Inside the room…"Good morning, bro," John said, his hand still holding Diane"s hand as they walked around the bed where Leonard sat. John guided her near the windows and they sat together onto two available couches.
Leonard nodded and gave the lady companion a once-over. He concluded she was Diane, the one his younger brother disclosed and the reason why they had this meeting, but the older brother didn"t expect this display of intimacy. The way John paraded her with their hands entwined in front of family. This was the first.
"Diane, this is my brother Leonard. You can trust him too," said John.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Diane said cordially. She eyed the elder brother. He and John had no resemblance in any of their facial and bodily features. Leonard was heavily built and rough while John was the pop idol type.
Leonard noted John"s stressing on trust. "The pleasure is all mine, Diane," said Leonard, smiling amiably.
Leonard"s smile and manners made her at ease.
Seeing her sparkling eyes had led Leonard to believe that John was deeply taken by it, and probably serious with this girl. He knew his brother would look first on a person"s eyes, mostly, on jewel-like eyes like Diane"s.
"Leonard was the one who dug out the files for me concerning the person who is staying in room #503," said John.
"Diane, I hope you will not be offended but I"m quite curious about why a sweet girl like you would sneak into a man"s room. Are you so bored with your business as a florist that you take great risks by sneaking into a drug lord"s a.s.sistant"s room?"
The authority that rang in his voice captured her attention. She had no way out but to tell the truth.
"You know a great deal about Mr. Gallante," Diane addressed it to Leonard.
"Not that great but we are keeping an eye on him," said Leonard.
"I"ll be honest to both of you." She folded her hands on her lap. "I"m going to tell you something that very few people know." She glanced at John. "My a.s.sistant Lydia is one of those people. Another one is an editor of Cebu News."
"That garbage? What in blazes can you possibly have to do with a notorious paper?" blurted unmercifully by John.
Diane had expected that reaction and didn"t put it to heart.
"As it happens," she said casually, "I am one of the writers for that notorious paper."
John went mum.
Her opinion of her had no doubt plummeted to the lowest point, she thought.
"You are a journalist," Leonard said, his voice quite neutral.
"A secret freelance writer," she clarified. " I"m using the pen name Julius Tapang."
John and Leonard looked at each other.
"Well, that explains why you dared to snoop into places you"re not supposed to," John said, calmer than he was minutes ago. He shook his head and then his mouth twitched a little.
Her brows snapped together. "You mind my career amusing, John?"
"Astonis.h.i.+ng would be a better word," John said.
"Indeed, astonis.h.i.+ng," Leonard chimed. "My wife would be thrilled to meet you."
Diane lightened up, her brows rose up. "She reads my work?"
"Hmm," Leonard looked up the ceiling and played a finger on his beard.
Leonard"s response entertained John. "Hhha! Oh my," John hollered and clapped his hands. "She said she hates it but never missed to read your articles. She only buys the paper for your column."
"A fan, I guess," said Leonard, smiling knowingly. "But I admit your work is quite exceptional and well written. You also have good arguments base on facts but I think your editor twists some parts to make it interesting. I hope you can put a stop to it unless all of the content is totally yours."
"He made some twists alright and I have no control over it. He has the final say," she said apologetically.
"At least we know. I"ll tell my wife about that." Then the seriousness of his face went back. "Let"s get on to business. Diane, I suggest you snoop on another topic than this Mr. Gallante and the prost.i.tution den."
She understood they saw right through her, she was after the den.
"But I can"t back out now and I have my own reasons."
Diane"s phone rang, interrupting Leonard from speaking further.
"My informant is waiting for me." She turned her gaze to John.
"Who is your informant?" John said.
"I can"t divulge the person"s name that easily. I expect you understand why."
Silence.
"We need to know the person who put you into this risky trail, Diane. We"re doing this for your own good." John"s voice was heavy and commanding.
She pondered for a moment, her eyes on her phone. Anna Ranillo enjoyed her secrecy and behind-the-scenes role for her. Diane wasn"t sure if Anna would be convinced to trust John and Leonard.
"Allow me to ask her first, but I make no guarantees," she said, cautious.
John looked at Leonard.
"Don"t force her," Leonard said as he saw the anger in his younger brother"s eyes and concern for Diane. "Don"t worry, bro. I have our men in 505. If anything goes wrong, we"ll take action," Leonard a.s.sured.
"What do you mean?" Diane asked. John did not inform her of any espionage work.
"Let"s say, we cleared any trace of your intrusion yesterday, and our men are watching Gallante"s every move. John"s worried sick of your safety. Thank him," Leonard said flat out.
Though she had no idea what power John"s family had and saw it now, still, she dared not intrude more. She knew better. And simply said to John, "thank you." Then she faced Leonard. "I"ll think about what you said, Sir Leonard."