Chapter 33: Confrontation
Strauss immediately knew that this "Max" was a separate individual. Even though they had the same face, he was certain... this "Max" was definitely a different person from Maximilian.
But when he saw that "Max" was listed as the twin brother of the suspect, Maximilian, Strauss felt a wave of incredulity. How could such a harmless, ordinary-looking guy be the twin brother of Maximilian? If someone had told him they were the same person before he saw the picture, he would have believed it.
Strauss didn't second-guess; he immediately responded to the email, instructing the Citizenship Registration Center to approve both brothers. Since Maximilian and Max lived in the same house, he could use Max to get to Maximilian.
If their suspicions—that Maximilian might be Blood Mongoose's protégé—were true, then it was likely Maximilian wouldn't be home very often. Hell, even the address on his registry could be fake.
But a normal guy like Max Sterling Graham? He'd be much easier to track. He'd likely use his real address. If Maximilian turns out to be a villain or a threat to the UEC, then Strauss could use Max to get to him.
With that matter settled Strauss continued his work. There was still a mountain of things to do today, especially after the break-in by that mysterious thief last night. He needed to oversee security checks and maybe interrogate a few crooked employees who might have sold their security credentials on the black market.
Strauss worked meticulously through the day until the sun dipped low. It was now 5 PM.
"Hello, Mr. Strauss. I'm not late, am I?" came an old voice with a southern drawl. Strauss, who had been overseeing the lobby security at the IHB building, turned toward the sound.
It was none other than Old Cowboy, the man Strauss had requested to escort him to Blood Mongoose's daughter's safe house. The old man had known Blood Mongoose personally and was familiar with him, making Old Cowboy the ideal choice.
"No, Mr. Blackwood, you arrived just in time," Strauss replied, shaking his hand firmly.
The two of them got into the armored UEC service vehicle and drove toward the city's outskirts.