Chapter 20

• Carefully, methodically but quickly, John went through all he could find in Nico's room which was quite much. The master spider had left for a 'business engagement' and John wasted no time in using the rare opportunity to search through Nico's belongings. He was almost alone in the villa, most of the occupants having been given various assignments. The few ruffians left behind would not be likely to step into the parlour, so he thought himself relatively safe. He had been searching for a few minutes now and he still hadn't found anything of highly significant importance.
• For weeks, he had been biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to see what lay behind those curtains that Nico always disappeared into. He'd taken some time to pick the complicated lock of the door, all the while trying to imagine what he would find, but now, here he was and the only things he could see were lots of expensive clothing and furniture, in fact they covered most of the room. The wardrobe itself looked like a boutique. Rows and rows of expensive designer suits and shirts, ties, belts, dozens of shoes and an assortment of casual wears. John was not surprised. Nico took the lion's share of the Triangle's profits and only crumbs were divided among the rest of the gang members. No one dared to question the sharing formula or ask for an increase in his earnings; the consequences might not be too palatable.
• A king sized bed, super expensive rugs and couches, a boutique-like wardrobe, a bathroom, a toilet and a very large chest of almost empty drawers containing unimportant trifles. That was how John would summarize Nico's room if he was asked. The place was much larger than he had expected but if this was all the room contained, why did Nico make it so inaccessible? Although security here was very lax, almost non existent compared to the cameras at various locations around the building. The main gate had an alarm system to prevent forced entry and there were motion sensors and electrified wires on the outer walls. But security was practically disregarded when it came to the building's interior. Perhaps Nico thought it unnecessary? John felt frustrated and disappointed at his inability to find whatever the master criminal was hiding. Yes, he was sure... very sure that a lot was hidden.