American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 53 Reconnaissance
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Beta, posing as the wealthy "Mr. Franklin," booked Michael's private security services for four days.

To prepare for the role, Beta hid in his hotel room, acting suspicious and paranoid, like a wealthy man constantly worried about being assassinated.

Beta orchestrated this opportunity to spend time with Michael at the hotel.

On the surface, they were just chatting about trivial matters. In reality, Beta was collecting more voice samples of Michael while meticulously observing his behavior and language characteristics.

After just one day together, Beta discovered a maddening trait in Michael—he talked incessantly. This chatterbox bodyguard was constantly babbling on and on, and sometimes Beta really wanted to punch him to shut him up.

When dinner arrived, Michael meticulously checked the food, tableware, and drinks, following the same procedure as the previous two meals. Only after confirming everything was safe did he turn to "Mr. Franklin," who was working on documents on the sofa, and say, "Dinner has been checked; you may eat now."

Beta put down the documents in his hand and slowly walked to the dining table. He needed to further observe Michael's behavior at the company to make full preparations for the subsequent disguise.

To create an opportunity to visit the security company again, Beta casually made up an excuse: "I need to go to your company again."

Michael looked puzzled: "You mean...?"

“I want to hire another female bodyguard,” Beta said, a hint of disdain in her voice. “I’d rather have a female bodyguard by my side than have you constantly hovering around me. You continue to be in charge of my safety, but hire another female bodyguard for close protection.”

Michael kindly reminded him, "Mr. Franklin, you're only staying in Paris for four days; there's really no need to increase security spending."

Beta slowly spread out her napkin: "I'd be happy to, and you'll be well paid. Go to your company first thing tomorrow morning."

Michael wisely kept quiet. In his years as a bodyguard, he was used to the bizarre quirks of the wealthy; the more affluent the client, the more perplexing their behavior tended to be. This tycoon, who disliked male bodyguards and insisted on hiring female ones, was just another example of this pattern.
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The following morning, in the underground parking lot of the building where AAA Security Company is located.

After the black sedan came to a slow stop, Michael got out first. His eyes quickly scanned every corner of the parking lot, and only after confirming that there were no suspicious persons did he turn around and open the car door for Beta.

As the two approached the elevator, Michael maintained a half-step distance. He pressed the call button first, and after the elevator doors opened, he carefully checked the interior of the car. Only after confirming it was safe did he step aside to indicate, "Sir, please come in."

The elevator ascended smoothly. Michael casually clasped his hands in front of him, tilting his head slightly to watch the numbers flashing on the floor display. Beta silently memorized Michael's gesture.

With a "ding," the elevator arrived at the target floor.

Beta was about to take a step when Michael's arm firmly blocked his way: "Excuse me, sir, according to security procedures, I need to confirm the safety of all entrances and exits first."

Beta understood and took a half-step back. Michael stepped out of the elevator first, cautiously scanning both sides of the corridor. After confirming everything was alright, he turned and gestured for him to proceed: "It's safe now, sir."

Despite being only ten meters away from the AAA Security Company reception desk, Michael meticulously followed the entire security procedure. His almost rigid rigor was truly admirable.

Entering the familiar company lobby, Beta deliberately paused at the entrance to the meeting room, glancing at the employee lounge in the distance. Looking at several staff members in the lounge, he casually asked, "Are they security personnel too? Bodyguards like you?"

This seemingly casual question contains a hidden meaning.

Beta needs to observe the interaction patterns between company employees and Michael to determine Michael's status and interpersonal relationships within the company. These subtle differences will determine whether his subsequent disguise can be flawless.

Michael nodded. "Yes."

The staff in the lounge noticed Michael and his clients and politely nodded to Beta. When their eyes turned to Michael, relaxed expressions appeared on their faces, clearly indicating that they were quite familiar with the talkative bodyguard.

Upon entering the meeting room, Beta deliberately asked in a teasing tone, "Looks like you get along well with them? You're quite popular?"

Michael answered frankly, "We just enjoy chatting, and they're all quite talkative."

Just as Michael was about to close the meeting room door, Beta raised his hand to stop him: "Wait!"

His gaze shifted to the break area, and he casually pointed to one of the female employees: "I want to hire her. Call her over now."

Michael looked in the direction he was being pointed at and confirmed, "The lady with the long blonde hair?"

Beta didn't really care who it was, so she nodded casually, "That's right, it's her."

Michael bowed slightly, leaving the meeting room door open, and walked towards the lounge area.

Beta carefully observed the interaction over there. Although she couldn't hear the conversation, the body language said it all: an employee familiarly patted Michael on the shoulder, and the two smiled at each other; another tall female security guard took the initiative to move closer, her eyes filled with undisguised affection.
Surprisingly, this talkative bodyguard was quite popular with his colleagues; everyone wore genuine smiles, without the slightest hint of reluctance or disdain. It seems Michael held a moderate position in the company, and coupled with his talkative nature, he had many friends.

Michael seemed to offer a few brief compliments to the female employees before leading the blonde female security guard toward the meeting room.

Beta noticed that the blonde female security guard walked with a professionally distinctive posture, her arm swings exhibiting a noticeable asymmetry. Her left hand swung naturally with a larger amplitude, while her right hand maintained a smaller amplitude, with her palm always close to her waist.

Michael introduced them: "This is Mr. Franklin, our VIP client."

He then turned to the blonde female security guard: "This is Vicky Davis, AAA Security's top female security expert, who has been responsible for the security of many political figures and celebrities."

Beta listened patiently to Michael's lengthy introduction, then took the phone from Vicky, carefully reviewed her detailed resume, and gently put the phone down: "Are there any other candidates?"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the other employees in the rest area.

“Of course.” Michael immediately got up to make the arrangements.

Vicky maintained a perfect professional smile throughout, showing no sign of displeasure at being criticized. She poured Beta a cup of coffee, the bottom of the cup making no sound as it touched the table.

(End of this chapter)