Chapter 427: Lincoln Ice Factory
Morning.
Pearl Villa.
Breakfast had turned into another family meeting without anyone actually planning one.
Elena sat near the head of the table with several property brochures spread beside her breakfast plate.
Monica had her tablet open.
Daniel was reading through one of the reports June had prepared.
Chloe sat beside Miles while Hope and Asher quietly ate their breakfast, occasionally trying to listen to the adults instead.
Timothy had already finished eating and was holding his cup of tea.
Monica pointed toward one of the locations on the screen.
"The Formula One track will take time, Aunt."
Elena nodded thoughtfully.
Monica continued,
"So I don’t think we should wait for that area to develop before opening the second Atelier."
Daniel looked toward the report.
"I agree with Mona."
He tapped one of the pages.
"We already have good locations available."
"We can always open a third branch near the Formula One track later."
Monica nodded.
"Exactly."
She swiped through the presentation.
"June personally researched these locations."
"Traffic."
"Tourism."
"Local income."
"Nearby competition."
"Available parking."
"Everything."
Chloe leaned closer.
Several photographs appeared on the tablet.
One immediately caught her attention.
"If you ask me, Mom..."
Elena looked toward her.
"I would choose the location near the beach."
Monica looked at the image again.
Chloe continued,
"It already has tourists."
"We could create a beach theme."
"Maybe more seafood."
"Outdoor seating."
"Evening lights."
She smiled.
"It would fit The Atelier really well."
Monica nodded.
"I agree."
Daniel smiled.
"That’s actually a great idea."
Timothy looked toward the screen.
"Beachside makes sense."
Hope immediately looked up.
"A beach restaurant?"
Asher’s eyes brightened too.
Hope smiled.
"Then we can go to the beach every day."
Asher nodded excitedly.
"Yes!"
Daniel laughed.
"That’s not how restaurants work."
Hope looked unconvinced.
Elena smiled at everyone.
"I was thinking about the beach location too."
Then she looked toward Miles.
"What do you think, son?"
No response.
Miles was sitting quietly.
His fork remained in his hand, but he had barely touched the food in front of him.
Monica noticed immediately.
So did Chloe.
Elena called again.
"Son?"
Miles blinked.
"Oh."
He looked toward the tablet.
"Yes."
He quickly gathered his thoughts.
"The beach location."
He nodded.
"I was thinking about that one too."
Everyone looked toward him.
Miles continued,
"Let’s go with it."
"I’ll arrange the paperwork today."
He looked toward Daniel.
"And let’s buy the property instead of renting."
Timothy nodded.
"Good."
"Buying is more convenient in the long term."
Miles agreed.
"The area will appreciate anyway."
Elena was no longer looking at the property documents.
She was looking at her son.
"Everything alright?"
Miles turned.
"You were late last night too."
She frowned slightly.
"Ivy was waiting for you."
"You really ate outside?"
Miles smiled.
"Mom."
"I’m fine."
He looked toward his plate.
"Just a little tired."
"Don’t worry."
Chloe gently placed one hand on his shoulder.
Miles looked toward her.
Their eyes met.
She didn’t say anything.
She didn’t need to.
He smiled faintly.
Elena noticed the exchange.
Her worried expression softened.
"Alright."
Then she immediately changed the subject.
"I prepared lunch boxes."
Everyone looked toward her.
"For all my children."
Miles’ expression finally brightened.
"Really?"
Elena nodded.
"There are separate ones."
Miles placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"There goes my tiredness."
Chloe chuckled.
"Thank you, Mom."
Monica smiled.
"Thanks, Aunt."
Elena looked toward her.
"And I prepared an extra box for Mona."
Monica froze for half a second.
Chloe slowly turned toward her.
Then grinned.
Monica immediately noticed.
"What?"
Chloe smiled innocently.
"Nothing."
"You are definitely thinking something."
Chloe pointed toward her smile.
"I know that smile now."
Monica sighed.
"When did you become such a tease?"
Timothy slowly placed down his cup.
"I would like to hear about this too."
Monica stared.
"Grandpa?"
He looked completely innocent.
"I’m hearing things in the air."
Daniel started laughing.
Monica looked betrayed.
"Not you too."
Hope and Asher looked at each other.
Something interesting was happening.
Asher immediately asked,
"Tell us too."
Hope nodded quickly.
"Yes."
Daniel pointed toward their plates.
"You two finish your breakfast."
"Or you’ll be late for school."
Hope frowned.
"Not fair."
Asher looked toward Chloe.
"Sister-in-law."
"Tell us when we come back."
Chloe laughed.
"Of course."
Miles watched them.
For the first time that morning...
A genuine smile appeared on his face.
Elena looked toward him.
She didn’t ask anything else.
She simply smiled too.
...
Sterling Enterprises.
Cinder Square.
Late morning.
June entered Miles’ office carrying several documents.
"The paperwork is ready."
Miles looked up from the screen.
"And the seller?"
"Accepted all the terms."
She placed the file before him.
Miles quickly looked through it.
"Good."
He signed where required.
"Let’s finish the deal."
June nodded.
"Direct transfer?"
"Yes."
"Don’t stretch negotiations."
Miles handed the documents back.
"If everything is verified, pay the full amount."
"Understood."
June collected the papers.
Then added,
"Secret Service agents are coming in a while."
Miles’ expression changed slightly.
"They called?"
"Yes."
"They should be here soon."
June watched him carefully.
"Do you want me to prepare anything?"
Miles shook his head.
"No."
"I’ll handle them."
"Understood."
She placed a cup on his desk.
"Your tea."
Miles looked toward it.
"Thanks, June."
She smiled faintly.
"Just relax."
Miles gave her a look.
"You too?"
"Me too what?"
"Nothing."
June smiled knowingly.
Before she could leave...
Miles’ phone buzzed.
He looked at the screen.
Chloe.
His expression immediately softened.
He answered.
"Missing me already?"
There was silence for a second.
Then Chloe replied,
"Hun?"
Miles smiled.
"Why?"
"Can I not call my husband?"
"Of course you can."
Chloe became suspiciously casual.
"I was just checking on him."
Miles leaned back.
"Checking?"
"Yes."
"I heard there are many pretty women in your office."
Miles blinked.
"Hun?"
June immediately looked away to hide her smile.
Miles frowned.
"What’s on your mind?"
Chloe replied quickly,
"Nothing."
A pause.
"I just wanted to hear your voice."
Then...
"Bye."
The call ended.
Miles stared at the phone.
For several seconds...
He said nothing.
Then sighed.
"This girl."
June finally spoke.
"Looks like she’s worried."
Miles slowly looked toward her.
"Why do I feel like you know something?"
June blinked.
"Boss?"
"Did Monica ask you to spy on me?"
June smiled.
"I wouldn’t call it spying."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
June continued,
"I would call it..."
"People being worried about you."
Miles sighed.
"I’m fine."
June nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
"I’ll tell her."
Miles stared at her.
June smiled politely.
Her phone buzzed.
She checked the message.
"They’re here."
Miles straightened slightly.
The softness in his expression disappeared.
He adjusted his suit jacket.
"Send them in."
"Alright."
June left.
A minute later...
The door opened again.
Two men entered.
The first was older.
Probably late forties.
Calm posture.
Experienced eyes.
The second looked considerably younger.
Perhaps still in his twenties.
The moment the younger agent saw Miles...
His eyes widened.
He whispered,
"Is that him?"
The older agent glanced toward him.
The young man’s excitement grew.
"The legendary Ghost..."
The older man immediately cleared his throat.
Loudly.
The young agent stopped.
Miles simply watched them.
The older man sighed.
"Apologies."
He gestured toward his partner.
"He’s relatively new to the department."
Miles smiled faintly.
"No worries."
He gestured toward the seats.
"Please."
"Have a seat."
Both agents sat.
The younger one was still trying very hard not to stare.
June entered briefly and placed coffee before them.
Then quietly left again.
The older agent looked toward Miles.
"My name is Brennan."
He gestured toward the younger man.
"And this is Keaton."
Keaton nodded.
"Hello."
Miles replied,
"Miles Sterling."
"Nice to meet you."
Then he leaned back slightly.
"Tell me."
"How can I help?"
Brennan’s expression became serious.
"General..."
"I think you already know why we’re here."
Miles’ smile slowly disappeared.
Adam.
For a few seconds...
The room became quieter.
Miles looked down.
"I don’t have many friends."
Brennan waited.
Miles continued,
"Before I retired..."
"I could probably count the people I truly considered friends on my fingers."
His voice became quieter.
"Adam was one of them."
Keaton’s earlier excitement faded completely.
Miles looked toward the window.
"We worked together in the field."
"Years ago."
"He saved my life once."
His fingers slowly tightened together.
"When I heard what happened..."
Miles paused.
"My heart sank."
Brennan’s expression softened slightly.
Miles continued,
"We spoke the night before."
"He complained that I didn’t trust him enough during the WEB cleanup."
A faint smile appeared on Miles’ face.
"That was Adam."
"He always complained whenever he thought I was leaving him out."
The smile faded.
"We joked."
"We laughed."
"It was..."
Miles looked down.
"...a normal conversation between friends."
Brennan remained silent for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Adam was exceptional."
His eyes became distant.
"He was younger than me."
"And honestly..."
"I used to be jealous of him."
Keaton quietly looked toward Brennan.
Brennan continued,
"He had talent."
"Instinct."
"And people trusted him."
He took a breath.
"But he was also a good man."
His voice hardened.
"We’re all grieving."
Then his eyes changed.
"But more than that..."
"We’re angry."
Miles looked toward him.
Brennan leaned slightly forward.
"General."
"Was there anything else discussed during that phone call?"
"Anything unusual?"
"Anything that might help us understand why someone killed him?"
Miles remained quiet.
He had already prepared himself for this question.
"I’ve thought about it constantly."
He looked toward Brennan.
"Every sentence."
"Every joke."
"Every little thing he said."
Miles shook his head.
"But all I can honestly describe it as..."
"...was a casual call between friends."
Brennan studied him.
Then nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Miles noticed Keaton and Brennan exchange a glance.
Something was coming.
Brennan asked,
"Do you know anything about Lincoln Ice Factory?"
Miles’ expression didn’t change.
"Lincoln Ice Factory?"
He repeated the name.
Then shook his head.
"Doesn’t ring a bell."
"Why?"
Keaton finally spoke.
"A few days before Adam died..."
"He asked me to get information about the factory."
Miles looked toward him.
"He asked you personally?"
Keaton nodded.
"He said it was for something personal."
Miles leaned forward slightly.
"What did you find?"
"Not much."
Keaton replied.
"It’s an old industrial facility."
"Closed down."
Miles waited.
"Ownership?"
"Nothing particularly unusual on the surface."
Keaton continued,
"The factory hasn’t operated for some time."
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"So did you visit?"
Brennan shook his head.
"Not yet."
Miles looked toward him.
"Why?"
"There was an incident."
Brennan explained,
"A toxic gas leak was reported inside the facility."
"The surrounding area is currently restricted."
"Biohazard teams are still testing the site."
Miles remained quiet.
Brennan continued,
"We can’t legally enter until they give clearance."
Keaton sighed.
"Government procedure."
Miles leaned back.
A faint smile appeared.
"Government rules."
He looked toward both men.
"I can understand."
Keaton became curious.
Miles continued,
"I spent most of my life working with a group that wasn’t particularly known for following them."
Keaton smiled.
"How does that feel now?"
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Now that you’re technically a government official."
Miles slowly looked toward Brennan.
Brennan closed his eyes.
He already regretted bringing the rookie.
Miles looked back toward Keaton.
Then smiled.
"In the history of the Republic of Haven..."
"The President has never selected an Honorary General because he wanted someone particularly good at following rules."
Keaton blinked.
"I didn’t know that."
Brennan sighed.
"Of course you didn’t."
He looked toward Keaton.
"It isn’t officially written anywhere."
Keaton nodded slowly.
Then remembered something.
"I heard the first Honorary General was from the Royal Family."
Miles became interested.
"Really?"
Keaton nodded.
"He was a Sterling too."
Miles looked genuinely surprised.
"That’s new to me."
He smiled.
"Thanks for sharing."
Brennan looked toward Keaton.
For once, the rookie seemed proud.
Then Brennan stood.
"General."
"I think that’s all we need for now."
Miles stood as well.
"If I remember anything..."
"I’ll contact you."
"We would appreciate that."
Brennan extended his hand.
Miles shook it.
Then Brennan paused.
"There is one more thing."
Miles looked at him.
"The President asked us to pass along his apologies."
"For what?"
"For not inviting you to Adam’s funeral."
Miles’ face changed slightly.
Brennan continued,
"The circumstances were complicated."
"The service was kept extremely restricted."
Miles remained silent.
Then nodded.
"I won’t lie."
"That hurt."
Brennan lowered his eyes.
Miles continued,
"But I understand."
He looked toward the city outside.
"I’ll visit Adam myself this week."
"In Citadel."
Brennan nodded.
"I think he’d appreciate that."
Miles smiled faintly.
"I hope so."
The two agents gave him a respectful nod.
Then left.
The office door closed.
Silence returned.
Miles remained standing.
He watched the city through the enormous glass windows.
Traffic moved far below.
People entered buildings.
Lunch crowds gathered around Cinder Square.
Everything looked normal.
His mind wasn’t.
One name kept repeating.
Lincoln Ice Factory.
Adam had asked about it shortly before his death.
A sealed facility.
A convenient toxic gas leak.
Government restrictions.
No entry without approval.
Miles slowly placed both hands inside his pockets.
Then smiled.
"Lincoln Ice Factory..."
He looked toward the closed office door.
"Biohazard approval."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Well..."
His expression gradually changed.
"...who needs approval?"