Redemption Song | Levi & Eren

Chapter 20: Kid Charlemagne

      The wire scratched at the skin under his shirt. The audio and video recording device carefully attached to the inside of his shirt documented the surroundings. Typically, an under-the-shirt wire was an old-school technique and not commonly used.

In Levi's experience, most criminals sought modern bugs and wires in the forms of phones and belts, usually ignoring the chest as it was too obvious.

Levi acted solo with no backup to join his aid if the self-assigned mission went sideways. He'd flashed his badge to the front desk, convincing them that the equipment he was booking out was relevant to his undercover work.

Levi hadn't gone undercover in a long time. Most constables didn't unless convinced otherwise by detectives requiring assistance.

Unsurprisingly, they never approached Levi. If only they knew he spent years in a foreign enemy land with four other white soldiers.

He adjusted his suit collar. Given the hecticness that was his life, he'd failed to find time to return the suit he'd rented for the date Hanji had set up.

He'd broken the contract and washed it. He'd rather face the wrath of a pissed off suit vendor than a dangerous drug dealer.

He'd crafted his backstory meticulously. His name, Rivaille Ripper, was the result of Kenny's infamous alias combined with a mispronounced version of his name he'd heard years ago. Due to its bizarre misreading, it remained stuck in his mind.

Levi knew better than to use his real name. Levi Ackerman, if googled, appeared in multiple new stories detailing crimes he'd responded to as a police officer. Nothing emerged when searching Rivaille Ripper. He checked.

His alias was hoping to expand his business of providing drugs to the greedy for outrageous prices, regardless of the buyer's wealth or purpose.

He wore a suit to showcase he meant business and wasn't looking for a quick deal. The more product they were willing to supply, the longer their sentence was.

Levi knew the risk. Without an official case report, the whole operation could be dismissed in the snap of a lawyer's fingers. However, he believed in Erwin.

He knew he could take down Eren's brother and his growing enterprise tonight but he had to hope Erwin would quickly write up an off-the-books case to support him once it was over.

He considered it too great a risk to continue researching and planning at his personal workspace so he grabbed his equipment and moved to the lower levels.

An intelligence team tasked with the uncovering of serious crimes resided below the station. They'd yet to arrive for their late-night shifts where most active crimes occurred. He accessed one of the many unrestricted computers with his police identification.

There wasn't much available on Zeke Jaeger. Levi deemed a list of key associates vital. He sighed in relief when Eren's name wasn't on the list. So far, the only connection Eren and Zeke shared was a blood relation.

Since he'd come to know Eren, Levi suspected he had no clue how deeply involved Zeke was. At the time of his overdose, he more than likely didn't care what Zeke was handing him.

Levi memorised the list, reckoning it would be relevant. He pictured Zeke's appearance perfectly in his mind as well as all of his documented cronies.

It was the image of a hospitalised Eren that infiltrated his mind without permission that plagued his doubts. It fueled him with guilt, kindling to his burning fireplace of determination.

Alongside Zeke's associate's list were details of regular street corners used to sell the products. Levi round the corner, an underpass connecting one street to another whilst a vacant bridge stood over them.