Chapter 263: Finally

David Natividad stood in the dimly lit room, watching as his men strapped Stacy Mitchell to the interrogation chair.

"Ready for your turn?" David asked, his tone devoid of any emotion. "Again?"

Mitchell's voice was steady, but there was a tremor in her words. "Is Harris dead?"

David leaned in, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Yes, he is. And you'll be next if you don't start talking."

Mitchell sighed, a heavy, resigned sound. "Even if I answered your questions, you'd kill me anyway. That's how this works, isn't it?"

David's smile faded, replaced by a stern, calculating look. "That depends on you, Mitchell. Start talking, and maybe I'll consider your options."

She shook her head, a small, bitter laugh escaping her. "Save it, David. I know how this ends."

"Look, you don't have to end up like Harris. Compared to him, you seem more reasonable."

Mitchell stared back at David, her eyes filled with defiance. "Reasonable? Torture isn't reasonable. You won't get anything from me."

David's patience was wearing thin. He signaled to his men, who placed the cloth over Mitchell's face and prepared the jug of water.

"Last chance, Mitchell," David said, his voice a low growl. "Tell me what I need to know."

Mitchell took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Do your worst."

The first splash of water hit the cloth, and Mitchell's body convulsed violently as the sensation of drowning took hold. David watched impassively, his eyes fixed on her, waiting for any sign of breaking.

Minutes dragged by as the waterboarding continued. Mitchell's struggles became more desperate, her gasps for air more frantic.

He wanted it to stop but it seemed that there was no breaking the CIA agents. Mitchell would end up like Harris; they were not going to talk in the end. He saw no need to stop and kept the man from pouring the water.

"End this...please just end this..." Mitchell said weakly.

"You know how to end this, Mitchell. Just tell me what I need to know."

"I will tell you...just make this stop."

David smiled for the first time. Finally, he broke into one of the CIA agent's minds.

David leaned in closer, his smile widening. "Good. Start talking."

Mitchell took a shaky breath, her voice barely a whisper. "We were sent to investigate Michael Reyes' technology. It's too advanced, too quickly. Our orders were to find out where it's coming from and who's behind it."

David nodded, his eyes narrowing. "And what did you find out?"

Mitchell hesitated, struggling to keep her focus. "We suspect there's a powerful entity backing him. Someone supplying the tech. But we couldn't identify who. We needed more time."

David's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "You think there's someone else pulling the strings?"

Mitchell nodded weakly. "Yes. Reyes couldn't have developed all of this on his own. There's a bigger player involved."

David stood up straight, considering her words. "Alright, Mitchell. You've been very helpful. But don't think this means you're off the hook."

Mitchell's eyes widened with fear. "But I told you everything I know..."

David's expression hardened. "We'll see about that. For now, you'll be given food and rest. But if I find out you're holding back, we'll be right back here."

He turned to his men. "Take her to a holding cell. Make sure she gets some food and rest, but keep a close watch."

As Mitchell was led away, David smiled again. Now, he has something to report to his boss.