The city was a blur of lights and sounds as Mercer followed Anna through the winding streets of Shanghai. The clock tower's revelation still lingered in his mind, a ghostly presence that refused to be exorcised. Sister? He didn't know what to believe, what to think.
Anna's words were a gentle breeze on a summer's day, soothing and calming, but Mercer knew better. He was a man with a past, a past that was slowly unraveling like a thread pulled from a rich tapestry.
They stopped in front of a nondescript building, a facade that seemed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding architecture. Anna produced a key, her fingers moving with a practiced ease, and led him inside.
The interior was a surprise, a lush oasis in the heart of the city. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the soft hum of a pipa echoed through the air.
Anna led him to a room, a study of sorts, with shelves that seemed to stretch up to the heavens. A figure sat behind the desk, a man with eyes that seemed to bore into Mercer's soul.
"Welcome, Alex," the man said, his voice low and even. "I've been expecting you."
Mercer's instincts screamed at him to be cautious, to keep his guard up. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice firm and even.
The man's smile was a work of art, a masterpiece of calculation and deception. "My name is Luntan, Alex. I've been watching you for a long time."
Luntan's eyes seemed to hold a glint of recognition, a spark of familiarity that Mercer couldn't quite place. "What do you want from me?" Mercer asked, his voice firm and even.
Luntan's smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I want to help you, Alex. I want to help you uncover the truth about your past, about the Agency, and about Blackstone Security."
Mercer's mind was spinning, his thoughts racing with possibilities. What did Luntan want? What was the catch?
As he stood there, frozen in indecision, Anna's hand touched his arm, a gentle pressure that seemed to anchor him to the present.
"Trust him, Alex," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "He can help us."
Mercer's eyes locked onto Luntan's, his mind racing with possibilities. What was the risk? What was the reward?
He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Okay," he said, his voice firm and even. "I'll listen."
Luntan's smile was a work of art, a masterpiece of calculation and deception. "Excellent, Alex. I knew you were a man of vision."
As Luntan spoke, Mercer felt a strange sensation, a tingling in his fingers, and a creeping sense of unease. He knew he was walking into the unknown, with no safety net and no backup.
But he was ready.
The city was a blur of lights and sounds as Mercer followed Luntan and Anna through the winding streets of Shanghai. He was a man with a past, a past that was slowly unraveling like a thread pulled from a rich tapestry.
And he was ready to face it head-on.
To be continued...
Will Mercer uncover the truth about his past, and what secrets will Luntan reveal about the Agency and Blackstone Security? Find out in Chapter 8: "Beneath the Surface".