Although having drunk 4 bottles of sake, Daniil was promptly fitted in a suit with his hair tied into a bun. He smelled of a smokey-wood cologne and held a bilingual newspaper, letting out a sigh as rain misted the outside. 

“I have some business to take care of. I’ll leave you here to yourself.”

***

Daniil had been driving for 2 hours north to the rural outskirts of Karmenigorod. Spruce trees littered the leisurely drive across. He hummed to his music which shook the car as he drove empty roads; he watched a megalithic mountain peer over the evergreens. Arriving at the small diner, three black SUVs were parked. Daniil, once getting out of his vehicle, violently stomped on the phone he carried and brushed it into the creek. 

A woman with the scowl of a spider and a man with the seriousness of a bull sat towards the back. They didn’t bother to greet Daniil, even after his long commute to the wilderness. He placed a briefcase in front of the two. 

“What’s his name?” Ana remarked. 

“Adonis. It’s all in the file.” 

Boris opened the briefcase with his bony hands and studied it with his associate as if hiding. 

“His file’s short. Where’s the current evaluation?” 

“Interrogation is simply not an option. Due to his current state, I won’t get a word out of him until he recovers. I’d give it a month before he starts talking.” 

“What about Natasha?” 

“I have men searching on 7 continents. She’s been off the grid since she realized the organization she’s messing with.” 

“For the protection of this asset?” Ana noted.

“He’s more than an asset.”

Ana looked at her watch impatiently. They both left without saying a word, taking the suitcase with them. Daniil pulled out a flask the moment they left the door. There were no workers to serve him or, perhaps, they were hiding.

***

The cafe where Adonis leisured was impoverished and run down. It was quite a busy side of town, although. He always tipped extra. He knew the owner quite well. Perhaps too much. The coffee was quite delicious which is why he kept coming to the same establishment over the years. Because of his frequent visits, the owner has experienced many investigations and interrogations but thankfully kept his mouth shut. After all, who’d rat out their best customer?