Ch: 239-246
239. George and S.H.I.E.L.D. Colluded
The moment the phone was dialed, it was connected in almost less than two seconds.
Ms. Patty Finn took a deep breath.
"Hello, Mr. Peerless."
"Ms. Finn, it seems the effect of the preview is very good."
"Yes."
Ms. Patty Finn looked at the pre-subscription data two hours after the release of the preview and nodded, saying, "It is estimated that 120,000 people have already locked in this extra episode of 'exploring the mysterious' in advance."
By the time the official program airs, there is a high hope that this data will add a zero.
This is good.
Although the first season of 'exploring the mysterious' has finished airing and the second season was facing the fate of being canceled, with this extra episode, 'exploring the mysterious' will be taken off the chopping block.
On the premise that... "Mr. Peerless, are you still in that apartment?"
"What?"
Ms. Patty Finn watched the NYPD, who were doing a live broadcast from the apartment building, and said, "The entire apartment has been surrounded by..."
Locke raised an eyebrow, knowing which apartment Patty was talking about, smiled, and said, "Don't worry, I came out a long time ago, and I've already caught the prey this time."
Patty breathed a sigh of relief for some reason: "Is that so? That's great."
Locke smiled: "Is Ms. Finn very worried about my safety? I am a sinner."
"Whether the Peerless Assassin is guilty or not is for the NYPD to judge, but, Mr. Peerless, you are very popular in our media circles and in the hearts of the audience."
"Is that so?"
"Of course, it's a new era now, Mr. Peerless."
The current federal era is an era of novelty and eye-catching things.
It is an era where serial killers or rapists can publish books, write autobiographies, and even reach the top of the federal bestseller lists; there are even many women, ruined by 'happy education', who wait at prison gates clamoring to have these men's babies.
Compared to those mentioned above.
The Peerless Assassin is considered normal; even the fans of the Peerless Assassin can be considered rational fans.
Ms. Patty Finn smiled: "If one day in the future, Mr. Peerless intends to publish a book, please be sure to tell me. New York Channel One Television Station will give Mr. Peerless a very satisfactory price."
Locke laughed out loud, said he definitely would, and then asked: "How are Ms. Finn's arrangements at the New Jersey Water Plant?"
"Our people have already connected the lines, and all employees participating in this program have signed non-disclosure agreements."
"Very good."
Non-disclosure agreements and such were no threat to Locke and the others, but for the working class, the deterrent was no less than an atomic bomb.
Sitting in the car, Locke looked up at the New York Channel One Television Station across the road and said, "Then, let's set off, Ms. Finn. I'm already downstairs."
There seemed to be some movement on the other end of the phone.
Then.
Locke looked at Ms. Patty Finn, who had walked to the window and was looking down this way: "Yes, it's this car. I'll wait for you, Ms. Finn."
After saying that.
Locke hung up the phone directly.
After a while.
In probably less than three minutes, Ms. Patty Finn, wearing sunglasses and a hat and carrying her backpack, walked across the road with her head down in high heels. Then, she opened the door of the silver-white audi and sat inside.
The next second.
The silver-white audi started directly and headed towards the abandoned New Jersey water plant.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Patty took off her sunglasses and hat and looked at Locke, who was driving: "Mr. Peerless, are you really not worried about the NYPD at all?"
Locke, wearing sunglasses, looked sideways at Patty: "Will you report it to the NYPD?"
Patty was very honest: "Not today."
The program is above all else.
And... Patty said, "If I were to betray a guest on the program to the NYPD, what difference would there be between that and a journalist betraying their informant?"
Locke said, "I appreciate your honesty, Ms. Finn."
"Thank you."
Patty said a word, then took out a notebook from her backpack, opened it, and looked at Locke: "Then, Mr. Peerless, before the show starts, I'd like to learn about witches, demons, and hell, if I may?"
Locke said, "Of course."
He paused.
Locke looked at Patty: "However, even if I answer, I'm afraid this information won't be able to be made public."
Patty smiled: "If I were going to be silenced, I would have been silenced a long time ago, wouldn't I?"
Locke nodded: "Silencing might not happen, but a gag order probably will."
It's still the same saying.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. were still run by Nick Fury, undoubtedly, silencing would be his first choice. But Nick Furyhas gone to hell, and the atmosphere of S.H.I.E.L.D. has improved.
Locke felt he had done a great deed.
From a certain perspective, by chopping off Nick Fury, he had saved no less than a thousand people at the very least.
Also... Locke looked at Patty with a smile: "Ms. Finn, perhaps you can rely on this information to ask for a good hush-money fee, or perhaps, set up a television station of your own."
In the future, whenever he encountered a mission with an influence bonus, Ms. Patty Finn would be his primary choice.
After all, teaming up with a gold-medal producer is better than him laboriously playing with some big explosive scenes to strive for influence bonuses.
So.
On the way to the New Jersey Water Plant, Locke's interview with Ms. Patty Finn couldn't be said to be 'knowing everything and saying everything', but it could be said to be 'telling everything he knew'.
By the time they reached the abandoned New Jersey water plant, Ms. Patty Finn was already working hard to refresh her worldview and restart her values.
She was a bit dazed.
Compared to Patty, even more dazed were George and the others, who had by now searched Nick Reis's apartment building from top to bottom, inside and out.
They didn't find the Peerless Assassin.
"shit!" Jason was somewhat in disbelief: "How did he escape from right under the noses of so many of us?"
George had also hung up the phone at this moment and was walking towards his vehicle: "Go to New York Channel One Television Station."
The call just now was from Kate Beckett.
They had found that yellow taxi over at the original Textile Factory.
"Witnesses stated that half an hour ago, someone suspected to be the Peerless Assassin appeared here and took Nick Reis away. However, because the Peerless Assassin had a gun, several witnesses didn't dare to approach."
"Didn't the dispatch center receive an alarm?"
"No, several witnesses stated that when they discovered it, they were prepared to dial 911, but as it turned out, there was no signal. It wasn't until the Peerless Assassin dragged someone away that the signal was restored."
"Damn it."
While accelerating towards New York Channel One Television Station, George said, "Come back. This is a trap by the Peerless Assassin. We've been tricked."
If they hadn't chased the Peerless Assassin to Nick Reis's home at that time.
George was thinking, would the ending have been different!
Damn Peerless Assassin, I will definitely catch you.
New York Channel One Television Station.
George went straight up. Under the obstruction of Patty's female secretary, he pushed open the door to Patty's office. Then, his gaze fell on the phone that was ringing incessantly on the desk. He put down the phone in his hand and looked at the female secretary: "Where did Patty go?"
The female secretary opened her mouth: "I don't know."
George said in a deep voice: "Harboring a criminal is also a crime!"
The female secretary shook her head: "I really don't know. Ms. Finn was just in the office."
She really didn't know.
George took a deep breath, grabbed Patty's phone, looked at it, saw the dozen or so missed calls belonging to him on the screen, and turned around: "Go to the surveillance room."
Just then.
The legal team from New York Channel One Television Station arrived.
"Sorry!"
The well-dressed lawyers blocked George and the others at the door of the surveillance room: "Gentlemen, do you have a search warrant?"
In the surveillance room, the people from New York Channel One Television Station were quickly deleting the surveillance footage right in front of them.
What a joke.
This episode is a guarantee of ratings. There's a joke that says as long as there's a 300% profit, a capitalist would dare to sell the rope to hang themselves with.
This is that 300% profit.
So... it goes without saying which side capital stands on.
After finishing a call nearby, Jason shook his head at George.
The court refused to issue a search warrant against New York Channel One Television Station. After all, with just a simple preview and nothing that directly linked the Peerless Assassin, no judge would sign such a search warrant.
George chose to turn around and leave expressionlessly.
He went out the door.
Kate Beckett had also arrived at the door by this time. After exchanging a look with Jason, she then looked at the backbone, George, who focused on capturing the Peerless Assassin and had dealt with him several times.
George expressionlessly took out his phone.
He dialed the number of the Department of Homeland Security director.
Barbara Morse answered the phone.
Soon.
The call was transferred to Ms. Victoria Hand.
George said expressionlessly: "The Peerless Assassin has issued a Notice."
Victoria Hand watched George standing at the entrance of New York Channel One Television Stationthrough a S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite on the big screen, her arms crossed: "I know, Senior Superintendent Stacy. You need our help."
George shook his head: "No, it's you who need our help."
Commander Victoria Hand chuckled: "Oh, how so?"
George lowered his head, took out that Notice from his coat, then looked up and held the Notice up towards the sky: "Tell me, what do you see on this?"
Victoria Hand nodded.
The satellite zoomed in.
Soon.
It froze on the crime listed on that Notice.
Crime: Selling one's soul!
Chapter 240, George: Finally Caught You
In front of the New York Channel One Television Station, George held the notice up toward the sky.
On the other end of the phone, there was no sound.
George was very certain: "You've been watching me this whole time, haven't you?"
"...Yes."
Commander Victoria Hand snapped out of it, pursed her lips, and nodded. "I see it clearly."
George pulled back the notice. "We want to catch the Peerless Assassin, and you clearly don't want this episode to air. So, we have a basis for cooperation."
"Sorry, we haven't found the Peerless Assassin."
When the Peerless Assassin entered the apartment, S.H.I.E.L.D. had already noticed and had even urgently deployed a S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite for real-time monitoring.
But... the S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite just happened to miss the time Locke left, observing nothing. By the time the satellite was online, they also thought the Peerless Assassin was still in the apartment.
So, they had lost sight of Locke as well.
George glanced back at the TV station and led everyone back to the car. "But you have the power to let this program go live..."
Just then.
Kate Beckett was slightly stunned.
"George!"
Kate put down her phone and said to George in disbelief, "George, patrol officers from the 31st Precinctseem to have spotted a man in the Bauhinia Community driving an audi and wearing sunglasses, with a build nearly identical to the Peerless Assassin."
George was taken aback. "Get in the car! Hurry!!"
Everyone scrambled into the vehicles.
In the S.H.I.E.L.D. New York Hub, Commander Victoria Hand, upon hearing the voices over George's phone, had already quickly focused the S.H.I.E.L.D. satellite on the map of the Bauhinia Community.
"There!"
A S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent operating the satellite quickly tagged a moving audi. "That's the one."
"Check the nearby surveillance!"
"Accessing now."
"Found it."
With a whoosh.
A surveillance feed from an intersection opened. A silver audi sped past the camera, and then the frame froze on a somewhat blurry image of a man in a suit and sunglasses, looking exactly like the Peerless Assassin.
"Connect to Senior Superintendent Stacy's vehicle console and send the coordinates over."
"Sent!"
Commander Victoria Hand then said to George over the phone, "Captain Stacy, the coordinates have been sent to..."
Looking at the real-time location that had easily hacked into his vehicle's console, George floored the gas and drifted, roaring in pursuit of the audi, which seemed to have realized it was exposed.
In an instant.
Sirens blared loudly!
The abandoned water plant in New Jersey.
Patty Finn had also refreshed her worldview and loaded a new set of values. Especially after seeing Carrie, she felt as if she were seeing the World anew.
"So..."
Patty recalled what happened after the last live broadcast and looked at Locke. "They are our barrier? A barrier preventing the public from knowing the real World?"
Locke nodded. "Correct. However, I don't have any particular opinion of them."
Nick Fury was already dead.
The current S.H.I.E.L.D. was alright; at least their IQs were up to par.
Patty frowned. "Mr. Peerless, if that's the case, I'm afraid our program might not air."
Last time, S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't expected the Peerless Assassin to actually know a Witch, and to pull off such a stunt so brazenly, catching them off guard.
This time?
S.H.I.E.L.D. would likely come prepared.
What if S.H.I.E.L.D. just used force to cut it off like last time?
Patty was a bit worried.
Locke smiled at this. "Patty, I told you, I have many friends. Last time, it was because the effect I wanted had already been achieved, so they were allowed to cut it."
Before this mission bonus ended, if S.H.I.E.L.D. could cut the communication, Locke would write his surname backwards.
"Don't worry."
Locke looked at the warehouse where final preparations were still underway and smiled. "No one can find this place until the program is over."
Cut the communication?
Unless Locke agreed, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have to shut down the entire internet to stop him.
What?
World chaos?
Whether the World falls into chaos isn't up to Locke, but if anyone stops him from completing his mission, then this World will certainly be in chaos.
Locke said this as he turned his gaze toward Nick Reis, not far away.
Bound to a chair, Nick Reis roared with a hideous expression.
He had seen the previous episode featuring the Peerless Assassin and knew what that guy's ultimate fate was. He used to think it was just some magic trick.
But now?
Nick Reis panicked.
"Let me go!"
"Ah!"
"Let me go!"
"We can cooperate! I can introduce you to my Master!"
"Let me go, let me go!"
Nick Reis strained with all his might, veins bulging, his face turning a dark reddish-black. He looked like he was exerting every ounce of strength, yet he remained motionless in that chair.
Locke walked over with his hands in his pockets and said with a smile, "Don't worry, you'll have the chance to summon your Master. In fact, if you cooperate, I might not kill you."
Nick Reis was stunned and looked at Locke. "Really?"
Locke's smile was brilliant. "Of course."
He didn't need to do anything. When Nightmare came out and returned, he would take Nick Reis back with him.
So, Locke wasn't lying.
Locke stood up and then paused. His clone, who was at the Osborn Biotech Building preparing to pick up Gwen from work, watched a silver audi flash past the building, followed by a trail of police cars. He blinked.
What's going on?
Am I being impersonated again?
Wait.
No.
This seems like a well-intentioned impersonation.
Who could it be?
Locke suddenly had a candidate in mind.
Mr. Clyde Shelton!
The retired CIA Agent.
Interesting.
Locke thought to himself, multitasking to control his clone. Since the "Peerless Assassin" was still leading the NYPD on a chase through the streets, Locke picked up Gwen, sent her home, and then returned to his study in Starlight Tower to go on standby.
"Vroom!"
"Vroom!"
"Vroom!"
The silver audi led the way, running a red light at 120 mph, then roared through and smashed the gates of Manhattan Port.
George followed closely behind, refusing to let go.
It's a dead end.
Peerless Assassin, let's see where you run this time.
Wail! Wail!
Sirens wailed as one car after another drove into Manhattan Port.
"Hurry!"
"To Exit C!"
"Send reinforcements to the other exits as well!"
Orders were issued one after another. This time, the NYPD intended to truly trap the Peerless Assassinin the port and catch him like a rat in a hole.
The New York Coast Guard had also set out.
Driving skiffs, they reached the waters off the port at top speed. If the Peerless Assassin dared to drive into the sea, the standby frogman units would immediately take over.
In the sky, three NYPD helicopters droned as they circled.
This time, no matter what, the Peerless Assassin wouldn't be able to escape even if he had wings.
As police cars from all directions herded the silver audi to the edge of the port, the Coast Guardmembers on five rubber boats were already looking excited.
From the sky, the searchlights of the three NYPD helicopters beamed down, making the silver audireflect brightly.
"Nice!"
A flash of excitement crossed George's face. He opened his car door and took the megaphone handed to him by an equally excited Beckett, turned it on, and looked at the audi parked quietly at the edge.
Finally caught you.
outlaw!
"Peerless!"
George turned on the megaphone and shouted toward the silver audi: "You are surrounded! Open the door and surrender!"
In the abandoned water plant in New Jersey, Locke looked at the tablet. Seeing George, whose eyes were almost squinted into a line with excitement under the media helicopters' lights, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
I hope George doesn't have a stroke when he sees the truth.
Otherwise... Gwen will be very sad.
Patty Finn, who had leaned over to watch, looked at George on the screen—who was currently in the Spotlight calling for Peerless's surrender—and then looked hesitantly at the genuine Peerless Assassinbeside her.
Locke felt Patty's gaze and shook his head. "I don't know anything about this."
At most, he played games with George; he didn't intend to make a fool of him.
There's a fundamental difference between a game and a mockery.
He wouldn't give George hope—at least, not such great hope—only to let him down.
Patty was slightly stunned. "I thought no one..."
With a recent cautionary tale, would anyone still dare to impersonate the name of Peerless?
Locke let out a chuckle.
It wasn't as if they were doing anything bad. As long as they weren't using his name for evil, he didn't really care if someone used it. Besides, this imposter was sincerely trying to help him.
Just then.
At New York Port, with a click, the driver's door of the audi was pushed open from the inside.
All the Police Officers surrounding it instantly cocked their weapons.
George quickly said, "Don't fire! No one fires without my order!"
As he spoke.
A leather-gloved hand reached out from inside the audi.
George's eyes lit up.
Immediately following.
A man wearing sunglasses, a suit, and leather gloves emerged slowly from the audi with his hands raised, expressionless, and looked toward George.
Their eyes met!
George's pupils constricted...
Two Hundred and Forty-One, Peerless: Those Who Follow the Way Receive Much Help
"Pfft..."
"..."
Locke coughed, pursed his lips, and looked toward Ms. Patty Finn, who was glancing his way, saying in a low voice, "I just thought of something happy and couldn't help it."
"Something happy?"
"Yeah, a colleague had a baby yesterday."
"What's so special about..."
"Seven months premature, but both mother and daughter are safe."
"..."
Patty Finn opened her mouth, then decisively chose to stop talking. Instead, she looked at the tablet, where George also seemed to have realized something was wrong.
Manhattan Port.
George looked at the man in sunglasses stepping out of the audi with his hands raised, his brow furrowed.
Something wasn't right.
Although the height and clothing of the Peerless Assassin before him were very similar to the one he had dealt with before.
But... *Thud.*
Two SWAT officers cautiously walked up behind the Peerless Assassin. Then, with a loud thud, they pinned him directly against the car. With a metallic click, they slapped handcuffs on him.
The media members who had rushed to the scene and were live-streaming were completely invigorated by the sight.
The Peerless Assassin had been caught.
The Peerless Assassin had finally messed up and been arrested by the NYPD.
Oh my god!
This was definitely going to be the front-page headline for every major newspaper in New York City tomorrow.
Some reporters had already opened their tablets and begun writing their reports as if their thoughts were a flowing spring.
At this moment, George had already walked up to the Peerless Assassin, who was pinned against the car and unable to move. There was no excitement on his face; instead, he expressionlessly reached out his right hand and took the sunglasses off the man's face.
The next second.
Beckett and Jason, who had followed George over, saw the man behind the sunglasses and couldn't help but frown.
Max, who also lived in the Bauhinia Community, saw the man being pinned down and was momentarily stunned, losing his voice for a second: "Holy shit, Clyde? How can it be you?"
Clyde, pinned down by two Special Service officers and unable to move, nodded to his neighbor Max in greeting. Then, looking at George, he couldn't help but laugh. "I just had a bit to drink. There's no need for such a massive display of force to hunt me down, is there?"
Yes.
He just didn't want to be caught at a DUI checkpoint, so he had intended to flee.
He hadn't expected the NYPD to be so strict about drunk driving these days.
He definitely didn't do it because he felt the Peerless Assassin had beaten him to taking Nick Reis, and out of concern that the NYPD would find the Peerless Assassin, decided to pose as him to confuse the Police Department.
There was no such thing.
His record, from beginning to end, showed only one thing: he was a law-abiding citizen.
Clyde's smile was pure, and as he spoke, there was even the smell of alcohol, seemingly corroborating his statement.
George stared at Clyde expressionlessly.
After a long while.
George was silent for a moment before saying, "This World relies on evidence."
Clyde straightened up, looked at George, and smiled. "Are you talking to me?"
I'm CIA!
Intuition is greater than evidence.
If the Peerless Assassin hadn't acted faster, he would have been the one to kidnap that black guy. If they as Agents had to wait for evidence for everything, the World would have probably been destroyed seventeen or eighteen times over by now.
George took a deep breath, stared at Clyde, and then closed his eyes. "Take him away!"
As Clyde's neighbor, Max stepped forward and took over his 'good neighbor' from the Special Serviceofficers. "I'll take him to the station. By the way, should I call Miller?"
Clyde laughed. "Better not. I've already spoken to my lawyer."
Even for fleeing a DUI, at most he'd be sentenced to community service.
No big deal.
Moreover, he had money; he could completely enter the station and finish his bail on the same day!
Beckett, Jason, and the others also realized that this was yet another volunteer helper for the Peerless Assassin, just like those who acted as volunteer helpers in the story of Drug Addict Barry.
"Hiss!"
Jason sucked in a breath of cold air. "What a sophisticated method."
Everything was interlocking!
The Peerless Assassin first deliberately showed his face to lure them to Nick Reis's apartment, where they found that body, thereby making Nick Reis realize he was exposed and choose to hide from their sight.
Then the Peerless Assassin left the illusion that he was still at the apartment, while he actually rushed to the destination and kidnapped Nick Reis.
After that.
He had even calculated that a volunteer would appear to stage another chase scene specifically to distract them. By this time, the Peerless Assassin had likely already taken the captured Nick Reis out of New York City... no, out of New York State.
Beckett looked at George, who was standing still with his eyes closed, and asked, "George, what do we do now?"
George asked, "What time is it?"
Beckett looked at her wristwatch. "Ten minutes left until 8:30."
George opened his eyes.
His fighting spirit... was burning once again.
There were still ten minutes until the episode of 'exploring the mysterious' mentioned in the announcement. There was still a chance.
I will definitely catch you.
With his fighting spirit high, George pulled out his phone and dialed the Department of Homeland Security.
Very quickly.
The call connected!
George said directly, "Let him broadcast. I believe you must have prepared another emergency contingency plan to avoid the inevitable fallout after the broadcast starts."
There was no need to even think about it.
Ever since Drug Addict Barry turned into a giant gray rat, the Department of Homeland Security had organized a debunking in an orderly fashion almost immediately, even inviting famous Hollywooddirectors to explain the special effects. One could see from that.
This wasn't the first time the other party had done something like this.
Commander Victoria Hand on the other end didn't answer the question directly. Instead, she frowned. "Senior Superintendent Stacy, you should know the power we can mobilize to protect the World's safety."
George walked toward his vehicle. "I know, of course. I'm also certain that you have no way to hack this broadcast."
"We succeeded last time."
"That was after it had already aired."
George got into the car, started the engine, and said directly, "The Peerless Assassin went to so much trouble, setting up decoys and having volunteers help him. Do you think he would leave such a massive flaw for us to cut his broadcast at the source?"
"What's your suggestion?"
"Let him broadcast and track his location."
"He's going to broadcast Hell this time."
"You even managed to whitewash a Witch as a magic trick. Wouldn't it be fine to whitewash Hell as well? Most importantly, aren't you curious about Hell?"
"...Have you given up?"
Commander Victoria Hand was silent for a moment, then turned and sat in the chair behind her. "If it weren't for that chase at the port, you would never have such a thought, Captain Stacy."
George shook his head. "No, my desire to catch the Peerless Assassin has never changed. However, he is a sinner, not a killer or serial murderer in the conventional sense. We can't use conventional methods to catch him anymore."
Drug Addict Barry was one instance.
This time is another.
The targets chosen by ordinary serial killers are innocent people, which fails to evoke empathy from most.
But the Peerless Assassin is different.
The targets he chooses are not innocent. At least, in the eyes of a certain group of people, those individuals deserve to die and are getting what they earned.
That's why during the Drug Addict Barry incident, the vast NYPD was helping him in a tacit understanding.
This time, Clyde Shelton also volunteered to help him.
George said solemnly, "Against such an opponent, our conventional capture plans are no longer useful."
Commander Victoria Hand raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any suggestions, Captain Stacy?"
"None for now!"
"..."
"But I will think of one."
George was full of fighting spirit. He had been in the profession for over a decade and had never let a criminal escape his grasp. He hadn't before, and he wouldn't in the future. "I'll have my people scattered in every corner of New York City. Once you track the source of the signal, give me the word."
Having said that.
George didn't give Victoria Hand a chance to refuse and hung up the phone directly.
Inside the abandoned New Jersey water plant.
Locke looked at the Manhattan Port receding on the tablet and shook his head somewhat speechlessly.
On one hand, he was a bit moved; a just cause truly did enjoy abundant support.
On the other hand, listening to the conversation between George and S.H.I.E.L.D. left him quite speechless.
He hadn't tapped George's phone.
After all, George was a professional. If someone were tapping his phone, George would definitely find out.
What Locke was eavesdropping on was George's vehicle.
He was using the same bug S.H.I.E.L.D. had left with him last time. After a slight modification, Locke had casually tossed it under George's driver's seat.
The eavesdropping just now was done by his clone back home.
Locke really wanted to tell George that he was completely overthinking it. He hadn't considered that much at all, or rather, even if he had, he wouldn't have done it that way.
Absolute strength crushes all schemes!
Locke felt that his current strength was enough to break seventy percent of all conspiracies and plots. Since that was the case, he was too lazy to play any games of intrigue.
Forget it.
This was fine too.
It saved him from having to worry about viewership ratings while also needing to engage in a hacking battle with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s computer geniuses during the broadcast.
Beside him, Ms. Patty Finn also retracted her gaze and sighed. "George is probably very angry with me right now."
Locke snapped back to reality and looked at Ms. Patty Finn.
It was right for him to be angry.
If George wasn't angry with you and remained on such good terms, then frankly speaking, if something were to happen in the future, Locke wouldn't even know which side to take.
His girlfriend was Gwen.
But he felt that in the future, there would likely be many influence tasks that would require coordination with Ms. Patty Finn's broadcasts to save him from running around.
So... if George did something wrong in the future, should he stand on Gwen's side as her boyfriend, or on Ms. Patty Finn's side as the Peerless Assassin?
242. The Broadcast Begins
So… the best outcome is for nothing to happen at all.
That would be perfect.
Locke thought to himself; outwardly he smiled at Patty Finn. "Captain Stacy is a man of principle, but he's not inflexible. I'm sure he'll understand that your job is to deliver strong ratings. For the sake of the job, Captain Stacy will understand."
Patty nodded. "Let's hope so."
She paused.
Patty looked at Locke. "Mr. Peerless, you seem to know Captain Stacy quite well."
Locke chuckled and slipped the tablet away. "He is my opponent, after all. The more you know about an opponent, the better. 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated,' right?"
Patty said, "A saying from China—Sun Tzu."
Locke nodded. "Exactly, The Art of War."
Patty gave a thoughtful nod.
Soon.
Locke and Patty were in position inside the warehouse.
Much like the setup back at New York Channel One Television Station's studio. In less than an afternoon, every employee who'd signed an NDA had recreated the studio down to the last detail.
To viewers it might still look like New York Channel One Television Station.
But anyone in the business could tell at a glance this wasn't inside the Channel One building.
At eight-thirty sharp.
Instantly.
The moment the live feed lit up, ratings began climbing by the second.
Especially once Locke appeared on camera.
Holy shit!
Peerless!
What? Didn't they just say Peerless Assassin was arrested at the docks?
Bull. If NYPD could catch Peerless Assassin, it wouldn't be called Peerless.
Fair point.
Quick, quit messing around—show's on.
Wait, wasn't there supposed to be a Witch?
Is Peerless Assassin the Witch?
What?
Peerless Assassin is a chick?
shit!
In seconds.
The rumor that Peerless Assassin was a Witch spread like wildfire.
At home, Gwen video-called Locke while reading the chat. Seeing Kem's message screaming that Peerless Assassin was a Witch, she burst out laughing until tears came.
The polite doppelgänger split between the call and the study managed a courteous chuckle.
Kem!
It's you again!
Just you wait.
Next summer in Paris—forget the auction. I'll book you a nerve-shredding Hostel experience; after that you can hit the sale.
Locke smilingly upgraded Kem's Paris itinerary.
Meanwhile.
The doppelgänger at home, hands never idle, detected S.H.I.E.L.D. signals the instant the broadcast began and booted every last one of them.
In the livestream room.
Ms. Patty Finn once more took the host's role. Last time Locke had suggested letting the weather-channel goddess interview him.
But… these were Patty Finn's own contacts; no top producer gives away prime resources.
Besides.
Since that last show Patty had sensed Peerless Assassin might return, so she'd practiced. A smoother, steadier opening—her own—rolled out and launched the new episode of "Exploring the Mysteries."
"Exploring the World's truths, uncovering the mysteries behind them."
"Good evening, viewers."
"I'm Patty Finn. Tonight's mystery is a question tied to us from birth: Where do we go? I'm Patty, and with us is our guest—Peerless!"
Patty Finn's on-camera presence was flawless. As the camera widened she turned to the guest sofa. "Mr. Peerless, good to see you again."
Locke, lounging back, nodded. "Likewise, Ms. Finn. Honestly, I hadn't planned to come."
"Oh?"
"My resolution for this year was to take a break."
"Really?"
"But alas."
Locke sighed and shook his head. "A few days ago I discovered a servant of a demon—one who'd sold his soul to Hell—roaming New York."
He shifted for a better angle toward the lens. "Believe me, a demon's servant loose in New York is bad news for the city."
"Why is that?"
"Because demons come to Earth for one purpose: to turn it into another Hell."
Locke showed a faint smile. "Without exception—so I caught this demon's servant. Of course, the charge sounds too bizarre, which is why I went to Ms. Finn. After all, I never kill the innocent. If you ever find I've slain someone blameless, or you think the accusation doesn't fit, feel free to call New York Channel One Television Station. Ms. Finn and I will be happy to answer questions and clear things up."
This was what Patty had asked for right at the start.
Patty could tell Locke wanted a long-term partnership, so she suggested this arrangement.
Same line as before.
Although the NYPD is baying for the Peerless Assassin's head, it hasn't hurt his popularity among New Yorkers.
Even...
In last month's city-wide popularity poll, Locke actually knocked Tony Stark—top dog for years—off his perch.
Locke doesn't care about fame.
But he does care that he beat Tony Stark.
Besides...
To put it simply, handing the Peerless Assassin's public Weibo account to Ms. Finn to manage isn't a bad thing. Hiring an outsider would cost money; why refuse free help?
Of course...
The instant Locke said that, the real-time buzz zeroed in on one topic.
Demons.
Demons from Hell—and, here in New York, the wretches who've sold their souls to them.
"Oh my God, is this for real?"
"So demons actually exist in this World?"
"It's true. I saw one when I was little. If an exorcist hadn't found me, the demon would have taken me over."
"Then Angels must be real too?"
"I skipped church yesterday—no way, I'm going to confession tomorrow!"
"Demons, Hell—ha, how many divisions has he got?"
"..."
At S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Triskelion, they patched through to the New York ops center.
Not to demand explanations, but to offer backup.
Every cyber-wiz S.H.I.E.L.D. had went to work, yet each time they almost traced the signal, the other side yanked their chain and fried a host along with it.
In just these few minutes a dozen machines had already been toasted.
"Where's Walter O'Brien?"
"California branch has him; three more minutes before he can reach a terminal."
...
Commander Victoria Hand nodded, said nothing more, and—while video-linked with Maria Hill—watched the live broadcast like any other viewer.
Their contingency was in motion; as always, they could make most people believe the birds were drones and the whole show was CGI—no big deal.
On-air...
The moment Nick Reis, strapped to a chair, appeared on camera, so did white-haired, booted Carrie.
Locke and Patty Finn rose together.
"Allow me to introduce—"
Following the rules of the live game, Locke said, as on Patty Finn's first visit, "This is Syndra; in the field of Hell she's known as the fearsome Dark Sovereign."
Patty Finn played her part, shaking Carrie's hand. "Ms. Syndra, are you a Witch?"
Carrie's face stayed frosty; she opened her right hand and a sphere of dark energy condensed above her palm.
"Whoa!"
"A real Witch!"
"Queen of the goths—I'm in love!"
"My God, how much has the Feds been hiding from us?"
"Is this even the World we knew? The White House owes us an explanation."
"Yes, we have the right to know the truth!"
The instant Carrie appeared, the ratings monitor excitedly signaled Patty Finn—this wasn't just a return to the show's peak; they were smashing it.
"So..."
After inviting Carrie to sit, Patty Finn clapped her hands, looked to camera, then to Carrie: "Our viewers are dying to know—can you tell us about this so-called Hell-demon, Ms. Syndra?"
In a cool voice Carrie replied, "Nightmare, firstborn of the Lord of Hell. Anyone who bargains with Nightmare must sacrifice the person they love most to gain his power. Nick Reis gave up his fiancée in just such an offering—and received demonic strength in return."
After all, this was Carrie's first live show.
She sounded a bit stiff, reciting her lines.
But no matter.
The colder, more mechanical tone only made the title Dark Sovereign feel deserved.
Watching the broadcast, people felt a chill in the air...
243. Nightmare Humiliated Again
Nightmare.
Eldest son of the Lord of Hell.
To claim his power, you must sacrifice the person closest to you?
Some wanted to laugh, thinking it absurd.
But… Carrie's voice was icy and mechanical; had it been sweet, the audience would have suspected a rehearsed line, yet Carrie's tone told them—
Believe it or not.
That made it unsettling.
Viewers before their screens stared at Nick Reis slumped in his chair like a stray dog, weighing things in their own minds.
But many had already decided.
"Log it."
"Investigate."
"Ask our Witch allies about this Syndra."
"Dark Sovereign?"
"A century of focus on Hell?"
Inside S.H.I.E.L.D., Maria Hill barked a string of orders, then turned to Commander Victoria Hand: "Any word from Doran Church?"
Victoria Hand nodded. "We're reaching out."
Doran Church.
A centuries-old order devoted to hunting witches; just as Locke believed anything tied to Hell was evil, Doran Church believed every Witch was evil.
In a sleek high-rise in New York, an elderly priest in Doran vestments switched on the TV. Watching Carrie toy with a dark orb, he wiped sweat from his brow and asked the young priest beside him, "Where's Cardell now?"
The young priest replied, "Just checked—he's in Sokovia."
The old priest clutched his Cross, eyes locked on Carrie, lips trembling. "Such power—how can a Witchbe this strong? Is she here for that relic?"
The young priest said nothing, but his gaze at the screen was equally uneasy.
At a New Jersey water plant.
Carrie rose, dark orb pressed to Nick Reis's face. "You may summon your Master now."
Locke had vanished from the feed.
This mission was titled "New York City's Five-Star Citizen," but that was only the system's idea of a joke; in truth it should have been named "Expose Nightmare!"
Carrie could merely hold Nightmare off, not crush him.
So… it was time for the light-bearing Zero to appear.
Bound to the chair, Nick Reis's survival instinct surged. Seeing Carrie's cold expression as she slowly pushed the dark orb forward, he had no time to restate his terms; with a roar he issued an invitation to Nightmare, like a shaman invoking a god.
In an instant.
Nick Reis's eyes rolled back, black mist spread.
Hell-power surged violently.
The next second—
"Roar!"
As endless black mist poured from Nick Reis and swallowed him, the chair exploded. A different voice thundered from his throat: "Zero!!!"
By now Nightmare had taken possession of Nick Reis.
Sss…
Fresh from Hell, Nightmare dripped sizzling slime onto the floor as he stared at Carrie, tracing her power's source. "Zero, it's you again."
"Zero?"
"Record this."
"Who is this Zero?"
"How's the signal trace?"
"Confirmed New Jersey, but no exact fix yet."
"Deploy the super-satellite—scan New Jersey."
"Copy that."
Commander Victoria Hand folded her arms, eyes fixed on the screen where endless black fog veiled a sinister, flickering face.
At that moment ratings kept soaring.
Yet real-time comments were already muttering about special effects again.
Inside the New Jersey plant, thick black mist dripped like lava, sizzling louder as it grew. Nightmare's hideous face emerged, extending a claw toward Carrie.
Just then—
Hum!
A shaft of light settled on Carrie.
Then,
her power surged forward like a tide, the radiance gathering before her and shaping a human outline.
Nightmare snarled, "Zero!"
Ul—nah.
Locke lifted his head; boundless light condensed into the form of Radiant Zero.
Gleaming silver.
A hero through and through.
"Holy shit!"
"Who's that?"
"Another Witch?"
"Looks like Nightmare knows him."
"Old rivals?"
The melon-munching crowd, happily spectating in front of their TVs, suddenly saw the broadcast flicker—and a line of special-effects text popped up in the upper-right corner.
WTF?
Current Influence Multiplier: 88!
Current Influence Multiplier: 92!
Current Influence Multiplier: 99!
Current Influence Multiplier: 100×—Maximum!
Good enough.
Feeling the influence bar spike to its peak the moment Zero appeared, Locke muttered inwardly, then addressed Nightmare: 'You should never have come to Earth, eldest son of Hell, thinking to turn the mortal realm into another circle of your father's domain.'
He had no interest in grand reveals or letting people learn the truth about the World.
The mission paid out by influence—what else could he do?
It was all for the quest, nothing more.
So, once his reward multiplier hit the cap, the doppelgänger in the study stopped blocking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intrusion and let the agency do its thing.
Mission complete. Nightmare, time for you to leave.
'I knew it was you!' Nightmare roared. 'I'll catch you, and when I do, I'll fashion your skull into a goblet and a chamber pot, just as my father did with Zarathos!'
Earlier, when Nick Reis had prayed, the son of the Lord of Hell would normally have ignored such a plea.
But Nightmare had sensed, on Nick Reis, the faintest trace of the same aura that clung to Zero—so he answered.
He wanted revenge!
No one steals what belongs to the great Lord of Hell's heir.
At last, Nightmare saw Zero again.
The look was different, but the aura was unmistakable.
The same arrogance—no, even more overbearing than his own.
Nightmare's face twisted in fury!
And then… nothing.
'Why… why does his power feel even greater?'
Nightmare stared at Locke, his expression flickering between rage and dread; if fury alone could win fights, who would need strength?
'You—'
Locke didn't plan to give him another line. A single finger from Zero pointed at Nightmare. 'Back to Hell, Nightmare. Earth does not suffer filth like you to tread upon it.'
Feeling the same force that had once hurled him out of the mortal World, Nightmare howled, 'Damn you, Zero! I'll be back—when my true form arrives, you'll learn what—'
Boom!
Endless black mist met blinding light; with a whoosh, both vanished beneath Locke's finger.
The warehouse fell silent.
Then—
Thud.
Nick Reis rolled his eyes and collapsed.
Carrie's forehead glistened with sweat.
Right then—
The unconscious Nick Reis snapped his eyes open and let out a shrill, blood-curdling scream.
'What's happening?'
'Nightmare's dragging him back to Hell.'
Ms. Patty Finn, watching the scene beside Locke, saw a wisp of ghost-fire crawl over Nick Reis. 'Mr. Peerless, that Zero just now…'
Locke smiled. 'Every supernatural power demands a price—no exceptions.'
'Then Ms. Syndra…'
'Yes. Just as claiming Nightmare's power costs the soul of the one you love most.'
Locke said evenly, 'Syndra's price is simply: never bow your head.'
Ms. Finn blinked. 'Never bow?'
Locke only smiled, fell silent, and watched Nick Reis's screams fade to nothing as ghost-fire reduced the man to ash.
Ding!
Quest complete: 'New York City Five-Star Citizen'
Base rewards: 500 achievement points, 500 potential points
Multiplier: 100×
Final rewards: 50,000 achievement points, 50,000 potential points
Status updated!
Name: Locke Broughton—Only Player
Identity: Peerless Assassin (can switch to Supernatural Witch or Imperial Vampire forms)
achievement points: 160,000
potential points: 190,000
Celestia—
Rat-tat-tat!
As Locke claimed his rewards, the inevitable police chopper thudded overhead.
'I should go.'
He offered Ms. Patty Finn a smile and his right hand. 'Hope we can work together again.'
She shook herself, took his hand. 'Goodbye, Mr. Peerless.'
Locke released her hand, nodded to the ever-stoic Carrie, and vanished toward the rear exit just as George's team burst through the front door…
244. Doran Church
"Hey, hey, did you watch last night's Mysteries Exposed?"
"I did. What about it?"
"What did you think?"
"Weren't they saying it was all CGI?"
"Do you buy that?"
"I don't."
"Then why…"
"If the Federal Bureau of Investigation wants us to believe, we believe."
"…"
At an open-air café near Osborn Biotech Building, Locke and Gwen were having breakfast. Hearing the conversation of two passers-by on the road, they exchanged glances and chuckled.
No doubt.
Yesterday's live broadcast had once again been debunked—this time by several major newspapers together with a Hollywood director.
Once again, the famous horror director and New York Channel One Television Station had joined forces to produce a movie promo, same as last time.
As for why the previous film—about a Witch turning people into giant gray rats—hadn't been released, the director's interview explanation was quite convincing: they wanted a global simultaneous premiere, but China had to approve the film first. Some scenes didn't meet China's censorship standards, so negotiations were ongoing; only after Chinese approval would the trailer drop.
Yep.
China's fault.
Many bought the excuse, especially after a few Hollywood actors vouched for it. Spot coverage spread, coupled with mysterious post deletions and bans online, the buzz had been huge during the broadcast but had now cooled.
Of course.
Believers will believe no matter what.
Gwen sipped her coffee, curious. "Locke, why do you think Peerless Assassin did it?"
Locke looked at her.
Gwen pondered aloud, "If Peerless Assassin wanted to expose the truth to the public, he should've reacted—like with the Drug Addict Barry incident. Faced with all that whitewashing, even Hollywood denials, Peerless Assassin did nothing."
Locke smiled. "Maybe he figures those who get it, get it."
Gwen nodded, then shook her head. "True, but the people who already know don't need him. So why?"
Locke shrugged. "Maybe he just likes being on camera."
He certainly enjoyed it—no running around; catch the target, show his face, and his influence soared effortlessly.
But Gwen disagreed. "No."
"Huh?"
She looked up at him, serious. "Every action has a basic motive: hunger makes you eat, being broke makes you earn. Peerless Assassin broadcasting on TV must have a fundamental reason."
Locke grinned. "Is that so?"
Gwen lowered her gaze, thinking.
Locke stayed quiet, not wanting to derail her thoughts.
Gwen was sharp.
He could let George chase the wrong lead, but not Gwen—if she caught on, he'd be toast.
After a moment.
Gwen looked up. "Let's go."
Locke hummed. "Where?"
Gwen had the day off; Midtown High started in three days.
"NYPD."
Looping her arm through his, she headed for the audi across the street. "Dad invited Ms. Patty Finn over for coffee this morning. If we go now, maybe she can tell us Peerless Assassin's motive."
Doubtful.
Locke replayed his chats with Patty—mostly about dimensions, hell, Witch stuff.
He planned a long-term partnership.
Laying groundwork now saved last-minute cramming later; what if time was short and stakes were high?
Aside from that, he'd never mentioned anything about himself—Peerless Assassin.
So if Gwen could still deduce his motive, only one conclusion remained: Gwen was cheating with plot armor—so blatant it defied logic.
"One more thing."
Once in the car, Gwen flashed a lovely smile. "Mom wants me to check on Dad, you know—make sure nothing… untoward happens."
Locke looked at her.
Realization dawned.
Fine. That was the real reason for the trip; the whole motive hunt was just a cover.
Problem solved.
Locke started the car. "I don't think George is that sort of man; Helen doesn't need to worry so much."
Better you die than me.
George, you may never know what I quietly did to get you promoted, but that's fine—I know, and that's enough.
That's what Locke told himself.
Soon.
NYPD Headquarters.
Locke and Gwen entered the NYPD building without a hitch; neither of them was some nobody. Both were headline-making teen leaders in New York.
Besides, Gwen was George's daughter, the one he talked about twenty-four hours a day—his sweetest, most pride-and-joy child.
Of course.
Before she started dating, George praised her constantly; afterward, the compliments grew rarer.
"Huh?"
As Locke and Gwen stepped off the elevator onto George's floor, Kate Beckett, hugging a stack of files headed for the copier, spotted them. "Gwen?"
Gwen turned and smiled. "Morning, Detective Beckett!"
After George's string of promotions, he'd wanted to pull up his old buddies—the ones whose skills were solid but who'd never learned to kiss ass.
But Beckett and the rest had refused.
They'd become friends because they all loved solving cases, not because they'd joined the NYPD for rank or raises.
Plus, they didn't understand political games.
As they put it, let George climb the ladder alone; later, when they locked up some big shot and needed cover, they'd have someone at the top—and they trusted George would have their backs.
As long as their evidence was airtight.
Beckett smiled at the pair. "Here for George? He's in a small conference room with Homeland Security. You can wait in his office."
Gwen thanked her, then eyed the bustle of cursing, shackled perps being shuttled around. "Detective Beckett, who are—"
Beckett sighed. "All because of last night's Peerless Assassin livestream."
Locke looked at her, curious.
After the stream he'd taken Carrie home, chatted briefly with Chester, then turned in for the night.
Beckett shook her head.
Once the broadcast ended, every wannabe activist—white and black—had crawled out of the woodwork.
"Hell on earth!"
"Filth of humanity!"
She shrugged. "They marched at midnight, then some genius decided to loot Wall Street—crazy. We've been swamped; every precinct's packed, waiting on the DA."
The city's far-left tide had been rising.
But Locke fired the first shot, and then the FBI and the DA hammered away; if Washington hadn't stepped in, they'd have slapped treason charges on those animal-rights and equality groups too.
They had proof—later exposed as fake, but by then the evidence proving it false had already been shredded.
With the first organized looters busted and the Nina Bell family verdict out, conservatives surged back; for a black rioter, raising hell in New York became as tough as doing it in Texas.
Looking at the chaotic bullpen, Locke finally understood why the air downstairs had smelled so foul.
Beckett handed her papers to a passing officer for copying, then said to Gwen, "Come on, I'll walk you to George's office."
Gwen and Locke both thanked her.
In a small conference room nearby, Ms. Patty Finn rubbed her temples, looking exhausted.
George sat at the head of the table.
Across from him were Barbara Morse and the thirty-sixth pastor of Doran Church.
Patty sighed. "I'm a producer; if someone brings me a show, why would I say no? I told you what my source gave me, I played along and called the birth a stunt. But his sat-phone number? Sorry—until he okays it, you're out of luck. Don't even think about it."
245. Jin Family Auction
What kind of joke is this?
News and such, it's fine to talk about it.
But the satellite phone of the Peerless Assassin, don't even think about it.
If I gave it to you, it would be equivalent to me betraying my informant. After that, who would be willing to seek her out for information? Are they waiting to be sent to prison one by one by her?
Ms. Patty Finn thought to herself, only ordinary people are afraid of law enforcement agencies, but she has a lawyer, and she is a producer for New York's number one TV station, so she also has the TV station's legal team.
I don't want to give it. If you have the ability, let the law tell me that I can give it to you?
Ms. Patty Finn looked at the time on her wristwatch, then looked at Barbara Morse sitting opposite her, and then directly looked at George: "If you are trying to get my informant's contact information from me, I think I should call my lawyer."
George's mouth opened slightly.
Barbara Morse smiled: "Ms. Finn, there's no need to make it so complicated. If you don't want to say, we won't force it. We are just worried about the reason why a witch suddenly appeared in New York City."
Patty Finn heard this and looked at Barbara: "So, the Federation has always known about witches?"
Barbara smiled.
The 36th generation Priest Dolan, sitting there, directly said: "That Syndra is a witch who controls dark energy. We need to interrogate her."
Barbara's expression changed.
Patty Finn laughed directly, looking at Priest Dolan: "What, is the Holy See's Crusade planning to stage another witch hunt in the Federation, in the land of democracy and freedom?"
Priest Dolan said in a deep voice: "Dark witches, they only think about how to destroy the world."
Patty smiled brightly: "I suddenly thought of the content for my next show."
Let's do a show about how the Holy See persecuted witches in the Middle Ages.
Hmm.
Taking advantage of this wave of popularity, consolidate it, and by the way, use this show to have a dialogue with that Dark Archon Witch Syndra from a distance and build a good relationship.
What era is this?
Still playing this persecution game?
The prestige of the Holy See has long been trampled underfoot by the steel torrent.
In other words.
The Pope? How many divisions does he have!
After Patty finished speaking, without even looking at the 36th generation Priest Dolan's expression, she looked directly at George: "Either arrest me, or let me go!"
George shook his head: "You are free, Patty."
As he spoke.
George also looked at Barbara with some resentment. Good heavens, what kind of companion did you bring?
The Peerless Assassin is not an ordinary assassin or criminal; he knows how to adapt to circumstances and willingly turn strangers into his allies.
Clearly, Patty Finn has become a staunch ally of the Peerless Assassin.
As long as the Peerless Assassin's persona remains intact, his popularity in New York City will remain high. Except for the NYPD, everyone else will likely side with the Peerless Assassin.
Patty Finn chuckled, glanced at Priest Dolan, who she didn't know at all and who immediately demanded supervision, and then stood up directly.
George shook his head, somewhat speechless, and also stood up.
Barbara Morse looked at Priest Dolan helplessly: "Priest, this is not what we agreed on."
Priest Dolan thought of the immense energy he felt just by looking at the screen, and looked at Barbara Morse, saying, "That is a terrifying dark witch."
Barbara didn't speak.
Dark?
I think it's very bright.
Barbara recalled the fleeting appearance of Ultraman Zero on the TV screen, thinking to herself.
How could such a bright Lord of Dimensions be associated with darkness? And look at his lines!
I will not allow hell to turn the human world into filth!
This is clearly a righteous character in the same camp as SHIELD.
"Patty!"
George chased out of the conference room and said to Patty, who was about to leave, "Wait."
Patty turned around.
George suggested, "Come sit in my office for a bit, have some coffee. You haven't slept all night."
Driving out now would be considered drowsy driving.
What if something happens?
George looked at his watch: "Perfect, I'm also going out later. Shall I give you a ride then?"
Patty smiled at George: "Aren't you afraid Helen will get jealous?"
George chuckled sheepishly: "How could she?"
Patty didn't refuse and walked directly towards George's office: "By the way, I heard Helen is pregnant again. Congratulations!"
George smiled: "Thank you."
I hope it's a daughter.
He originally thought his eldest daughter would be a warm comforter, but when she grew up, he realized she was not only leaky but also black-hearted cotton. George hoped for a little girl to soothe his wounded heart.
George glanced at Beckett, who was walking over from not far away, greeted her, and then pushed the door open: "You go in and sit for a bit, I…"
He paused.
Standing behind Patty, George, who seemed to have a hand on Patty's shoulder as if by an illusion, looked at the man and woman sitting on his office sofa and blinked: "Gwen, why are you here?"
Beckett also walked over to George: "George, Gwen and Locke are in your office…"
George turned his head and glanced at Beckett, who was only telling him this after he had already opened the door and seen them.
Then.
George was slightly stunned.
Wait.
Am I feeling guilty?
For what?
What do I have to feel guilty about?
George thought to himself, returning to normal, and after walking into the office with Patty, he closed the door and looked at the wild boar, who had completely failed to become a domesticated pig, standing in front of his liquor cabinet, looking around: "Don't look. My office is a public place. Drinking alcohol, you can just go in."
Locke chuckled: "Supervisor Stacy, I'm just taking a look. I know I'm not twenty-one yet."
George rolled his eyes.
Ever since he lifted the alcohol ban last time, good heavens, Locke drinking in his apartment was already public knowledge, and the alcohol in his liquor cabinet was disappearing at a visible rate.
The key was that Locke seemed to never get drunk, no matter how much he drank.
This really depressed George. His purpose in lifting the alcohol ban was to get Locke drunk, so that if he made a fool of himself, George would have a reason and an excuse to attack him.
Without a doubt, it was another wasted effort.
Gwen had already stood up and sweetly hugged Patty: "Aunt Finn."
Patty smiled at Gwen: "Your mother sent you to keep an eye on George and me, didn't she?"
Gwen's eyes were clear, and she shook her head: "How could that be? I came specifically to see Aunt Finn."
Patty looked at Gwen with a smile.
Really? She didn't believe it.
Helen had snatched George from her back then, so she didn't believe Helen's daughter was that innocent.
Gwen smiled, pulled Patty, and sat on the sofa, then started talking about the Peerless Assassin's motives.
Just then.
There was a knock on the office door.
Then.
After George said "come in," Barbara Morse pushed the door open and noticed Locke in the office.
"Mr. Broughton."
Barbara shook hands with Locke and smiled: "We meet again."
Locke said: "Agent Morse, it's good to see you again."
As he spoke.
Locke looked at the old priest at the doorway. Was this the guy who was just next door, yelling that Carrie's power was dark power and needed to be controlled and judged?
Alright.
The Crusades have been extinct for how many years? Apparently, there are still embers remaining.
Only I can manage my people. As for others, try to come and manage them.
Locke raised an eyebrow inwardly.
But… Dolan?
That name sounds familiar?
Where have I heard it?
Locke thought to himself, but before he could search, Barbara had already shaken hands with George again.
"I apologize, George. Priest Dolan has some prejudice against witches. His attitude does not represent ours."
Barbara said this, and although she was speaking to George, these words were undoubtedly meant for Patty, who was sitting with Gwen: "Homeland Security also has its witch allies. As long as they don't violate the law and national security, we will not have any different views."
George's expression was indifferent, he hummed, and watched Barbara leave with that Priest Dolan, who, though old, seemed very arrogant.
"George." Locke looked at Barbara and Priest Dolan's retreating figures: "Where did this priest come from?"
George shook his head and closed the door: "From the Dolan Church."
Locke said "Oh."
I'll go check it out another day.
You say my subordinate is dark? I'm afraid you haven't seen what true darkness is yet.
George returned to his seat, glanced at Gwen and Patty talking, then looked at Locke: "Going to the shooting range tomorrow? Are you free?"
Locke came back to his senses and waved his hand: "Sorry."
George looked at Locke.
Gwen, who was diligently taking notes from Patty's dictation, looked up at George: "Dad, Locke has an appointment with Mr. Chester tomorrow to go out of town to purchase ingredients."
George looked at Locke: "Purchasing ingredients?"
Locke spread his hands: "I can't help it, Chester is my teacher."
Mainly, he had to attend the Earl King family's auction.
After all, his Book of Voodoo was going to be auctioned off tomorrow night, and this auction was the last event before the autumn semester started.
After the Book of Voodoo is auctioned off and he receives the payment, he can peacefully continue his studies.
Actually, it wasn't impossible to do both at once.
But doing two things at once is good for emergencies, but if he does it too much, Locke always feels like he's showing signs of schizophrenia.
Just right.
Chester indeed needed to go back to Texas, so he simply let Chester handle the ingredient procurement, giving him time to attend the auction at the Earl King family.
And… the Assassin's Guild also seems interested in this King family auction…
Two Hundred Forty-Six. Umbrella Pharmaceutical Company
Chester was a gruff, big-bearded Texan with a heart of gold.
How to put it.
If someone from China came to Texas, their car broke down, and they encountered Chester, Chesterwould curse at them, 'Chinese, go back to your own country,' while simultaneously rummaging through his pickup truck for tools to help fix their car.
Chester was going back this time to find a Witch teacher for Carrie.
After all... Locke only provided energy; all he could do was conjure a dark orb, winning by sheer quantity. He was utterly clueless about technique. The only thing he found was a voodoo compendium, and that was full of all sorts of disgusting spells.
So, since he already regarded Carrie as his own illegitimate daughter, Chester was planning to take this seriously.
Locke was also quite surprised when he heard Chester say this.
After all, Locke knew there had been a bit of a problem in the relationship between Chester and Agatha Harkness; they had already broken up. Yet now, Chester was willing to go to his ex-girlfriend Agathafor Carrie's sake.
This.
Frankly speaking, Locke was a bit jealous.
Back in the day, after hearing about Chester and Agatha's relationship, he had tried hinting and scheming, hoping Chester would go reconcile with Agatha so he could follow her and learn witchcraft.
But Chester refused without hesitation, lecturing him on what it meant to be a proud Texan man.
Now?
Chester's image as a proud Texan man had completely crumbled.
Locke had wanted to mock him a little, but he suddenly realized: Carrie was borrowing his power. If Carrie learned witchcraft from Agatha, he, as the power provider, would naturally learn it too.
He wouldn't even need to study; as soon as Carrie learned something, he would immediately know it.
So, Locke stopped being jealous.
Instead, the next day, he saw Chester off with a smile as he drove out of New York City. Then, putting on his sunglasses, Locke directly assumed his Peerless Assassin appearance and went to the former Textile Factory, now the Assassin Alliance's headquarters and pharmaceutical plant.
Rosa was still dressed as a medieval female assassin.
Seeing Locke arrive, she glanced up at him, then nodded to an assassin beside her. After that assassin left the Room, she looked at Locke: 'bourbon?'
Locke sat on the sofa and nodded. 'Opening soon, right?'
Since the Assassin Alliance decided to move to New York last year, aside from agreeing to join, Locke hadn't inquired much about other matters. After all, Magneto had run off to Sokovia, and it seemed Rosa was still Magneto's lover. Locke wasn't interested in getting too involved.
However, not inquiring much didn't mean he knew nothing.
He had heard about the Assassin Alliance's pharmaceutical company's first product: a Restorative Fluidmade with the repair liquid material from the original Textile Factory as its core component.
Rosa opened a nearby safe, took out an exquisitely crafted small bottle from inside, and handed it to Locke. 'This is the finished product.'
Locke took it.
He raised an eyebrow.
The small bottle looked very much like a glass vial for injections. Though it appeared small, Locke recognized the name and logo on it.
An umbrella shape in red and white.
Below it, a line of text.
Umbrella Pharmaceutical Company.
Goodfellas.
Locke looked up at Rosa. 'This name...'
Rosa smiled. 'It's a good name, right? I had several phone calls with Lynch. And this name was actually thought up by Lynch's daughter. Naming the company also served as a lubricant for Lynch to mend his relationship with his daughter and son.'
Otherwise, Lynch probably wouldn't have been able to win his daughter back even by next year.
Locke's mouth twitched. 'No, it's a very good name.'
Not every umbrella is *that* Umbrella.
At the very least... this Umbrella Pharmaceutical Company didn't have a Red Queen.
Hmm.
Not a big problem.
Besides, even if there were a problem, it wouldn't matter. Zombies or something... killing one in the Main God's Space could earn Points. If Zombies showed up, wouldn't that just be another way to farm Points?
Locke thought this to himself, then pocketed the Restorative Fluid in his hand. He looked at Rosa and got to the main point: 'How did you get involved with the Jin Family?'
Nick Reis came here back then, probably still for the voodoo compendium.
It was likely that Rosa had contact with the Jin Family, specifically with Tyler Jin, who had received that voodoo compendium from him. This left traces of the voodoo compendium's aura, which Nick Reisdetected. He probably intended to force Rosa to reveal the voodoo compendium's whereabouts while on the run.
Poor Nick Reis.
Rosa was an assassin who had awakened ancestral memories. Even if he had sold his soul to hell, Locke didn't think Nick Reis would gain any advantage facing Rosa.
However.
Locke couldn't figure out what the Assassin Alliance needed from the Jin Family.
'The whereabouts of the golden apple.'
'Huh?'
'You know Earl Jin's auction habits, right?'
'I just consigned the item over there.'
'Alright.'
Earl Jin never looked for an item first and then looked for customers. He did the opposite: first, he found two customers who shared a demand for a certain type of item, then he went looking for that item. After obtaining it, he would then inform those two people, 'The thing you want is in my hands. If you want it, come bid.'
Rosa chuckled and said, 'Our purpose in coming to New York was to find the lost golden apple. Coincidentally, the Jin Family said they had a lead. So, I need to go get that lead.'
Locke raised an eyebrow. 'Get?'
Rosa spread her hands. 'We don't have much money.'
Even if they had money, it was all invested into the legitimate operational work—for instance, supporting the above-board Umbrella Pharmaceutical Company.
Shell companies are easy to set up, but also easy to investigate.
Besides, who would set up a shell company in New York City? That would be like handing yourself over to the I on a silver platter. And since they were settling in New York City anyway, and they happened to have the technology, they might as well do it properly.
Locke had also invested money in the pharmaceutical company.
Not much.
Just three million.
Locke nodded, checked his wristwatch, and looked at Rosa. 'Then let's wait for my item to sell first before discussing anything else.'
Rosa smiled. 'I know.'
Locke said nothing more, sipping the wine in his glass.
How Rosa planned to 'get' that golden apple information was none of his concern. He wasn't interested in the golden apple; he already had a duplicate golden apple.
The only thing that interested him was Points.
If the Jin Family refused to give Rosa the information, Locke might even help her. After all, he and Rosawere on the same side, while he and Tyler Jin were merely business partners.
Of course.
Before the transaction was complete and the goods delivered, Locke preferred to avoid conflict.
After a while.
After finishing her tasks, Rosa looked at Locke, who was already on his third glass of wine, and said, 'I thought you only drank thunder bourbon, just like your friend.'
Locke laughed. 'He's not my friend. It's just that everyone thinks he is. And while I enjoy drinking hundred-thousand-dollar thunder bourbon, I have no problem drinking ten-dollar bourbon either.'
As long as it's bourbon, it's basically just a difference in taste.
Soon.
The vehicle left the pharmaceutical company and headed, at a steady speed, towards the estate in New Jersey where this auction was being held.
The Jin Family had many estates all over the World. The auction location changed every time. Even the customers only learned the address of the auction the day before it began.
'By the way,'
Locke asked curiously, 'Do we know who we're competing with for the golden apple information?'
Rosa shook her head. 'Probably remnants of the Templars. That time, although Lynch and I eliminated most of the Templars in London, a small portion weren't present.'
Locke nodded.
As long as it wasn't HYDRA.
As he said before, ever since that major troublemaker Nick Fury was sent to meet Mephisto, both HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. had quieted down, each playing their own games behind closed doors.
They left him in peace, and life was calm.
This state was good. As long as it didn't interfere with him farming missions, he couldn't be bothered to play some Overpowered Protagonist Mode.
In fact.
Locke strongly suspected it wasn't S.H.I.E.L.D. or HYDRA that was interested in the golden apple, but Nick Fury himself.
Ever since that troublemaker Nick Fury left, according to Rosa, it seemed the mysterious organization that had been tailing them, wanting the golden apple in their possession, had completely vanished without a trace.
Moreover, Locke also felt that HYDRA probably already had a golden apple and wouldn't be interested in another one.
Although it was said that the Führer's golden apple was destroyed by the Tesseract.
But... that was just one side of the story.
Considering S.H.I.E.L.D.'s black technology and such, Locke always felt that the Führer's golden applehadn't been destroyed. In fact, HYDRA had always known where that golden apple was. Also, considering the global-scale war the Führer started, Locke felt HYDRA also knew the conditions for using the golden apple.
And now that HYDRA had the Tesseract, they probably weren't very interested in the golden appleanymore.
What?
The Tesseract belonged to Nick Fury?
Don't be ridiculous.
After the Tesseract was excavated by the scientific expedition team back in the day, it belonged to S.H.I.E.L.D. It was then handed over to the Dr. of Project Pegasus for use. Later, the Tesseract ended up in the Ginger Cat's belly. Calculating the time, around this point, the Ginger Cat should have already coughed up the Tesseract.
After all, when Locke sent that troublemaker to report to hell, there was no Ginger Cat by his side.
Nick Fury organized a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents to secretly research the Tesseract?
Ha.
That Hydra? Expecting Nick Fury to pull off tricks right under Hydra's nose? Who are they trying to mock? Mocking Nick Fury for having exceptional intelligence, or mocking Hydra for having reduced intelligence?