With the new information, Alex wanted to make plans immediately because if this was used correctly, could potentially increase his influence.
He ended up spending the night reading up on the information that Ana uncovered.
---
Greyline commons
The streets were calm, with occasional people passing by walking their dogs or just getting their morning runs in.
Martin, Ana's father woke up and prepared himself for work. Diligently checking his appearance. He stopped in front of the mirror. Looked at the reflection with a contemplating look.
'It's definitely quieter without Ana here now,'
Martin's eyes flashed with longing, a small smile appearing on his face.
"Elena looks like our daughter is all grown up now," he spoke to no one in particular.
'I miss you'. Reminiscing about his wife, Martin finished preparing himself for work.
Heading downstairs, he took his briefcase and coat from the hanger.
Ever since Ana left the house, his days had always been dull. Now the only part of the day he really looked forward to was being at work.
Exiting the house and locking the door behind him, he walked to his car parked on the driveway.
The morning was cold, the air moist, clear signs of rain to come. Opening the car and entering, Martin leaned back on the driver's seat.
"You look tired Judge."
Martin, jumped from his seat, grabbing the wheel as though he wanted to yank it out and throw it to whoever it was that spoke. Turning his head, shock filled his face as he looked at Alex sitting behind the driver's seat.
The tinted windows dimming the light coming in and Alex half in the shadow, Martin's pounding fragile heart echoing in the car.
"M-mr Gray, w-what are you doing here?"
Alex smirked, leaning forward a little, the little light landing on his handsome face. "Just thought I should visit you."
"O-ohh.." Martins voice dropping low after the initial scare, 'I swear I'm going to die of a heart attack because of this man.'
Alex chuckled as though hearing what Martin was thinking, "You seem disappointed, am I not welcomed anymore?"
His body jolting slightly, "N-not at all Mr Gray…its always a pleasure seeing you."
"Good, because I have a task for you," Alex took out a photo from his coat and gave it to Martin, "Do you know this man...?"
Martin reached out to take the photo and scrutinized it,
"Yes, that's that Chief District Judge Gallagher." Martin answered matter of fact.
"Yes, and that's your target."
Silence.
Martin turned and looked at Alex, confusion on his face, "Uhm…Mr. Gray I think I missed you, what did you say."
"Your. Target. Will. Be. The. Man. On. The. Photo." Alex articulated coldly.
"For now, take as many cases as you can and draw attention to yourself." He opened the door of the car and exited, "Show them how hardworking you are."
Closing the door behind him, Alex placed his hands on his coat and looked at Martin who was still on the car seat, expression blank.
"Further instructions will follow after."
Turning around and leaving the dumbfounded Judge behind.
"You have yourself a great day now Judge."
Martin snapped out of his thoughts and watched Alex leave, his mind conflicted.
"T-thank you..." Martin responded, voice barely above a whisper
-----
On the other side of the city
The house was quiet, Doug sat down on an office chair, gun in hand, his legs bouncing up and down on the hardwood floor. His eyes focused and expression tense.
Thoughts swirling through his mind.
Suddenly a knock came from the door, he looked at who was disturbing him while in his office.
"Boss, we are waiting for you in the basement." One of the crew members spoke, looking at Doug with a gaze filled with respect.
Doug looked at the man in front of him, and for a moment he just took a moment to really look at him. His men, wiling to die for their cause. These man who also have families to feed.
'There's no need for hesitation, 'I will protect them, whatever the cost.'
Nodding to the man and getting up from his seat, he holstered his gun and left the office, his man following half a step behind.
Descending the stairs and entering the basement, he saw what was left of his crew.
Fifteen men.
The lieutenants and the rest of the crew immediately looked at their boss as he descended the stairs.
His face cold as stone, a durag shadowing the tattoos that inked his neck and arms. His muscles — tight, corded like steel — flexed beneath a worn white vest.
Every man that saw him was filled with reverence and respect.
Standing in front, Doug looked at everyone, their gaze locked onto him. The silence tense and heavy with expectations of what's to come.
Doug finally spoke, his voice deep and cold,
"We've bled." Pausing to make sure everyone was paying attention
"We've lost brother's," Placing his hands on the table, he continued
"We'll never forget the blood that was spilled to build our gang. And you, standing here, are the proof it wasn't for nothing."
His voice raised slightly, "They think we'll never survive."
"Let's prove them wrong. We hunt them down."
He took his gun out and placed it on the table, his voice higher and deeper now,
"Let's show them how The Iron Hounds hunt."
The gang hearing their boss speak, they got invigorated. Nodding along with him.
Doug continued, "Tonight we strike."
Excitement filled the room after hearing that. Everyone looking forward to finally vent some anger.
---
Meanwhile
In one of the strip clubs belonging to Los Garra.
Diego was sitting in the office on the upper floor. The music playing on the dance floor still faintly audible from inside.
Sitting behind the desk, hand bandaged, Diego was going through the computer working like usual.
Then a phone rang, disturbing the somewhat quiet office.
He looked at his phone, the caller ID labelled, Unknown Number.
Frowning a bit, he looked at the phone for a moment longer contemplating just dropping it.
But he answered it anyway.
"Hello" he answered, his voice heavy with an accent.
A distorted voice replied, "Diego?"
His frown deepened hearing the voice, confusion and slight anger in his face.
"Who is this?"
The voice answered, "That isn't something that would interest you." The voice paused, "But I do know what would interest you."
Angered by the unknown voice, "Yeah, and what would that be….?"
The voice was silence for a moment, right when Diego was starting to feel annoyed, the voice replied.
"How to survive the coming storm."