Chapter 54 - Gathering Allies
Jack stumbles out of the building, blood dripping down his face. The alleyway is deserted, save for Marcus, who leans against the car with his arms crossed.
"What the hell happened in there?" Marcus demands, rushing to Jack's side.
Jack wipes the blood from his mouth, tossing the ledger to Marcus. "Got it."
"And Derek?" Marcus asks, glancing back toward the building.
"He's still breathing," Jack mutters. "For now."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Evidence Secured. Progress: 75%]
---
Inside the car, Frank cowers in the backseat, eyes darting nervously between Jack and Marcus. "Is it over?"
"Not even close," Jack says, climbing into the passenger seat. "We're just getting started."
Marcus starts the engine, speeding away from the safe house. "Where to now?"
"We need to regroup," Jack says, leaning back against the seat. "And we need allies."
---
Back at Chris's hideout, Jack slams the ledger down onto the table. Chris raises an eyebrow. "I take it things didn't go smoothly."
"Derek was there," Jack says, wiping the blood from his knuckles. "He knows we're onto them."
Chris frowns, leaning forward. "That means Lisa knows too."
"Exactly," Jack says, eyes hard. "Which is why we need to strike first."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Chris asks, crossing his arms.
Jack flips open the ledger, revealing a list of names, dates, and transactions – all connected to Lisa's illicit dealings. "We use this to turn some of her men against her."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Objective: Gather Allies. Progress: 85%]
---
Later that night, Jack and Marcus sit in a dimly lit bar, a manila envelope resting on the table between them. The bar is nearly empty, except for a lone figure nursing a glass of whiskey at the far end.
"Are you sure he's going to show?" Marcus mutters, glancing around.
"He'll show," Jack says, eyes fixed on the door.
A few minutes later, the door swings open, and a tall, burly man steps inside. His eyes lock onto Jack and Marcus before he makes his way over.
"Jack Wilson," the man says, sliding into the booth. "I heard you were dead."
"Not yet, Paul," Jack says, sliding the manila envelope across the table. "But Lisa will be if you help me."
Paul opens the envelope, his eyes scanning the documents inside. His expression darkens as he flips through page after page of incriminating evidence.
"You got this from Frank?" Paul asks, voice low.
"Frank wants out," Jack says. "And I need men like you to make it happen."
Paul leans back, eyes narrowing. "What's in it for me?"
"Your debts erased," Jack says, his voice firm. "And Lisa out of the picture for good."
Paul takes a long sip of his whiskey, considering. Finally, he sets the glass down and nods. "I'm in."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Allies Recruited: Paul. Progress: 90%]
---
Outside, Marcus watches as Paul exits the bar, disappearing into the night.
"You think we can trust him?" Marcus asks, lighting a cigarette.
"For now," Jack says, eyes fixed on the darkened street. "But if he so much as breathes the wrong way, we put him down."
Marcus nods, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "What's next?"
"Now," Jack says, clenching his fists, "we take the fight to Lisa."