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Chapter 5

Edward arrived at the precinct early, the buzz of a new day settling over the squad room. The faint smell of coffee mixed with the sound of clicking keyboards as the team filtered in. He set his bag down at his desk, glancing at the whiteboard where last night's op details had been organized neatly. Jasper was sitting at his desk, typing away at the computer and Emmett was behind him, arms crossed as he stayed engrossed in the task he was completing. Bella walked in shortly after, a coffee in hand and her hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She gave Edward a small nod as she passed. "Morning."

"Morning," Edward replied, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes.

Before they could exchange more words, Solomon strode in, a file in hand. He didn't waste any time. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice commanding as the room quieted. "We've got a long day ahead. Mendoza's still sitting in holding, but his men are starting to talk. Rosalie and Bella will be heading into interrogation this morning to see what else we can squeeze out."

Rosalie, who was already seated, flipped her pen between her fingers. "Looking forward to it."

Solomon continued, "In the meantime, Alice has been decrypting more of Mendoza's files. She's found some interesting connections—specifically, links to a distribution network in Tacoma. Edward, you'll be working with Alice and Emmett to dig deeper into those leads."

Edward nodded, ready for the task.

"And Jacob," Solomon added, his tone sharpening slightly, "you're with Jasper today. You'll be running surveillance on one of Mendoza's safe houses. Keep it quiet, keep it clean."

Jacob gave a short nod, his expression neutral.

Solomon's gaze swept across the room. "Let's keep the momentum going. We've dealt a major blow to Mendoza's operation, but we're not done yet. Stay sharp."

With that, the team broke off into their respective tasks.

Bella and Rosalie entered the stark, gray-walled interrogation room where one of Mendoza's men was waiting. He was a wiry man with a perpetual scowl marring his face, his hands cuffed to the table and his eyes darting nervously between the two women. After booking and running his prints, they'd found out his name was Tito Velasquez, a 35-year-old mechanic with several priors all revolving around drug busts.

Rosalie leaned casually against the wall, letting Bella take the lead.

"Morning," Bella said, her tone calm but firm as she took a seat across from Tito. She placed a thin file on the table and opened it. "I'm sure you know why you're here."

Tito didn't respond, his jaw tightening.

Bella sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Here's the thing, Tito—we've already got enough to put you away for a long time. But I'm feeling generous. You help us out, and maybe we can make things a little easier for you. We get you sent to a facility of your choosing."

Rosalie chimed in, her voice cool and steady. "Or you can keep quiet, and we'll make sure Mendoza knows exactly who sold him out."

That got Tito's attention. His eyes widened slightly, and Bella saw the crack in his armor.

"Your choice," Bella said, sitting back in her chair. "But I'd think carefully. Mendoza's not exactly known for his forgiving nature."

"I didn't say shit," Tito snapped in a thick accent, his lips pulling back into a snarl. Bella made a tsking sound and craned her neck to look back at Rosalie. "Hm, I don't know. Mendoza might just find out that you were the one who tipped off the dock location. I mean, he was the one who gave us it, right Rose?" She looked back at Tito, his face now one of horror, knowing that even on the inside, men like Mendoza held a lot of power. He'd be gone in a second if they heard any sort of buzz that he ratted them out, true or not.

"Oh, yeah," Rosalie said, walking forward. She leaned over the desk, closer to him. He was looking up at her with angry eyes. "You were definitely the one who sold out your poor boss. In fact, why don't we go to the other interrogation room now, B? Let him know."

Tito swallowed hard, his hands fidgeting against the cuffs. After a long pause and not wanting to risk calling this bluff, he finally spoke. "Alright. What do you want to know?"

Bella leaned in slightly, her tone calm but firm. "We know Mendoza's operation runs deep. You're in the middle of it, which means you've seen things, heard things. We need to know where the next shipment is coming from."

Tito swallowed, hesitating. "I'm just a runner," he muttered. "I move what they tell me to move. I swear."

Rosalie shook her head, knowing he was bullshitting them. Her voice was colder, more authoritative. "Don't sell yourself short. Runners hear everything. You know who's calling the shots, who's making the deals. Don't make us drag this out."

Tito shifted uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting against the cuffs. He silently warred in his head, his eyes bouncing to Rosalie, and then back to Bella. A gust of air left his body, marked with defeat. "Mendoza… he's got a partner," he admitted, his voice low.

Bella's eyes narrowed. "A partner? Who?"

"I don't know his real name," Tito said quickly, as if to ward off their growing intensity. "Everyone just calls him 'The Broker.' He handles the big deals, the international stuff. Mendoza does the grunt work, but The Broker—he's the one who keeps it all running."

Rosalie crossed her arms, her expression hard. "Where do we find him?"

Tito shook his head, panic creeping into his voice. "I don't know. Mendoza's the only one who deals with him directly. But… there's a shipment scheduled to move through Tacoma tomorrow night. It's bigger than anything we've moved before. If The Broker's watching, he'll be keeping tabs on that... he may even be there. But I... I don't know, I've just heard a bunch of chatter."

Bella exchanged a quick glance with Rosalie, her mind already working through the possibilities. "What's in the shipment?"

"Guns. Lots of them. But there's something else—Mendoza wouldn't say, but it's big. Something worth protecting."

Rosalie leaned in, her tone sharp. "You better hope you're not lying."

"I'm not!" Tito said, his voice cracking. "That's all I know, I swear!"

Bella studied him for a moment, weighing his sincerity. Then she stood, signaling the end of the interrogation. "I hope so, Tito. You help us, and we help you."

Bella and Rosalie joined Solomon in the observation room, where he had been watching the interrogation through the one-way glass.

"Well?" Solomon asked, his arms crossed.

"He gave us a name—'The Broker,'" Bella said. "Sounds like he's the real mastermind behind Mendoza's operation."

Solomon's brow furrowed. "The Broker… that name's come up before, but we've never had anything solid to go on."

Rosalie nodded. "He confirmed a shipment out in Tacoma. Guns, maybe something bigger."

Solomon considered this, his eyes narrowing. "If The Broker's involved, this changes everything. Our goal isn't just to shut down Mendoza's operation anymore. We're going to use him to draw The Broker out."

Bella frowned. "How? Mendoza's not exactly the cooperative type."

"Not yet," Solomon said. "But everyone has a breaking point. We'll keep him in custody, monitor his communications, and make it known that his operation is unraveling. If The Broker values Mendoza, he'll reach out."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then we hit the shipment hard tomorrow," Solomon replied. "We make enough noise to force The Broker into the open."

Bella nodded. "High risk, but it could pay off."

"It will," Solomon said firmly. "Get the team ready. We're about to go fishing."

Meanwhile, Edward and Alice were stationed at a cluster of monitors, reviewing the latest decrypted files. The glow of the monitors cast a faint blue light on Edward and Alice as they poured over the latest decrypted files. Alice's fingers flew across the keyboard, pulling up email chains, invoices, and encrypted communications that painted a clearer picture of Mendoza's operation.

"Got something," Alice said, her voice cutting through the silence. She pointed to the screen, where a series of emails were displayed. "Mendoza's been coordinating with a distributor in Tacoma. They've got a system down—shipments moving every two weeks through a warehouse on the city's outskirts."

Edward leaned in, scanning the details. "Anything about the contents?"

Alice scrolled further. "Mostly firearms, some high-end tech equipment. But this latest shipment... it's marked with a different code. Could be something bigger."

"When's it scheduled to move?" Edward asked, his tone tightening.

Alice clicked through another file, her eyes narrowing. "Tomorrow night. Looks like they're ramping up."

Edward straightened, his mind already working through the logistics. "If we hit the warehouse, we could take down the entire distribution network."

Alice nodded, her grin sharp. "Exactly. Solomon needs to see this."

Edward grabbed his notes. "I'll brief him. Keep digging, see if you can find any details on security or backup plans."

"Already on it," Alice said, giving him a mock salute.

As Edward left to find Solomon, Alice murmured to herself, "Let's see what secrets you're hiding, Mendoza."

...

Across the city, Jacob and Jasper sat in a nondescript surveillance van, parked a safe distance from one of Mendoza's suspected safe house. The van's interior was dimly lit, their equipment humming softly. Jacob, ever restless, had his binoculars pressed to his face, his jaw clenched in quiet concentration.

"You think this place is worth anything?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

Jasper, calm as always, was methodically reviewing the live feed from their hidden camera, positioned discreetly on a nearby lamppost. "Hard to say," he replied. "But if Mendoza's using it, it's worth our time."

Jacob set the binoculars down on the dashboard, his fingers drumming a staccato beat on his thigh. His gaze shifted to Jasper. "So… what do you think of Masen?"

"You really want to have this conversation now?" Jasper asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Jacob.

Jacob shrugged, his tone defensive. "Just wondering."

Jasper leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "He's solid. Doesn't flinch under pressure, keeps his head in the game. That's what matters."

Jacob's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes flicking back to the safe house. "Yeah, well… we'll see."

Jasper didn't miss the tension in Jacob's voice. "Whatever your issue is, you might want to work through it. We've got bigger fish to fry, Jake."

Jacob let out a long breath but didn't respond. His silence was telling.

…

The team gathered in the squad room, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Edward and Bella stood near Solomon, ready to present the latest intel, while Alice prepped her slides. Emmett and Jasper entered together, their usual relaxed confidence on display, followed shortly by Jacob, who took his seat silently, his eyes flicking between Solomon and Edward.

Solomon stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding attention. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice steady. "We've got a lead that could dismantle Mendoza's operation for good. For those of you not in the loop yet, we're moving on a warehouse in Tacoma tomorrow night."

Jacob frowned slightly, but said nothing. Emmett leaned forward, intrigued. "Tacoma? What's there?"

Bella took over, her voice confident. "Mendoza's been using a distributor in Tacoma to move shipments every two weeks. Weapons, mostly, but this next one's different. There's something bigger coming through."

Alice clicked to the next slide on the monitor, showing a map of the industrial district. "The warehouse is heavily guarded, and they're running tight security on this shipment. If we hit them at the right time, we can cut off their supply line and, more importantly, flush out Mendoza's partner—someone they call The Broker."

The room went still at the mention of The Broker. Jasper leaned forward, his expression serious. "The Broker? We've been chasing his shadow for years."

"Not anymore," Solomon said. "We're using Mendoza's capture to bait him out. If this works, we'll have a shot at bringing down the entire network."

Alice stood, taking over the presentation. "Here's the layout," she said, pulling up a detailed schematic of the warehouse. "It's your standard industrial building—one main entrance, loading docks at the back, and side access through a utility door. The shipment will arrive at 11:30 p.m. If we breach before they start unloading, we'll catch them off guard."

Edward chimed in, pointing to the map. "Bella and I will take the side entrance. Emmett, you and Jacob will cover the back, cutting off their escape routes. Rosalie and Jasper, you're on overwatch. We'll need eyes on every angle."

Rosalie nodded, her expression serious. "How many guards are we expecting?"

"Intel suggests at least a dozen," Edward said. "Possibly more, depending on how important this shipment is."

Jacob, arms crossed, finally spoke up. "And Mendoza? Still lawyered up and not talking?

"For now," Solomon replied. "We've got enough shit on him for a lifetime, but he's already lawyered up before we can even talk to him. I want to take a chance at getting him to lure The Broker out – throw him a deal. But if The Broker gets even a whiff of us moving in, he'll disappear. This is our one shot to lure him out."

The room was quiet as Solomon finished, but Jacob's hesitation was palpable. "What if Mendoza doesn't play along? What if The Broker doesn't show?"

Bella's tone was sharp but measured. "Then we hit the shipment and dismantle the network piece by piece. It won't be as clean, but we'll still cripple them."

Jacob's jaw tightened, but he gave a curt nod. "Fine."

"None of us are," Edward said, his tone calm but firm. He met Jacob's gaze, a silent challenge hanging in the air.

Solomon broke the tension with a final directive. "Get your gear prepped. We roll out tomorrow at 2100. Stay sharp."

As the team began to break apart, a hum of conversation and anticipation filled the air. Bella moved swiftly through the room, her sharp gaze landing on Jacob, who was leaning against the edge of a desk, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His jaw was clenched, the tension radiating off him in waves.

"Hey," Bella said, stepping into his line of sight and placing a firm hand on his arm. "You good?"

Jacob exhaled heavily, his shoulders relaxing slightly under her touch. He glanced at her, his usual bravado replaced with quiet frustration. "I just don't like how fast this is moving," he admitted, his voice low. "Mendoza's a slippery bastard, and The Broker? He's even worse. Feels like we're walking into quicksand."

Bella's expression softened. She understood where Jacob was coming from, but she also knew they couldn't afford hesitation. "I get it," she said, her tone calm yet firm. "But we've got this. We've planned for every angle. Trust the team."

Jacob's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes searching hers for a moment. Finally, he gave a small, reluctant nod. "Yeah," he said, his voice steadier. "I'll be ready."

Bella smiled faintly, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I know you will. We all will."

Jacob exhaled again, some of the tension leaving his posture. "Thanks, B."

As Bella turned to leave, she caught sight of Edward lingering by Solomon's office, a thoughtful expression on his face. She arched an eyebrow but didn't comment as she passed by. Edward knocked lightly on the doorframe, drawing Solomon's attention.

"Sir, got a minute?" Edward asked, his tone measured.

Solomon looked up and gestured for him to enter. "Come on in, Masen. What's on your mind?"

Edward stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He stood for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "I wanted to touch base about tomorrow," he said, his voice steady, but tinged with concern. "I know the team's ready, but I've noticed some tension—Jacob, in particular."

Solomon leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "Jacob's cautious," he said after a moment. "He's seen how quickly things can go south, and he's not wrong to be wary. But he trusts the team, even if he doesn't always show it."

Edward nodded, understanding the underlying dynamics. "I just don't want personal tensions to affect the mission. We need everyone sharp."

Solomon's gaze sharpened, his tone firm. "Neither do I. But let me be clear—you've earned your place here, Masen. You've shown you can handle the pressure. Keep your head in the game, and the rest will follow. I talked to Jacob, too, about how he acted yesterday… he knows the ropes here; how we move. He knows better, and it won't be happening again."

Edward appreciated the straightforwardness. "Understood, sir. Thanks for the confidence."

Solomon's expression softened slightly, a rare flicker of warmth in his otherwise stoic demeanor. "You've got the makings of a damn good cop, Masen. Tomorrow's going to be tough, but I trust you'll do what needs to be done."

Edward gave a small, appreciative nod. "I won't let you down."

Solomon returned the nod, signaling their conversation was over. Edward turned and left the office, his mind already shifting back to the task at hand.

Outside the bullpen, Bella was saying goodbye to Sue at the front desk, pulling her leather jacket tight around her. The precinct was finally settling into a quiet hum, and her steps echoed softly in the near-empty building. She was just about to head out the door to her car when she caught sight of Edward descending the steps, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression thoughtful.

Bella raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued as he approached. "Everything good with Solomon?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with genuine interest.

Edward nodded, his face relaxing slightly. "Yeah. Just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page for tomorrow."

Bella smirked, her gaze assessing. "You're fitting in better than I expected, Masen. Not bad for the new guy."

Edward chuckled, a warm sound that seemed to ease the lingering tension in the air. "High praise coming from you."

They walked together toward the lot, the quiet camaraderie between them feeling natural, unforced. As they reached their cars, Edward hesitated, glancing at her. "You heading out?"

Bella shrugged, her hands deep in her jacket pockets. "Yeah. Figured I'd call it a night."

Edward shifted his weight slightly, as if deliberating something. "I was thinking about grabbing a bite. You up for pizza?"

Bella blinked, caught off guard by the offer but not opposed. "Pizza, huh? Trying to bribe me with carbs?"

Edward grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Maybe. But mostly, I just don't feel like eating alone."

Bella gave him a long, considering look, then shrugged with a smirk. "Alright, Masen. Let's see if you've got decent taste."

Edward's grin widened. "You won't be disappointed."

The pizzeria they chose was small and cozy, tucked into a quiet street corner. The scent of fresh dough and bubbling cheese wafted through the air, immediately warming the space. A soft, golden glow from the overhead lights added a comforting ambiance. They slid into a booth by the window, and Bella leaned back, her eyes scanning the menu with an air of mock seriousness.

"Alright," she said, setting the menu down and folding her arms on the table. "Let's get this out of the way. What's your go-to pizza?"

Edward leaned forward, mirroring her posture, his face comically serious. "Pepperoni and mushrooms."

Bella tilted her head, pretending to mull it over. "Solid choice. I'll allow it."

Edward laughed, the sound genuine and relaxed. "Glad it meets your high standards. And you?"

"Pineapple. One hundred percent."

Edward's eyebrows shot up in exaggerated horror. "You're fucking with me."

Bella kept a straight face for a beat longer, then her lips twitched into a grin. "I am so fucking with you, Masen. Spinach and tomato."

Edward groaned, clutching his chest dramatically. "Spinach? Tomato? You're trying to ruin pizza."

"Hey, it's surprisingly good. And healthy, too."

"I don't think pizza is supposed to be healthy," Edward shot back, shaking his head. "Half and half?"

"Deal," Bella said, determined to convert him.

They placed their order, and as they waited, the conversation flowed easily. For the first time in days, the weight of work seemed to lift.

…

Edward leaned back after finishing his third slice of her spinach and tomato half of the pizza, a begrudging look on his face. "Alright, it's not awful. Still weird, but not awful."

Bella was smug as she peered at him over a glass on orange Fanta. "Told you."

He shook his head, amused. "Fine. Let's move on. Best movie of all time?"

"No fair, Masen. That's a loaded question. You're about to judge me for life based on my answer."

"Probably," Edward teased. "But I'll try to keep an open mind."

Bella drummed her fingers on the table, feigning deep thought. "Okay, don't laugh, but I'm going with The Godfather."

Edward gave a nod of approval. "Respectable. Classic. Solid choice."

"Your turn. And if you say anything like Fast & Furious, I'm walking out."

Edward laughed. "No worries there. Shawshank Redemption."

Bella tilted her head, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Alright, I can see it. You're not as basic as I thought."

"High praise," Edward said, his grin returning. "What about music? Favorite band?"

Bella didn't hesitate. "Fleetwood Mac. Eagles are a close second."

Edward whistled, clearly impressed. "Good taste. I'm more of a Springsteen guy, but I can respect Fleetwood."

Bella nodded, pleased. "Good. I don't think I could trust a partner with questionable taste in music. It's a bad look, seriously."

Edward smirked, raising his soda in mock salute. "Guess I passed the test."

They shared a comfortable silence for a moment, the ambient noise of the pizzeria filling the space. Then Bella leaned forward slightly, her tone shifting to something more curious, introspective.

"So," she started, "why law enforcement? It's not exactly a walk in the park."

Edward hesitated, his expression thoughtful. "Honestly? I wanted to do something that mattered. Growing up, I saw a lot of people fall through the cracks. Figured if I could help even a few, it'd be worth it."

Bella nodded, her gaze softening. "I get that. Same here. Sometimes it feels like we're barely scratching the surface, though."

"Yeah," Edward said quietly, his tone reflective. "But days like today remind me why we do it."

Bella smiled, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "They do."

They kind of fit well together, huh? Let me know! :)