It was late in the night and Jacob has just finished his dinner. He stood up with the plate when his phone rang. He kept the plate on the sink, eyes on the phone, kept over the table and reached out for the phone. He narrowed his eyes to find an unknown number flashing on the screen. Cleo sensed his confusion and asked.

Cleo: Who is that?

Jacob breaks from his thought and looked up Cleo: Um, Someone from the department, I guess. Gimme a sec.

He takes the phone and goes towards the window of the hall room.

Jacob: Thompsons.

Jackson: Thompsons!

Jacob furrowed his eyebrows: Claros! Why did you call me?

Jackson: Because I feel we are on the same boat.

Jacob: Just tell me already.

Jackson: Mr Alvarez wasn't right in his decision.

Jacob: That's why you call me? To tell me about this?

Jackson: C'mon brother, I am not a high school girl to call someone to rant over an old brat. Even if I do, I am not stupid to dial your number.

Jacob: Then why did you call me?

Jackson: Because Mr Alvarez wasn't right in his decision and along with me you did not like it either.

Jacob: Claros, he is the head of that department. Whatever he says is the last word to get imprinted. No one dares to cross that line.

Jackson: But, sometimes ways need to be changed, No?

Jacob:......What do you have in mind?

Jackson: There you go. Two blocks down the main road from your house. You'll find an old phone booth. Take 50 more steps towards your right. I'll be there.

Jacob: This isn't a plan to avenge the drug incident, right?

Jackson(chuckles): That's long gone.

Jacob: Then why me?

Jackson: You seem dependable.

Jacob(sigh):.....I'll be there in 5.

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Jacob decided to walk as directed by Jackson. As he kept walking, the streets got lonelier as subtle fog covered the place. He kept his hands inside the pocket of his black leathers and eyes, scanning through the surrounding. Gradually he reached an opening on a small alleyway, which remained beyond the frame of the traffic cameras. It was a filthy place, with all forms of rubbish scattered around. He let out a deep breath and settled himself in a corner.

After, a couple of minutes, he hears someone call out his name from behind. Before turning back, he pulls out his hands from his pocket and shifted one of his hands on the gun, fixed to his waist.

Jackson: I see you got your defences ready.

Jacob turns around to find both Jackson and Jereff standing confidently in front of him, dressed in black.

Jacob: What was so discreet that couldn't be said over the phone?

Jackson: I have something that I want you to have a look at. I did some research myself and found out some of the probable locations where Corvett could be found.

Jacob: You do?

Jackson: It's your choice. I know you don't move even a hair without Alvarez' confirming. But, I also know that you are striving to end the Wizards, whatever it takes.

Jacob: That's where you decided you take your advantage?

Jackson: That's a wrong expression if you ask me. We are just willing to extend a helping hand.

Jacob: "We?"

Jereff: The Hawks.

Jacob: What will you do?

Jereff: Thompsons, the more the merrier.

Jacob: No. no. no. no. I can't let you guys do that. It can't happen.

Jereff: I know it can't. That's why I need you to pull some strings. If it gives rise to a price, we are okay with that.

Jacob: Listen to me, you punk, I have my values. Don't you dare try to bribe me.

Jackson: Hey Hey Hey, Chill there.

Jacob: I am not going to let your men stick their noses into our business. If that bothers you? You are free to walk out.

Jackson: Did your men crack the codes? I don't think so. We did. And, I reminding you once again. Even if you refuse to work with us, we will do it on our own. And, we prefer no one getting into our ways. Think about the returns of this deal, Thompsons.

Jacob: What codes are you talking about?

Jereff: Access to the real den. Now does it seem convincing?

Jacob: I have a question for you, Jereff Claros. You were dead against the department and brother helping us.

Jereff: I still am. But, you know what? I know how it feels when our loved ones' life is at stake. I failed to save mine. Take this as a small effort to prevent the next person from going through the same shit....as I did.

Jacob: Are your men okay with the collaboration?

Jackson: Our words are the last, anyway.

Jacob(Sigh): Even though I am not very keen on the deal. How do you plan to do it?

Jackson: Just give us some time to crack the codes. Till then, I just want you to take a back seat. Don't let your old man know anything about it.

Jacob: Do you have an idea that this can lead to legal actions?

Jackson: No. Because, once we have the information in our hands, we placed in on his table. That's where your role comes to convince him, as per the plan.

Jacob: Claros, that's...that's hard.

Jackson: But, not impossible.

Jacob kept quiet as Jackson kept looking at him, waiting for an answer. Jacob looked up at Jackson.

Jacob: I'm in. But, it still is giving my bad vibes.

Jereff: Corvett will now regret his birth. Well, that's our only motive at this period of time.

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The coding from the Hawks' side started, at Mr. Alvarez back, as agreed upon and Jacob stayed up to the act. The work from the department's part went on in the same pace, but the pace in the Hawks' part was constantly on an increase. Gradually, after sleepless nights, Hawks were able to see light on the results. Definitely, they did keep Jacob updated on the progress.

The whole procedure took around twenty days to complete. It was now time, they put down the cover, and lay the data in front of Mr. Alvarez. Afterall, he was the only person to decide, at the end of the day.

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Jacob and Jackson walked inside the Mr. Alvarez's office together. Mr. Alvarez looked up towards the door and furrowed his eyebrows expressing his curiosity.

They both waited near the door. Jacob walked up towards Mr. Alvarez as Jackson crossed his hands across his chest and waited in his place.

Mr. Alvarez: Jake!

There was a tension filling up in Jacob's mind, as he was uncertain of Mr. Alvarez's reaction to his undercover task. He took a deep breath and pulled up his strength to speak.

Jacob: Mr. Alvarez, there is something you need to know.

Mr. Alvarez: What?

Jacob: I got some..

Mr. Alvarez: Uh! Pardon me.

Before, Jacob could even initiate the talk, Mr. Alvarez started to ring distracting them from the discussion. Jacob looked up at him and nodded his head. Mr. Alvarez walked up towards the window and after a minute conversation, he returned back to his table in a haste.

Mr. Alvarez: Jake, I am so sorry to say, there has been an emergency and I need to take a break from my work.

Jacob: I am sorry. How serious is that?

Mr. Alvarez: Oh! (Meek laughter) Not really serious. My daughter is due today. She is at the hospital.

Jacob: Con..congratulations. um.. and the mission?

Mr. Alvarez walked up to the door and stopped: I give you the authority to lead this.

Jacob's jaw dropped as he kept staring at Mr. Alvarez moving out of the plain sight. Jackson walked up to Jacob keeping his eyes on the door and patted Jacob's back.

Jackson: Are you thinking what I am thinking?

Jacob: Blame your company, our pace of thoughts are now even.

Jackson: You're welcome.