That Evening

  The air hung heavy around the dinner table, candlelight flickering across the plates. The faint clink of silverware punctuated the silence, broken only by Seven’s low murmur as he recounted his meeting with Talon Cloche. His features, usually composed, betrayed a shadow of unease, his thoughts weighing like storm clouds.

  “The good thing is we know his motive now,” Seven said, his tone sharp. “I initially thought he only wanted access to the project’s details, but it’s more than that. He wants me to build a digital token platform for his casino. He called it Cloins. He’s asked me to architect a mirror layer to bypass AML monitoring. He’d be able to move millions through hidden sub-ledgers invisible to FinCEN. If he pulls this off, he’ll be able to shift funds seamlessly. He gave me a week to decide, but if I refuse… I don’t know what he might do. Sana’s out of his reach now, and if he can’t rope me in, I’m worried he’ll target the team.”

  He turned to Katherine, his gaze searching. “Sis, can we use the recording to nail him?”

  Before she could answer, Kimi leaned forward, his words measured. “Legally, the recording is valid under Virginia’s one-party consent law since you were part of the conversation,” he explained before adding, “but admissibility in court is another matter. Prosecutors would have to show its relevance and authenticity while navigating potential hearsay objections. And even if those hurdles are cleared, constitutional challenges, like claims of entrapment or privacy violations, might arise.”

  Seven’s brows furrowed. “So, it’s useless?”

  “Not useless,” Kimi corrected, his posture straightening. “It’s a stepping stone. The recording can’t convict him outright, but it can help us. We can utilize it to request a wiretap or as probable cause to secure warrants. With Lara’s testimony and this as a foundation, we might tighten the noose.”

  Across the table, Kayan paused, his eyes narrowing as he pieced together the broader scheme. He spoke up, arms crossed, his demeanor thoughtful. “Cloche is using Cloins not just to move money, it’s also a vehicle to launder dirty funds. The casino won’t just be a gambling house; it would function as a laundering hub. Fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion; you name it, he wants a cut. His import/export front is already operational. His casino is opening in January. If this succeeds, it’ll be a goldmine for his schemes.”

  Seven’s jaw tightened. “We need proof to stop him before more people get hurt.”

  Kasra, silent until now, leaned in, his look pensive. “Seven,” he started, choosing his words carefully, “what if you play along? Accept his offer and infiltrate his enterprise. It’s risky, but we can’t gather the evidence from the outside.”

  The suggestion settled heavily, ripples of tension spreading through the group. Seven’s forehead creased, his mind wrestling with the risks.

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  “I’m on board with that,” he affirmed after a pause, resolute. “It makes sense. But there’s a problem—my disciplinary infraction. It’s still hanging. It could derail everything.”

  Katherine considered his predicament, then suggested, “How about this? I’ll bring it up with my superiors, including your disciplinary violation. To go undercover, we’d need the military’s cooperation. FCPD may also involve federal agencies. So, the way forward is securing their agreement for interagency collaboration.”

  Seven’s piercing eyes locked with hers as he nodded slowly. “All right. If FCPD is willing to back this mission, I’m in. Until we get the green light from all parties, I’ll steer clear of Data Dynamics. Cloche can’t find me if I’m not there.”

  Katherine pulled out her phone, typing a message to request an urgent meeting with the CID Commander and Assistant Chief of the ISB.

  “Let’s hope this flies,” she murmured, almost to herself.

  ……

  The Next Morning, FCPD

  A sharp knock echoed through the Assistant Chief’s office.

  “Come in,” a steady, authoritative voice called from inside.

  Katherine entered, the air thick with responsibility. Framed accolades and photographs of Carl Herod’s career adorned the walls. His polished oak desk sat neatly, commanding the room.

  Carl sat behind it, his head lifting from a report as she strode in. Beside him, CID Commander John Haynes gave her a brief nod. Carl gestured to the leather chairs around a low coffee table, and they settled in.

  “Morning, Kate,” Carl began, his tone probing yet calm. “What’s the situation?”

  Katherine drew a breath, then detailed Cloche’s threats, Seven’s undercover plan, and his pending disciplinary case. Her words were precise, each point highlighting the mission’s stakes and potential.

  When she finished, Carl’s expression remained stoic. “If we’re going to work with your brother, he’ll have to go by the book. No cutting corners, no freelance heroics. One misstep could tank the entire mission.”

  John leaned forward, his demeanor supportive but firm. “The evidence he gathers must be admissible in court. That means adhering strictly to protocol: approved surveillance methods, proper documentation, and chain of custody for anything collected. We’ll have to deploy court-approved wiretaps, physical surveillance, and digital forensics to verify everything is legally sound. Every conversation, piece of evidence, and step in the investigation must be carefully logged to preserve the integrity of the case.”

  Katherine nodded. “Understood. We’ll make sure he’s fully briefed on the limits of his role and the protocols he must follow. And I’ll monitor his actions closely to verify compliance.”

  Carl’s gaze held firm. “Good. But we’ll need more than just oversight. Cloche’s operations would likely cross state and international borders. This could turn into a RICO case. We'll need to involve federal agencies: FBI, IRS, and even Homeland Security. Coordination will be key.”

  He paused, then added, “And one more thing. Seven’s disciplinary violation complicates matters. We’ll request formal approval from the military. If they’re on board, his participation will strengthen our mission. If they aren’t, we’d have to place another agent in.”

  John interjected. “Thing is, Cloche has already propositioned him. Even if we insert another target, Cloche may continue to engage him.”

  Carl’s fingers tapped the armrest lightly. “Fine. Contact the military and start building the interagency framework. And Kate, keep us looped in.”

  “Yes, Chief,” she replied, her resolve clear.

  As she left, her mind raced. Every move had to be precise; a single error could spell disaster.

  A/N 1:

  A/N2:

  Friday, 8pm SGT (GMT+8). See you then.

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