We Were Written in Blood

of her. The fluorescent light above her flickered a bit, casting an eerie glow over the mountain of papers before her. Outside, Chicago's post-midnight traffic

avy hair, and defined cheekbones. She carried herself with poise, favori

des a body. A familiar crime signature. She didn't have to check the report to know. Ortega was a lieutenant

e cases in the city, this one had landed on her desk? Or was the universe

against people like Ortega, but she couldn't afford to make mistakes. This case wasn't about her past-it was about

had finally made a mistake. A raid in Little Village had led to his arrest, and evidence of financial crimes tha

ed by a knock on her door. She straightened up as her supervisor came in. Dressed in his stand

ouched dinner container on her desk. "You do know

and sat back. "I w

s to you, but don't forget. Ortega is not a man to be underestimated, and yo

going t

cause if we win, then Ortega might flip, and if he flips, t

ost in the criminal underworld. El Reino Oscuro's leader. The one name that law enforcement could never p

on her desk. "Review this and

the door closed behind hi

intention o

-

Eve sat at her desk, readi

ing-but the challenge was proving his direct connection to El Reino Oscuro. The cartel operated through co

counts, shell corporations connected to Cicero and Pilsen p

ago, having flipped on his old crew, he was put into witness protection, currently presumed de

PM. Too late to place a phone call, but not too late to get moving. She grabbed her ja

eter than usual, but Eve was not so innocent that she believed she was by herself. She had bee

rview mirror. A black SUV sat two spaces back. Her stomach twisted. She

arn

wanted to scare off a prosecutor from a

ed, then answered. A deep, static-laced voic

an cold. "N

isappointed-exhale. "You don't

r hand trembling a little as she se

en her, but they were

-

sleep. She set the case file on the table, staring at Ortega's face. He was but a ste

then finally... She would come