Chapter 231: Hide and Strike
Chapter 231: Hide and Strike
Meanwhile just outside Tessa's lodge, the trio of Reggie, Gunther and Randal appeared once more in form of shadows coalescing.
As the shadows coalesced into their humanoid forms, Reggie's voice cut through the air with urgency, "Move swiftly, Gunther, Randal. Search the lodge thoroughly while Tessa is still away. We need to find whatever we can before she returns."
With silent efficiency, Reggie, Gunther, and Randal maneuvered through the lodge, sidestepping the security cameras at the doorways and darting past blind spots with practiced ease. They knew the layout well, aware that lodges typically didn't install security cameras in bedrooms.
Their mission was swift and methodical. They checked every drawer, flipped through documents, and scanned shelves for any clues or information that might be of use. They worked in sync, communicating with subtle gestures and nods as they combed through the rooms.
Finally, they reached Tessa's bedroom, where they knew they would find the most valuable information. With caution, they began their search, their movements precise and calculated as they scoured the room for any hidden secrets or vital clues.
As Reggie, Gunther, and Randal scoured Tessa's bedroom, their search ended quicker than anticipated when they stumbled upon an open laptop. On the screen was a document with the heading: "Project Sunscreen Testing Phase 1."
Their eyes widened with anticipation as they realized the significance of their discovery. Without hesitation, they each took turns reading through the document, absorbing its contents with growing concern.
Reggie was the first to speak, his voice low and urgent. "This is it," he murmured, his gaze flicking between his brothers. "Project Sunscreen. Rose's most high-profile project."
Gunther and Randal exchanged a glance, understanding the implications of the information Tessa possessed. If she had documents on Project Sunscreen and was on the island, it meant she was onto something big.
"We need to figure out what she knows," Gunther said, his tone grave. "And fast."
Randal nodded in agreement. "We can't let her uncover the truth about Rose's work. It could jeopardize everything."
Reggie clenched his jaw, his mind racing with possibilities. "Let's focus on gathering as much information as we can from this laptop. We need to stay one step ahead of Tessa."
With a sense of urgency, they continued to scour the document, determined to unravel the secrets hidden within Project Sunscreen before Tessa could uncover them. The stakes were high, and failure was not an option.
The trio exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing with the implications of Tessa's discovery. While they had never been formally briefed on Shelly Tech's operations, they knew enough to understand the gravity of what Tessa was about to delve into.
Project Sunscreen wasn't just about Rose; it had far-reaching consequences that could shake the foundation of vampire society if the truth were to get out.
With a sense of urgency, they closed the laptop and made a swift exit from Tessa's lodge. They took care to leave everything undisturbed, ensuring that their presence went unnoticed. Startling Tessa or alerting her to their suspicions was the last thing they wanted. Discretion was key.
Once outside, they melted back into the shadows, blending seamlessly. Their task now was to observe, to gather as much information as they could without tipping their hand. They knew that they couldn't afford to act recklessly; patience and careful planning were their allies in this delicate situation.
The trio emerged from the shadows, their forms coalescing in the dim light of the cave. Reggie, Gunther, and Randal stood together, their expressions tense as they surveyed their surroundings.
Gunther kicked a stone with unnecessary force, causing it to explode against the cave wall with a loud crack. Reggie shot him a sharp look, his eyes narrowing in warning.
"Watch it, Gunther," Reggie hissed, his tone laced with irritation. "We can't afford to draw attention to ourselves."
Gunther rolled his eyes, but heeded Reggie's warning nonetheless. "Sorry, I just needed to vent," he muttered, rubbing his foot where he had kicked the stone.
Reggie sighed, shaking his head. "We're in this cave for a reason, you know," he reminded them, his voice low but firm. "We can't risk staying in any of the lodges. Not with Elena running this resort."
The presence of accommodations available to Tessa suggested that someone was indeed managing the resort, even if it wasn't explicitly stated who that might be. This raised questions about who was running the operations behind the scenes. Considering Tessa's investigative nature, it was likely that she would have looked into the ownership or management of the resort upon her arrival.
However, the lack of concrete information about the resort's management added an air of mystery to the situation.
The trio's awareness of the resort's operations pointed at their familiarity with the island. This was especially true since it wasn't their first time here. They had been here before but not to tail a human or find another one.
Their knowledge would be crucial as they planned their next moves. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Elena's presence on the island added to the tension and complexity of their mission. They knew they had to proceed cautiously, as encountering Elena or her allies could jeopardize their objectives.
They understood the layout well enough to position themselves far from any lodge where Elena might reside, minimizing the risk of detection.
Their confidence stemmed from their mastery of a technique to mask their aura and scent, a skill honed through years of training and experience. Even for a powerful figure like Elena, renowned for her heightened senses as a vampire, detecting their presence would prove to be a formidable challenge.
The trio knew they had taken the necessary precautions to evade detection, at least for the time being.
Their discussion underscored their strategic advantage, emphasizing the importance of remaining undetected while they carried out their mission. With their whereabouts concealed and their scent masked, they could move about the island with a degree of stealth and secrecy that afforded them a crucial advantage in their pursuit of information.
Randal nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "We all know what Elena is capable of," he said quietly. "We can't underestimate her."
Reggie glanced around the dimly lit cave, his thoughts racing. "For now, we'll have to make do with what we have," he said finally. "We know this island better than most. We'll stay hidden until we have a better plan."
Reggie nodded thoughtfully, his mind already racing with plans. "We need to find out if Blake is here," he said, his voice low but determined. "If he's on this island, we need to find him before Elena does."
Gunther crossed his arms, a determined glint in his eyes. "But how do we do that without drawing attention to ourselves?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
Randal glanced around the cave, his mind already formulating a plan. "We'll have to gather information discreetly," he said, his voice confident. "We know this island better than anyone. We'll find a way to track him down without anyone knowing."
Reggie nodded in agreement, a determined expression on his face. "We'll split up and search the island," he said, his voice firm. "But we need to be cautious. We can't afford to let Elena or anyone else catch wind of our presence."