Azul sat in the back corner of the shop, glancing over the files Mr. Emerson had sent on the undercover case.
Case File: Operation Shadow Veil
Agent Name: Clark Emerson
Alias: Clark Reyes
Assignment: Undercover as Liam Whitlock’s lost illegitimate son
Target: Liam Whitlock, Mafia Scab and Trader
Duration: 3 years
Status: Missing in Action
“Wow, what kind of shitty operation was this?” Azul mumbled as he read the files.
Year 1: Infiltration and Initial Observations
Date: July 8, xx09
Summary: Agent Clark, under the alias Clark Reyes, successfully infiltrates Liam Whitlock’s life…
Year 2: Deepening Trust and Gathering Evidence
Date: July 8, xx10
Summary: Clark’s position within Whitlock’s household strengthens…
The Warehouse Ambush
Date: July 22, xx11
Summary: During an undercover operation, Clark narrowly escapes an ambush set by Whitlock’s rivals. The encounter highlights the increasing danger and complexity of the investigation.
As he was reading, a certain section caught his attention. “Hm. Dr. Vasquez… Who might you be?”
Date: July 23, xx11
Summary: While recovering in the safe house, Clark encounters Dr. Elena Vasquez, a former mafia doctor in hiding. She aids him in treating his injuries and becomes a crucial ally in his mission.
As if the stars were aligned, the chessboard set two moves away from checkmate, the scales tilted—fate decided to be in favor today.
The ding of the doorbell signaled someone walking in. Azul glanced up and started to grin; the person who just walked in might be exactly who he needed to see.
A tall, raven-haired man dressed in jeans, a black button-up, and a lab coat dragged himself to the counter. Serious bags under his eyes indicated a lack of sleep. The stethoscope around his neck and the badge clipped to his collar suggested he was either heading into the hospital or just leaving it. Azul, familiar with the underworld, recognized the man. He stood up and walked towards him.
“Well, if it isn’t the infamous surgeon of the underworld,” Azul said with a smile.
The man glanced at Azul before turning his gaze back to his coffee being poured.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, handing his change to a blue-haired girl.
“Oh, but I think you do, Dr. Lawson.” Azul’s grin grew.
Dr. Lawson flicked his eyes before giving an irritated expression.
“If you have a complaint about my work, take it up with my secretary. If not, leave me be. I have a triple bypass scheduled in an hour,” the doctor grumbled.
“Oh, it’s not a complaint. I just wanted to ask you a question. And I think you won’t hesitate to answer it.”
The doctor glared at Azul. “Tch. I don’t have to answer anything.”
“Oh? Well, if you don’t, then I’ll just have to expose your little secret.” Azul pulled up his phone. Scrolling around, he finally found what he was looking for. He turned his phone to the doctor and showed him the screen. The doctor’s eyes went wide for a moment before narrowing at Azul, staring daggers into him.
“Where did you get that?” he growled.
“Whoa, easy there, doc. I have my sources. Now, are you going to cooperate, or do I need to call my friends over at the three-letter agency nearby?” Azul gestured towards the table he was sitting at before.
The doctor rolled his eyes and sat down. “Make it quick. I have lives to save.”
“Oh, so now you’re all about saving lives? Interesting.” Azul chuckled darkly.
The doctor’s face soured. “Get to the point already.”
“No need to get so angsty, Doc. It’s just a few questions about an old colleague of yours.”
“A few questions? You said it was just one.” The doctor started to stand.
Azul’s face turned serious. “Sit down, Lawson. It’s in your best interest if you want to keep your job at the hospital.”
He sat back down and glared at Azul, who stayed straight-faced for a moment before smiling. “Good, now then. What can you tell me about Dr. Elena Vasquez?”
“Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. What do you want to know?” Lawson replied as he sipped his coffee.
“Why did she go into hiding? If she has a safe house, where is it? And what are the odds she’d save an agent undercover?” Azul asked.
The doctor sighed and set his cup down. “Dr. Vasquez was an excellent doctor. I’d say if anyone was to rival my skills, it’d be her. I’m not sure why she had to go into hiding, but she sure as hell didn’t belong in that place. She never told me why she was there. We only crossed paths a few times. As for a safe house, if she does have one, it’ll be in Missouri somewhere. Probably near the city. To answer your final question, I have no idea if she’d aid an agent, but if she was hiding from the mafia, then it’s highly likely she would. Does that answer all your questions?”
“Yes. Just one more. Can you tell me anything about Liam Whitlock?” Azul’s gaze narrowed.
The doctor’s face flinched. “Liam Whitlock is a piece of shit. He should be buried six feet deep, and I’ll happily put him there.”
Azul chuckled. “That’s frowned upon, doc, but if he has anything to do with this missing person’s case, I’ll put him there myself.”
The doctor looked at Azul, slightly surprised. “Missing person?”
Azul looked up at the doctor and smiled. “Don’t you have to be going, Dr. Lawson?”
“Whatever. Good luck. I hope you know what you’re getting into,” the doctor said as he stood to leave.
“Unfortunately, I know all too well,” Azul sighed.
Dr. Lawson gave him a nod as he walked out the door. Azul typed up the little information he managed to get from the doctor. Once he was done, he called Kei to fill him in.
“Yo, you done flapping your wings? I need you to meet me at the shop. I got the files. You’re going to want to see this.”
“Shut it, Pyro. Is it bad? Can you just send me the files? I don’t think Rena needs to be alone right now.”
“Ten minutes. That’s all I need. Don’t you need to pick up her car anyway?”
“Ugh. Yeah, we do, but she’s not really in a mindset to drive.”
“Bring her keys here, and I’ll drive it back for her. I can get a ride back from her place later.”
“Fine. Ten minutes, then I’m coming back here. If she’s really in danger, I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”
“Yeah, yeah, just get down here ASAP, lover boy.”
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