Two officers sat in a room thick with tension. Alongside them, four other agents waited, all focused on one thing... Hazel's message.
After nearly a month of silence, it finally came.
A sudden shout broke through the quiet.
"Rafael!"
Rafael, mid-sip of coffee, sprang up and rushed over, eyes wide with hope.
"What is it?"
"Did she say anything?" he asked, voice tight with urgency.
"Give me the earphones," he added, reaching out.
One of the officers handed them over but spoke cautiously.
"She disconnected right after. We can't reach her now."
Rafael's face tightened, the hope draining from his features.
"What did she say?"
"Is she okay?"
His voice was low, anxious.
Another officer tried to reassure him.
"Rafael, calm down."
"She said three words. That's it. I think she's okay."
But it wasn't enough to ease the knot in his chest.
They all gathered around the screen. Rafael leaned in, eyes scanning for answers.
"What are the words?"
"Is it serious?"
"Georgia, Maine, Texas," one of the officers said, repeating Hazel's brief message.
Rafael nodded, already thinking ahead.
"This is our next mission. Stay alert and keep me updated," he ordered, then quickly left the room.
He made his way to the meeting room, where his core team was waiting: Freddie, Adam, Ken, Peter, and Robert. Freddie and Adam were his junior officers, while Ken, Peter, and Robert were long-time friends and trusted colleagues. Together with Hazel, they had trained and worked side by side in the force.
Rafael leaned over the table, his hands planted firmly as he addressed them.
"We have a clue, and we need to handle it carefully."
Everyone's attention sharpened. Peter asked the obvious question.
"What is it?"
Ken, his voice hopeful, added, "Was it from Hazel?"
They all admired Hazel... top of her class in both academics and training. Her courage was well known among them.
"Sir, I hope ma'am is safe. Francisco's men didn't find anything, right?" Adam asked.
"She's okay," Rafael replied calmly.
"But she only sent three words."
He looked at them all.
"Georgia. Maine. Texas."
"States?" Freddie confused.
"Yes, but she didn't give us exact locations," Rafael said.
Freddie frowned.
"Then how can we figure out what Francisco's planning?"
Rafael sighed. Francisco wasn't easy to track.
Ken added, "Francisco's smart. If he finds out we know about these states, he'll change everything."
Robert nodded.
"And Hazel could be in danger."
Rafael, carrying the weight of leadership, took a deep breath, thinking through their next move.
"I know, Robert. We have to be careful," he said.
"I'm not sure, but we should watch the ports, restaurants, and clubs. If Francisco makes a move, it'll likely be there."
He knew they had to stay ahead... while also protecting Hazel.
Ken became impatient, voiced what everyone was thinking.
"No, Rafael. We can't just guess. What if he uses a park? Or hides in a crowd? We need to be precise."
Rafael sighed, the frustration building.
"I know, I know," he said, the pressure showing in his voice.
He was overwhelmed... torn between the mission and the risk Hazel faced. The fear of something going wrong weighed heavily on him.
Seeing this, Robert placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax, man. Hazel knows what she's doing. She's smart. And remember... it's our job."
Peter added calmly, "Robert's right, Rafael. I think she'll try to contact us again."
Rafael rubbed his chin, deep in thought. He hadn't shaved in days... not since Hazel left. It was a small sign of how much this mission had shaken him.
Francisco hadn't just threatened the mission. He had shaken Rafael to his core.
***
Hazel stood outside Francisco's mansion, taking in the grand estate. It looked more like a palace, with a beautifully kept garden that added to its charm. The air was thick with luxury, but Hazel couldn't let herself be distracted.
What she felt more than awe was tension... security was tight. Cameras covered nearly every inch of the property, making it clear that one wrong move could ruin everything.
"One mistake," she thought. "And it's over."
Even the peaceful garden couldn't mask the constant surveillance. It was a reminder of how closely she was being watched... and just how careful she needed to be.
Staying calm, Hazel began walking toward the garden. But after a few steps, something caught her eye... a glass house nestled in a quiet corner.
She stepped inside, and for the first time in a while, she felt warmth and relief. It was quiet.
Calm!
And most importantly, free of cameras.
Inside, the glass house was filled with exotic flowers in vibrant colors. Sunlight streamed through the walls, casting soft patterns across the floor. It was a rare pocket of beauty.
Here, Hazel's mind started working. She noticed the backyard and garden areas had fewer cameras, relying instead on guards for security.
This place, free from constant surveillance, gave her a chance to think clearly. Even if only for a moment, she could breathe.
"Thank God," she thought. "At least he spared this one place."
Francisco stood at a distance, hidden behind the thick greenery lining the garden. His eyes were fixed on Hazel, who moved gracefully inside the glass house.