You Got a Friend in Me

Fang Lang sighed as the SUV came to a halt outside the front doors of Hehrbenstrautz's mansion. The driver turned off the engine, then swiveled her head to look at him.

"When you go in to see Hehrbenstrautz, tell him about what I just did."

Fang Lang paused, processing what she was telling him to do. He nodded, swallowing his anxiety. He stepped out of the car, before he shut the door he asked, "What's your name, anyway?"

"Cassidy. It's not like it's important though, I'm just Shepherd's agent. I only do these kinds of things because he asks me to." Her face remained cold.

Fang Lang shut the door, and made his way into the mansion. Benji, dressed in a neat black suit, was already at the door awaiting him.

"Pleasure to see you back, Mr. Lang." Benji offered a smile. Fang scoffed, walking past him and heading to Hehrbenstrautz's office.

He walked inside without bothering to knock and plumped down on one of the chairs. Hehrbenstrautz wasn't present. He took the opportunity to observe. Hehrbenstrautz's office was pretty big — akin to a living room. It was decorated with abstract paintings lining the walls. There were two long couches, a couch chair, and two bean bag chairs. There was a glass display of medals won by Hehrbenstrautz when he served in Afghanistan.

'Huh. He's a veteran.' Fang thought.

Suddenly, he heard the door open behind him. Hehrbenstrautz' came into view from his right side, and he watched the millionaire take a seat at his desk. Mr. Hehrbenstrautz said nothing at first. He just organized the contents of his desk with a calm disposition - he put all the pens in their jar, made sure all the papers were neatly stacked, and made a 5-second effort to adjust a framed photo of his younger self, clad in an Army uniform.

Mr. Hehrb finally cleared his throat, and spoke, "I understand it has been hard adjusting to Miami."

Fang didn't show any signs of emotion or reaction.

"But please, hear me out — it is your first day, Fang. I wouldn't have sent a boat all the way to Hong Kong to bring you here if I didn't think you were the right man for this organization. I believe in you, Fang."

Fang looked down, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. "Yeah, well, your boys aren't as enthusiastic."

There was a brief silence. Mr. Hehrbenstrautz wore a knowing smirk.

"I'm only telling you this to help you understand why I chose you — Aadan Omari, the man you killed, was working with The Madam, you see. They were partners in a sex trafficking ring. They were plotting to take my daughter, Cecilia, my only child, and sell her at an underground auction."

Fang cringed. Mr. Hehrb nodded, then continued.

"That is why it was such a huge favor to me when you took him out, Fang," he said, his voice compassionate. "You saved my daughter. The Madam was going to sell my daughter to a drug lord in Africa, and you prevented that."

Fang let Mr. Hehrb's words sink in. His heart almost skipped a beat when he considered the notion that this man — the "Multi-Million Dollar Man" — was in his debt.

"Don't you see, Fang?" Mr. Hehrb urged. "You are important to me. Please, I insist that you give the boys the benefit of the doubt. You haven't even been initiated yet, just watch how their attitudes change when you start wearing the colors and get your own tag."

"Tag?" Fang asked.

"Yes, all members of the group are given a dog tag inscribed with their name, and of course, 'Miami Dogma.'" Mr. Hehrb explained, smiling. "You will receive yours during the initiation tonight. Are you ready?"

Fang nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready. Mr. Hehrb."

Mr. Hehrb grinned. "Atta boy."

Fang raised his hand. "Um— Mr. Hehrb. The driver, Cassidy — she killed a guy. In public."

Mr. Hehrb was still for a while, then he pushed his glasses up and leaned forward on the table, folding his hands. He shrugged, clicking his tongue.

"Welcome to the Miami Dogma, son."