The city never lets up, always one step ahead, cloaked in smoke and shadows. Max Hastings felt the weight of it bearing down on him as he sat in the dimly lit safe house. The aftermath of the showdown with Blake still clung to him like the smoke from a cheap cigar, filling his lungs with bitterness and regret.
Elena was at the window, peering out into the rain-soaked streets. She hadn't said much since Blake's final breath left his body. They both knew this wasn't the end. It was merely a pause in the endless waltz of corruption and deceit.
Max broke the silence. "Elena, we need to talk about the Mayor. He's still a key piece in this puzzle."
She turned to him, her eyes reflecting the streetlights outside. "What more is there to say? We have his confession, his records. We can bring him down."
