Time: Undetermined. Location: The Agency, south headquarters.
The remains, wrapped in opaque plastic, were deposited on a fireproof metal gurney, then placed in the cremation chamber. Between the crossed arms of the deceased Agent V, lies the silver briefcase containing the lethal virus strain, a briefcase that The Agency avoided opening after detecting a virus release mechanism attached to the lock.
Old Diamond stares straight-mouthed at the image through the circular window of the furnace door. To the right of the engineer stands a tall, slender man with a distant attitude, reaching toward a nearby wall panel and spinning a wheel. Then nine flame-throwing holes in the ceiling of the crematorium chamber fill the furnace with fire and pulverize the remains of the hitman, starting with the plastic, then the hard tissues, the soft matter, and finally the bones.
