Rick's POV

Stepping into ArtiQues, my smart art gallery infused with Italian culture, I was greeted by an array of masterpieces. The door's chime resonated through the air, attracting the attention of customers immersed in the beauty of the Renaissance and modern art pieces. My gaze swept over the room, appreciating the works of renowned artists like Henry Holiday and the sculptures echoing Michelangelo and Bernini.

My strides took me past these exquisite creations to the office, a space that allowed me to retreat from the world's chaos. Closing the door behind me, I moved to a bookshelf, discreetly revealing the facial recognition door lock. The system's beep confirmed my identity, unlocking the hidden door to the agency's inner sanctum.

The familiar faces of my colleagues greeted me, and as usual, Bryce was engaged in one of his animated arguments, this time over a football match, with Fred, another colleague.

They bantered back and forth, their voices adding a touch of levity to the otherwise serious atmosphere of the office.

"Come on, Fred! You can't honestly believe that team has a chance," Bryce exclaimed with a hint of amusement.

Fred shook his head, not backing down. "You just wait and see. They'll surprise you."

I rolled my eyes, annoyed by their antics. "Enough of that," I stated firmly, my voice commanding their attention. "We have more pressing matters to discuss".

Their bickering ceased, and their attention shifted to me. I proceeded to brief them about Maria's murder case—what little we knew so far, the urgency of the situation, and the need for a swift and thorough investigation.

Around me were the operatives who worked under my leadership, each skilled in their own right and dedicated to our mission. There were about ten of them, all waiting for my instructions.

"We need to gather information," I began, my tone unwavering. "Access and review all the cameras around the office tower where Maria was last seen. Check for any suspicious activity or individuals."

Bryce and Fred nodded, their focus shifting to their tasks. I continued, "Also, see if there are any cameras in the dark alley where Maria's body was found. Every detail matters."

As my operatives dispersed to carry out their assigned duties, I settled into a workstation and began my own analysis. The footage from various cameras displayed on the screen before me, and I meticulously examined the movements of individuals entering and exiting the office tower.

Then, it happened—an image that seized my attention, that caused a ripple of surprise to pass through my otherwise composed demeanour. A figure, cloaked in an air of familiarity, entered the frame. I zoomed in, my fingers dancing over the keyboard as I processed the image through a facial recognition program.

The confirmation was stark, undeniable—the figure on the screen was who I thought it was. A man I had pursued in the early days of my involvement with the secret agency. A man I had been unable to apprehend. He had vanished, gone underground. Until now.

Memories from the past flickered through my mind, of relentless searches and fruitless leads. He had eluded me then, but now, he had revealed himself. The questions flooded my mind—why now? What had he been doing during all those years? And most crucially, what was he up to at this very moment?

Avery's words echoed in my mind—Maria was from Italy. The connection was too tantalizing to ignore. This man, with his history of brutality, could not be overlooked as a suspect in Maria's murder.

With a calculated demeanour, I rose from my seat and left the agency office without a word, my operatives left in a state of curiosity and confusion. The urgency of the situation propelled me forward as I emerged into the bright daylight.

The scorching heat of the day enveloped me as I stepped outside. It was a stark contrast to the dimly lit confines of both the gallery and the agency office. Ignoring the discomfort, I slid into the driver's seat and started the engine.

Driving through the bustling streets, my focus was unyielding, every turn and manoeuvre executed with precision. The weight of urgency bore down on me, every second critical. Finally, I reached my destination. I parked the car and emerged, my strides purposeful as I approached the house.

I knocked on the door, the sound resonating through the stillness. The door swung open, revealing Thomas, his surprise mirrored in his eyes. It had been a while since I had been here, and the memory of our last dinner was vivid—words thrown like daggers and a shattered coffee table. We locked eyes, a silent exchange conveying the weight of our shared past.

"Rick," Thomas said cautiously, a hint of wariness in his voice. His gaze held a silent demand for assurance. "Promise me you won't wreak havoc this time."

I nodded solemnly, entering his house. The living room seemed almost frozen in time, memories of that heated argument etched into the atmosphere. The air was thick with tension as we stood there.

I cut to the chase. "Sergei's back."

Thomas recoiled, disbelief etched on his features. "Sergei? Are you certain?"

My nod was all the confirmation he needed, and he sank into a nearby chair, the weight of the revelation settling in. "Why now?" he questioned a mix of anger and concern in his voice.

"I don't have the answers," I admitted.

"I'm currently working on a murder case," I disclosed, my tone veiled with gravity. "The victim's name is Maria. Strangely enough, Sergei was spotted at the office tower where Maria was last seen before her tragic end. It's leading me to believe that he might have some connection to this murder."

Thomas' shock transformed into frustration, memories of our tumultuous history resurfacing. He spoke with an air of mystery, alluding to past events that had wounded us both. "Our clashes... they cost us dearly, things we can never regain."

I steered the conversation back to the present. Sergei's unexpected return added a layer of complexity to an already perplexing investigation.

"Maria was Italian, Thomas. Does any Maria from our time in Italy come to mind?"

He contemplated for a moment, the weight of recollection evident in his gaze. "Maria... I can't recall anyone by that name from our past," he mused, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and confusion.

"Think carefully," I urged, the urgency of the situation palpable. "This could be crucial."

He nodded, his eyes distant as he delved into his memories. "No, Rick, I'm certain. I would remember if there was a Maria."

Frustration gnawed at me, Sergei's unexpected presence and the potential implications of his return weighing heavily on my mind. "Did our family ever have dealings with someone named Maria?" I pressed further, my voice strained.

Thomas shook his head, his expression resolute. "I'm quite sure there wasn't."

In the silence that followed, the gravity of Sergei's reappearance hung over us. As the quiet persisted, I met Thomas' gaze, the complexity of our thoughts mirroring the intricate puzzle before us.

Returning to the agency office, the familiar hum of activity enveloped me as I settled back into the comfort of my workstation. My mind continued to churn with the weighty implications of Sergei's sudden reappearance, like ripples in a pond after a stone's throw.

The multitude of screens before me displayed a mosaic of camera feeds, each frame a snapshot of a different corner of the city. As I delved into the surveillance footage, meticulously combing through the movements of people and vehicles, Bryce's voice suddenly punctured the quiet air.

"Hey, Rick," he said, his tone curious. "You just vanished earlier. Didn't even say a word. Everything alright?"

I sighed, my gaze shifting to meet Bryce's inquisitive stare. "It's Sergei," I replied, my voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and determination.

"Sergei? Who's Sergei?" Bryce's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Sergei Vladimir," I stated flatly, watching Bryce's eyes widen in shock.

"Sergei Vladimir as in the Russian Mob Leader?" The disbelief in Bryce's voice was palpable.

I nodded slowly, my expression unflinching. "Yes."

Bryce leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "What's he got to do with anything? Is he connected to Maria's murder?"

"I suspect he might be," I admitted my thoughts still a whirlwind of uncertainty. "I don't know what he's up to, but it's too much of a coincidence that he was at the same place Maria was last seen."

Bryce's eyes glinted with a mix of intrigue and excitement. "Sergei Vladimir, huh? That guy's a legend. He's caused chaos and havoc not just in Russia, but even in the USA and Italy. He's a badass, I'll give him that."

His words struck a nerve, and I couldn't help the bitterness that crept into my voice. "Yeah, a badass who's left a trail of destruction and taken countless lives."

Bryce's grin faltered, sensing the weight of my words. "True, but you gotta admit, his audacity is something."

I shook my head, my gaze hardening. "Audacity? That audacity took away families and futures. It's not something to admire."

Bryce's playful demeanour faded, and he nodded in solemn agreement. "You're right. Sorry."

I sighed, the tension in the air dissipating slightly. "It's fine. I just need to figure out what Sergei's game is and whether he's connected to Maria's murder."

Bryce leaned back, his expression more serious now. "Well, whatever it is, we've got your back. We'll dig into this, find out what we can."

"Let's focus on the task at hand. Sergei's not one to underestimate."

As Bryce nodded in agreement and walked away, I turned my attention back to the screen. Sergei's face stared back at me from the image, a reminder of a past I had tried to leave behind. The enigma of his return lingered, intertwining with the mystery of Maria's murder. My determination solidified – I would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. What are your thoughts on Sergei's return?

A huge thank you to TaintedBloodBooks and BooksbyLwordpress for their unwavering support, not just for my work but for countless other writers as well. Their encouragement has been instrumental in helping new writers like me thrive. Be sure to check out their amazing works!

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