The night was cold, the winds blowing as though to get rid of the stifling air in the city.
For Doug, the night was especially cold, losing one of his men was something that he wasn't ready for. He expected some challenges. But losing someone, that was a completely different feeling all together.
Walking in The Silver Quill bar, he was feeling a deep rage and wanted to vent all his anger at something or someone. But he knew that he couldn't act out of line in front of his Boss. Walking in the establishment, he took in the sight as he walked towards the bartender.
"Hey." Doug called out to the bartender with a hint of respect in his voice. He didn't know where they got this guy, but he has come to respect the man.
"Is the Boss upstairs...?" He asked, lowering his voice slightly.
The man looked at Doug for a second and just nodded his head and directed him to continue upstairs.
Walking up the stairs leading up to the office, he stood outside the door and took a deep breath. He calmed his racing heart.
KNOCKKNOCK
A moment passed before a voice came, "Come in." opening the door and entering the office. He was met with Edger sitting in his desk wearing his gold monocle and looking through some documents that were in his desk. The Old man didn't look up from his papers. Doug, seeing that he wasn't acknowledged yet, stood still near the couches and didn't say a word.
The silence continued as he stood there, waiting.
He could feel his hands shaking and cold sweat running down his back. This man had a presence he thought to himself.
Seconds passed as they continued to eat away at his patience.
Feeling his patience waning. He was about to speak when Edger looked up from his documents and addressed him,
"How can I be of assistance Mr. Doug," Edger asked, his stoic face looking at Doug.
"Mr. Thorne, sir I was here to report to you and Mr. Gray about a matter related to the Gang." Doug spoke with the utmost respect,
Doug has come to create a mental picture of both his Boss Alex and the man in front of him.
Alex was cold and ruthless; people who didn't know him would be misled by the smile he always has on his face. But Doug, he knew very that his Boss was the kind of person who would skin you alive and still have the biggest smile on his face. He was scary like that.
But Edger, honestly Doug didn't know what to make of this old man. He was the quite type, never reacts to anything and always has the same expression on his face. The most he has ever seen the man react was a raised eyebrow and that was it. Some clueless person might think he's just an old guy past his prime and therefore harmless, but he knew better.
Edger might just be as dangerous as his boss or maybe even more.
Edger hearing what Doug said, "And what would that be.?"
"One of my men was killed by the Los Garra, and they issued a threat while doing so. I wanted to report that I pulled back my men until I get further instruction on how to handle them." Doug narrated his intentions, his voice laced with a tone full of rage.
Looking at the angry Doug, Edger fell into thought. 'everything is going exactly how he predicted so far.'
Stroking his meticulously groomed beard, Edger looked at him. "Your concerns are noted, and Mr. Gray will get back to you with further instructions."
Doug hesitated, he didn't like to wait while knowing very well that it was his man that were in the front lines of this war. And they were going to be the one who take the full brunt of the attack.
"One piece of advice though...…. Prepare for War." Edger finished, and like he didn't say something significant. He went back to dealing with whatever he was doing when Doug came in.
Doug stood there for a minute, mulling over what the Old man said, 'Prepare for War huh? Fine then…!'
He left the office with a look of determination in his eyes. His strides containing a confidence he didn't have when he came in.
Edger Looked at the leaving figure of Doug, noticing the change that occurred with him in that moment. 'Looks like your plan to forge your dogs in the battlefield is about to begin.'
----
The night was starting to announce its arrival. The cold winds blowing and the sun setting in the horizon
Alex wearing his Black leather coat and jeans with the white sneakers. Walked along the calming river. His hands in his pockets and his stride measured as he continued forward. Occasionally looking around, checking his surroundings.
He didn't walk too far as he saw the man he was here to meet today. Looking like a zombie with his cigarette in his hand and a coffee on his other hand. Detective Mark Collins was sitting in the bench facing the river and looked to be lost in thought as Alex approached the man. Sitting next to him, Mark finally looked at Alex who sat next to him,
"You know, I was hoping not hear from you any time soon." Detective Mark spoke with a tired voice as he took a drag of the cigarette in his hand.
Alex looked at the man silently for a minute, studying him and then he spoke, "Job not going so well...?" His voice laced with amusement.
Hearing Alex's question seemed to drain all the energy he had mustered with the coffee and cigarette he had in his hand.
"*SIGH* Yeah, a lot of things are happening in this city."
A silence descended between the both of them. One man plagued by the thoughts that filled his mind. The other…well was looking at the system status window.
[Name: Mark Collins]
[Age: 37]
[Occupation: Detective (Ashbridge Police Department)]
[Skill: Driving Proficiency: B+
Firearms Handling: A+
Investigative Analysis: A+
Interrogation Technique: B+
Urban Navigation: A
Criminal Profiling: A
Hand-to-Hand Combat: B
[System Tags:
Looking at the system screen, Alex couldn't help but admire the man even more, 'A man like this, buried under red tape but still sharp as a knife... yeah, I could use someone like that.' the man was talented.
'So, system according to these Tags, Collins is someone I can use.'
[That is correct Host]
Nodding slightly, he turned and looked at the Detective briefly before speaking, "Detective, I might have an offer for you,"
Immediately all the drowsiness that he had vanished. He looked at Alex as he contemplated what he just heard. He was curious but not stupid enough not to know what might be offered by this man might be dangerous and go against everything he believed in. But still he was curious, so he bit the bullet.
"What offer is that...?" he asked, caution evident in his voice. Seeing that he was interested, he smiled.
"I offer you a major fish that has been bugging the ABPD in a silver platter. And you take all the credit for bringing them in."
"And what do you get in return...?"
"You, looking in the other direction...and of course a heads up for me..." Alex said as he smiles charmingly at Mark.
Detective wasn't easily fooled though, he has worked enough times with this man for him to know that when he smiles like that, something big was about to happen. 'Whoever this fish is, they must be a big player….' Mark thought deeply about what Alex just said, and if his speculations were true, and this fish was indeed a big player. Bringing them in would help him in getting promoted as well.
"Fine then…." Mark agreed to Alex's offer.
"Good, now there's one thing I need you to do for me," Alex said as he continued to smile charmingly