Chapter 106: The Twins Have Been Kidnapped!

Athena watched, partly angry and sullen, as her men meticulously packaged the strange dead man in a black corpse bag. Each zip and tug of the fabric felt like a finality that gnawed at her psyche.

She had spoken with the agents and thanked them for their prompt response, but it felt like a waste of time, an exercise in futility.

A waste of life too, she thought, wondering how someone could give up his life for such a useless cause. What was promised to him? Or was it a threat?

It was always between these two things, She mused, having encountered and interrogated her own share of suicide bombers or suicide messengers.

"Doctor Athena..."

The familiar voice pulled her from her dark reverie. She turned to find Mr. Thorne, the old man standing beside her with a grave expression.

"You don’t have to worry. You can have my security details at your beck and call. I’ll make sure nothing happens to your family too. I’ll put my men on it. Anything you want, ask for it."

Athena felt a surge of gratitude but suppressed it with a cautious expression.

She bit her lip. It was true that she had been of help to the old man, but he had paid for it.

She pondered, What would I pay for this?

"What do you want in exchange?"

Mr. Thorne stared at her for a full minute, his intelligent black eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and incredulity, before breaking out in boisterous laughter. "Doctor Athena, really?"

But Athena refused to laugh, choosing instead to let the man know that she meant business. It was a risky game to trust a man who kept poison for fun, and she was not about to fall for his charm.

"I know you have your doubts concerning me, considering your past..."

"You investigated me?"

"Don’t take it personally. It’s for security purposes. I investigate everyone I come in contact with, especially on a personal basis. You are my personal doctor; you don’t think I

the flurry of activity in the background. Fair enough—she

cyber hiding skills, Mr. Thorne wasn’t

from your previous life—and that there’s more to you than meets

detailed exposition per say, but it conveyed a truth—the old man had

you, Athena. It’s for

bit her lip

really want anything—maybe free medical care or

I can foot my bills. I

"A friend? I’m sure you have a lot of that. Unless

forming on Athena’s face. "Don’t finish that statement because that’s not

way younger

a lot above your

looked away, his gaze drifting

the building, their forms moving like shadows against the

but reach out to you and help out in any way I can. In a way, it makes me feel like

piquing her interest

nodded

see the weight of memories behind his eyes. It

she thought, before throwing her hand over his shoulder, startling the old man. To her surprise, his mouth

asked for a friend. You have one. I

sound that filled the air with warmth, and he patted Athena’s hand. "Of course, I’m a young

old man..." Athena teased as they sauntered toward the exit of the building, a fragile camaraderie blossoming amidst the

take two steps, Jake hurried into

are you doing here!" She looked around her, relieved that the equipment

his

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