The FBI office in Brooklyn was quiet at 6 AM. Marcus sat on a folding chair, a bandage on his head. Claire sat beside him, her dad's notebook closed on her lap. Miller stood in front of them, a stack of files on the table.
"Chen's been charged with drug trafficking, kidnapping, and murder," Miller said. "The evidence is solid—your camera footage, the coke, his confession."
Cole sat across from them, his sister Mia beside him. "Thank you," Cole said, his voice quiet. "For getting Mia back. I'll testify against Chen. Whatever you need."
Miller nodded. "Witness protection's been approved. You and Mia will be moved to a safe house in Ohio. New names, new lives."
Mia smiled, squeezing Cole's hand. "Thank you. Both of you."
Raymond stood by the window, looking at the sunrise. "I'm heading back to Los Angeles. Your mom's restaurant needs help. And I need to lay low—Chen's men might still be looking for me."
Sophia grinned, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "I'm enrolling in community college. Criminal justice. Maybe become an FBI agent someday."
Marcus smiled. "You'd be good at it."
They left the office an hour later. The sun was up, painting the sky pink and orange. Claire looked at Marcus, her eyes soft.
"I start NYU next week," she said. "Law school. I'm nervous."
Marcus nodded. "You'll be amazing. My mom's restaurant—you should come visit. She'll make you dumplings."
Claire laughed. "I will. Promise."
They walked to the subway station. Marcus pulled out a small box from his pocket—an old deck of poker cards, the same one Raymond had given him.
"For you," he said. "Each card has a note. Study tips. For law school."
Claire opened the box, smiling. "Thank you. I'll keep it."
She pulled out a pen from her purse—her dad's old FBI pen. "For you. To remember—you don't need cheating techniques to win. You just need to be brave."
Marcus took the pen, slipping it into his pocket.
The subway arrived. Claire hugged him tight. "I'll call you. Every day."
Marcus nodded, his throat tight. "I'll visit. Soon."
She stepped onto the subway, waving. Marcus watched her go, the poker cards in his hand.
Raymond and Sophia walked over. "You two will be fine," Raymond said. "Distance doesn't matter."
Marcus nodded. He looked at his phone—an anonymous email. The subject line: "New York Underground." The body: "Chen's partner. He's running a poker game in Manhattan. Next month. Come alone."
He showed it to Raymond and Sophia.
"Another game," Sophia said, her switchblade in her hand. "We'll be there."
Marcus grinned. "Count on it."
He looked at the subway station's exit. The sun was bright, the city waking up.
Claire was off to start her new life. He had his own plans—community college, his mom's restaurant, keeping an eye out for Chen's partner.
The game wasn't over.
But he was ready.
With his friends. With Claire's pen in his pocket. With the courage to keep going.
The next chapter was about to begin.
And he couldn't wait.