The medical school''s data wasn''t swiped by Nick, so it seems the real culprit is just trying to stir the pot. Thinking they could pull a fast one ande out on top was downright reckless.


    Mirabe was tapping away at her keyboard, quickly breaking into the medical school''s system to dig up the surveince footage from that night. James watched her, his eyebrow slightly raised, and then said, "Don''t sweat the security agency; I''ll have someone keeping an eye on things."


    "Alright," Mirabe replied, not bothering with formalities. She knew the agency folks were pretty wary of James. With his people on the case, Adler would catch a


    break.


    James nodded, seeing she was deep in herputer work, and chose not to interrupt. Ten minutester, Mirabe shut herptop, thought for a bit, and then sent As a few messages on Messenger, giving him some tasks.


    *


    After dinner, around seven, As showed up. James was still hanging out in the hospital room. As greeted him with a nod and stood aside, ncing at Mirabe without saying a word.


    James shot them a sideways look, stood up from the couch, and said, “You guys chat."


    Mirabe leaned back casually, nodding before saying, "Make sure you get some rest, alright?"


    James''s eyebrows went up. Was she up to something behind his back again? Seeing she wasn''t going to spill any more beans, he shook his head, "Alright, keep safe."


    Mirabe''s eyes darted away, "What could possibly happen in a hospital?" she retorted with a hint of defiance. James''s smile was enigmatic.


    Mirabe cleared her throat. Soon, it was just Mirabe and As left in the room.


    As finally spoke up, "The security agency folks hit up Mr. Nick''s other ce this afternoon and are still camped out there."


    Mirabe crossed her legs, tapping her finger absentmindedly, "Hmm, let''s not worry about that. What did we find out from the med school?"


    "It''s that guy Ben causing trouble. He might''ve found out about Mr. Nick''s injury, so he leaked info to the agency," As exined.


    Mirabe nodded, her gaze steady as she pondered, then asked, "Where is he now?"


    "He''s been holed up at the research institute and hasn''t left," As said.


    "Keep tabs on him," Mirabe replied coolly.


    As nodded, "Got it." He hesitated, gesturing to the next room, "Should we loop Mr. Nick in on this?"


    Mirabe waved her hand, "Let''s wait until it''s all wrapped up."


    "Okay, I''ll head down. I''ll let you know when Ben makes a move."


    "Alright."


    Once As left, Mirabe held her phone but didn''t touch it, just leaning back with azy, unreadable expression.


    *


    Later that night, around ten, Ben left theb, saying goodbye to Manuel and the others before taking the elevator down to the parking garage. The garage was quiet, with only a few cars dotted around.


    Rubbing his temples with one hand and fishing out his car keys with the other, Ben''s exhaustion was written all over his face. He sat in his car, eyes closed for a moment, then shook his head to clear it and started the engine.


    Soon, he was driving out of the institute. The night was deep, and the streets were mostly empty. Ben nced out the car window, then hit the autopilot button.