Brooks finished his cigarette in one drag, then reached into his pocket for another pack.
Upon opening it and finding it empty, he crushed it and tossed it aside.
Lifting his head, his lifeless eyes scanned the room.
"Anyone got a smoke?" Even his voice sounded like the hollow echo of despair.
No one responded.
Everyone just watched him in silence, the solemnity of the meeting ensuring that no one else dared to take out a cigarette.
With a hint of annoyance, Brooks rose, his hands thrust into his pockets. "I'm stepping out to buy a pack. Carry on without me."
Seeing this, Martin's temper flared. "Brooks!" he thundered.
"This is a critical moment for the Investigation Bureau. Can you get your act together? The weight of the headquarters rests on your shoulders! We're making decisions about retaliating against the central supermarket. Don't you want to avenge Alex with your own hands?!"
