The agencies set the bait.
Jonathan walked right into it like a moth to a flame
He had gone to the pharmacy for sleeping pills—"something strong, please"—but the woman behind the counter was too cheerful, too watchful.
Jonathan felt the hairs on his neck rise.
He turned.
Men in plain clothes.
Three.
No—five.
"Jonathan Hale?" one asked.
Jonathan froze.
His heart pounded.
His vision blurred.
He felt the switch coming—
"No, not now—"
Darkness.
The Captain opened his eyes.
Two minutes later…
The agents were unconscious on the floor.
The pharmacy windows were shattered.
And Jonathan was sprinting through the alleys on auto‑pilot, breathing like a soldier again.