Chapter 19: FIB
Rhea walked quickly through the FIB lobby, carrying a tray filled with coffees. She was moving so fast that she nearly bumped into an agent.
One of the cups tilted dangerously toward him.
"Sorry!" Rhea quickly said, catching it before it spilled.
The agent looked at her, then at the coffee.
"You nearly baptized me in coffee."
"I said sorry," Rhea replied, already moving away.
She continued down the corridor.
"Hi, Rhea. Good morning."
Rhea turned and saw one of the cleaners pushing a cart.
"Good morning," she replied with a smile. "I have to go quickly. Talk later."
"Sure."
Rhea continued toward Meeting Room 1.
She reached the door, opened it, and walked inside.
The room was filled with FIB agents. Several were already seated around the large conference table, discussing different aspects of the case.
Rhea walked around the room and handed everyone their coffee.
"Here."
"Thanks."
"Your coffee."
"Thank you, Rhea."
She finally placed the remaining coffee on the table and took her seat.
Martin, the head FIB agent, stood at the front of the room.
"Attention."
The room immediately became silent.
"Everyone sit down. Let's start the meeting."
Martin looked toward Rhea.
"Rhea, turn off the lights."
Rhea stood and switched them off.
The room became dark as the projector came to life.
Martin began the presentation.
"Yesterday, we were informed that chaos happened during an auction as the Visallas family grabbed an island."
An image of the island appeared on the screen.
"The question is simple. Why does the Visallas family, and especially Michael, want this island?"
Martin looked toward Josh.
"Josh, report."
Josh opened his file.
"Sir, currently we don't have much information about the intention behind buying the island. But some sources suggest that Michael is building something commercial on the island. Something that could bring a lot of money toward the Visallas."
Martin nodded.
"Good."
He looked at the screen.
"So Michael has been buying a lot of land since day one."
The screen changed to photographs of several Visallas construction projects.
"He has built apartment complexes across this country. Even in places where construction wasn't allowed according to the original map of this city."
Martin paused.
"But he manipulated and bribed people to get his work done."
One of the agents spoke.
"Sir, but why does he want this island?"
Martin looked at him.
"Well, our friend in the Visallas house has informed us that the succession race has started in the family."
He turned back toward the screen.
"So definitely, Michael will want the seat."
Martin looked toward Josh.
"Josh, inform us about the current tree of the Visallas family."
Josh stood and moved toward the screen.
"Yes, sir."
The family tree appeared.
Josh began explaining.
"At the center of the family is Leonardo Visalla."
He moved to the next name.
"His son is Michael Visalla."
Michael's photograph appeared on the screen.
"Michael is currently one of the strongest candidates in the younger generation. He's intelligent, ambitious, and already involved in major business activities."
Josh moved to another photograph.
"Then we have Dante Visalla."
Dante's photograph appeared.
"He is more reserved and calculated compared to the others."
The next photograph appeared.
"Nero Visalla."
Josh continued.
"Nero is Michael's younger cousin and is currently involved in the family's drug business."
Another photograph appeared.
"His father is Adrian Visalla, and his mother is Lucia Visalla."
Josh continued down the family tree.
"We also have Silas Visalla, Dante's father, who remains an influential member of the family."
Another photograph appeared.
"And Ashley Visalla, who is also part of the younger generation and has recently shown interest in taking control of the drug business."
Josh finished the explanation and returned to his seat.
Martin looked at the family tree for a moment.
"So…"
He turned toward the agents.
"What does this succession race mean for us?"
Nobody answered.
Martin continued.
"We need our friend to become the head."
He paused.
"If Michael becomes the head, then all the work we've done till now on the family will be a waste."
Martin looked toward Michael's photograph.
"So listen up, everyone."
"We need to stop Michael."
He pointed toward the image of the island.
"Whatever he's going to do or build on that island, we need to know about it."
The agents listened carefully.
"Find something that can put Michael behind bars."
Martin's voice became firm.
"I don't care how difficult it is. Find something solid. Something we can use against him."
He looked around the room.
"We need evidence."
A few agents nodded.
Martin closed the presentation.
"Everyone dismissed. Meeting over."
The agents began getting up from their seats.
Folders were closed, chairs moved back, and quiet conversations started throughout the room.
Rhea collected the empty coffee cups from the table.
She was about to leave when Martin spoke.
"Rhea."
She stopped.
"Yes, sir?"
"Wait. I have something to say to you."
Rhea turned toward him.
The room slowly emptied.
Soon, only Martin and Rhea remained.
Martin looked at her.
"Close the door."