Chapter Four

Trouble At The AirportSmith Ramon, one of the airport janitors saunter toward the opening leading to the airport VIP guest lodge; as the airport public restroom was just behind it, he usually go check around it. This he often does so as to know how much work he has left before closing for the day. He often stays out late at work due to the nature of his job, and he often makes sure that the airport is less busy in the evening before he goes to do the final cleaning up for the day. And this usually took him some time and keeps him busy until some minute before midnight before he often gets home. Smith was a fat chunky man, who by his appearance, you could tell how awful he lives. His wife was one of those nagging women who after all his hard work all day long at the airport to make ends meet, had only welcomed him with much irksome compliment, crediting him on how he was unable to carter for her needs. She often scolds him on how his equals have achieved tangible results, but he was lazy and hed stuck to being a cleaner and janitor, she often laments her regret for getting married to him and for how he had made her life miserable. Hed got bored and tired of this everyday routine at home that he resorted to going to this popular bar in the town, down 57th avenue Street to get himself drunk before going home. Although sometimes he only goes there to sit alone and at times, he sat in the company of some good fellows, who in turn buy him a couple of free drinks as his reward for being cheerful. This has been his habit for almost two years now. On this faithful day, Smith decides to go check on the male restroom earlier than his usual time before hell later go back and clean it up, which he often does at the late hour of the night when the airport is empty. He has ten lavatories to clean every day, aside from mopping the reception area; and the guestroom, he clean last. The pub restroom was behind the area where the guestroom is located. And it has a passage that leads to a corridor, which at the end of it; you come to the public restroom. And inside, it has five pubs each in a row opposite the other. Smith walks past the VIP guestroom, and he knows that they only had one VIP guest today. Peter! Whom he knows will be leaving by the 20:00 night flight. And as he pass, he felt the urge to go checked on him and say hi, perhaps he could be offered a free drink, for he wont mind a glass of whiskey, he thought to himself. He stops for a moment at the entrance to the guestroom, but on a second thought, he turns and leaves walking straight to the restroom area while whistling to himself as he wasnt expecting to see anyone around there. Most of the guest awaits their departure flight at the reception area. He got to the pub restroom area, and walks to the makeup region, and inspects the washing tray. It still looks a little tidy, so he decides to check on the lavatory one at a time. But as he took a couple of step toward it, he heard a door cracking sound. And it was that of the 9th restroom door he noticed. He hesitates for a moment to see if anyone would come out of it, perhaps his earlier perception was wrong. The door opens and a man walked out. However, it was Peter! Why on earth was he here? Was Smith's first thought; as he was the last person that hed expect to see much around this area. Hey, master Peter!" He said with a smile while trying to sound casual and courteous. Perez smile courageously at him; call me Peter, he said with some admiration at Smith. The guestroom is got a restroom! he pointed out, in an attempt to be of help to him. Oh my bad!" Perez retort, "well, I only came to stretch out and to check on a friend. He explains. Smith gaped at him in a surprise gesture; is he still in there? He asked in an attempt to get Perez's attention. Yap," Perez replied, "but he will be done in a moment. Oh, I almost thought it was a she. He supposed jokingly. No, he was a male! he replied bluntly while trying to stop him from nosing around, but at the same time, he tried not to also upset him. He thought on how to get this squat man off his back as fast as he could before he would make him do something that would ruin this whole set-up. You do a lot of work around here, right? he asked, in an attempt to strike on a conversation. Well, most of it usually comes at night time, after all the passengers must have left;" "little is done during the day, Smith replied. That must be too much work." Perez replied and pause briefly; "do you have any time for home? He asked while making an effort to proceed out of the pub restroom area. Smith walked slowly behind him, feeling a sense of joy to be having a chat with someone he considers to be prominent. This he rarely does, and so he decides to take a stroll with him, oblivious of what he had actually come to do. I scarcely had time for home," he replied with a smile, "most time," "is past midnight by the time I leave for home, he explains. He strokes a point Perez has been waiting to hear; ever consider working as a cleaner with the bank? he asked. Not a chance!! Smith replied, knowing how fortunate he was, to still have a job with the airport. Well, that, I think I can arrange for you, Perez said while gazing at his round face to see his expression. Smith lighten up and gaped excitedly at him; youll do that for me?" He asked curiously and he stops abruptly, wondering why hell want to help him. "But why will you want to help me?" He asked bluntly, feeling rather skeptical about his motives. Perez knew he was no fool, but he already had his answer for him all planned, especially as he knew people dont just get help those days, besides, is always something for another. As people often do something in return for a favor served, so he must have a reason as to why he was helping him. You dont think Id helped you for nothing, do you?" "Well," he continued without waiting for his reply. "I will help you." "I know there is nothing you can pay me with in return for now," "but trust me;" "I had only done it for your happiness." He said and hesitate; "my father!" He said with a grimace, "he never had time for home too." "My mother dispersed him so much," "and this led us into a broken home." He explains in a sober tone, "I swear, I never want to see that happen to anybody." "Believe me," "it was an awful experience." He said, "however, if you dont see it that way," "considered we never had this conversation." "But I only hope you never regret It, he added. No!" "No!" Smith stutters, interrupting him before he could finish what he was saying; "Id be glad if you could help me., he said while looking excited and delighted that someone could still see his potential. Ill be glad to serve you in any way if you could do that which you just said. He rejoins. Ill arrange with my superior on how to work you there when I return. He said, feeling satisfied at how he had easily convinced this little man, knowing his heart will not stop throbbing until he had broken the good news to his wife, he looks elated and happy. Thanks, he said while shaking hands with Perez, with a delightful expression on his face. They got to the guest room and Perez stopped at the door; I would have loved to invite you in for a drink." He said, "but I got some work to tidy up at the moment." "Besides, is almost time for my flight. Oh, never mind that," "perhaps some other time." Smith replied with a broad smile on his face, "I must say that am really honored to be this highly esteemed. He said. Perez reach out his hand and pat him on the shoulder, he turns and opens the door and walked in, while Smith walked toward the passage opening leading toward the reception area, feeling rather, happy and hopeful. He would have been the happiest man that day if not for the event that follows. * * * *Hugo Dmitri, a Russian, who has stayed in the U.S. for almost five years now. He was an aircraft service Engineer crewman, and he also works with the airport, he often checked on aircraft status before it takes off and whenever they landed at the airport. He and Duff Albert work as partner crewmen, responsible for servicing and maintenance of the aircraft whenever a plane needed casual checked; the hard tasks are usually done by professionally hired engineers. Hugo was been instructed by Boss, to monitor Peter and report if there was any complication at the airport before the departure time, he was also asked to keep a closer watch on Perez, they knew how troublesome he could be. Hugo was sitting and eating a sandwich in the main building reception area when he noticed Peter come out from the guestroom area and walk toward the security room. He noticed how tense and nervous he looks. He had called Boss and informed him, and he was told not to worry about Peter, but his concern should be Perez, as he could make trouble for them. He was about to go toward the guestroom area when he saw Smith moving in that direction. He would have called on him so as to keep him busy, probably until Peter comes back. However, Smith was at a considerable distance, and yelling at him would only attract needless attention. He decides to go after him as quickly as he can, for he knew how nosy Smith could be, cos, most time, he often checks on the guest in the VIP guestroom to have chitchat, and sometimes he gets rewarded with a glass of vodka or champagne. He arrived at the opening that leads toward the guestroom, and he was just there in time to see Smith standing by the door to Peters lodge. Smith stood there undecided for a moment, and finally, on an impulse, he walks away, heading toward the pub restroom area. He felt relieved to see Smith leaves the door post, however, he know he had to keep a closer watch on Smith, as he might change his mind when coming back from his inspection routine. He was about to turn back when he heard Smith's voice chatting with someone; that is good he thought within him. He supposed his newfound friend would help distract him from stopping at the guestroom. But on a second thought, he wonders who this person could be. Perhaps one of the travelers waiting for the night flight; he presumed, he wait to see who his newfound friend was, and he heard the sound of their footsteps approaching. He walked to one of the pillars, and hid behind it, spying on them from there. He caught sight of Smith first, followed by his new friend, he was shocked, course, it was Perez. The sight of Perez, walking behind Smith, almost gives him heart failure; "why Perez?" "What could he be doing there in a public restroom when there is a standard restroom in the VIP guestroom?" He fought the thought within him. Now he understands why Boss had asked him to pay more attention to Perez. He knew he has to do something fast before Peter walks in here and makes the whole situation becomes more complicated. He decides to go there and get Smith away from Perez when he heard Perez saying; Id like to invite you in for a drink," "but I have a lot of work to do at the moment. He had said, and he saw Smith's face looking delightful and he replied; Never mind, thanks for the offer. Moreover, he saw Perez walk in and shut the door from inside, and Smith sauntered toward his direction. And from behind the pillar, where he was hiding, he could see the pleasant expression on Smith's face. He wonders what Perez must have told him to make him look this delighted, but as he comes closer, suddenly his expression changes. His face turns pale and it appears as if he had seen a ghost. He wonders what could have triggered the sudden reaction. He turns to look in that direction, and instantly he saw what Smith had seen. His worst fear just caught up with him, course, Smith just discovered Peter and Perez in one place. Now the situation just got more complicated than they have anticipated. He knew there was only one solution to this issue, and that would be eliminating Smith before he could pass this information to someone who would make a better interpretation of the whole setup. If there is one thing he must do, he knew that has to be to stick close to Smith, and somehow convince him to stay put for now and later murder him. But first, he needs to inform Boss of the issue on ground. * * * * * *