Marcus leaned forward, his tone sharp as steel.
"You're not telling your uncle about this. From now on, you work for me."
The boy with the tiger tattoo smirked, his lips curling into a sly grin.
"Sir, are you afraid? That my uncle might kill me if he finds out? Don't worry—my uncle is a good man. He won't hurt me."
Marcus' eyes hardened.
"Good or bad doesn't matter. I don't want him to know. You'll behave as if nothing has changed. If trouble comes, I'll pull you out. That's my promise."
The boy's smirk widened into reckless confidence.
"My uncle will never let anything happen to me."
Marcus let out a low chuckle.
"We'll see about that when the time comes."
With that, Marcus released him. As the boy walked away, Marcus signaled to his juniors.
"Keep him under constant watch. Through him, we'll reach his gang leader. He's not as naïve as he looks."
One of Marcus' female officers frowned, whispering, "Sir, what if the kid was feeding you lies? He's cunning, I can feel it."
Marcus folded his arms, his expression unreadable.
"That could be true. Which is exactly why we'll shadow him. A snake always slips eventually."
And so the surveillance began. The tiger-tattooed boy was followed everywhere—every alley he entered, every person he spoke with, every corner he turned. But nothing. Days passed, and his actions were maddeningly normal.
"Too clean," one of Marcus' juniors muttered in frustration. "He's hiding something. He knows we're watching."
Another officer scoffed, "Doesn't matter. He's an addict. Look at his skin—track marks, restlessness. The moment he can't get his fix, he'll fall back into the trap. And when he does, we'll have him."
The female officer shook her head, unease flickering in her eyes.
"Sir, I still think releasing him was a mistake. That boy is dangerous, slippery. Instead, we should go after his boyfriend. Drag him into interrogation, break him down. If anyone knows the truth—whether that tattooed brat is really the leader—it's him."
Marcus' lips curved into a grim smile.
"You're right. Bring him in. Let's see how long his little web of lies lasts once the boyfriend starts talking."
The air grew colder, tension thickening like a storm cloud. The game of shadows was only just beginning.
To be Continued...