Capítulo 1: C1
**Chapter One: The Last Gambit**
The crackling sound of a radio filled the dimly lit room, a voice breaking through the haze of smoke and shadows. Jack "Silver Tongue" Marlowe leaned against the bar, nursing a whiskey that was more water than liquor. Outside, the streets of post-war America were alive with chaos, the remnants of a nation still reeling from the horrors of the Great War. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension, the kind that came before a storm.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the radio announcer boomed, his voice dripping with urgency, "a turf war is brewing in the heart of the city. Reports indicate that the notorious mob families are preparing for an all-out battle over control of the East Side. Stay tuned for live updates as we bring you the latest developments!"
Jack rolled his eyes, the weight of his own battles pressing heavily on his shoulders. The world outside was a relentless game of chance, and in his line of work, he was the dealer. The D.P.S. – Death Prevention Squad – existed to tip the odds back in favor of those on the brink of losing it all. But the stakes were getting higher, and today felt different.
"Another day, another dollar," he muttered under his breath, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and in walked Evelyn Sinclair, a widow with desperation etched on her face. Jack straightened, sensing the urgency that radiated from her.
"Mr. Marlowe," she said, her voice trembling. "I need your help. It's my son—he's sick, and if I don't do something fast, I'll lose him."
Jack's heart sank. He'd dealt with countless mothers willing to barter their souls for a chance at life, but the weight of each case never got any lighter. "What's the situation?" he asked, setting his glass down.
"It's the doctors—they've given up on him. They say there's nothing more they can do." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "But I heard about you… about what you do. I was told you can negotiate with death."
"Negotiating with death is a tricky business," Jack replied, his voice steady. "You need to understand the risks, Mrs. Sinclair. Death doesn't take kindly to deals that go sour."
"I don't care!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "I'll do anything. Just save my boy!"
Before Jack could respond, the radio crackled back to life. "We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news! A high-profile mob boss has been assassinated at the East End docks. Eyewitnesses report a massive shootout. The streets are in chaos!"
Jack's instincts kicked in. He glanced at Evelyn, whose face had gone pale. "Listen, I need to make a call. Stay here." He moved swiftly to the back of the bar, where a rotary phone sat on a rickety table. He lifted the receiver and dialed a familiar number.
"Abe," he said when the line clicked. "We've got a situation. The streets are heating up, and I think we might have a case worth taking on."
"Is it serious?" Abe's gravelly voice came through, laced with skepticism.
"Yeah," Jack replied. "A mother desperate to save her son. But it's going to get messy with the mob out for blood tonight."
"Just another Tuesday, huh?" Abe chuckled darkly. "I'll gather the squad. Meet us at the usual spot."
Jack hung up and returned to Evelyn, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're going to do everything we can to help your son. But it won't be easy. You need to trust me."
"I'll do whatever it takes," she whispered, hope and fear battling for dominance in her expression.
Just then, the bar door burst open, and in strolled Sadie "Nine Lives" Donovan, her expression as unimpressed as ever. She surveyed the scene, her eyes landing on Jack. "What's the deal, Marlowe? You look like you just lost a poker game."
"More like I'm about to play one," he replied, motioning her over. "We've got a case. A sick kid, and the clock is ticking."
Sadie raised an eyebrow, her indifference palpable. "Let me guess, you'll charm the devil right out of hell and save the day?"
"Something like that," Jack said, smirking. "We just need to keep our heads down and stay out of the crossfire."
"Good luck with that," she retorted, leaning against the bar with an air of casual defiance. "The mob's not known for playing fair."
"Neither are we," Jack replied, glancing back at Evelyn. "We'll find a way. We always do."
As the radio continued to relay the chaos unfolding in the streets, Jack felt the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through him. The D.P.S. was more than just a squad; it was a lifeline for those trapped in the grip of fate. And tonight, they would either rise to the occasion or fall victim to the very darkness they fought against.
With determination etched on his face, Jack turned back to Evelyn. "Let's go save your son."
As they stepped into the night, the air crackled with tension, the shadows whispering secrets of survival and sacrifice. Little did they know, the real battle was just beginning.**Chapter One: The Last Gambit (Continued)**
The streets of the East End were alive with chaos, the distant wail of sirens echoing through the night air. Jack led Evelyn and Sadie down the cracked pavement, their footsteps barely audible over the din of shouting voices and gunfire. Shadows danced in the flickering light of street lamps, casting eerie shapes that seemed to come alive in the dark.
"Stay close," Jack instructed, glancing over his shoulder. "We're heading to the docks. It's where the mob's been known to meet, and they won't take kindly to anyone poking their noses in their business."
"Great," Sadie replied, her tone deadpan. "Just what I wanted, a front-row seat to a mob war. Remind me again why I put up with you two?"
"Because you love the thrill," Jack shot back, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "And because you know that saving lives is worth a little danger."
"Oh, please," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'll take a bullet any day over listening to another one of your motivational speeches."
As they approached the docks, the air grew thick with tension. Shadows loomed over crates and barrels, the silhouettes of men moving stealthily in the darkness. Jack felt a familiar knot tighten in his stomach. He had faced the mob before, but the stakes were higher tonight with Evelyn's son's life hanging in the balance.
They reached the edge of the docks, where the moonlight glinted off the water like shards of glass. Jack scanned the area, searching for any sign of the D.P.S. team or the infamous mobster rumored to have answers about the dark dealings in the city.
"Let's split up," Jack suggested, lowering his voice. "Sadie, you take the left side. Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Evelyn, stick with me. We need to find out what's happening here."
Evelyn nodded, her eyes wide with fear but determination etched across her features. Jack led her further into the shadows, where the sounds of angry voices grew louder.
Suddenly, a shot rang out, followed by the sound of shattering glass. "Get down!" Jack shouted, pulling Evelyn closer as they ducked behind a stack of crates. His heart raced as he peered cautiously around the corner, spotting two men in suits, guns drawn, shouting at each other.
"I told you not to cross me, you rat!" one of them yelled, waving his revolver menacingly. "This territory is mine!"
The other man, trembling, raised his hands in surrender. "Please! I didn't mean to step on your toes. Just give me a chance to make it right!"
Jack's instincts kicked in. He could sense that this dispute was about more than just territory; it was about power and survival. He turned to Evelyn, who was clutching her purse tightly, her knuckles white. "Stay here. I'll handle this."
"What are you going to do?" she whispered, panic creeping into her voice.
"Trust me," Jack replied, his voice steady. "I'm going to play the game."
He stepped out from behind the crates, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "Gentlemen!" he called, his voice smooth and confident. "Looks like there's a bit of a misunderstanding here."
Both men turned, guns still drawn, surprise written across their faces. "Who the hell are you?" the first man demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"Just a concerned citizen," Jack replied, taking a careful step closer. "But I can't help but notice that tempers are flaring and bullets are flying. Can't we settle this like gentlemen?"
The second man looked at Jack, then at his partner, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "And what do you propose we do? This is none of your business, buddy."
"Maybe not," Jack said, his tone shifting to a more persuasive pitch. "But I know a thing or two about negotiations. Let's talk about this like rational men before someone gets hurt. And I think we can all agree that death isn't on the agenda tonight."
"Who do you think you are?" the first man sneered, his grip tightening on the gun.
"I'm the guy who can make sure you both walk away from this," Jack replied, his silver tongue weaving its magic. "But we need to find common ground. You've got the mob wars tearing apart this city, and you're letting it distract you from the real prize—power over the streets."
"Why should we listen to you?" the second man shot back, skepticism etched on his face.
"Because I have a proposition," Jack said, stepping closer, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. "You both want to survive this night, and I can help you. But first, let's put the guns down and talk."
A beat of silence hung in the air. Jack held his breath, knowing that one wrong move could lead to chaos. Finally, the first man nodded slightly, lowering his weapon. "Alright, I'm listening."
Jack took that as a win. "Good. Let's find a quieter place to hash this out, away from the prying eyes of the law and the mobs. I know a spot where we can talk business."
As Jack led the two men away, he glanced back at Evelyn, who had remained hidden behind the crates. Relief washed over him knowing she was safe, but he knew he had to act quickly. Time was running out for her son.
Meanwhile, Sadie watched from her vantage point, a mix of amusement and concern playing on her face. "You really think talking is going to solve this mess?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "Classic Marlowe."
A sudden commotion caught her attention—a group of men, clad in dark suits, rushed toward the docks, guns drawn. They were clearly looking for trouble, and Sadie knew she had to act.
With a resigned sigh, she moved to intervene. "Looks like it's showtime," she muttered, stepping out from the shadows with a calm confidence. "Just another night in paradise."
As the chaos unfolded, Jack's gamble had just begun, and with the stakes higher than ever, every moment counted. The night was drawing darker, and the line between life and death was about to blur in ways they could never have anticipated.
**To Be Continued…**
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