Time went by as Miles was still staring at the jump drive that Cordelia just recently surrendered as evidence. It really took little to no effort to gain Cordelia’s trust and cooperation. Many people poke fun at the fact that Alastair was always a pushover at the Oleander Syndicate.

But as a forensic psychologist, Miles knew better than that. It felt well-rehearsed and telegraphed. It was like Cordelia wanted this to happen.

Miles thought better of it and went on her laptop and accessed the USB jump drive. There was a password to unlock it, and there are no viruses or Trojan horses detected on the drive.

So far, so good, Miles thought.

Looking through the files, Miles ended up speed reading numerous PDF files of bank documents that involved payouts from other law enforcement agencies and political parties.

She was also observing many photos that were taken apparently years ago; some of them were taken with political figures thought the world.

Miles did this while hearing various audio files of Adrian Eichner speaking with many men, including the Daemon Archduke Endspiel. Recorded phone calls of the former Grandmaster Dolph Eichner, making lucrative deals with Xerxes Valentina.

But that wasn’t the damming piece of evidence: Adrian conspiring to frame Alastair for raping one of his students with a younger Natalia Silvestri as if she was being coached or hypnotized. Every document that she had opened had terrified her.

In one fell swoop by the weakest link, Dolph’s agreement with Interpol was now shot to hell. With this evidence, Dolph and many others would now face criminal charges.

Miles wasn’t even half done with the files, and it was almost an hour and a half that flew by like seconds. She feared to look at her watch and came to realize before trainees were still in the conference room waiting for her. Reading over these documents would have to wait…

Closing her laptop and taking the jump drive with her, she sprinted out of the room while putting it in her pocket.

Meanwhile, the Nether Elite was getting restless. Especially Natalia as she was staring blankly at her phone. She had a desperate look on her face as she counted every minute that she was in the room.

Ayeka had seen this behavior and tried to strike up a conversation, “anywhere you need to be?” She jovially asked.

Natalia scurrying to turn her cell phone off and covering it as she faced Ayeka, “not exactly…”

Spinning around in slouching in her chair, Ryoko lets out a deep sigh, “this is some bullshit!”

“Relax, it’s pretty obvious she has a lot of work to do. Let us be grateful she has--” Kayla was about to finish defending Miles on stepping out of the room, but their new superior frantically entered the room. “Miss Renfield!” Kayla greeted.

Surveying the room, Miles tried her best to play it off, “being an Interpol agent is a tough job. Always on the move.” Closing the door, Miles retook her seat as she addresses the team. “Now, where was I?”

“About the Apex Predators, Miss Renfield,” Kayla reminded.

“Oh, yes! After their defection back in the late nineties, The Apex Predators have been an independent black operations group that has been working with the United Nations, and they still do from time to time. Yet, Interpol feels that they needed somebody or something in-house themselves. Someone who is well experienced in such a field dealing with nether-based offenses. You four ladies, however, will not just make up the entire team. There will be more from all walks of life, all over the world who would want to not only gain more perspective but to truly make a difference…” Miles concluded.

Ayeka raises her hand as she spoke: “Since we were trainees, what kind of training we will be doing?”

“Yes, good question, Miss Junichi,” Miles said. “By the looks of your combat records for all of you, we have concluded that you don’t really need that much training, to begin with. But everyone needs to train to get better. Your training will be to become law enforcement officers, not assassins. You want you to uphold the law wherever there is an injustice, not take the law into your own hands. I want you four to truly put the past behind you but not entirely forget where you all have come from. The last thing we want you to do is to repeat such history and sit yourselves back even more,” Miles lectured. “Any other questions?”

Kayla raises her hand as she spoke, “Miss Renfield, I was hoping I can get started with the preliminary investigation of Bĕhēmōṯ Firas. We do believe that he is indeed connected with the Holy Mother--”

“I’m taking you off that said case. As a trainee, your studies are more important,” Miles dismissed.

Yet Kayla was taken aback and was combative but his decision, “but Miss Renfield, the superintendent--” Kayla felt a slight nudge on her shin. She knew Ayeka did it to keep her silent. But it didn’t work. “Miss Renfield, the superintendent, solely gave me this investigation, and I do believe I am ready--”

“And your studies a more important, trainee. I’m doing you a huge favor, so just take it.” Miles demanded. “Around here, it does happen. I’m just glad I’m willing to pull you off the case when you’re just getting started. Just focus on your studies, Anderson. And on yourself.”

Kayla was a bit vexed by the idea of are not handling such a case since she was the only one capable of handling investigations on her own. Knowing she will not win this argument, Kayla backed off as she sat back in her chair.

“I have received word that you’ll stay here for the time being and you’ll--”

“So that snake girl is on the case?” Kayla interrupted.

Kayla had a massive problem with always interrupting others, primarily when it was something essential not only to her but to everyone involved.

Yet, Miles made the best of it, “Forensic Specialist Senna Reese and yes. I do believe she and a few others are more well-equipped for the job. You, however, need to follow the fundamentals of what we do here at Interpol. To me, that is most important. And I have received word that you will be staying here for the time being and you will be doing such training exercises. Also, your full psych evaluation will be taken on a later date.” She explained. “Are there any questions before I end this meeting?”

No one said a word.

“Okay, then our meeting is officially over, and I suggest you enjoy the rest of your day…” Miles concluded as she leaves the room first.

Kayla sat there dumbfounded while the rest of the ladies decided to call it a day and enjoy their time in London. Ryoko saw this and became worried about Kayla’s despondent nature.

“Look at the bright side, one less thing for you to do, you know?” Ryoko encourages while she leaves the room.

Kayla wondered about what was indeed at work behind the scenes. Miles was gone for almost two hours and just immediately ended the meeting. It was pretty obvious it had everything to do with the two investigations she was recently in charge of and was recently taken off of within 24 hours.

Kayla wasn’t having any of it.

She knew in her heart someone got into Miles’ head, and they pressured her to back off on the investigations. Yet, Kayla is beating herself up even more that she didn’t use her telepathy and read Miles’ mind when she got the chance.

Come hell or high water, she will find out about what is honestly going on. Not only in Interpol but with the man of the hour: of Bĕhēmōṯ Firas.