Natasha never refused a task assigned by Nick Fury.
In truth, ever since watching the video inside the Spoiler System's viewing room, she had become very interested in Linen, the mysterious black-robed judge.
The intel file didn't say much about Linen's life after being adopted — only that he was the only second-generation member of the Digital Gang who ever made it to college.
According to the report, his childhood had been "stable" and "unremarkable."
Natasha didn't buy that for a second.
After all, the Digital Gang was a group known for robbery, car theft, and black-market dealings. There was no way a child growing up in that environment lived an easy life.
But for now, the problem wasn't who Linen was — it was how to approach him without raising suspicion.
After scanning the report for a few minutes, Natasha's gaze landed on a particular detail — the [Paranormal Investigation Agency] that Linen had founded in college.
She took out her phone and made a quick call.
"Lucy, any unsolved supernatural cases in New York recently?" she asked directly once the line connected.
"Okay. Thank you."
Ending the call, Natasha tossed the file onto the passenger seat, started the car, and drove off toward her next lead.
Meanwhile, inside the Paranormal Investigation Club at the State University of New York—
"Hiss…"
Linen exhaled softly as he flipped through a new batch of reports detailing recent "mysterious incidents" around the city.
His mouth felt dry, so he took a sip of water, just as a knock sounded on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me — Barbara."
"Come in."
The door opened and Barbara, her wavy burgundy hair brushing her shoulders, stepped inside with a playful glint in her blue eyes.
"Hey, where's Jessica? Isn't she usually glued to your side?" she teased.
From behind a desk, Jessica's muffled voice replied irritably, "You're the one who's glued to him!"
Barbara smirked, crossing her arms. "You two never change."
Rolling his eyes, Linen ignored their bickering and returned to the documents in his hands. Years of working with them had taught him one thing — staying out of their arguments was the safest choice.
Jessica finally stood up from under the desk, brushing her hair back and groaning softly. "I swear, Barbara, one of these days I'm going to—"
"Relax," Barbara interrupted with a smirk. "Your temper's worse than your coffee."
Jessica sighed, then glanced at her phone. "My dad's been calling non-stop. I told him I was in class, but I should probably see what he wants."
Barbara leaned casually against the desk. "Your father's the Deputy Mayor of New York, right? If he knew half the things you did for this club, I wonder what he'd think."
Jessica shot her a glare before walking off to make the call.
Linen chuckled quietly and took another sip of water. The club may have looked like a normal student group, but it was far from it.
After all, this so-called "Paranormal Investigation Agency" had actually solved multiple strange cases across the city — and some of them weren't explainable by science.
Nick Fury must have already figured that out, which meant S.H.I.E.L.D. would be sending someone soon.
Probably Natasha.
He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
After what Fury had learned from the Spoiler System, it was only a matter of time before they came looking for him.
And as for Tony Stark…
Once he fixed the palladium poisoning, Tony would undoubtedly reach out too.
After all, Linen had left plenty of "hooks" in that last video.
About ten minutes later, Jessica returned, setting her phone on the table. "Alright, situation confirmed. The case is real — and the victim's family is offering a reward of thirty thousand dollars."
Barbara's eyes lit up. "Thirty thousand? Now that's motivation!"
Jessica frowned slightly. "Linen, are you sure we can handle it? Even local pastors tried and couldn't help."
Linen smiled faintly, his tone calm and confident. "Those priests? They rely on faith. I rely on results."
He glanced over the case file again. "This one should be solvable."
Barbara stretched and grinned. "Then let's get ready. Looks like our club's going to make some money again."
At that, the three of them shared a knowing look.
Right now, the Paranormal Investigation Agency had only three members — Linen, Jessica, and Barbara.
Jessica was the one who found new cases (thanks to her father's political connections),
Barbara handled logistics and finances,
and Linen… dealt with the "supernatural."
To some students, Jessica had joined for the thrill of it.
But for Barbara and Linen — this was also how they survived.
After all, in America, student debt could last a lifetime.
"Alright then," Jessica said, tossing her phone onto the table. "Let's get ready. We've got a mystery to solve — and thirty grand on the line."
Linen stood, his eyes calm but sharp. "Then let's see what kind of ghost we're dealing with this time."
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