(Rob)bery

The key turned slowly in the lock and the door clicked open. He plopped his large briefcase on the ground with a weary sigh and staggered towards his room. Kicking off his shoes and loosening his tie, he was ready to collapse on his soft bed but there were other things planned for him. As soon as he stepped inside the bedroom, he knew something was wrong. His eyes flitted wildly across the large space, documenting every detail. His cupboards and drawers had been thrown open, clothes were strewn all across the floor and books were carelessly discarded near the shelves. Somebody had searched his room. 

Surprisingly, not one other room was disturbed and there were no signs of breaking and entering. Before he could ponder on that, a loud crash came from the kitchen making his entire body go rigid. He was supposed to be completely alone. The thought of the intruder still being in this house had not even crossed his mind. Until now. With a shaky breath, he tiptoed toward the kitchen and found nothing but a glass rolling across the marble floor. He rushed frantically around the house, parting curtains, looking behind tables and sofas, for any sign of a person. His head snapped up when he heard the swoosh of a window being opened. By the time he reached it, the trespasser was already escaping. But he had caught a glimpse of his ankle and the crude tattoo on it. And that proved to be enough. He felt the fear he had been keeping at bay now. He felt it taking over his body, preventing him from moving.

After what felt like hours, he finally gathered enough control to pull out his phone and dial a well memorized number. A deep voice answered almost immediately “Hello Martin. How are- “ 

“It happened.” he said tensely, cutting the speaker off. “It happened Rob. They are coming.”  

Rob instantly hung up. Minutes later, his worried face appeared on the door. Martin launched into the story without hesitating. “He… he was looking for information about our organization…and I think he got it,” he finished tersely, looking at the now empty space where confidential documents should have been.

“Do you have any idea what you have done? You were given those papers out of courtesy for your father and the position he held formerly. The same position, may I remind you, that you were set to inherit.” Rob muttered, shaking his head.

“I did not-”

“Silence! Call a meeting! NOW!” he commanded, flaring up unexpectedly. 

An hour later, both men were sitting in the back of a taxi in uncomfortable silence. Martin had desperately tried to explain that he wasn’t to blame but all he had received was a pitying look. If Rob did not believe him, no one would. 

Sooner than he would have liked, they stood in front of the headquarters. As if on cue, a booming voice commanded “Seize him!”

He knew he would face consequences but being detained was a bit much. The voice, which belonged to their leader, spoke again “Do you have anything to say for your disgraceful betrayal?”

“Betrayal? Yes, I failed to stop the enemy from getting confidential information, but I betrayed no one” he announced defiantly.

“Are you really sticking to that pathetic tale?” the leader laughed.

“It is not-” 

“You peg us for fools. You presume that we would believe that you just ‘happened’ to be called into work on a holiday, that the intruder ‘happened’ to know the documents were in your room and also miraculously broke into your house without any force. Oh, and he scattered everything but any and all expensive items were left untouched. Ha! You, sir, are not only a terrible liar but also a cheapster. We believe you ransacked your room yourself to make it look more believable, but you weren't smart enough to cover up all the other 'discrepancies', were you? You will pay the price of colluding against us.” 

“What…But I am telling the-” 

“What? Truth? Nobody could have known these details unless you voluntarily told them. I am sick of your lies. You know how important loyalty is here. The least you could do is confess.” he spat.

Turning to Rob, he ordered “Take him. We will discuss further actions later.”  Rob nodded and painfully grabbed Martin’s arm, dragging him away. 

Right before slamming the door of the temporary cell in his face, Rob smiled coldly “Oh by the way, you lied. You told me, Martin. You told me everything. Now I will tell you - I wanted you out of here and look at that, you are out of here. Funny how things work out.” he winked.