The Devil's Sweetheart

Devin peeled the two papers from the package and scanned them attentively. One was empty whereas the other paper had a hand-drawn picture.

"What is this? Is someone playing a prank on you?" Harley asked as she peeped into the paper. "I will ask our security team to investigate."

"Don't. It will not yield any results. It's a private package." Except for a package that is shaking or the one which contains hazardous chemicals, the anonymous retailers ship everything and they don't keep a track of private information. With these remailing services, the sender remains as a ghost. What a smart play! Devin has a gut feeling that it is the stalker.

"Handle the meeting by yourself today. I got some priority issues." In a serious voice, Devin added. "Not a word to anyone about the package especially Leena."

"Alright." Harley did not probe further into it. If her brother wants her to know, he will not keep it hidden. "I will take my leave then. If you need my help, call me."

"Okay." The moment Harley was out of the room, Devin picked the two papers and glanced at the picture. It resembled the outline of an animal creature with an open mouth and to end, a twisted zebra tail jutted out. A picture and a blank paper. What is he trying to convey? Do they both have any connection?

"Something is wrong." Devin twirled the half-sphere paperweight on the desk and as the globe began rotating, so, his thoughts in the mayhem. "Everything that is visible hides something that is invisible. What if he has applied this ideology in the reverse process? If I follow his process and if I am not able to see it now, it must be visible somewhere else. Is it dark light?"

Devin quickly rummaged the desk and found an Ultraviolet light detector. To get a better insight, he closed all the curtains, and the moment he switched on the UV light, the hidden text appeared in the paper.

[What's up, Buddy,

We meet each other again. If you are reading my letter, you must have decoded the logic by now because I have used a high-tech invisible ink and the data in the paper resides only for three hours. As expected, you have lived up to my expectations, Mr. Wang. By the way, I heard you are married to my sweetie honey pie and living happily. Brace yourself. Your happiness is going to become short-lived. I will take away my Leena soon. Don't waste your resources on finding me. I am like a needle in the haystack. Until I make an appearance, you can never find me. If you can try, get a clue about me from the picture. Last but not the least, take care of my sweetie]

Devin's eyes glowed with savage fire. "Who the hell are you, bastard."

"We meet each other again," Devin repeated the words to process the twisted meaning behind them. When and where did I meet him? Until now, Devin was thinking that the stalker knows only Leena but he has given a new twist today.

He made an immediate call to Nick and it was picked up in the first ring.

"Tell me, Devin."

"Are you in Leena's office?"

"Yeah," Nick muttered pausing SpongeBob's cartoon video. Happily, he was working in the nether world yesterday, and here he is, forced to watch Nickelodeon cartoons by that woman.

"Collect the entire data of the ads I have shot, the business meetings I have attended until now. Do not leave a single detail." He ordered.

"Is there a problem?" Nick asked with concern.

"I don't know," Devin added. "Everything seems to be complicated. We will discuss it later."

"Alright. I will be on it. If you need my help, let me know. I will be at your service always."

"Thanks, man. Safeguard Leena and that's the biggest service you can offer."

"It's my duty, Devin," Nick said with a smile. He was sure, Leena would turn him into one cartoon character soon. Why does she watch cartoons at this age? He sighed and removed the thoughts. "Is there anything you want me to do now?"

"Get an appointment with Dr.Walter. I don't mind if he is busy, arrange the meeting in an hour."

"I will work on it right away," Nick said.

"I will wait for your text then." Devin hung up the call.

.....

In a bright hospital, a man was pacing back and forth in the corridor. The moment the doctor emerged out of the OR, he rushed towards him.

"Doctor...my wife.." The man hiccuped unable to come up with the words.

"The operation is successful. She is out of danger."

"Thank you, Dr. Walter. May God bless with a beautiful family." The man thanked him wiping her tears.

Beautiful family? He shook his head and marched out of the place with a bitter smile.

The moment he entered the office, the dean of the hospital stepped into the room."You did well today."

"It's my duty, Annie," Walter said. "Why are you here?"

"You got an emergency appointment in another ten minutes."

"I hate last-minute appointments, Annie." He raised his head, a disapproval frown on his face.

"I know." Annie sighed. "But I don't have powers to refute him. Please...just one last time."

"What's his name," Walter asked.

"Confidential. He doesn't want to disclose his identity until the meeting."

"Bring him in." Walter agreed and switched on the laptop to work on his research paper. A while later, a person was escorted into his room by Annie, a shock filled in his eyes as he saw the person standing in front of him. Wang Devin. Is he the one who wants to visit me personally?

"Research on memory predictions in person with cognitive impairment." Devin read the paper that was placed on the table. "Not bad. Impressive."

"I suppose you are not here for diagnosis?" Walter asked putting aside his laptop. "What's your purpose, Mr. Wang."

"I like it," Devin stated. "On to the point. I am here to talk about my wife, Leena Hayes."

Walter stiffened at the mention of Leena and his heart pained with the way Devin was addressing Leena.