Dr. Fletcher returned from the kitchen with a large glass of ice-cold berry juice. She sat beside Marcus and handed it to him.
He accepted the juice with both hands and began to drink it. The juice was smooth going down his throat, quenching a thirst he didn't know he had.
Dr. Fletcher watched him curiously, leaning back as she crossed her legs. She waited until he was done, before speaking.
"Now, I suppose we should get down to business." Dr. Fletcher began.
Marcus looked over at her. It was strange how close she was, yet for reasons he wasn't uncomfortable with it. "Sure." He replied, "I'm all ears."
"I'd like to discuss the Kiba mercenaries with you, I assume you're interested in investing in them right?" She asked.
Marcus nodded, rubbing his thumb across the cold glass cup. "Yeah, I've been looking into their group, I haven't gotten far though, my tail ends at the Mayflower."
"The Mayflower?"
"Mhmm." Marcus then turned his attention towards the marble floor. "I don't know if you know this, but back when those guys stole that generator, I was sent along with Officer Volkov and Sang-hee to investigate it…." Marcus went on to give a summary of what happened, and how he received the black card.
"….anyway, fast forward to New York, it was there that Luna and I discovered that the card held a message, find the mayflower," Marcus said as he reached into his pocket, retrieving that same black card. He began to bend the corners of the card the same way Luna had, and the message reappeared.
Marcus then handed the card over to Dr. Fletcher.
She accepted the card and began to study it closely.
"Luna believes they it's a code name for a contact, but as for who, we don't know."
Dr. Fletcher nodded as she flipped the card in her hand. "That's funny." She said softly. "I've come across that same name, unfortunately, it was back in England."
Marcus sighed. "Not looking forward to another plane ride." He answered.
Dr. Fletcher chuckled, "Fortunately that won't be the case for now." She replied. "First I want you to enhance your investigation skills, and secondly I want to train you, your unique situation demands further development. More than what you learned from the organization."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Mhmm, but first, I'd like for you to get settled." Dr. Fletcher said as she rose from the couch, "There is plenty of room available for you to choose from, so take your time exploring."
Marcus nodded as he picked up his cup from the floor. "What about you?" He asked.
"I need to compile a file for you so that you can take over my investigation." She explained, "I'll be in my office if you need anything."
Dr. Fletcher then walked away with a purposeful stride, leaving Marcus and Luna to their own devices.
Marcus rose from the couch, cup in hand, and began making his way into the kitchen.
Entering into the kitchen Marcus was greeted with another large and spacious room. There were knobless, gray cabinets that lined the walls, along with a modern refrigerator and clean, spotless sink.
Beside the sink was a dishwasher.
Marcus looked down at his cup, then back at the sink and dishwasher.
"Shit…."
"What?" Luna asked curiously.
"I don't know if I should just leave the cup in the sink, or use the dishwasher." He explained.
"Oh…." Luna replied, her expression growing perplexed.
Marcus stood at the sink for a few seconds before sighing deeply. "I wouldn't be a bad guy if I just put it on the sink right?" He asked.
Luna smiled. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but if you want to make her happy I'd suggest raising it out before you put it in."
Marcus nodded, feeling reassured he turned on the faucet and began to wash the cup, purring out any remaining juice into the drain. He then cleaned and dried the cup before placing it upside down in the sink.
Luna watched the process with crossed arms. A faint smile played on her lips. "So are you ready for an adventure?" Luna asked.
Marcus chuckled as he wiped his hands on his shirt. "Let's get to it." He replied.
The duo soon began exploring Dr. Fletcher's massive abode. From wandering the long hallways filled with modern art, to the various rooms that were modestly furnished and decorated.
Room after room, each one the duo entered was like its own little sanctuary. After a while of searching, Marcus found the last room in the mansion.
The room was hidden away behind a pair of white, double doors with brass knobs. Marcus felt a little nervous as he stood at the door, almost as if he was about to discover something unfathomable.
Taking a deep breath, Marcus placed both his hands on the knobs and pushed them open.
On the other side of the door was a large room. On the far back wall was a large window that went from the floor to the ceiling, on either side were long, milky white curtains that shimmered.
On the right wall, was a large king-sized bed in the center, with a closet on the right side of the bed and beautiful, wooden storage shelves on the left. The shelves were filled with various books and strange art pieces that Marcus had never seen before.
On the left wall, was a large television that held two more of those same wooden shelves on either side, filled with similar items. Underneath the television was a long horizontal fireplace.
Luna's eyes widened at the sight of the books, darting over to examine them. Marcus cautiously followed behind her, looking around the room with a curious gaze. His footsteps are quiet underneath the carpeted floor.
Reaching Luna, Marcus watched as she pulled an old, ancient book. Its cover was made of bamboo, and its pages were old and wrinkled.
She cracked open the book and began flipping through its pages, revealing long lines of what looked to be Chinese characters. Marcus couldn't speak a lick of anything but Spanish and English, and he barely knew Spanish.
Luna, however, looked to be reading it perfectly fine.
"What's that about?" Marcus asked as he knelt beside her.
"It looks to be a record for treasury funds," Luna explained. "Money being spent on goods, soldiers, and even…." Luna's face twisted with slight disgust.
"Ew." She commented as she closed the book.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Ew?" He asked, "Ew what?"
"Let's just say fields were plowed, but no crops were grown," Luna replied as she slipped the book back in its place.
"Oh," Marcus said with a wry smirk. He then looked around the room once more, "Besides the freaky books, I like this room, let's pick this one."
Luna nodded, "I like it too, but uhm, I don't think this room is available." Luna replied.
Marcus frowned, "why not?"
"This is Dr. Fletcher's study." She answered.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Marcus said, crossing his arms as he examined the room. "I mean if we really beg she'll say yes right?"
Luna chuckled. "I won't stop you from trying, but I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be thrilled with us stealing her study."
Marcus sighed as he uncrossed his arms. "Alright, alright, let's pick somewhere else." He said as he stepped out of the study.
Closing the door behind themselves, Marcus and Luna went back through the rooms they'd already discovered.
The duo eventually chose a small, simple room that held a small twin-sized bed, closet, and television.
The room was windowless and was illuminated by a ceiling fan with a light.
"This good enough for you?" Marcus joked as he crashed onto the bed.
"As long as I'm with you anywhere is fine." Luna teased, climbing onto the bed with Marcus.
Marcus smirked. "You big softy." He joked as he burrowed his face into the bed.
As Marcus lay in bed, his mind wandered. From the Kiba mercenaries, to what his future would hold. He liked the idea of investigating further into kiba, yet he also wanted something more immediate at the moment, he wanted to fight something.
Just then his phone began ringing, vibrating in his pocket as a playful tone echoed through the room.
Marcus groaned as he sat up in bed, reaching into his pocket he pulled out his phone.
Kinsley was calling.
Marcus raised an eyebrow as he answered the phone, curious as to why she was calling him, instead of vice versa.
Placing the phone against his ear, he smiled faintly. "Hello?" He said softly.
"Marcus, what's going on?" Kinsley asked angrily, her tone full of frustration.
Marcus's expression grew perplexed. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you serious Marcus?" She asked in disbelief and irritation, "So you don't know about the viral video of you beating up two academy kids?"
A veil of dread washed over Marcus's face. "V-viral video?" He asked. Marcus knew he fought with a few academy guys, but he didn't expect Kinsley to see it, or for a viral video to come out of the situation.
"Oh… that."
"That's all you have to say?" Kinsley said, her voice a mixture of various emotions and feelings. "There's blood all over you, what happened to you?"
Marcus feigned a cough. "I uh, I think that's fake, that whole video is fake." He lied.
"Fake?!" Kinsley said in anger, "There is a video from one of the boys in a hospital for a broken jaw!" She exclaimed, "The other three boys all posted videos as well, there's even a fundraiser!"
"For real?" Marcus asked in slight disbelief, yet his curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, for real!" She said mockingly, "You better hope they don't press charges, Marcus."
"They shouldn't, they stopped me, they wouldn't let me leave, and it was a four v one." Marcus explained, "Not to mention that I only punched the guy holding me, and the one in front of me, I used no unnecessary force."
"You broke his jaw!" Kinsley shouted, "Where are you, Marcus?" She asked, "Please don't say jail."
"No, I'm in Miami," Marcus answered.
Kinsely breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god." She said softly, "But, that video took place in New York, so did you have to move or something?"
"Yeah," Marcus answered. "I got transferred to the Miami branch…. Of the company." Marcus lied.
Kinsley took another deep breath. "Ok." She said softly, "Are you ok?" She asked.
"Fit as a fiddle." Marcus replied, "You?"
"I'm fine Marcus, just throw for a loop when I say the video." She replied. "Anyway, have you found out when you'll be back in Manchester?" She asked.
"No, not exactly." Marcus answered, "But I'll probably be visiting soon, at least England in general." Marcus explained.
"When?" Kinsley asked, a hint of reserved hope in her voice.
"Maybe a week or two, it depends on how long my boss trains me," Marcus answered.
There was a soft chuckle on the other line, it sounded as if Kinsley was satisfied with that answer. "Good, let me know the day." She replied, "And please, stay out of trouble."
"Of course," Marcus answered.
"Marcus."
"Yes?"
"Don't lie to me anymore, ok?"
Marcus paused for a moment, he then nodded. "Ok." He answered.
"I mean it, Marcus." Kinsley said sternly, "We may be talking for now, but I…. I'd like for that to become more, you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Say it like you mean it."
"I do mean it," Marcus replied defensively.
"Good." Kinsley responded, "Take care, Marcus."
"You too Kinsley, I'll see you soon." He replied.
Kinsley then sighed, and the phone hung up.
"What was that about?" Luna asked curiously.
"Remember that little scuffle back in New York?" Marcus asked as he laid back in his bed.
"Ahh, Kinsley found out?"
"Yep, someone recorded a video and it went viral."
Luna chuckled, shaking her head as climbed down from the bed. "You certainly know how to leave an impression." She teased.
"Where are you going?" Marcus asked.
"To explore the mansion some more." She answered.