An old factory by the river in the outer district of New York.
Jim Jefferies drove up to the factory, picked up a briefcase from the passenger seat, carefully confirmed that no one was following him, and then prepared to enter the factory.
Jim looked at the briefcase in his hand, his eyes burning with eagerness.
As long as he successfully completed this transaction, he would become a true member of the organization and acquire the power he had once seen: the power of the Gaia Memory.
At that time, he would become powerful, and no one would ever look down on him again. More importantly, with power comes influence, and with influence comes big money.
By earning enough money, he could renovate the orphanage and allow the children there to live worry-free lives.
He could even buy the land where the orphanage stood, and the old headmaster would never have to worry about the orphanage being shut down by real estate developers.
Harboring the beautiful vision of a life reversal, Jim stepped into the factory.
Jessica and Luke hid in the shadows by the riverbank, watching Jim's cautious demeanor, and began to talk.
"It seems that what Mr. Jim is doing is indeed not simple. Traveling all the way to such a remote and desolate corner, looking terrified that someone might be following him.
"The old headmaster's worries are not unfounded," Jessica whispered to Luke.
Luke Cage nodded: "I just wonder what exactly he is trading? Should we step in and stop him?"
The two were tracking Jim under the instruction of a client.
Yesterday, a kind old headmaster from an orphanage approached the detective agency, commissioning them to follow and investigate Jim to find out what he had been doing recently.
According to the headmaster, Jim grew up in the orphanage. Although limited by the environment, he didn't receive the best education and didn't achieve much success after growing up.
However, he was kind-hearted, and after becoming independent, he always helped the orphanage function to the best of his ability.
Recently, however, Jim suddenly donated a large sum of money to the orphanage.
While happy, this made the headmaster worried. When she asked Jim about the source of the funds, Jim was vague.
He only claimed to have found a well-paying job, but when asked for details, he couldn't explain clearly.
The headmaster was concerned that he might have gone astray, getting involved in illegal black market dealings to earn so much money in such a short time without being able to explain it.
The old headmaster was frail and elderly, lacking the energy and strength to investigate the matter, and couldn't go to the police. She could only seek out detectives to clarify the situation.
However, the headmaster had to maintain the entire orphanage's operation and didn't have much spare money, so she couldn't afford expensive private investigators.
She finally found Jessica's detective agency, mainly because it was affordable.
If Jim truly had gone astray, the old headmaster hoped to persuade him to stop before he made a greater mistake.
"Actually, Mr. Jim is doing this for the children of the orphanage. If he truly is engaging in illegal business, should we call the police?" Jessica asked with some hesitation.
Luke Cage, who had once lived on the streets, spoke with some empathy: "Let's first figure out exactly what is going on.
"No matter what, if he truly is working for the mob and engaging in illegal business,
"it won't be a long-term solution. Who knows when he might be arrested by the police.
"That would only disappoint and sadden the old headmaster even more."
"You two, are you detectives?" A voice suddenly came from the side.
This startled both Jessica and Luke.
It must be said that while Jessica and Luke called themselves detectives, they actually lacked any professional detective skills and hadn't undergone professional training.
They usually relied on their superhuman abilities to complete their assignments.
Basic skills like vigilance, tracking, and counter-tracking were all quite substandard.
Someone had approached them without them noticing.
Of course, the person who approached them silently wasn't ordinary either.
"Daredevil?!" Jessica turned her head and spoke with some surprise when she saw Daredevil in the red suit.
Daredevil, Matt Murdock, paused slightly: "Have we met?"
Jessica had a good impression of Daredevil. The first time she managed to escape Kilgrave's control was thanks to Daredevil's help.
Jessica immediately recounted the events of that day.
Matt instantly remembered. After all, both Kilgrave's mind-control ability and Jessica's flying ability and immense strength were very memorable.
"Did you encounter that guy again afterwards?" Matt asked Jessica. Kilgrave's ability was terrifying to many, and even he had to try his best to resist the control.
Jessica shook her head and said with a bitter smile, "I don't have that ability. It was Mr. Punisher."
Matt was slightly enlightened. He had heard of the Punisher, but their methods were completely different, so they rarely crossed paths.
"Daredevil, why are you here? You're not here for Mr. Jim, too, are you?" Jessica asked curiously.
Matt shook his head and pointed toward the factory: "You're tracking this Jim. My target is the criminal inside the factory, presumably the one he's trading with.
"Dexter Role, a dangerous terrorist who has murdered several innocent people. However, due to powerful backing, he eliminated all evidence against him and bribed prosecutors.
"He was acquitted and released."
Luke Cage's expression shifted slightly, and he spoke: "I heard people in prison mention that Dex is incredibly brutal and has deep connections.
"He has broken the law multiple times but was ultimately acquitted and released because no evidence could be found to convict him.
"The latest lawsuit against him was filed by a blind lawyer, I think his name was Matt.
"I must say, that lawyer has a lot of courage." There was a hint of admiration in his tone.
Matt paused upon hearing this, then continued: "However, it looks like we just need to observe from here today."
"What do you mean?" Jessica and Luke asked, confused.
Matt chuckled slightly: "I don't know what they are trading, but quite a few factions are eyeing them, including personnel from the notorious Hand."
"More importantly, the New York City Police Department has mobilized a large force and is ready to completely surround the factory at any moment."
Although Matt lost his sight in a chemical accident as a child, his other senses were greatly enhanced, and he received training from the martial arts master, Stick.
He was essentially a human radar and had already grasped the general situation of the surroundings, making him far more professional than two completely untrained detectives like Jessica and Luke.
Jessica, however, looked troubled. According to Daredevil, the NYPD had already locked onto this transaction.
This meant that, barring any surprises, Jim would be directly arrested by the police. And the old headmaster of the orphanage...
Jessica recalled the old headmaster's face, where wrinkles had deepened due to worry and sorrow, and the look of concern for her child, similar to that of her own deceased parents.
If possible, Jessica still hoped that Jim wouldn't be arrested, that he could return to the right path, and spare the headmaster worry.
Luke saw Jessica's expression and gently shook his head, signaling her not to act rashly.
Rumlow led the SHIELD elite squad, lurking by the riverbank. Looking at the images transmitted by the surveillance equipment, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Why are so many people informed and lying in wait here?
As for the gang members, well, they could all be dealt with.
Rumlow was confident that the elite unit he had personally trained could handle these scattered mobsters without much effort.
The key was the large contingent of the NYPD. No matter how powerful SHIELD was, they couldn't attack the police in New York City.
"Director, what should we do?" Rumlow requested instructions from Nick Fury.
Although the operatives were all secret Hydra agents, the operation was nominally organized by SHIELD and personally commanded by Director Nick Fury.
By simply passing information about the important Gaia Memory through SHIELD's intelligence channels to Director Nick Fury, SHIELD naturally organized this operation.
Nick Fury learned of the complex situation on the ground and frowned slightly: "Hold your position for now. I will negotiate with the high-level leadership of the Department of Homeland Security."
"Afterward, you will join the fight as special personnel of the Department of Homeland Security, helping the NYPD clear the scene and apprehend the trading personnel."
"Once the situation stabilizes, you will seize the items and both parties from the NYPD, under the pretext that the transaction involved dangerous goods threatening national security."
"Understood." Rumlow nodded in response.
"Do as Nick Fury instructed. Your ultimate goal is to capture the trading personnel and follow the trail to find the organization circulating the Gaia Memories."
"Find the Emperor Of Fear!"
"On this point, Nick and our goals are aligned." Rumlow said, after cutting off communication with Nick Fury, as Pierce's voice came through another hidden communicator in his hand.
(End of Chapter)