Falling Stars

Chapter-11 : A Worthless Scumbag

Gabriel's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he walked away from Chief Torres's office with Mark. The revelation that Kane was in communication with a criminal organization and that there was a mole within their ranks had added a new layer of complexity to their already daunting mission. Gabriel knew that if they were to succeed, they had to uncover the truth about Kane's involvement and how he had infiltrated the Celestial Elimination Department.

That evening, as the team gathered in the mess hall for dinner, Gabriel found it hard to focus on the conversations around him. Amelia noticed his distraction and gently touched his arm. "You okay, Gabriel? You seem a million miles away."

He offered her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a lot on my mind, Amelia. But I'll be fine."

She squeezed his hand, her concern evident. "If you need to talk, I'm here."

Gabriel nodded, appreciating her support. "Thanks, Amelia. I'll keep that in mind."

After dinner, Gabriel and Mark retreated to their quarters to discuss their next steps. They knew they needed more information about Kane's involvement and his connections to the criminal organization. Gabriel's thoughts kept returning to the past, to the days when he and Kane were inseparable. How had his best friend turned into someone so dangerous and deceitful?

"Gabriel," Mark said, snapping him out of his reverie. "We need to figure out how Kane got into the department in the first place. There has to be a trail, something we can follow."

Gabriel nodded, his resolve strengthening. "You're right. Let's start by looking into his recruitment records and any communications he had before joining us."

Mark accessed the department's secure database, pulling up Kane's file. As they sifted through the documents, Gabriel's eyes narrowed at the inconsistencies he noticed. Kane's background check appeared thorough on the surface, but something felt off.

"Look at this," Gabriel said, pointing to a section of the file. "His references and work history. They seem too perfect, almost like they've been fabricated."

Mark frowned, leaning closer to the screen. "You're right. And these references... I recognize some of these names. They're known associates of the criminal organization Torres mentioned."

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "That explains how he got in. They must have falsified his records to make him look like the ideal candidate."

Mark nodded, his expression grim. "We need to find out who helped him on the inside. The mole could be anyone."

As they continued their investigation, Gabriel's mind kept returning to his past with Kane. The memories were painful, but they held clues to understanding his former friend's motives and actions. Gabriel decided it was time to confront those memories head-on.

"Mark," Gabriel said, his voice steady. "I need to tell you more about my history with Kane. It might help us understand his current actions."

Mark nodded, listening intently. "I'm all ears, Gabriel."

Gabriel took a deep breath, steeling himself for the painful memories. "Kane and I grew up in the same neighborhood. We were best friends from a young age, always getting into mischief together. As we got older, we both joined the police force, determined to make a difference."

Mark's eyes softened with understanding. "You were like brothers."

"Exactly," Gabriel continued. "We were partners on the force, solving cases and catching criminals. But then, things started to change. Kane became obsessed with power and control. He started bending the rules, crossing lines I couldn't follow. I tried to talk to him, to bring him back from the edge, but he wouldn't listen."