BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

761 Mercenary-Police Station (3)

Perched in the shadows of Latham's office, Matthias felt each minute stretch into eternity, his frustration mounting with every tick of the clock.

Latham spent the hours in endless phone conversations, none of which bore any relevance to Matthias's mission.

The incessant chatter, void of any mention of Matthias's target, grated on his nerves, amplifying his impatience.

It was as if Latham prided himself on his ability to avoid actual work, his voice a constant drone in the dimly lit room, punctuating the dullness of the wait.

<This is torture. Really, this is a fucking torture! >

Matthias lamented internally, the irony not lost on him that his stakeout had devolved into a test of endurance against the banality of Latham's workday.

The phone rang again, a sharp, intrusive sound that cut through the room's silence.

<AGAIN?! >

Latham picked it up, his stern expression softening into a smile as he recognized the voice on the other end.

"Ah, good to hear from you," he said. "How's Marsha doing these days? Still acing her piano lessons?"

Latham's tone was casual, the conversation shifting from business to personal.

"Yes, yes."

Hidden in the shadows, Matthias observed the exchange with detached interest.

"And how about Samuel?" Latham asked after a moment, his expression softening at the mention of the child.

Matthias's feline eyes narrowed. He was there for a mission, not to eavesdrop on Latham's personal life. He was so nervous he wanted to rip the man's head from his neck.

His tail twitched as he continued his silent vigil, his gaze never straying from Latham despite the turmoil brewing inside of him.

Any piece of information could be the key to unlocking Hartley's location.

And so he waited. The cat-like form he had adopted served him well in this situation.

"The prick?"

As he listened to the response, Latham's smile widened into a grin. The man chuckled, the sound rich and hearty. "He is hiding with his tail between his legs." The man laughed again, the sound echoing around the room.

Matthias pricked his ears, intrigued by the conversation. He watched Latham, trying to understand of who they were talking about.

"Remember when we met him at Xander's party?" Latham's eyes twinkled with mirth. "He was all high and mighty then. But now that they're targeting them, he fled."

Matthias's eyes narrowed. Who was Latham talking about? And who was the person on the other side of the phone?

"Yeah. I sent Hartley there."

The person on the other end of the line seemed to understand exactly to whom Latham was referring to. Hartley was Erik's target.

<This idiot, > Matthias thought as he heard the surname of the man he was searching for.

A grin spread across his face. Well, if a cat could be said to grin.

Matthias might not have all the pieces of the puzzle yet, but he had a clue, one that might lead him to the location of the safe house where the target was hiding.

"Yeah, we gave him a bunch of guards to keep him safe. He can't do much on his own besides hiding after all…"

Matthias's tail twitched with excitement. He settled down in his hiding spot, his eyes never leaving Latham as he continued his conversation.

The conversation went on until Latham closed the call. Then it was only a game of waiting. Latham had to leave the office.

After some time, the officer rose from his chair, the groan of the leather echoing in the silent room. He moved around his desk, his steps measured and unhurried.

The office was steeped in a silence that was as thick as molasses, broken only by the soft rustle of papers and the clinking of his keys as he gathered his belongings.

He switched off the lights. The only source of light was the moon outside, its pallid glow seeping through the blinds and casting long, spectral shadows across the room.

It was like a stage after the last act, the props and characters swallowed by the encroaching darkness, leaving behind an eerie tranquility.

However, there were still many people with night duties inside the station.

Matthias's eyes, adapted to the darkness, followed Latham's retreating figure until the door clicked shut, leaving him alone in the vast office.

Now alone, Matthias shifted back into his human form.

His transformation was swift and silent, his feline features melting away to reveal a man in his prime.

He stood in the center of the room, his naked form illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the blinds.

His first task was to search for any hidden hard disks that could contain information about Maximilian Hartley.

He glanced around the room, his gaze piercing the darkness. "Now… where are you hiding, my dear documents?"

Despite being an idiot, Latham was a careful man based on what Erik told him. But he started wondering if the information his creator got were accurate.

It could also be that Latham didn't really like Hartley for some reasons. Actually, Latham said something that hinted at Matthias's reasoning being correct.

However, it was clear he wouldn't leave such crucial information lying around openly despite being the very same idiot who talked about Hartley with a man on the phone. It would be hidden, tucked away in some inconspicuous corner.

The clone started his search at Latham's desk. His fingers trailed over the wood, exploring every inch of the desk with a feather-light touch.

He was searching for hidden compartments, the kind that were often found in such old, stately pieces.

Matthias resisted the urge to slam his hand on the desk out of frustration, knowing that any noise could alert the police to his presence.

Moving with silent urgency, he rifled through the papers and drawers, his eyes scanning for any clue that could lead him to what he sought, but it looked like Latham didn't hide what he was searching for at the desk.

"Latham…" he said, "Where on earth did you hide those documents?"

Forged by flames is out.