He was standing inside a huge luxurious building of cleaned windows and stairs when he noticed the huge status in front of him; the golden swan. The exact swan that he discovered on the pen.

                                    •••

"This was a corperate gift given by a big builder in the year 2006- 2007 to all the employees",he explained to John after returning him the pen.

"How many people worked back there then?",he politely asked.

"Around 2000 people"

"2000??"

"That's a rough figure. Could be more"

"Can I get a list of their names please?",John asked.

"Go to the Administrative department and find out yourself" the man replied.

"Go on, this way", he said by pointing his finger at the left direction of the building.

"There? Okay.."

He moved from this chair and joined the other queue of people waiting.

"I've come from very far, son. I want to sell my land before my daughter's marriage",an old man in a yellow sweater explained through the fence to another man who were writing in a document.

"That's not my problem",he replied arrogantly.

"There are so many old cases pending. You will have to wait for at least a month. Please go. Next!"

The old man left silently with a frowning face when an employee asked:

"What happen uncle?",he said politely.

"Look, he said it will take a month..",the old man showed him the paper.

"One month? That's nonsense. Give me your phone number, the manager is my cousin", the employee said.

"But..-"

"I'll call him and get your job done. You see this is not the way to get things done",he explained from afar to the old man.

"Who is John Miller?",an assistant called out.

John stopped staring at the employee and raised his hand.

"Please come with me"

                                  •••

"Look sir, I am really surprised by your request. You want our 8-9 year old employee records for some kidnapping investigation.."

"Not only kidnapping but also a murder. The child who was kidnapped didn't survive",John explained to the man who was seated infront of him.

"But we didn't receive such a request from the police",he replied suspiciously and continued on writing into his file.

"The case isn't close yet. It's still being investigated and the kidnapper is roaming free and you know-"

"Sir, why don't you understand what I am saying. Why didn't the police sent us an official request",he interrupted sounding not convinced.

"Well I...can get a written order from the police if you want but you know things take time. If you can help me out, I'll be-"

"Look sir, when you have waited for 8-9 years, a few weeks shouldn't matter. I suggest you to get the police to sent us a request and we will do the rest" he replied.

"Sir, maybe you can treat this case as an exception and help me out. This list is very important for me. A new lead will really help me a lot" he explained.

"Please...I am busy. You may go now"

To this,John decided to give up as it woulr't make any difference and left from the bank.

He tiptoed the stairs when he stopped and looked at the same employee who talked to that old man earlier, smoking his cigarette.

The employee noticed John's eyes on him and looked at him in confusion but John was staring at him when he stopped and explained something.

                                   •••

He sat alone in the coffee shop, patiently waiting for him. It's already dark outside and he has even started feeling sleepy. He yawned when suddenly appeared the employee. The latter sat infront of John when he said:

"Hello sir, am I late?"

"-No no. Would you like to have something?",John asked.

"No sir, I am fine. Here's the documents you asked for..",the employee took out a few documents and handed them to John. 

"These are the entire records you asked for. I think it will be useful for you",he explained.

John went through the pages quickly while listening to the man.

"Sir, is there fuel in the tank?"

John had forgotten that he made the deal of exchanging his scooter in return to have the records with the employee.

"Huh?"

"Sir, is there enough fuel in the tank?"

"Oh yes, there must be around 1 to 2 litres"

"Okay sir, thank you",he replied.

An awkward silence filled between them as John was busy flipping through the pages when the man said:

"Uh..I came directly from work to visit you..."

"Oh okay..",John said as he took out the keys of his scooter and hesitantly gave it to the man.

"Give it to me",the man said and greedily snatched the keys from John's hand out of happiness and excitement.

"Sir, I've always dreamt of buying a scooter",he said while holding the keys and stood up to leave.

"Oh wait...the helmet?",he continued as he pointed his finger to the helmet which was next to John. The latter stared at him and he made a sad face which was visible by the employee.

"Okay, it's ok sir. Thank you" ,he left without it.

He tried turning on the engine but it wasn't working. "Please stan",he whispered to himself. John came and handed the helmet to the man when he kicked-up the stand to start-up the scooter. A few attempt failed at first but he succeeded. The man was about to gave him back the helmet but he happily weared it on his head and left as John refused to have it.

Later, John took the bus to reach home and it was so physically exhausting for an old man like him. He could barely stayed awake during the journey. He kept the documents closed to his chest and slept for awhile while sitting. A few moments later, he discovered that he missed his destination. He had to wait and took another bus to reach home as it was already late and he had to look after his wife.

                                   •••

In his nighty clothes, he fetched a glass of water and his wife's pills and gave it to the latter. Nancy took the pills and drank the water while John was folding some clothes.

"I didn't hear your scooter",she admitted.

"It's in the garage",he lied.

John was about to turn off the lamp when nancy forbidden him as she was reading a book while lying on her bed.

"Don't stay up too late, John",Nancy said. He nodded before closing the door of the room.

John felt tired and exhausted. He was lying on his chair and was staring at the ceiling as the same thing kept roaming in his mind. Today was quite heavy for him. He also felt slightly in despair when he exchanged his scooter against the documents. He freshen-up himself and made up his mind to went through the pages as soon as possible. John wore his glasses and went through each and every name in the records and he noted all of those he felt suspecting, down in his diary.

                                  •••

Firecrackers were heard all over the town. Families gathered together and shared memorable moments by visiting relatives, sharing sweets and gifts. It was Christmas. John was standing in front of the church which was decorated with lights and candles as he stared at Father Martin.

"Merry Christmas John",he greeted as he stepped out from the church.

"She turned 16, an hour ago. She was born on this day, Christmas eve. That's why we named her angela. "Angel? Angela..",John exclaimed with a slight sadness in his tone.

Father Martin blinked for a moment as he stared at John when he said:

"I will pray for her and for you too. May god grant you peace"

"I neither want peace nor your prayers..",John continued when he took out a small sheet of paper and handed it to Martin.

"What's this?,a confused Martin asked.

"Some names. If you've ever heard about anyone from this list, maybe with some criminal records. The Land Measurement office knew I was buying a property for Peter and I had money. The police never paid attention to this detail",John explained.

Father Martin thought for awhile when John continued:

"Soon after this incident, few people quit their jobs. This is a list of those people. If you've ever heard about them or have any records.."

"This isn't the time for discussing about all this" Martin cut him off and said.

"Take a look...maybe-"

"Father Martin!",a man's voice interrupted John.

"My daughter made this card for you",the man said while coming towards Martin and handed him a cute Christmas card. Father Martin went through the card while John was staring at the little girl who's hand was holded by his father. They both exchanged a cute smile to each other.

"My god. You made this? It's really beautiful dear. I'll always keep it with me", Father Martin said with a smile as he slinged the sheet of paper that John gave him into the card and walked back into the church while talking to the little girl, leaving John all alone. The latter watched them going away and at last, he made his way back home.