His superior's felt headache and response, he delivered his words with a brusque finality, and crushed any hopes of unraveling the mystery. "Orders from above, Tom. We follow them. No questions asked."
The unspoken tension in the room lingered, leaving Tom with a sense of unease. However, he knew better than to press further against the wall of official discretion. "Understood, sir. I'll get to work immediately."
Despite the curt dismissal, Tom's mind churned with thoughts "Why the black market, and why now?" His mind, a labyrinth of deductive prowess, sought answers beyond the official narrative. The clandestine nature of the mission, coupled with the unspoken tension, fueled his determination to uncover the truth. As he exited the office, the weight of the assignment bore down on him, and a flicker of apprehension danced in his eyes.
