Chapter 55 – Old Echoes, New Signals
May 24, 2018 – 7:34 AM
Western Division – LAPD Briefing Room
Athena was adjusting the holster on her waist when the internal radio caught her attention. She walked down the hallway to the briefing room, where Mike was already waiting for her, sitting at the table, tablet in hand, staring intently at the contents of a federal email.
"A call from the FBI?" she asked, entering.
"Yes. BAU. Two agents from Quantico headquarters are coming to work a lead in LA. They want our tactical support and terrain expertise."
She picked up a folder on the table.
"Names?"
Mike hesitated for a moment. Then he smiled quietly.
"Emily Prentiss. And Jennifer Jareau."
Athena raised an eyebrow.
"You know them."
—"Emily, yes. Mission to Marseille, 2008. She was still assigned to the CIA, under diplomatic cover. Dirty business. Hostage rescue mixed with industrial counterintelligence."
Athena crossed her arms.
"You're like the Forrest Gump of the CIA. Always involved behind the scenes in everything."
Mike shrugged.
"Someone had to be there. And usually... it was me."
8:05 AM – LAPD, Conference Room – Reunion
Emily Prentiss entered first. Elegant, dark suit, hair tied back. Her eyes immediately met Mike's. She paused for half a second. Then she smiled.
"Mike Edwards. I thought you were buried in Langley or on an orbiting satellite."
Mike stood up, a small smile on his face.
"Emily. The last time I saw you, you were undercover as a cultural attaché. The gun hidden in the umbrella was a masterstroke."
She laughed. A short, professional, but sincere laugh.
"You still have an agent's memory. That puts me at ease."
Right behind her, JJ entered, blonde, with a firm posture and an appraising gaze. She greeted Athena with a respectful handshake.
"Sergeant Grant. Officer Edwards. Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."
Athena smiled.
"When the FBI calls with the BAU involved, we know it's a big deal."
Emily nodded.
"We have a pattern of cases linking disappearances in several cities in the Southwest. A solid lead indicated that the suspect a man around 35, with an organized personality, likely a military background—is in Los Angeles."
Mike picked up the tablet and began browsing through the files Emily had released.
"This type of signature... reminds me of a case I investigated with the Agency in Uzbekistan. Same pattern of movement and use of a deactivated urban perimeter."
Emily looked at him seriously.
"That's why I asked you. And because I know you don't need translation when the details get dirty."
JJ added:
"Our profile indicates someone with poorly processed combat trauma. Intelligent, with behavioral camouflage skills. Works with a highly controlled routine pattern—but emotionally unpredictable."
Athena took a deep breath.
"So we have someone invisible... until they decide they don't want to be anymore."
Emily nodded.
"And when they decide... it's too late for the victim."
9:52 AM – Field Investigation – Industrial District
Athena was driving. Mike was beside her. In the backseat, Emily and JJ were checking data on their tablets.
"He frequents abandoned construction sites. But always at night. There are FBI thermal records showing movement in areas considered off-limits. Here." JJ showed the map.
Mike noted the marked spot.
"This building... was a warehouse used by a private security company until 2015. I remember that. They closed operations in January of that year. The site was the subject of a legal dispute."
Athena turned the steering wheel toward East LA.
"And do you think he might be using this as a base?"
Emily spoke dryly:
"He doesn't live there. He prepares. Like he's staging a play before performing something. Psychologically, he needs control."
Mike closed his eyes for a moment. He sank into logic.
"He's not running away. He's waiting for the next victim to come to him. A pattern of attraction. Probably through social media, or under the guise of a job opening."
JJ added:
"Exactly. The last three missing people responded to similar ads on local freelance apps."
Athena bit her lip.
"This is Los Angeles. Thousands of people fall for this narrative every day."
Emily looked at Mike.
"Remember the case in Marseille? The girl who was lured by a receptionist position and ended up being part of a human auction?"
Mike replied dryly.
"I don't like to remember. But I do."
Emily:
"This is the same mind. Not the same perpetrator. But the same kind of predator. Who sees people as resources. Not as life."
1:44 PM – Inside the abandoned building
The four entered cautiously. Athena and Mike led the way, guns holstered. Emily and JJ followed closely behind.
The smell of dust, oil, and rust hung in the air. The place looked abandoned—but recent signs of use betrayed it.
Mike pointed to fresh footprints in the dust.
"Size 10. Combat boot. Vibram brand. These aren't civilian shoes."
Emily crouched down beside him.
"You're reading him like he's still in the CIA."
"That kind of man doesn't change. He just changes his acting."
JJ found an old cell phone, without a SIM card. He called the forensics team. Athena activated the radio, calling for tactical reinforcement to the perimeter.
Emily looked at Mike with a slight smile.
"You know what I always found strange about you?"
"Tell me."
"You had everything you needed to turn into a shadow. But you chose to return to the light. As a cop, as a partner... as a man."
Mike answered honestly:
"I saw where darkness leads. And I decided that light, however small, is worth more than total invisibility."
Chapter 56 – Farewells and Returns
May 26, 2018 – 7:43 AM
LAPD – Joint Operations Room
The conference table was empty except for a few closed files and still-warm coffee mugs. The operation had concluded the night before with the arrest of the suspect in Long Beach, following a coordinated approach between the LAPD and FBI. The most recent victim was found alive traumatized, but safe.
Emily Prentiss, impeccably dressed in a dark blazer, was gathering the last of the papers. JJ was on the phone with Quantico, finalizing the logistics of the support team.
Mike entered the room with firm steps, accompanied by Athena. Both were exhausted, but with the calm of those who had done their duty.
"So, how many hours of sleep did you get?" Mike asked, stopping beside Emily.
"Three. The best I've had in months," she replied, without looking up.
Athena crossed her arms.
"The city thanks you. This operation could have gone much worse."
JJ hung up the phone and walked over.
"Without your help, we would have lost precious days. And the victim… well, she wouldn't have met this end."
Mike nodded seriously.
"We don't do this for medals. We do it because we know the price of inaction."
Emily stared at him for a moment longer.
"You still carry the weight of the old world with grace. But here… you found something no disguise could give."
"The right to no longer lie about who I am."
She moved closer. She touched his shoulder briefly—a rare gesture, but loaded with meaning.
"Take good care of this, Mike. Don't lose sight of what you've built here."
"I won't. Not anymore."
JJ hugged Athena tightly.
"If you're in Quantico, let me know. I'll take you to the best burger in Virginia."
Athena laughed.
"Deal. But I'll bring chili. Yours is weak."
Emily smiled, squeezing Mike's hand one last time.
"It was an honor. And… thank you for not disappearing. Of all of us back then, you were the only one who decided to come back."
Mike replied quietly:
"And you were the only ones who didn't forget."
The agents left. The silence in the room remained for a few more moments.
Athena looked at him.
"Are you okay?"
"Now, yes. Because I know exactly where I'm going."
6:05 PM – Beverly Hills – Kendall's House
The door opened slowly. Mike entered silently. He was wearing dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and an expression of slight weariness and serenity. The room was illuminated by the golden light of the late afternoon. The smell was of lavender and baking bread.
Kendall appeared in the hallway, barefoot, her hair tied in a makeshift bun, wearing an oversized sweatshirt.
"Hi, secret agent."
Mike smiled. He dropped his backpack near the door.
"Mission complete. Safe house."
She walked over and hugged him. The kind of hug that wasn't urgent, but complete. He buried his face in her neck and sighed.
"You smell like… something I didn't know I needed."
"Peace or yeast?"
"Both."
They went into the living room. Mike sat on the couch, kicked off his shoes, and stretched his legs. Kendall brought a mug of tea.
"Do you want to tell me about the case?"
Mike took the mug, looked at her.
"Not today. Today, I want to remind you that I'm here. And that you are, too."
She sat beside him, legs draped over the couch, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Emily and JJ are back?"
"Yes. Emily is still the same. Strong. But with eyes that have seen more than they should. JJ too. But she carries hope. Those two are a living memory of everything that was done in the name of a good that isn't always grateful."
Kendall was silent, absorbing.
"Do you see that in me sometimes?"
Mike looked at her.
"I see the opposite. I see what reminds me why I came back."
She smiled, her eyes welling up.
"Then stay. Just stay."
"I'm here."
8:45 PM – In the bedroom, dimly lit
Mike was wearing a light gray t-shirt, his shoulders already relaxed. Kendall was lying on her side, watching him as he organized his gun in the safe in the closet.
"Do you still need this every time you come home?"
"I do. Not for safety. But for memory. Putting the gun away is my shutdown ritual."
She nodded, understanding.
"Then afterward… you call only me."
He looked at her. He closed the safe. He turned off the light. And went back to bed.
He lay down beside her. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Everything I am… is here now."
She closed her eyes.
"I know."
And then they slept.
Together.
Whole.
No codes.
No missions.
Just love.
Chapter 57 – Between Streets and Breaths
May 30, 2018 – 7:49 AM
West Division Parking Lot – LAPD
The day dawned with clear skies and a slightly cool breeze—a rare climatic balance in Los Angeles.
Mike approached the patrol car holding a cup of coffee in each hand. He was in uniform, his holster adjusted precisely. Athena, already leaning against the passenger door, smiled at the sight of him.
"You've become my official caffeine provider?"
"And loyalty. A warm, steady dose."
She took the cup, sniffing the aroma before drinking.
"Cinnamon. You remember."
"Selective memory for what matters."
They got into the vehicle. Mike entered the code into the system and turned on the radio. Athena adjusted her belt, then her tablet with the map of the area.
"Anything in dispatch?"
"Nothing but a noise disturbance on Jefferson and a bicycle theft on Fairfax."
"You know what that means, right?"
"That we're in for a rare moment of calm?"
"That it's just the universe breathing before it screams."
Mike nodded, starting the car.
8:30 AM – Venice Boulevard – Visual Patrol
The city was waking slowly. The radio remained silent, and Athena read some notes from the latest domestic abuse report handled by the unit.
Mike stared out the window. His left hand on the steering wheel, his right resting on the dashboard. Always alert, but relaxed.
Athena glanced at him.
"You're more... present."
"Post-surgery. Clear mind. And sleeping with the woman I love helps too."
She smiled.
"You two became solid without making a sound. That's rare."
"We chose not to be part of the show. We chose behind the scenes—where the truth lives."
Athena laughed softly.
"Have you ever thought about writing a book? Like… a detective-philosopher with a secret past?"
"I can't write. I only know how to observe. And listen."
"And that makes you one of the best partners I've ever had."
Mike looked at her.
"You also taught me more than any manual."
9:18 AM – Code 242 – Physical Assault – Crenshaw with Adams
The radio crackled:
"12-A-27, code 242, male assaulted in front of a convenience store. Witness reports possible fight with three involved. Additional units en route."
Athena answered precisely.
"12-A-27 inbound. En route."
Mike accelerated, briefly activating the siren to cross traffic. The distance wasn't far—2.7 miles but enough for the body to come to a state of alert.
They arrived in less than four minutes. The storefront was empty except for a man slumped next to a bicycle. Two other men were running around the side of the building.
Mike got out of the patrol car before it even came to a complete stop. Athena jumped right behind.
"LAPD! Stop!"
The two men hesitated for a second—just long enough for Mike to catch up. He used his speed and technique. He lowered his center of gravity and performed a lateral hip check, knocking the first man down. The second man ran faster—but Athena intercepted him at the curve, steady.
"Hands on your head! Now!"
Both arrested.
While Athena called for backup for transport, Mike returned to the fallen man. Young, around 20, his skin scarred, his eyes still open but dazed.
Mike knelt beside him.
"Stay with me, buddy. I'm Mike. I'm a police officer. You're safe now."
"They... took... my backpack."
"We've got them. Breathe. Everything's going to be okay."
Athena arrived with the radio:
"Medical unit on the way. Head wound and chest abrasions."
Mike kept his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Do you have anyone to call?"
"My mom... but I don't want her to know."
"You're not alone, kid. And you're not going to go through this in silence."
10:40 AM – Cedars-Sinai Hospital – Emergency Response
The victim was stabilized and taken away. Mike accompanied him to the emergency room entrance. Athena remained in contact with the escort officers.
In the hospital courtyard, Athena leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
— "Kids getting beaten up on the street because of a backpack. Some days I hate the world."
Mike approached, leaned against her side.
— "This is the world. But it's also about saving someone before they're forgotten."
She looked at him.
— "You always see the light. Even in the shit."
— "Because I've lived where there wasn't any."
12:30 PM – Quick lunch, police car parked in the shade
Simple sandwiches and two bottles of water. They sat with the windows down and the radio silent.
Athena looked up at the sky for a moment.
— "Do you think it's worth it?"
Mike chewed silently. Then he replied:
— "Every person you save, even if they never say thank you... is worth more than all the medals I never wore."
She nodded.
— "I think so too. It's just that sometimes... we get tired."
Mike looked at her.
"It's tiring. But it's tiring together. And that makes all the difference."
Chapter 58 – Silence, Suit, and Vigilance
June 2, 2018 – 6:13 AM
LAPD Locker Room – Western Division
The white light from the locker room made his dark suit, fresh from its protective cover, shine. Mike was standing in front of the mirror, buttoning the cuffs of his white shirt. A slim-fitting, understated black suit, a creaseless shirt, a dark gray tie, and polished oxford shoes.
Athena appeared in the doorway, still in her operational uniform, but with an expression of pleased surprise.
"Wow. Who would have thought my partner could pass for a Swiss diplomat?"
Mike turned to her, adjusting the concealed holster at his waist—the thin polyamide model for carrying the Glock 19 discreetly under his jacket.
"You forget I spent years infiltrating receptions where I couldn't even look at a canapé without suspecting poison."
She crossed her arms, laughing.
"Captain Elaine wants us on site at 7:30 AM. I'll take the outer line, perimeter. You... will stick it to the governor."
Mike nodded, pulling out a small earpiece case with an integrated microphone.
"Type 1 surveillance circle. Nothing new. But... this is the first time I've done this without a cover name."
Athena looked serious for a moment.
"Are you ready for this? To return to this level of tension, even if just for a day?"
"This time, I'm operating by choice. This changes everything."
7:41 AM – Event Location – Los Angeles Convention Center
The perimeter was set up with a triple barrier: LAPD, CHP, and California Department of Public Safety agents. In addition to them, two DSS (Diplomatic Security Service) patrol cars were present for logistical support. Mike recognized one of the supervisors at a glance—a former colleague from the Embassy in Brasília.
Mike stood next to a line of agents in dark suits, standard Oakley sunglasses, and lapel pins with microphones.
Captain Elaine approached with a clipboard.
"Edwards. You'll be on the governor's left flank during the entry and internal movement. The lead agent is Lieutenant Hayworth, but he's already been briefed on your experience. He knows you're ex-Agency. He'll follow your signals if necessary."
Mike nodded.
"Position, cadence, escape radius. The doctrine is the same, just the accent."
Athena approached, now equipped with a vest and radio.
"I'll be at gates B and D. If anything goes wrong, I know you'll hear me before the radio speaks."
He smiled with his eyes.
"Always."
8:20 AM – Governor's Entrance
The armored SUV stopped in front of the entrance portico. Gavin Newsom, accompanied by two aides and a DPS officer, walked out calmly.
Mike entered the V formation on the left. His posture was tall, his eyes scanning the horizon, his right hand always close to his holster.
The governor looked at him.
"You must be the man the LAPD sent with a special seal."
"I'm just watchful eyes, sir."
"You have the walk of someone who's seen more than you're saying."
"And ears that still prefer silence to speech."
The governor smiled and continued walking.
9:07 AM – During the speech
Mike stood at the corner of the stage, five meters away from Newsom. The crowd wasn't hostile, but recent tensions over environmental laws and public safety made the scene unstable.
Headset constantly active:
"Alpha Team confirms clearing of the side stairwell."
"Brava Unit monitoring unauthorized drone movement."
Mike observed not just the faces, but the subtle movements: hands stuffing something into pockets, eyes looking back instead of at the stage, individuals wearing caps and expressionless.
A woman tried to approach the access area. Mike signaled with his fingers. Within seconds, two officers intercepted her. Nothing more than confusion—but it was enough to validate his instinct.
11:25 AM – Event concluded
The governor was led back to the SUV. Mike followed the procession to the back door, staying an arm's length away until the door closed.
Returning to the station, he saw Athena approaching, removing her LAPD tactical helmet.
"I saw your little act with the woman in the cap. It's still sharp."
"Her right hand was shaking, but her left was steady. A sign of someone hiding something on their non-dominant side."
"She was just a nervous pamphleteer."
"And it could be someone with nitrates in their back. At a public event, there's no such thing as exaggeration—only delayed prevention."
Athena stared at him for a second.
"You're fine."
Mike looked around. Then at her.
"I'm where I choose to be. That's being fine."
1:12 PM – LAPD Parking Lot – Back to Normal
Mike calmly removed his jacket, already back in the locker room. Athena entered, carrying ice water and two protein bars.
"To recharge your behavioral analyst and silent ninja brain."
Mike laughed.
"Thanks. Back on patrol tomorrow, right?"
"415 codes, bar fights, bike thefts, and gas station coffee. Real life."
"And exactly where I want to be."
They clinked water bottles.
Partners.
Sentinels.
Humans.
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