On two separate occasions, Shannon warned Carlos and Troy to stop turning Tristan into leverage, a pawn in their feud. Despite the warnings, the market gossip continued as if someone was feeding the fire.
Word spread that the Alpha had confronted Carlos Suarez in public, standing so close his shadow touched the man's boots. Some said Shannon gave Carlos a choice: either forget the face of a certain musician or lose a hand for daring to use him.
At the same time, people claimed Troy Mendez had sent two messengers with urgent letters, but neither messenger ever returned and no payment was made. To the city, it looked like Troy was losing control of his men.
Everyone woke uneasy, pretending business was normal, though no one believed it.
