The weight of choices

Chapter 41:The weight of choices

The city was still—frozen, even. The air felt thick, as if the very earth was holding its breath, waiting for something to break. Elias couldn't shake the feeling that everything was coming to a head. There was something in the air, something shifting. The pieces were in motion, but the puzzle wasn't complete yet.

As he walked through the darkened alleyways with Collins and Natalie at his side, he couldn't help but wonder just how far Vale would go to protect his empire. The man had proven himself ruthless time and time again, but Elias wasn't about to back down now. The stakes were too high.

Collins leaned in close, his voice low. "You think Wells is going to lay low after that? He doesn't seem like the type to back down easily."

Elias shook his head, his eyes scanning their surroundings as he led the way. "Wells isn't the one I'm worried about right now. It's Vale. He's running out of options, and when cornered, that's when a man becomes the most dangerous."

Natalie, who had been unusually quiet since their confrontation at the Black Lotus, finally spoke. Her voice was sharp, filled with quiet intensity. "Then we make sure he never has the chance to corner us."

Elias gave her a sideways glance, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Always so sure of yourself, Natalie."

"I'm just saying," she shrugged nonchalantly, "we can't play his game. We have to force him into ours."

The trio continued down the alley, their footsteps echoing against the damp pavement. It wasn't long before they reached the old warehouse—an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city that had become their makeshift headquarters. The place was cold, dark, and filled with the remnants of cases past.

Elias stepped inside, his mind already shifting gears. The walls of the warehouse were covered in maps, pictures, and string—the evidence of countless hours spent unraveling the web Vale had spun around him.

The dim light flickered as Collins dropped a pile of documents onto the table. "So, what's the next step?"

Elias didn't immediately respond. His mind was still racing, piecing together the last few fragments of information. Vale had to have a weak spot. Everyone did. Elias was just determined to find it before Vale did something they couldn't undo.

He glanced over at the files Collins had brought. The name on the top sheet was one Elias had been expecting: Jared McCallister. A low-level associate who had been running under Vale's radar for years, quietly making connections in the city's underground. He had information—valuable information. The kind that could take Vale down if they played their cards right.

"We need McCallister," Elias finally said, his voice steady but with a cold edge. "He's the key."

Collins raised an eyebrow. "McCallister? I thought he was just a rat, hiding in the shadows. What makes you think he knows anything worth going after?"

Elias' eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "He's more than that. He's been playing both sides, working for Vale, but he's got his own agenda. If we can get to him, we can force Vale into a corner."

Natalie crossed her arms, her gaze distant as she processed the information. "And how exactly do you plan on getting to him?"

Elias turned to the map on the wall. "We make him come to us."

It was a risky plan, but Elias knew it was the only option they had left. They couldn't keep waiting for Vale to slip up—they had to make a move. And they needed McCallister to make it happen.

Collins leaned against the table, folding his arms across his chest. "Well, if we're playing the bait-and-switch game, I hope you've got a plan for when things go sideways. Because they always do."

"I know," Elias said quietly, the weight of the decision settling in. "But sometimes, you don't get to pick when things go wrong. You just have to be ready to handle the fallout."

The room was silent for a long moment, the tension hanging in the air. Then, without another word, Elias stood up and grabbed his coat. "Let's go. We've got work to do."