Chapter 261: Dealing with the Threat
Chapter 261: Dealing with the Threat
David Natividad strolled into the bustling coffee shop, his eyes scanning the room as if looking for someone. He spotted the two CIA agents, John Harris and Stacy Mitchell, sitting at a corner table, casually sipping their coffees and engaging in quiet conversation. With a slight smirk, David approached their table.
"Good morning," David greeted them with a friendly tone. "Mind if I join you? Are these seats taken?"
Harris and Mitchell exchanged quick, surprised glances, immediately recognizing David. Harris tried to maintain his composure, offering a polite smile.
"Actually, we're expecting someone, so those seats are taken. Maybe you could find another spot?"
David's smile widened, and he pulled out a chair, ignoring their suggestion. "I insist. I think it's best for all of us if I sit here."
Mitchell's eyes narrowed slightly, but she remained silent, watching David carefully.
Harris leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "Mr. Natividad, we're trying to keep a low profile here. It's not the best idea for you to be seen with us."
David's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto Harris'. "And I'm trying to avoid any unnecessary complications. Let's just have a little chat, shall we?"
Seeing no way to avoid the encounter without drawing more attention, Harris nodded reluctantly. "Alright, have a seat."
David settled into the chair, his demeanor relaxed but his eyes sharp. "I know who you are and what you're doing. So let's cut to the chase."
Mitchell's jaw tightened, but she kept her voice calm. "We are surprised by the fact that you found us so quickly."
David leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, let's just say we have our ways. Now, we can dance around this all day, or we can get to the point."
Harris sighed, glancing around the coffee shop to make sure they weren't drawing too much attention. "Alright, what do you want?"
David leaned in, his tone low and serious. "Why are you investigating my boss?"
Harris glanced at Mitchell before replying. "It's nothing personal, David. We're just following orders. Michael Reyes' technology has raised a lot of eyebrows. People are curious about its origins and implications."
David's expression didn't change. "Curiosity is one thing, but surveillance and infiltration are another. You have intentions of getting something out of my boss, and as his protector, well or as his guardian angel if you prefer, I can't let that happen. You need to back off."
Mitchell leaned forward, her gaze steady. "I am afraid we are under strict orders to stay here in the Philippines. You are more than welcome to respond, but do you really think you can handle the CIA?"
David smirked and beckoned them to look around. "Not everyone here are ordinary people you seeā¦some of them are my people who are more than happy to take you away from here and do what the CIA always loves to do, interrogation at the black site."
"That's a grave threat to CIA personnel," Harris said, his tone tense.
David's smirk didn't waver. "It's not a threat, Harris. It's a reality check. You're in our territory, and our priority is to protect our interests. Now I can either ask you nicely to divulge the information about why you are interested in my boss, or I will get that information the hard way. You choose.
Now, that is a threat I am willing to act on."
Harris opened his mouth to respond, but David moved first. He sprang into action, shoving Harris into the table. The sudden movement knocked over cups and saucers, drawing the attention of the entire coffee shop. Mitchell reacted instantly, her hand darting to her waistband to pull out her pistol. Before she could reveal it, one of the patrons, who had been observing the scene, tasered her.
Mitchell collapsed onto the floor, her body convulsing briefly before going limp. Harris, pinned by David's weight, struggled to reach for his own weapon. The coffee shop patrons, now revealed as part of David's security team, quickly moved to secure the area, ensuring no one else interfered.
David leaned in close to Harris, his voice low and menacing. "You see, Harris, we play by our own rules here. Now, I'm going to ask you one more time. Why are you investigating my boss?"
Harris, breathing heavily, glared up at David. "You won't get anything from me."
David's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. He tightened his grip on Harris, leaning in even closer. "You're not in a position to make demands, Harris. Looks like I will have to choose the latter option."
With that, David delivered a swift punch to Harris' jaw, knocking him out cold. Harris slumped back in his chair, unconscious. David stood up and looked around the coffee shop. His team, now openly revealed, moved quickly to secure the area and make sure no one else intervened.
David turned to one of his men. "Take them to the site. Make sure they're secured and that no one follows. We'll need to extract information from them."
Two of David's men lifted the unconscious bodies of Harris and Mitchell and discreetly carried them out of the coffee shop through a back entrance. The rest of the team efficiently cleared away any signs of the altercation, ensuring the scene looked as normal as possible.
David walked out of the coffee shop, his mind focused on the next steps. He knew that what he did was against Michael's orders but this is also something that Michael doesn't understand. They were dealing with a highly capable and determined adversary, and sometimes, extreme measures were necessary to protect their interests.
As David got into his car, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming interrogation. He needed to get information from these agents, and he needed it fast. He hoped that the United States wouldn't intervene, but he also prepared for the possibility that they would. David knew he had to act quickly and decisively to stay ahead of the game.
Arriving at the secure site, David watched as his men brought the agents inside. The building was nondescript, blending into the surrounding industrial area, but inside, it was equipped with everything necessary for an effective interrogation. Harris and Mitchell were placed in separate rooms, each secured to a chair with their hands bound.
David entered the room where Harris was being held. He signaled for his men to wake Harris up. A splash of cold water on his face brought Harris back to consciousness, and he blinked rapidly, trying to regain his bearings.
"Good to see you awake, Harris," David said, his tone devoid of the previous casualness. "Now, let's revisit what we discussed last time."