The attendant nodded. “Yes, we do. You look unfamiliar, sir—is this your first time here?”

Henry Clark put on a look of “admiration” and said, “Shop assistants in Shanghai are really impressive. You can tell it’s my first time here.”

The attendant was quite pleased with himself and asked again, “Did you just arrive in Shanghai? Visiting relatives or friends?”

Henry Clark smiled and replied, “Both visiting relatives and friends.”

But in his heart, he was secretly on guard. The shop assistant didn’t care what the customer wanted to buy, but was instead interested in what the customer was up to. That was a bit unusual. Most people might not notice, since it’s normal for an attendant to make small talk.

The attendant asked again, “Nearby? What kind of cigarettes would you like, sir?”

Henry Clark asked, “Do you have Sanmao?”

“Yes, we do.”

“I’ll take a pack, and a box of matches.”

As soon as he stepped out of the grocery store, the sharp-eyed Henry Clark noticed that someone had started following him. He used the act of lighting a cigarette as cover, turning his body to shield the flame, and glanced back out of the corner of his eye. The person was dressed just like the shop assistant, in his early twenties, and when he saw Henry Clark stop, he deliberately turned away.

Henry Clark understood now—this grocery store was a secret outpost for No. 76.

Henry Clark wandered around near 76 Jessfield Road, determined to find his Michael Brooks, but instead went to the Jiufeng Teahouse on Yidingpan Road. In the innermost private room on the second floor, Michael Brooks met a man wearing sunglasses, his right hand pressing down on his left, watching the door warily.

Michael Brooks smiled and said, “Relax, Blade, it’s very safe here. You even came in through the back door—no one will notice you.”

All traitors are cowards at heart. No matter how grand a reason they find for their betrayal, it can’t hide this fact.

The man spoke softly, “May I ask why Mr. Brooks wanted to see me?”

He knew the Military Statistics Bureau’s rules well. If his informing on No. 76 was discovered, he’d be dead for sure. He had already told Michael Brooks he was willing to serve No. 76, but Michael Brooks wanted him to stay in the Bureau, where he could be of greater use.

Every day he lived in fear, every meeting with a courier filled him with dread, and every night he woke from nightmares. He didn’t want to live like this for even one more day.

Michael Brooks asked, “Did you hear about what happened in the French Concession yesterday? Was it the Bureau’s doing?”

Blade replied softly, “I saw the newspaper this morning. It was indeed the New Second Unit. I heard the person who did it just arrived in Shanghai.”

Michael Brooks instructed, “The New Second Unit? You must find this person!”

Blade stood up and said, “Mr. Brooks, if I find this person, can I come back?”

If you paid close attention, you’d notice a one-inch knife scar on the back of Blade’s left hand. Agents must avoid obvious distinguishing marks; even in front of Michael Brooks, Blade didn’t want the scar to show.

Michael Brooks said slowly, “You are a sharp blade, meant to be driven deep into the heart of the Bureau. When you return, it will be after your mission is accomplished. At that time, not only will the position of Deputy Director of the First Division be waiting for you, but also a huge bonus—enough to ensure you’ll want for nothing the rest of your life.”

Blade hesitated, “But…”

Michael Brooks naturally knew what he was worried about and reassured him, “You have to believe in yourself. You’re very safe right now. No one knows your identity except me.”

Blade suddenly gave a dry laugh. “Alright. Mr. Brooks, I’m a bit short on cash lately.”

To relieve his stress, he often frequented the Changsan gambling dens, casinos, and opium houses on Fourth Avenue, which cost a lot.

Michael Brooks took out an envelope and instructed, “Find the person who just arrived in Shanghai.”

Blade took the envelope, squeezed it, folded it, and stuffed it into his pocket. At last, a smile appeared on his face. “Last night, I followed Howard Grant to the Metropole Ballroom. He met a stranger there.”

Michael Brooks said in surprise, “The Metropole Ballroom?”

Blade recalled, “That man was very cautious—I didn’t even dare get close.”

He had originally wanted to follow them out, but the man suddenly turned and glanced back, so he had to turn and walk into the ballroom. By the time he came out again, the man was gone.

Michael Brooks had a feeling that this man was the gunman, and hurriedly said, “Tell me the details.”

Listening to Blade’s account, Michael Brooks’s feeling grew stronger. After entering the Metropole Ballroom, the man didn’t meet Howard Grant directly, but observed from the side for a while.

How calm must a person be to do that? At least Michael Brooks felt he couldn’t manage it. Just now, when he met with Blade, he hadn’t observed from the side, had he?

Only someone like that could leave no trace.

But he never expected that it would be Howard Grant who gave himself away. As long as they kept following Howard Grant, they’d find the gunman.

Seeing Michael Brooks’s expression grow more and more serious, Blade asked, “Mr. Brooks, is there any extra reward for this intelligence?”

Michael Brooks glanced at Blade and said coolly, “If you can find Howard Grant’s residence, or catch this gunman, I guarantee the reward will be no less than ten thousand yuan.”

As he spoke, he was filled with contempt. Truly hopeless—an agent who only provides intelligence for a reward is no different from an information broker.

Blade lowered his voice and said, “In a few days, the New Second Unit will meet at the Cathay Hotel. Howard Grant might show up.”