"First, tell me who told you."
"You wouldn't know them even if I told you."
"I can try."
"Clara Strick."
"...The CIA agent from the Derek Storm novels?"
"..."
Lake looked at Cassel, whose expression seemed somewhat surprised, and smiled. "Although I don't particularly like reading, Derek was written based on me, after all. Of course I'd read it."
Cassel was speechless. "I'll say it again. He wasn't based on you."
Lake smiled. "Brave?"
Cassel remained expressionless. "You're reckless."
Who in their right mind would jump into a pit when they knew perfectly well there was a huge hole waiting for them ahead?
"Handsome and cool."
"You're stubborn and incorrigible!"
Who in their right mind would still use an old-fashioned flip phone in the internet age—and one with clearly visible repair marks at that?
"Loyal!"
"You're only loyal to yourself, aren't you?"
"..."
Cassel glanced at Lake, who had stopped arguing back, and said, "Did I hit the nail on the head? So, I'll say it again: Derek wasn't based on you. Derek—the important part is 'Rick,' Cassel's nickname, so..."
Lake waved his hand. "The pen is in your hand. Say whatever you want. Now tell me—what did you find?"
Cassel had written Derek to death.
And it had been the kind where he was shot in the head.
Lake thought about it and decided there was no need to argue over who Derek was based on. After all, Derek's ending had not been a happy one.
Cassel glanced toward the stairwell and then said, "It should have been about a month ago. After I attended a book-signing event at a bookstore, I ran into Maureen on the way back. Then we came back together."
Lake's gaze grew somewhat strange.
Cassel continued, "The next day, I received a call from a friend telling me that the woman who had walked back with me the previous day was rather unusual, and that I'd better keep my distance."
Lake frowned. "Then why didn't you tell me?"
Cassel shrugged. "It had nothing to do with me at the time. Besides, she was your girlfriend, and the two of you were very close. If I told you, what would you think?"
Lake said expressionlessly, "I'd think you were planning to make a move on my girl!"
Cassel spread his hands toward Lake and said nothing more.
Lake glanced at Cassel and also fell silent.
Indeed.
If Cassel had suddenly said something like that a month ago, Lake guaranteed he would have thought someone was trying to steal his girlfriend. After all, Cassel had a history of doing that.
Besides, the man was a writer. Tell a woman, "You're my muse, the source of my inspiration," and most of them would fall for this talented, handsome scoundrel.
But now?
Her identity was somewhat unusual.
How unusual?
A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent?
Lake narrowed his eyes, and suddenly, a flash of insight crossed his mind.
The next second.
Lake drained the coffee in front of him, rose, and walked toward the door. "Tell Alexis that I really liked the pancakes she made. See you tonight."
With that, Lake opened the door and left.
NYPD.
In the ascending elevator, Lake checked the time on his watch.
Ten-thirty in the morning.
Not having to work had one downside: it was easy to sleep until you woke naturally.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
After stepping out, Lake went straight through the floor housing the Hostage Negotiation and Psychological Counseling offices. When he reached Maureen's office, it was, unsurprisingly, being cleaned out.
"Where is she?"
"Detective Edwin?"
"Where's Maureen?"
"She left."
A young psychologist who was clearing out some odds and ends from the office said, "Apparently, she resigned yesterday. Dr. Hand's friend already moved her belongings away."
"Thank you."
Standing at the doorway, Lake raised his eyebrows and thanked the psychologist before turning back toward the elevator.
What was this supposed to mean?
Had she wanted to leave this painful place because of the breakup, or had she been afraid that things would be exposed and chosen to withdraw the moment they broke up?
The former.
Lake was sorry.
The latter.
Lake was... furious!
Every world's law-enforcement agencies shared one common characteristic. It was especially obvious in USA's law-enforcement agencies.
USA had no history to speak of.
Its founding had not been based on bloodlines, but on an ideology. USA was a nation of immigrants, and there was little warmth or even familial affection in it. All it had was profit.
As long as the benefits were great enough, even wives and children could be abandoned.
As far as the law-enforcement agencies here were concerned, they cared only about your abilities. When you had potential, they would do everything possible to recruit you. When you lacked ability or were no longer useful, they would discard you without hesitation.
That was also why Lake had chosen the NYPD.
Compared with the CIA and FBI, the NYPD was only active locally and responsible for protecting New York. It might not sound as imposing as those two federal agencies, but it was a place where one could stay for a long time.
The facts had already proven that point.
If what happened to Lake had taken place within the CIA or FBI, there would have been only one thing for him to do: fend for himself and bear the burden alone.
But the NYPD was different.
Although no one had said so explicitly, from top to bottom—including Montgomery—once it was confirmed that Lake had been framed, they had chosen to suspend him to let him avoid the storm. The other detectives and inspectors had supported him to the fullest.
Of course.
Above these law-enforcement agencies in plain sight, there was another organization.
The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
AKA!
S.H.I.E.L.D.!
Just as Lake had speculated before, he considered himself to have no enemies. After all, he had always believed in eliminating the roots along with the weeds. Even if he did have enemies, they were at most the remnants of The Assistance.
As the saying went.
The remnants of The Assistance would only secretly put a bullet in him. They would not go to such trouble to set a trap.
So who was it?
Before this, Lake had never suspected S.H.I.E.L.D. After all, he had never had any contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. in this life, nor did he want any. His territory was in New York, not Washington. Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. had an operations center in New York, Lake would not even go anywhere near it while out shopping. How could he have provoked them?
But if Maureen belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D., then everything was different.
The nature of the matter had completely changed.
First.
As his girlfriend—and a psychologist at that—Maureen clearly knew his unguarded personality. She knew exactly what kind of trap could make him walk into it even if he knew it was a trap.
Second.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had a history of doing this.
Just look at the Hulk.
Good grief.
Although Bruce Banner had willingly gone with S.H.I.E.L.D., what about before that? If Natasha had gone to meet Bruce Banner without ambushing him outside with men armed with knives and axes, wouldn't the ending have been different?
The outcome probably would have been different.
Before you continue