And just like that…things were going awry.

Even before he saw Mike get up from the bench, Steve could sense it in each fiber of his body, as though the wind had carried the news right over to his hideout.

The line of homeless people dispersed slowly, signaling that food had ran out a few minutes too soon.

It was a scenario they just vaguely brushed on during their briefing, treating it like a highly unlikely event that would simply mean they'd have to move in faster.

Keeping Mike's stern warning in the back of his mind when it came to intercepting the benefit event and exposing their true agenda behind the chili cookoff; Steve paused a couple of seconds, his mind racing at the plethora of scenarios that could unfold, all of them leading to the least desired outcome.

Eventually, with Mike casually wandering after Rick and Albert, Steve decided to join in on the action, but not before placing one last radio transmission.

"Inspectors 8-1 to Patrol Unit 5-Charlie-74, do you read?"

"I do, Steve.", Sergeant Lindsay responded evenly.

"Harold, our guys are on the move again. Heading eastbound on Chula Lane. Mike's shadowing them and I will join him. Please alert all units in the vicinity to cut off any escape routes. All foot personal to remain in place unless they try to make a run for it. Let's continue to be discreet and cautious about this."

"10-4, Steve.", Lindsay replied, then sent several radio messages out to his units, barking street names and addresses like a man who knew every last crevice of this city.

Turning around, he gestured for the guys from Vice to stay put for the time being, trying to avoid an entourage of plain-clothed detectives to mingle amongst the homeless population and spread unnecessary skepticism.

Once he received an understanding nod, Steve left his radio and binoculars behind, moving out of his hideout, careful not to trip on the broken bricks that were partially scattered along the deteriorating sidewalk, and casually crossed the street toward the Basilica.

A couple of the guys had seen him appear and put their heads together, their voices too far away to make out what they were saying.

Trying to keep his expression neutral, he ignored the curious stares in his general direction and began to follow the crowd of people leaving the Basilica in troves.

Several hundred feet out was Mike, pretending to aimlessly stroll around as others passed him, keeping a safe distance to their suspects. Steve felt the urge to speed up and walk beside him like they always did but knew it wasn't possible. The same held true for Lessing, Tanner and Hassejian stuck back at the cookoff, unable to move out as long as Tenpenny was around.

And just like that, they both were right back in the middle of a potential situation.

Speeding up his pace somewhat, Steve brushed past a handful guys, hearing them mumble something at him he didn't understand, nor cared to hear at the moment.

His sole targets were out front, hopefully getting lured into a 4-patrol-car-deep spiderweb that would end the frustrating cat and mouse game that had taken up much of their time over the past few weeks.

The clattering of his dress shoes against the asphalt stood out against the shuffling of worn out boots and thin-soled tennis shoes, earning him many weary glances as he continued on, slowly passing the cemetery that had started this whole case.

Out front, Mike turned left on Dolores, not leaving any indication on whether or not a police roadblock awaited him.

A few seconds later, he didn't have to anymore.

Out of nowhere, a toothless, bearded fella came jogging down the street against traffic, waving his hands in a wild panic and screaming so loud that everyone could hear him.

"It was all a setup. The cops are waiting for us down here!"