The more we delved into Cassandra's network, the uglier the truth became. Our investigation revealed a web of corruption spanning the city, with five prominent politicians and five high-ranking law enforcement officials who had willingly taken bribes to let her empire thrive.
At the top of the political pyramid sat Mayor Reginald Alden, a man known for his charismatic speeches and pristine public image. Behind closed doors, though, he was Cassandra's most valuable ally, using his influence to shield her operations from scrutiny.
"If we're going to take Cassandra down," I said, pouring over files in Edward's study, "we start with Alden. He's the keystone holding the whole structure together."
John nodded grimly. "We take him down, and we send a message to the rest of her lap dogs. But Alden's not just going to roll over."
I smirked. "He doesn't have to. We'll make him."
The plan was simple but dangerous. I enlisted Edward's best forger to create fake FBI badges that would give us access to City Hall.
Edward laid the badges on the table, smirking. "You boys better look the part. Nobody's going to believe you're feds if you show up looking like you just left a bar fight."
I'm just glad we are all tall enough to look like men with good skincare for their face.
John chuckled. "Don't worry. We clean up nice."
I looked at Viktor, one of my most trusted men from the army Edward had given him. "You're coming with us. If anything goes sideways, I want someone who can hold the line."
Viktor gave a curt nod. "I'll handle it."
On the day of the operation, we approached City Hall in our tailored suits with the badges tucked neatly into their jackets. The grand building loomed above us, its marble columns gleaming under the midday sun.
As we entered the lobby, the guards at the security desk eyed us warily.
"FBI," I said, flashing his badge. "We're here on official business. Need to see the mayor."
The head guard frowned. "We weren't informed of any—"
"You're not supposed to be informed," I cut in smoothly. "Do you want to explain to your boss why you delayed a federal investigation?"
The guard hesitated but eventually waved them through. "Top floor," he muttered.
The team ascended the marble staircase, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous hall. Outside the mayor's office, they were met by Lydia, Alden's sharp-eyed secretary. She crossed her arms, her expression icy.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her tone dripping with suspicion.
I leaned in, flashing my badge. "This isn't a social visit, ma'am. Step aside."
She hesitated, clearly unconvinced. Before she could argue further, the intercom on her desk crackled to life.
"Let them in, Lydia," Alden's smooth voice said.
Lydia scowled but opened the door, motioning for them to enter.
Reginald Alden swirled the wine in his glass, leaning back in his leather chair with an air of smug authority. Behind him, the vast city skyline shimmered in the afternoon light. His eyes lingered on the trio standing before him, their postures rigid with purpose.
"I've been expecting you," Alden said smoothly, setting the glass down on his desk.
"You know why we're here," I replied coldly with a voice that carried a weight that filled the room. "Hand over the evidence of your deals with Cassandra. You're done."
Alden chuckled, shaking his head. "Evidence? What do you take me for, an amateur? Men like me don't leave breadcrumbs for scavengers like you. Whatever crusade you think you're on, it ends here."
John stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Cassandra's losing her grip. It's only a matter of time before her empire crumbles, and when it does, you'll be dragged down with her."
Alden leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Do you have any idea who you're threatening? This city runs because of me. The roads you drive on, the lights you turn on, the laws you think protect you—all of it is because of me. And you think you can just waltz.
Do you honestly think you can walk into my office and demand anything from me?" Alden said with a chuckle, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're out of your depth, boys. Cassandra pays me to keep this city running her way, and I don't plan on betraying her for the likes of you."
John stepped forward, his face stone-cold with anger. "We know all about your dirty dealings, Alden. The bribes, the protection rackets, the arms shipments you've allowed under the table. You're neck-deep in Cassandra's filth. We're giving you a chance to cut ties and walk away."
Alden's grin didn't waver. "Cut ties? You're amusing. If I so much as hint at disloyalty, Cassandra will have my head before sunset. Do you think you can protect me from her wrath? You're nothing but idealistic fools."
I stepped forward and placed a USB drive on the mayor's desk. My calm demeanor belied the fire in my eyes. "This drive has everything we need to destroy you—offshore accounts, recorded conversations, and even the names of the law enforcement officers you've bought. You have a choice: work with us and walk away with your life intact, or we bury you and let Cassandra finish the job."
For the first time, Alden's smirk faltered. He leaned forward, his voice dropping an octave. "And if I refuse? What then? Do you really think you'll leave this office alive?"
John's patience snapped. He drew his pistol and leveled it at Alden's head. The room seemed to freeze as the barrel glinted under the office lights. "I'm done listening to your smug threats," John growled. "You think you're untouchable, but you're just another parasite feeding off this city. Give us what we want, or I swear I'll end this right now."
Alden's secretary, standing frozen in the corner, gasped, her hand covering her mouth. The mayor, however, didn't flinch. Instead, he laughed—a hollow, joyless sound. "You wouldn't dare. Men like you don't have the guts."
John didn't hesitate. The gunshot echoed through the room, and Alden slumped back in his chair, a look of shock frozen on his face. Blood seeped into his pristine white shirt as silence fell.
"John!" I hissed with my voice sharp. "What the hell were you thinking?"
John holstered his gun, his expression unreadable. "I'm thinking we don't have time to play games with people like him. He wasn't going to cooperate, and we couldn't leave him alive."
I sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "We needed him to talk, John. You just complicated everything."
John shrugged. "We have the evidence. That's all we need."
I turned to the mayor's desk and began searching through drawers, eventually finding a hidden safe behind a false panel. With my lieutenant's help, we cracked it open, revealing stacks of documents, ledgers, and a laptop.
"This is it," I said while grabbing the files. "Everything we need to dismantle his connections to Cassandra."
Before we could leave, the secretary stepped forward, her face pale but resolute. "You just killed the mayor. Do you have any idea what kind of chaos that will cause?"
I looked at her with my expression calculating. "What's your name?"
"Lydia. Lydia Carson."
I nodded. "Lydia, we just removed a corrupt mayor who sold this city to the highest bidder. You can either report us and try to explain what happened here, or you can work with us. I can help you win the election and take his place. This city needs real leadership—someone who isn't tied to Cassandra's syndicate. All you have to do is follow my lead."
Lydia hesitated, her eyes darting to the bloodied body of the mayor. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. I'll do it. But this better not come back to bite me."
"It won't," I assured her. "Just stick to the plan."
The moment we stepped out of the office, alarms began blaring. Security guards poured into the hallways, weapons drawn.
"Looks like Alden had a contingency plan," I muttered, drawing his own pistol.
John grinned, pulling out a pair of handguns. "Good. I was just starting to get bored."
The three of us moved as a unit, covering each other as we navigated the building. Security guards opened fire, but John and I responded with ruthless efficiency, our shots were precise and lethal.
In the stairwell, we encountered a squad of heavily armed guards. I tossed a flashbang grenade, blinding their enemies long enough for John to take them out with a combination of gunfire and brutal close-quarters combat.
As we reached the ground floor, more guards awaited us while forming a blockade at the main entrance. I turned to my lieutenant. "Cover Lydia and get her out of here. We'll handle this."
The lieutenant nodded, leading Lydia toward a side exit as me and John prepared for the final showdown.
"Ready?" John asked, a grin spreading across his face.
I smirked. "Always."
The two of us charged forward, diving behind cover as bullets tore through the air. I spotted a fire extinguisher on the wall and shot it, creating a cloud of smoke that obscured their movements. Using the chaos to our advantage, we flanked the guards, taking them out one by one.
At one point, John grabbed a fallen guard's riot shield, using it to block incoming fire as he advanced. I provided cover with my shots never missing their mark.
When we finally reached the exit, an armored truck screeched to a halt outside, and Edward's men poured out, guns blazing. The reinforcements created enough of a distraction for me and John to escape into one of the SUVs.
As the vehicle sped away, I turned to John. "Next time, try not to shoot the key witness."
John shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "He wasn't going to help us anyway. At least now we have everything we need."
I shook my head but couldn't suppress a small smile. "One down, nine to go."
John chuckled. "Let's hope the rest of them put up more of a fight."
I stared out the window with my mind already racing with plans for our next target. "They will. And we'll be ready."