After reading the message, Mirabe got out of bed and headed over to herputer desk. She pulled open the right-hand drawer, which was crammed with all sorts of bottles and jars. Her fingers skimmed over them until she picked one and popped it into her backpack.


    Today was exam day in her department, so after a quick breakfast, Mirabe headed out. James''s car was already parked at the curb. She walked straight to it, opened the door, and slid inside.


    James rested his hand on the steering wheel, his eyes lingering on Mirabe''s hair for a moment before he finally said, "Morning."


    "Morning," Mirabe nodded, fastening her seatbelt. As she looked up, she caught him giving her a steady gaze.


    Mirabe: "..."


    "Your hair looks good," James remarked, raising an eyebrow.


    Mirabe shrugged, "Oh, it''s alright..."


    James chuckled, started the car, and soon they were cruising out of the neighborhood.


    "You mentioned you needed something delivered?" he asked.


    Mirabe nodded, then fished the bottle out of her bag and dropped it into the


    car''s console, pulling out her phone next, "I sent you the address on Messenger. Thanks."


    James gave her a side nce, "No need to thank me; we''re all friends here."


    Mirabe arched an eyebrow, fiddling with her phone, but stayed silent.


    Twenty minutester, they pulled up outside the school. As Mirabe walked through the gates, James''s gaze lingered before he checked the bottle in the console and opened Messenger.


    The address was downtown, not far from the school. Maybe a half-hour drive tops.


    Soon, James turned the car around and headed towards the destination.


    **


    The address led him to a tiny courier station, which didn''t seem to hold any packages. If not for the sign, James might have thought he was in the wrong ce.


    Taking in his surroundings, James entered the station. A guy sat at the counter, wearing a ck hat pulled low, hiding most of his face.


    Sensing someone entering, the guy looked up. His eyes narrowed briefly when he saw James, but he quickly stood and asked politely, "Hey, who are you here for?"


    James noticed the guy didn''t ask if he was sending something, but rather who he was looking for. After a pause, he rattled off the numbers Mirabe had sent him.


    The guy''s face lit up with recognition, and he said, "Just hand me the item. It''ll be delivered to Riverdale by 1 PM sharp."


    Curious, James gave the guy''s hat a once-over. Sure enough, there was a small embroidered pattern-subtle, but noticeable if you looked closely.


    James cocked an eyebrow in mild surprise but didn''t ask questions. He handed over the item from his pocket.


    The guy nodded, took the item, and stowed it away. In this line of work, the rule was to keep things quiet-no questions, no curiosity.


    James left the station, got back in his car, and sent Mirabe a quick text to let her know the delivery was done. As he hit send, he nced out the window, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.


    Mirabe had her share of secrets.


    James chuckled to himself, fired up the engine, and drove off.


    **


    At exactly 1 PM, Paul got his delivery. He tore into the package and eagerly opened the medicine bottle.