An Extra Secret

Thanos did not go straight to the scene of the car accident.

Hank was there, and he trusted Hank completely.

He drove his own car, with Gamora in the passenger seat, as the two of them headed toward the center of town. They would pass the fountain and statue in the town center, turn left after three intersections, and arrive at a quiet neighborhood. That was Mrs. Hopkins's home.

Gamora stared at the scenery outside the window, something indescribable in her eyes. Thanos glanced sideways at her several times, wanting to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he still couldn't get them out.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

Mrs. Hopkins's home was a beautiful three-story detached house, with a neatly kept lawn and a pretty little tree.

Thanos walked up onto the porch, raised his hand, and knocked on the door. From inside came a woman's voice that sounded short of breath. "Who is it? Is that you, Mom? You're back so early today. Didn't you say you were going to knit sweaters with Mrs. Holly next door?"

Father and daughter exchanged a look, both sensing something. The younger Ms. Hopkins was a smart woman. It was obvious she hadn't said such a long string of words because she liked to babble.

Thanos deliberately coughed, then kicked the door open. The beautiful white wooden door snapped in half in an instant, and Gamora stepped inside with the agility of a cheetah.

A woman with purple bruises on her cheeks and tear tracks on her face stared at her in shock. Behind the living room stood a bare-chested man holding a handgun. He had a shaved head, a handlebar mustache, and tattoos all over his body.

Gamora gave her right hand a slight shake, and