Westwell District, United States of America. February 22, 2127 AD
FLASH!
FLASH!
"Isn't that CFI?"
"CDCC and military are coming!"
The sound of journalists' camera shots accompanied the arrival of ambulances, military cars, the Communal Disease Control Center (CDCC), and the Crime and Forensic Institute (CFI) to the dense-populated Westwell settlement. Police lines were installed on discrete sides, preventing unauthorized persons from disrupting the crime scenes.
The fully armed soldiers who had just arrived quickly formed barricades. They blocked all media access from getting a dramatic pictorial of dozens of corpses strewn along residential roads.
The bodies were natives of the Westwell district. They died mysteriously overnight and quickly drew a commotion in the national and international media. A mysterious event amid America's economic and political crisis has occurred.
"There was no trace of violence around them. The physical appearance of the corpse is similar. So do the possible cause of death. We will send the bodies for autopsy. The results will be out tomorrow."
Irene, the field forensic analyst in charge of body examination, reported her findings to Noah, the FBI special agent who led the investigation.
"What is the most plausible possible cause at the moment? Is it because of poisoning?"
"We can't confirm anything as the pathological analysis has not yet been conducted. If these people died from poisoning, the traces are not there."
"But could you confirm that the cause of death was a fault in their body after something was intentionally inserted? Maybe like drugs or food?"
Irene seemed to be more careful. "Since this was abnormal, I can confirm that."
Noah nodded. Finally, he got a bit of a clue. "Please continue, and let us know the results immediately."
"All right, Captain."
Irene returned to her place, and soon another FBI special agent came. He was Alwyn.
"Captain! No solid evidence was found in the residences of the victims. How did the forensic analysis go?"
"There is no empirical certainty yet, but we have been able to trace who is responsible for the food and medical needs of this population for years."
"Did you mean… VPM Social Responsibility Foundation?"
"Yes. That company must know the medical history and possible cause of death. At least by retrospective analysis."
Alwyn thought for a moment, then agreed to one of the less-founded suspect theories Noah said. "Then what should we do?"
"Call Nancy Young, tell her that her job at VPM has been completed, and it's time to come back."
"Why you wanted to take her back? We need to espionage VPM for this case."
"It would be too much danger. George Atkinson will probably suspect everyone around him after his company is dragged in this case. Just do what I said."
"Yes, sir."
***
"Dear Viewers, the cause of the mass death in the Westwell remains a mystery. However, many pathologists and epidemiologists argue that the most likely cause is a deadly infectious disease that has never been discovered."
"The disease is still being investigated by the CDCC and CFI."
"Ministry of Health and FBI spokesperson stated that the allegation was on the agenda and is currently being investigated."
The news that had been circulating sounded once again in the main lobby, making someone bored and leave.
Nancy Young or Samantha Jade already knows all the details of the news from Noah, her boss at the FBI. Today she also received orders to return to her station, leaving her undercover job as secretary of George Atkinson, CEO of Vertex Pharma and Medical (VPM).
Nancy had just learned that she was assigned to espionage George as the man had long been suspected of a crime through his corporate Social Responsibility Foundation.
Who would have thought that the FBI and CIA starting to find loopholes to suspect that the angelic conglomerate foundation was an elite criminal?
Now, here Nancy is, holding her resignation letter in front of George's door. She gripped it tightly before opening the doorknob. George was at his desk, watching something from his laptop seriously.
"George?"
"Oh? What happened?" George's response coldly. His eyes are not leaving the laptop screen.
"I would like to resign as VPM secretary and HR Manager today. You can check the letter out first." Nancy placed the white envelope on the table.
George didn't seem to be responding until Nancy decided to leave the room. Nancy understood that George's silence was a sign that he was angry, thinking, or upset. But the man called out to Nancy a few minutes after.
"Did I do you wrong, Samantha?" he asked. George got up from his chair and slowly walked towards Nancy, who now had to prepare many alibis. She lowkey knew George's reaction would be like this.
George kept getting closer until Nancy was stuck behind the door. The man looked at Nancy with his intense cold blue eyes. "Tell me, did I make you mad?"
"No. You didn't make a mistake."
"Then why did you suddenly resign? I thought you always enjoyed being around me?" George touched Nancy's cheek. His warm touch made Nancy want to feel him more, maybe even forever. Yes, she loved George, but George just knew it.
"I… have to go overseas. I can no longer live here. I hope you understand."
"No. I don't understand. I know that's not your excuse." George crossed his arms. "You're a beware person, but you made that resignation letter a few hours ago. Does it make sense?"
"Why do you want to leave me so quickly without consideration?"
"I …"
"Just stop working if you feel tired, but I won't let you go. Let's just say you terminated yourself illegally." George gave his conclusion.
"Why won't you sign it?"
George sighed. "Firstly, I don't want to be lonely since you're not around. Second, if people find out you're gone, I won't be able to call you as I please anymore. Lastly, because you like me, and I know it."
"You know how I feel, but you don't do anything. You neither reject nor accept me. You always confuse me. Isn't that too much?"
George smiled lopsidedly, then touched the nape of her neck. "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie. I never responded to you, but I know you want something from me."
Nancy smirked and swatted George's hand from her neck, but the man did the opposite. He kissed Nancy suddenly, playing with her lips so harshly that Nancy could do nothing but follow the man's game.
George stopped when they were almost out of breath. "Is this enough to answer and make you stay by my side?"
Nancy was silent, just staring at George ambiguously. George smiled and whispered sensually. "Once you decide to enter my world, you are not allowed to leave in any way, Samantha."