Thug and Idol: 10X Rewards Second Identity System

In the end, Derek couldn't do much at all. He made inquiries to the police and to the main GTG office about what was going on, but got no satisfactory answers from either side.

Unlike Tristan, who got his information from Vargas via a phone call only a couple of hours after their conversation.

"My police contact says that someone brought an anonymous letter to one of the LAPD divisions. That went up the food chain, and now something big is brewing. But it's all kept under wraps, on a need-to-know basis. From what he heard, picking up your guys was only a part of the plan."

"I see. This was all you got, Mr. Vargas?"

"Yes. My advice–look behind your back. That's where the traitors usually stand."

Tristan scowled. This confirmed his suspicions.

"Thank you. I will speak to you about our other agreements soon, but I have to deal with something else first."

"I understand," Vargas chuckled. "Good luck rat hunting."

There was a traitor—a rat—in the King Lion Gang who gave information about Tristan's operation to the police.

There were enough people who envied his quick rise, but few of them had the means for something like this.

'I have to find that person and prove his fault to the gang—then I can lie low until the police give up on whatever it tries to do. But just sending a virus to the suspects probably won't work. After the Cuatro Angulos fight, when they became aware of how much hackers can do, everybody high up takes special care with computer security.'

Bypassing increased security was not impossible, but would take time Tristan didn't have at the moment. .net

'Perhaps I won't have to do much, though. I didn't rise in ranks to do all the work myself!'

With that thought, Tristan called Kevin and gave his deputy a new task. A pretty simple one.

Kevin will explain to Leon Clavon and all his underbosses what had happened, but pass news that Tristan was proceeding fine with his task, anyway, and will be able to show the first results soon.

"Yes, Mr. Hayes. This will make a hornet nest out of the council…"

"This is the entire point, Kevin."

'Everybody will want to find the traitor, at least publicly! And after finding out that I'm still on my way to success, he will have to act more directly. That's where I or someone else will catch him.'

At this point, Tristan was almost 100% sure the traitor was one of the other underbosses. Either of them—they might've respected him, but to trust? No.

"I will do it, Mr. Hayes."

***

Two hours later.

After hearing what Kevin gathered the emergency meeting for, using his position as Tristan's deputy, outrage and disbelief gathered on the faces of all people present in Leon Clavon's gathering room.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Martinez was the first to jump from his seat and the loudest to shout.

"This is slander! A bunch of egregious lies. None of us would've done something like that! If anything, Hayes made up the 'anonymous tip' himself to excuse the fact that his goons made a blunder that caused this interest of the police!"

"Was there any need to shout, Martinez? Everybody with two eyes could see that you hate Mr. Hayes. If anyone had the motive to do this, even though it goes against all our principles as members of the King Lion Gang, it's you." Whitman said. "But that doesn't say anything, of course. A motive isn't a proof."

The third underboss, Delgado, silently clenched his fists.

Next moment, Leon stood up and slammed his fist on the table.

"Quiet! Nobody will throw accusations here! But I'm not going to dismiss Hayes's report. There are few people who have the full information about his mission, and most of them are in this room."

Everybody went quiet.

"I will personally pick people responsible for investigations among lower-rank subordinates. They will sniff out this rat and bring him to me. You won't interfere with this search."

The underbosses squirmed under Leon's heavy gaze and bowed their heads. Neither of them wanted someone from the side to go through their things during this investigation. All of them had plenty of small but dirty secrets.

They won't dare to go against Leon, though, so they were all thinking about how they will hide them.

They didn't think that whoever Leon picked for this investigation would do a great job, anyway. Unlike them, but they were under suspicion.

Seeing their submission, Leon nodded and sat back down.

"That's all for now. Dismissed."

***

Kevin, of course, reported all that happened to Tristan posthaste.

The retelling made Tristan huff.

"An investigation like that?.. I wonder what comes out of it. It's not like Leon has actual detectives in his employ! Now that would've been interesting. Either way, the hornets are buzzing, so things are doing well. You just keep your normal work, Kevin."

"Gladly, Mr. Hayes. But what if the investigator comes to us?.."

"Show him everything. I have nothing to hide."

Anything to hide in that city. Los Angeles was another story.

"Understood."

***

Two days later.

Things were quiet. Suspiciously quiet, if Tristan had a say.

Things also were moving along regardless of his suspicions, so that morning Derek woke Tristan and Nel early (although Tristan, of course, was already awake).

"The 'Under Wrong Sky' opening ceremony is this evening, which means that you must start preparing now. I already arranged your costumes, and the stylist will come for you a bit later, so—"

"So, um, Mr," Nel yawned, "Mr. Derek, maybe start with a coffee and breakfast, please?"

Derek's posture softened immediately.

"Of course. But what I actually meant to say that you will start with going to a beauty salon for a spa. Your appointment is an hour and a half, and with the LA traffic… I suggest you should eat quickly."

Nel winced.

Tristan patted him on the shoulder.

'Sometimes I miss sleeping properly and seeing dreams… But I sure not miss having to wake up!'

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