The icy stab behind Ace's eyes intensified, freezing his thoughts. The blue System text pulsed silently in his mind, a cold digital heartbeat against the backdrop of the scattered, evidence on the wobbly table. Silva's ragged breathing was the only sound in the cramped motel room, sharp counterpoint to the silent scream of the System's evaluation flooding Ace's consciousness.
<< EVALUATING TASK COMPLETION: NEUTRALIZE DEKE PERMANENTLY... >>
Ace stared at the folders bearing names like "Judge L. Hemlock" and "Councilman R. Graves." He looked at the burner phone, the USB drive, the bundles of cash – Deke's desperate insurance is now at their hands. The recorder weighed heavily in Ace's grip, like a weapon aimed at the city's darkest secrets. Deke was trapped with Ramos. And if Ramos had him… was there any way he was still alive?
