EKON: BLOOD TIES

Chapter 2

Claire's mind raced as she exited the precinct, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of the threat loomed heavy over her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She had always known the dangers of her job, but now it felt like the line between right and wrong was blurring even further.

Taking a deep breath, Claire stepped into her car and quickly typed the address into her GPS. The diner on 5th wasn't far from the precinct, but she felt the urge to speed, the urgency of Vanessa's message tugging at her.

As she navigated through the bustling streets of New York, she couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. Every glance in her rearview mirror made her stomach churn. Was it just her imagination, or had that black sedan been behind her for the last few blocks? She forced herself to focus on the road, pushing the thought to the back of her mind.

Arriving at the diner, Claire parked quickly, her pulse quickening. The neon sign flickered above, casting a warm glow over the small establishment. It was a classic greasy spoon, with red vinyl booths and a counter lined with chrome stools. The comforting aroma of coffee and bacon wafted through the air, but Claire's stomach was in knots.

She stepped inside, scanning the diner for Vanessa. A few patrons sat scattered in booths, a couple of late-night workers huddled over their meals, but no sign of her best friend. Claire's instinct kicked in; she chose a booth near the back where she could keep an eye on the entrance.

Moments later, the door swung open, and Claire's heart leapt. Vanessa stepped in, looking slightly out of breath but determined. She quickly spotted Claire and made her way over, her eyes darting around as if she sensed the same danger.

"Claire, I'm glad you made it," Vanessa said, sliding into the booth across from her. "I didn't know if you'd get my message in time."

"I came as fast as I could," Claire replied, leaning forward. "What's going on? What did you find out about Felix?"

Vanessa glanced around the diner, her expression serious. "It's worse than we thought. I got a tip from someone who overheard Felix talking about Donovan before he was killed. He mentioned a meeting—a shipment coming in. And he's tied to some serious players in organized crime. They're planning something big, and it involves him."

Claire felt a rush of adrenaline. "What kind of shipment? Drugs? Weapons?"

"Rumor has it, it's a new type of synthetic drug," Vanessa explained, lowering her voice. "They're moving it in from overseas, and it's supposed to be a game changer in the market. If they get this out, it could put The Serpents on the map."

Claire's mind raced as she connected the dots. "And Donovan was caught in the middle, trying to play both sides. This could be the motive for his murder."

"Exactly," Vanessa replied, her brow furrowed. "But there's more. I overheard a name while I was at the club—someone named Lena who's supposed to be the key player in this deal. Felix is in deep with her, and if we can get to her, we might find out more."

Claire leaned back, processing the information. "This could be our way in. If we can track down this Lena, we could not only solve Donovan's case but potentially dismantle part of The Serpents' operation."

Vanessa nodded, her eyes wide with excitement. "But we have to be careful. If Felix or any of his crew find out we're looking into this, it could get dangerous fast."

Just then, a loud crash broke their concentration, and the door swung open again. Claire's heart sank as she recognized the figure entering the diner: Felix Morales himself, flanked by two of his goons. He scanned the room, his gaze landing directly on Claire and Vanessa.