugo pushed the photograph in question toward his subordinate with two fingers. When he pulled back, two clear fingerprints marred the smooth, glossy surface. “Do you know this woman? She looks familiar…”
“Does she?” Snatching a photograph, Greg examined it. “No, Boss. I’ve never seen her in my life. Anyway, what’s your point? They didn’t exchange a word. She left on the sixth floor; he went higher.”
“What did he do in that hotel?” Yugo picked up another photograph, printed from the same security footage. The woman pressed her hand against the metal elevator door, a key card, squeezed between her fingers, was turned inwardly, so the room number could be seen from the cabin. Yugo couldn’t see Leiris’ eyes, but the position of his head suggested he stared at it.
Greg opened a small notepad and scrolled through his notes. “There’s a bar on the top floor. His unit had a drinking party. His boss’ birthday, I think.”
“Didn’t you say he doesn’t go drinking with his colleagues?” Yugo looked closer at the female hand. A thick wedding ring wound around her ring finger.
