Chapter 426: Security Instincts
"Oooookay, just around here," The driver of the black car said, driving through the gate of a gated community.
The car stopped after passing the gate, next to one of the security officers posted there.
"Good evening Mr Hastleton, welcome back from work," The security guard said with a smile on his face.
Ralph, sitting on the side that the security guard was talking from, was able to clearly see the details of this man’s face.
He could tell from experience that this man was just smiling for the sake of formality, not that he actually liked Mr Hastleton.
Well, the security guard didn’t hate Mr Hastleton, he was just being polite. As far as the security guard was concerned, he didn’t owe Mr Hastleton anything other than his duty to do his job and provide his share of protection to the whole community.
And it was people like Mr Hastleton who paid for the salary the security guard earned.
A show of respect was due.
"This man here is a plumber, just in case you see him a few times. You could give me a call whenever he comes by before letting him in," Mr Hastleton said.
Ralph raised his face so that the security guard could take a good look at his face.
From Mr Hastleton’s words, he was implying that even if this man were to show up any other day, he shouldn’t be let in without his direct permission.
This was how the estate community operated. Very well-to-do families lived here and they were very skeptical about everything, including their protection.
If any crime was committed within the confines of the estate, the first group of people that would be blamed would be the security guards.
After the security guard took a good look at Ralph, he asked, "What’s your name?"
"Joseph," Ralph said.
"Joseph what?"
"Joseph Wemberly," Ralph said, feigning reluctance to say his name.
The security guard narrowed his eyes, "Can I see some identification?" He asked.
Something about Ralph just didn’t sit right with the security guard. He was an experienced security personnel that was why he was paid so much to provide safety for these boujee communities.
His instincts told him to be very wary of this man with unsettling yellow eyes.
"Oh, I don’t think I brought it along, lemme check," Ralph said as he unzipped his back and began to check.
Instantly, the security guard became tense. Mr Hastleton watched all this with his hand positioned to open the door at the slightest sign of danger.
A ruthless glint flashed in Ralph’s eyes as he continued checking the bag. He had slipped up and allowed his body to tighten up and his face to become cold.
The reason was that the feeling of someone hunting him down had grown stronger. As a matter of fact, he could feel it coming from behind him.
It was strong, as if those who were hunting him were stronger than anything he could ever imagine.
It was unreasonable, maddening too. No one had ever made him feel that way, not even the law enforcement.
The hair on his body stood on end and he was extremely vigilant. He was like a spring hat had been compressed to the max, ready to escalate proportion at the slightest sign of danger.
This had alerted the security guard who had subconsciously read his body language, causing his instincts and years of experience to recognize the possibility of danger.
All within two seconds.
"Here, found it," Ralph said, bringing his identification card out of the bag and handing it to the security guard’s outstretched hand.
The security guard checked the identification card with a torchlight.
The name, Joseph Wemberly, was boldly stamped next to a profile of Ralph. The same grey hair and yellow eyes.
The security guard checked it and realized that it was as authentic as it could be.
"Is there any problem sir? It’s getting late," Ralph asked with a blatant look of displeasure on his face.
The security officer quickly handed the card back to Ralph, "Sorry, just had to check.
Sorry for taking your time, Mr Hastleton..."
"Bah, you were just doing your job. He’ll see you on his way out then," Mr Hastleton waved his hand and hit his hands on the steering wheel.
The black car drove off into the estate.
The security guard had his eyes lingering on the red taillights of the black car.
"What’s up?" One of the security guards at the security post noticed his colleagues’ lack of enthusiasm and asked.
"Nothing much, write down this name, Joseph Wemberly," The security guard said before walking back to the spacious guard post and beginning to talk with his colleagues.
They talked a bit, engaging in mundane discussions, unaware that they would soon be involved in events that would shock the whole world.
The black car drove through a few corners, passing by many high-standard houses and small mansions.
They made some turns before arriving at their destination.
There was another security guard, a private gatekeeper for Mr Hastleton’s home. This time, there was no need to stop.
Mr Hastleton drove into the motor court of a nice-looking duplex.
Ralph recognized the house as one of those trending modern houses that used a certain architectural design. Most of its outer walls were replaced with glass and the only thing stopping Ralph from seeing into the house were the curtains.
Another name that was used to describe this type of house on their internet was ’glass box’.
Naturally, someone like Ralph or anyone he knew with a strong taste for privacy or a lot of secrets to keep would never desire such a house. It just wasn’t practical security-wise in those areas.
Alas, this type of house wasn’t meant to provide the best means of actual security but as an instrument to flaunt status and wealth.
Besides, what was the use of solid concrete walls when they had sophisticated alarm systems and security guards?
The glass might even be tempered, Ralph had no way of knowing.
Then again, not many could afford full bulletproof glass replacement.
The edges of Ralph’s thin lips curved upward as he saw the house.
"You have a very nice house sir," Ralph said as he got out of the black car and looked at the front of the house.
"Nah, it’s nothing, really," Mr Hastleton said while getting out of his side of the car. He sighed, "One look at this house and you would think I make a lot of money.
I don’t.
This house was one of the few things my father gave me before he died," Mr Hastleton said.
The man pressed a button on his car keys, causing the car to be locked. Ralph took notice of this too, his ears twitching slightly to keep on observing the finest details.
"You must come from a lot of money then, lucky man," Ralph said, remembering to add a bit of foreign accent and make it look like the language he spoke wasn’t his original.
Mr Hastleton hesitated before walking toward the door, "I’d prefer to call it unwanted privileges.
Most of what I have, I built myself before my father even came into my life. All his wealth was just unforeseen.
Alas, anyone I tell about my history ignores the self-made part and just assumes I made this all with my father’s help."
Ralph nodded, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, "You must be very hard working then.
I can’t even imagine the maintenance cost of this house. It’s probably more than my rent,"
Mr Hastleton chuckled, finally reaching the door, "I can understand. I mean, that’s one of the downsides of having nice fancy houses like this.
They look good to see and feel nice to live in, but not everyone understands the heart-wrenching money I pour into keeping it upright."
Mr Hastleton laughed.
Ralph’s steps were somewhat delayed, not noticeable, but enough for it to make it look like he was taking his time to enjoy the beauty of the house.
Seeing Ralph admire his residence like a frog that had just escaped from a well and was seeing the sky for the first time, Mr Hastleton was filled with a fleeting sense of superiority.
But it was fleeting, Mr Hastleton was a true hard worker and knew how to keep his mind and feet rooted to the ground.
"Maintenance, especially with children I presume," Ralph said, seemingly absent-minded.
"Ah, as if you know. I wouldn’t have even bothered staying here for long if those glasses were not strong enough.
I can’t count how many times my heart nearly leaped out of my throat whenever my children bumped into the glass walls."
Mr Hastleton shook his head while laughing, then he pressed the fingerprint scanner on the door.
Ralph’s eyes darkened at the unintentional information Mr Hastleton had just let slip. He increased his walking step and reached Mr Hastleton in a jiffy.
"Honey! I’m home!" Mr Hastleton called out of habit. The house was big and the residents might not necessarily hear him wherever they were.
Meanwhile, Ralph’s whole demeanor had completely changed the moment the door closed behind him.