15 Blackwidow

Sam ran on the sidewalks, legs taking her faster than ever before as she tried to break her personal record. The watch fastened around her left wrist showed her heart rate, calories burnt and steps taken. On her right hand was a leash, 'Mo', her trusted dog running beside her. She slowed down her pace when her phone rang, stopping the music that was playing through her earphones. "Gray, speaking." She answered, panting. Face glistened with sweat.

Mo, followed suit as she slowed down her pace, now both walking side by side. "Dr. Gray." An unfamiliar feminine voice spoke. "Speaking, who is this?" She asked, taking her phone out of the strap on her shoulder, and checking the caller ID.

Unknown, it says on the screen.

"A concerned party. There's a black car on the street across yours. Can you see it?"

"Of course." Sam quipped, after shifting to her left, and indeed there was a car across the street, and a woman in office attire standing. "Get in the car, Dr. Gray."

Sam rolled her eyes, "And why would I do that, Stranger?" she challenged.

"You don't have a choice, Dr. Samantha Fredricksen-Murdoch," The woman said, causing an exasperated sigh to pass Sam's lips. Bloody hell, she mentally cursed. "Fantastic." She spat, ending the call. She crossed the street with Mo in tow. The woman with blonde hair eyed the huge dog beside her with concern, she reckons it weighed more than she did.

"You don't expect me to leave my dog, for the likes of you, do you?" Sam said, brow raised in challenge. Valerie opened the door for her, and she walked in after her dog entered.

Valerie cautiously sat beside her, Mo, between them on the floor. "Relax. If you don't do anything threatening, he won't bite. But if you do...well, he is trained to pounce and bite, neck first." Sam warned, patting Mo on the head, and releasing him from his leash.

Valerie nodded, trying to remain business-like, she gave the driver a nod of approval, and they started to drive.

10 minutes later, the car finally came to a stop, Sam stepped out with Mo in tow. And he followed her regardless, he was vigilant, he could feel his person's tension. He could tell she was threatened. Her feeling threatened doesn't end well to those who caused it, any sign of threat towards his master will signal the dog to attack.

Attack to Kill.

Valerie led her to an open field, green grass surrounded them urging her to continue on her own after pointing the path she should take. There sat on a bench was a lone woman with dyed platinum blonde hair, Sam knew they were in The Regent's park in northwest-inner London. She had been there before.

Sam paused, standing by the side of the bench. She looked at the woman, the stranger was wearing an expensive-looking business suit and a pair of red Louis Vuitton stilettos.

"Dr. Gray? Fredricksen? Murdoch? Your name has quite a complicated history. How would you like me to address you?" the woman asked.

"You know how." She said simply, and the woman nodded in agreement.

Sam turned away, looked at the park, "What do you want? I have work to do, as you may already know." she says.

The woman breaks into a smile, one that doesn't reach her eyes, Sam noted. "Yes, I know, 8-5 but you tend to stay in longer, a certified workaholic." She commented casually, as though they were just two friends chatting.

"Is that all you're going to ask?" She added when Sam remained silent, her expression leaning to boredom now.

"Get to the point." Sam spat.

"Levi Jackson." the woman said, "You have been acquainted with him. Spending lots of time really, bonding over Science." the woman adds.

Sam tensed at this, 'Science.' There were only three people who knew that; Levi, Lisa, and Marco. She was certain the information wasn't from Levi, because he was this stranger's concern. "And so?" Sam asked. "Your relationship with him?" the woman asked, undertone commanding.

"Ah...interesting, only thing is, that is none of your business." Sam spat.

"As I said, I am a concerned party..." Anna started, "You're his sibling." Sam interrupted, causing Anna to pause in surprise. Then she smiled, this time it was real, making Sam wonder if faking smiles run in the Jackson Family.

"Your Glabella, Alveolar process, and Zygoma. Not obvious to most people but I can see the similarities. He mentioned you before, he described you in words I rather not repeat. But he did compare you to an arachnid. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name." Sam mused out loud, "Now what do you want, exactly?" She asked her, crossing her arms, now relaxed.

"Ah..." Passed Anna's lips, both amused and impressed. "Now I see why he has taken a liking in you." Anna stated simply, "and the name is Anna Jackson." Anna approached, offering her manicured hand to her. Mo, vigilant, waiting for his master's instructions. Sam accepted the hand and shook it. "Sam Gray. Now, anything else?" She said.

..........................

8 AM | Sam's Lab

"You're late today," Levi commented when the laboratory's mechanical door opened. Even without looking, he knew it was Sam. Sam looked at him, his hazel eyes glued on the microscope examining the only god knows what. Levi coming to her lab has become nothing unusual, he was more than happy to use her advanced laboratory equipment for his personal needs, something he knew she didn't mind. Since she had been constantly reviewing cold cases the past few days.

"Got held up, met your sister Anna," Sam replied nonchalant, enough that Levi stiffened at the news and gave her a once over. She was unscathed, yet she was neither shaken nor relaxed. His sister, that he could only describe as akin to a Black widow, had returned to London. That isn't good news for him.

"Did she bribe you?" Levi asked. "No, she probably took a peek on my finances and thought otherwise, after learning I was loaded." Sam half-joked, earning a smile from Levi. He had observed that 'Sam Gray' wasn't her real name, but a nickname she made for herself. Her last name is unknown by most, including himself. He knew that she came from a well-to-do family, one that had enough money and power to influence Guy's board, most likely a Sponsor.

Who? he doesn't know. But he does know that the senior Hospital Residents exactly know who Sam Gray really was.

"What did she want?" Levi asked. "I honestly have no idea. You mentioned she works for the government?" Sam said grabbing her usual seat by the table, where the cases she was working on were situated.

"No, her men work in the government. Politicians to high ranking officials." Levi corrected, earning Sam's attention. "MEN. Plural?"

"Yes, last time I checked she had 8 wrapped around her manicured fingers," Levi says. "Huh, that's interesting. So, is she some sort of high-profile escort?" Sam asked, earning a scowl from Levi.

"God, no, escorts get paid"

"Then, what does she gain?" Sam asked, suddenly piqued with interest. "She gains favors. Borderline illegal kinds." Levi clarifies looking straight to her green eyes.

Sam nodded, swiveled in her chair and they both got to work.

.............................

9:25 PM|7 Eastbourne Rd

Levi knew she was there, the second he entered the front door. He could already smell her signature scent in the air.

"What is it you want now?" Levi asked, removing his coat and hanging it by the door. Anna was sitting comfortably on the sofa, while she watched her younger brother with her nose pointed up. Looking pristine as usual.

"I met your new playmate, Dr. Gray," Anna stated, expecting him to be annoyed or angry at her news. But Levi shrugged, "Yes, she told me. 6 AM? That's borderline Stalker, Anna. Shame on you." Levi commented, taking his seat after unbuttoning his suit jacket.

"Ah...how interesting. She told you." Anna replied, more intrigued. "Is that all she told you about?" she pried, earning a scowl from Levi who was loosening his tie.

"Tsk tsk tsk...darling brother, you're angry," Anna said, standing up ready to leave. Levi watched as she walked to the door, then turned to him, "I would advise you to try not to involve yourself too much with Dr. Gray, but as far as I can see; you are in too deep. Some puzzles are not meant to be solved, baby brother." And with that, Anna left.