M stood still in the observation room, watching the door close behind Hana as she was escorted out of the interrogation chamber. His face was as unreadable as ever, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes. He turned to Agent Evans, who had been silently observing Hana’s interview from behind the one-way glass.
Evans crossed his arms, his voice low. “What’s your take on her, M?”
M sighed, his hand briefly rubbing his temple. “Her story is plausible, but there’s too much left unsaid. The way she spoke about losing control, it felt genuine, but we can’t rely on her version alone. The Soul Ledger complicates everything—motivations, intentions. It blurs the line between justice and manipulation.”
Evans nodded thoughtfully. “So, what’s next?”
Without missing a beat, M picked up the phone that connected to the main hall of the FBI building and pressed a button. “Send in Agent Roberts.”
Moments later, a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark suit entered the observation room. Agent Roberts’ presence exuded professionalism and precision. His calm demeanor suggested he was no stranger to sensitive operations.
“You called for me, M?” Roberts asked, standing at attention.
M nodded, his tone steady but firm. “I need you to escort Ms. Kim out of the building. Make sure she’s calm and cooperative—no sudden movements. While you’re doing that, ensure she doesn’t sense anything suspicious. Understood?”
Roberts nodded, his expression serious. “Understood. Is that all?”
M’s eyes narrowed slightly, his mind already focused on the next step. “No. After you walk her out, I want you and your team to discreetly prepare her apartment for surveillance. I need cameras—everywhere. Bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room. Every inch of her apartment must be covered. We can’t afford to miss a single move she makes.”
Evans raised an eyebrow at M. “You think she’ll slip up?”
M turned to Evans, his voice quiet but calculated. “If she’s telling the truth, she’s still at risk of falling under the influence of the Soul Ledger again. If she’s lying, then she’s already more dangerous than we can imagine. Either way, we need to monitor her every move. We can’t let her slip through our fingers.”
Roberts remained stoic but nodded. “How soon do you want the cameras set up?”
M’s answer was immediate. “Tonight. We can’t give her time to erase any evidence. Use the covert equipment—nothing noticeable. I want full audio and visual surveillance in place before she even suspects we’re onto her.”
Roberts nodded again and glanced at Evans for confirmation, who simply nodded in return. With a brief look of acknowledgment, Roberts turned and left the room, heading down the hall to collect Hana.
M turned his attention back to the room, his expression unreadable. Evans leaned against the wall, watching M closely. “You think she’s hiding something?”
M gave a slight shrug, his eyes locked on the door. “I think she’s in deeper than even she knows. Whether that’s intentional or not, it’s dangerous.”
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Evans crossed his arms, considering M’s words. “If she’s telling the truth, she’s caught in something bigger than herself. But if she’s playing us...”
“Then we’re not dealing with someone who can be underestimated,” M finished for him, his voice calm but sharp. “We have to anticipate every possibility.”
As they spoke, down the hall, Roberts approached Hana, who was waiting in the lobby with a mix of anxiety and quiet determination on her face. She stood as soon as Roberts appeared.
"Ms. Kim," Roberts greeted her with a soft but firm tone. "I’ll walk you out."
Hana’s eyes darted toward Roberts, gauging his expression, but she offered a faint nod and followed him. As they walked through the winding halls of the FBI headquarters, Roberts maintained a calm and neutral demeanor, his eyes forward, his steps purposeful.
"Thank you," Hana said quietly, breaking the silence between them. "For not treating me like a criminal."
Roberts glanced at her briefly, his voice remaining professional. "We’re only interested in the truth, Ms. Kim. If you cooperate, this will all be resolved."
Hana let out a soft breath, her steps slowing slightly. "It’s just... it’s all become so complicated. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen."
Roberts didn’t respond, maintaining his pace. His job was clear—escort her out, and make sure she didn’t feel any hint of the plan being set in motion. But inwardly, he could sense the conflict in her voice. Whether it was genuine or not, he wasn’t the one to judge. His part in this operation was about precision.
When they reached the exit, Roberts opened the door for Hana. "Stay safe, Ms. Kim. We’ll be in touch soon."
Hana offered a small nod, her expression still tight with worry as she stepped outside into the night. Roberts watched her walk down the steps and disappear into the street, her figure fading into the dark city.
He waited for a beat before pulling out his phone. "Team Bravo, get in position. Operation Silent Eyes is a go."
M stood back in the observation room, monitoring the setup of the surveillance. The screen lit up with images from Hana’s apartment as agents installed cameras in every conceivable corner. Each angle was carefully calibrated to cover every inch of her living space, ensuring that no movement or action would go unnoticed.
Evans watched the feed come to life, showing the inside of Hana’s apartment from multiple perspectives. “This is extensive,” he commented. “Do you really think she’ll lead us to the Soul Ledger?”
M’s expression remained calm but focused. “If she is still in control of it, or if she’s working with someone who is, then yes. She’ll slip up. The Ledger is too powerful, and the weight of her actions will start to crack through the surface.”
The screens in front of them flickered, showing Hana’s empty apartment, neatly organized and quiet. The agents moved with care, ensuring that the cameras were positioned in places where Hana would least expect them—behind bookshelves, above kitchen cabinets, in the vents.
Evans crossed his arms, his eyes scanning the footage. “You’re really not taking any chances.”
M leaned forward, his voice low. “We can’t afford to. One wrong move, and we lose our only real connection to the Soul Ledger. She’s the key to all of this.”
Evans nodded slowly. "And what if she’s not the one controlling it? What if we’re barking up the wrong tree?"
M’s eyes darkened. "Then we find out who is. But right now, all signs point to her—either as the wielder or someone who knows the wielder. We follow the trail, no matter where it leads."
The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes as the team continued their work. The surveillance was in place, and now it was a waiting game. M’s fingers tapped against the table rhythmically, his mind already working through the next phase of the operation.
Evans leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting from the screen to M. "You think she’s going to crack soon?"
M’s gaze didn’t waver from the screens. "She’s under more pressure than she realizes. Whether it’s the guilt, the fear, or something else... she’ll make a mistake. And when she does, we’ll be ready."
The cameras showed Hana’s apartment, waiting, just like the team. A calm before the storm. The clock continued ticking, but everyone in the room knew it was only a matter of time before the pieces began to fall into place.