After more discussion on watchlists and contingencies, Aleksander shook hands around the table and headed out. He swung onto his Ducati Diavel 1260 S, gravel shifting under the tires.
As he reached for his helmet, Jane jogged up."Was going to ask," Jane said, casual grin in place. "Want a new case?"
Aleksander paused, intrigued. "What is this one?"
Jane explained."A couple of hikers found a dead body in a wildlife reserve. My intuition says it's big. Our group's tied up—hoping you'll take it."
Aleksander nodded. "I'll take it over."
"So what's the place?" he asked.
Jane handed over a data chip. "Tinicum Wildlife Preserve in Philadelphia. You can get there by tomorrow."
"I'll head out tonight," Aleksander replied.
Jane added, "I told Sofia about it too. Take her—she needs integrating into the group."
Aleksander nodded agreement, slid on his helmet, fired up the bike. The engine growled to life, and he rode off toward Vermont, taillights fading down the drive.
While Inside Morozova Mansion, Grigori, Minerva, John, and Janet watched from the mansion steps, faces tight.
Grigori broke the silence. "Minerva, gather Henry's group. I have a base on one of the attackers. Didn't want to say it in front of Aleksander."
He typed an encrypted message on his secure tablet as he spoke. Grigori excelled at deceptive thoughts—essential in intelligence, especially around mind readers. Aleksander would only uncover it with full power, but respect kept him from prying.
Minerva nodded sharply. "I'll get Henry to call Daisy, Avik, Tyler, Yelena, and Emilia. Should be enough."
John crossed his arms. "What about Reacher?"
Janet shook her head. "No. Reacher's off-grid. Can't contact him till he surfaces."John nodded.
Grigori hit send on the message, sealing the plan.
Aleksander parked his Ducati by the quad fountain. Wednesday and Enid walked up as he got off.
Enid grinned. "Finally back! Outreach Day was nuts. We all volunteer in Jericho—you know, Wednesday at the antique shop, rest of us at Pilgrim World."
Wednesday tilted her head. "Weems signed me up for marching band too. Said my cello playing impressed her."
Enid nodded quick. "Yeah, so Tyler guides her to this old meeting house in the woods. Nothing at first—no visions. Then bam, one hits as we're leaving. Crackstone burning Outcasts alive inside."
Wednesday crossed her arms. "Historical accuracy."
Enid kept going. "Fast-forward to the monument unveiling. Mayor Walker and, Weems revealed the Crackstone statue. While the band was playing.Kaboom. But Wednesday just keeps playing Vivaldi—'Winter' from Four Seasons—sirens wailing,while people were scattering.And Principal Weems definitely didn't like that."
Wednesday stared ahead. "I didn't do it. But I wish I had."
Enid laughed nervously. "Weems gave her the death glare, then dragged her aside. 'Trouble magnet,' she says. 'On thin ice—hands clean or not.'"
Aleksander took it in, then spoke up. "Well, we have a new case. It's in Philadelphia."
Wednesday's eyes sharpened with focus. Enid bounced on her toes.
"What's the case?" Wednesday asked, already leaning in.
"A couple of hikers found a dead body in Tinicum Wildlife Preserve," Aleksander said. "From what my Uncle Jane said, his intuition tells him this one's big."
Wednesday grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the dorms. "We're going there tonight."
Enid jogged to catch up. "Wait for me!"
As Wednesday dragged him along, Aleksander added, "We have to pick up Sofia too."
Wednesday nodded once. Enid gave a thumbs-up. They reached Woodstone Mansion as night settled, gravel crunching underfoot. They knocked.
Sofia called out, "It's open—come in."
Inside, the front room looked like a tech unpacking zone—open boxes scattered across the floor, instruction manuals spread out. Aleksander spotted Erudite Core Technologies logos stamped on the gear. His mother had sent it.
Sofia lit up, holding a sleek forensics scanner. "Aleksander, your mother sent all this. Said a second load's coming. This forensics tech is straight sci-fi—not even on the market yet."
Before Sofia could dive into a full rundown or demo each gadget, Wednesday cut in flatly. "You can show us later. We have a new case."
Sofia's eyes lit up sharper. "I can test some of them there."
Enid clapped once. "Let's get this show on the road."
Aleksander nodded. They grabbed the key gear—scanners, kits, manuals—and headed out.