The old docks were a graveyard, a place where the city's discarded secrets came to die. Mercer stood at the edge of the water, the waves licking at his feet like a hungry beast. He was alone, just as the message had instructed.
But he wasn't unprepared.
He had spent the past hour going over the plan with Luntan and Anna, making sure they had covered every angle. Sophia was in place, ready to provide backup if needed. Mercer was confident, but he wasn't foolish.
As he waited, a figure emerged from the shadows, a tall, imposing man with eyes that seemed to bore into Mercer's soul.
"Alex Mercer," the man said, his voice low and even. "I've been expecting you."
Mercer's instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but he kept his cool. "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 Victor, Alex. I'm the one who left you the message."
Victor's eyes seemed to hold a glint of recognition, a spark of familiarity that Mercer couldn't quite place. "What do you want?" Mercer asked, his voice firm and even.
Victor's smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I want to make you a deal, Alex. I want to give you something, something that will change your life forever."
Mercer's mind was racing, his thoughts spinning with possibilities. What was Victor playing at? What did he want?
As he stood there, frozen in indecision, Victor handed him a folder, a thick, manila envelope that seemed to hold a weight of secrets.
"This is the blacklist, Alex," Victor said, his voice low and even. "This is the list of agents who have been marked for termination, including you."
Mercer's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What was this? What was he looking at?
As he opened the folder, a name caught his eye, a name that seemed to jump off the page.
Diane Kruger.
Mercer's world was spinning, his mind reeling with shock and disbelief. What was this? What was going on?
He looked up, his eyes locked onto Victor's. "What does this mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Victor's smile was a work of art, a masterpiece of calculation and deception. "It means that Diane Kruger is on the Agency's blacklist, Alex. It means she's been marked for termination."
Mercer's instincts screamed at him to get out, to run as fast as he could. But he knew he couldn't leave, not now.
He had to know more.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked, his voice firm and even.
Victor's eyes seemed to hold a glint of recognition, a spark of familiarity that Mercer couldn't quite place. "Because I want you to join us, Alex. I want you to work for Blackstone Security."
Mercer's mind was racing, his thoughts spinning with possibilities. What was he saying? What was he offering?
As he stood there, frozen in indecision, Mercer's phone buzzed in his pocket, the sound like a scream in the silence.
He pulled it out, his heart sinking as he saw the message on the screen: "Meet me at the usual place. We need to talk. - Diane"
Mercer's eyes locked onto Victor's, his mind racing with possibilities. What was going on? What was he walking into?
He knew he had to be careful, had to take the risk.
But he was ready.
The night air was heavy with the scent of rain, the streets slick with a sheen of water that seemed to amplify every sound. Mercer knew he was walking into the unknown, with no safety net and no backup.
But he was ready.
To be continued...
Will Mercer join Blackstone Security, and what secrets will he uncover about the Agency and Diane Kruger? Find out in Chapter 11: "Breach of Trust".