Dear Jasmine,
Got the assassins off my back, everything is alright now. Hope you're doing alright.
HB
_.-
Harlan stayed still under the water, meditating. Gone were his anger, rage and thirst for revenge, and for a moment, serenity.
Harlan's body urged him to get up, get out of the water for oxygen, but Harlan fought it.
"No, just let me be." Harlan thought. "Let me just end it. End it all."
Harlan fought and fought till he couldn't. He opened his eyes and swam up.
Harlan came out from the water and gasped for air. He took deep breaths. He looked up at the bridge and saw the train, along with Robbie, were gone.
Harlan looked at his reflection on the water and saw his beaten bloody face. He looked at it and remembered the last time he looked like this, just a few days ago.
Before Harlan could remember more, he felt his left hand vibrate. He brought out his arm and saw his watch blinking green. Harlan looked around and saw a boat approaching, and he swam to it.
Harlan got on the boat and a woman in a suit handed him a blanket.
Harlan: Thanks. And you are...?
Whitney: Agent Whitney. I assume you're Harlan Brandle?
Harlan: You assume correctly.
Whitney: Great, boss wants to see you.
Harlan nods and watches the water pass by them. After fifteen minutes, they approach a tunnel. Whitney stops the boat by a wall and she gets off. She goes to a keypad and puts in the code "1123" and the door opens. Whitney leads Harlan inside the French T.H.E.P.A. HQ.
Harlan follows Whitney as she leads him past the busy agents in admin in their cubicles. The agents eye him, and Harlan pretended to not notice. In his head, he knew why.
Whitney led to him to a conference room and as the door opened, Harlan saw a familiar figure turn around to face him.
Harlan: Well well well... Director Forster, to what do I owe the pleasure?
Forster eyes Harlan sternly.
Director Forster: Sit down Agent Brandle.
Harlan: No thank you sir, I would rather-
Director Forster: SIT DOWN Agent Brandle. Trust me, you will need it.
Harlan grunts and rolls his eyes before aggressively taking a seat.
Harlan: There, happy?
Director Forster looks at Harlan with annoyance... but also something else.
Director Forster: Agent Harlan Oxford Brandle, as of this moment, you are relieved from duty-
Harlan: WHAT?!
Director Forster: -effective immediately. You will return to your post after a two months leave of absence.
Harlan: BULLSHIT!
Director Forster: NO THIS IS NOT AGENT BRANDLE! I have noticed and watched you these past days. Ever since your time in Korea, ever since you came back from there, you haven't been yourself.
Harlan: OH BULLSHIT SIR! YOU DO NOT KNOW ME! I AM OKAY.
Director Forster: I'VE READ THE MISSION REPORTS HARLAN, YOU'RE LOSING IT. YOU'RE KILLING EVERYONE, YOU'RE LEAVING MORE DESTRUCTION THAN THE PEOPLE YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO CATCH. YOU'VE LEFT SO MUCH DAMAGE THAT THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE NOT IN AN ORANGE JUMPSUIT AND A SMALL CELL IS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE POWER TO BAIL YOU OUT. But we can't do that forever Brandle, we can't. We can only do so much.
Director Forster looks at Harlan concerned. Harlan takes a few breathes.
Harlan: I'm fine sir, I really am. I really am sir.
Director Forster: And if you're not?
Harlan looks at Director Forster.
Harlan: Well, that's a gamble you will have to take sir... if you trust me.
Harlan looks at Forster, years of history between them. Forster tries to keep his face unreadable, but Harlan can make out concern on his face.
Director Forster: Very well. We won't suspend you. But as said, you are a big controversial topic internationally. You need to stay off the radar for some time.
Harlan: Understood sir. When can I return to the field?
Director Forster: Wrong question Agent Brandle. Not when... Where.
Director Forster tossed a portfolio on the table. Harlan opens the portfolio as Director Forster gives information on his new mission.
Director Forster: Name is Vincent Henry Marcos, Filipino millionaire. Our people have intercepted some of his deals, and we got some suspicious ones which could be traced to many dirty people including...
Harlan looks at a photograph. His grip tightens and part of the photo crumples.
Director Forster: We just want you to go in and check up on him. See if there is anything suspicious and if he has any dirty dealings. And please Agent Brandle, keep the body count as minimal as possible.
Harlan puts the files back in the portfolio.
Director Forster: I will be asking another agent to watch over you on this case. Consider it a precaution.
Harlan stands up.
Director Forster: A jet to Manila is ready. I expect daily reports from you Agent Brandle.
Harlan reaches for the door knob when Director Forster asks him one last question.
Director Forster: Tell me Agent Brandle... are you really okay?
Harlan freezes as he holds on the doorknob. His right hand in his pocket, holding something.
Harlan turns around to face Forster.
Harlan: I don't know sir... I honestly don't.
Director Forster: Well then, we will have to trust each other then.
Forster nods at Harlan and with a wave, dismisses him. Harlan walks out of the room as Director Forster sits down on a chair, deep in his thoughts.