The Whispers of 4th District

Chapter 14: The plan

Days passed in a murky fog of anger and betrayal, yet beneath it, something new began to stir within Teddy: a resolve, sharp as broken glass and cold as steel. The prison walls seemed to tighten around him, but his thoughts remained fixed on one goal. If Uncle Marlon had died trying to expose the truth, then Teddy would live to finish it.

He spent his days replaying his last conversation with his mother, analyzing every word, every glance. The pieces of her deception felt painfully clear now, and with each connection, his anger grew. She had twisted him, led him to believe vengeance would make him whole, all to keep her secrets buried. He would expose her lies, no matter the cost.

Late one night, as Teddy lay on his cot, a guard's voice broke the silence. "Williams, you've got another visitor."

Confused, Teddy rose, wondering who else would come to see him. As he was led down the narrow corridor, his mind buzzed with questions. When he entered the visiting room, his eyes widened in surprise. Detective Marquez sat waiting, his face grim but intent.

Teddy sat across from him, picking up the phone. "Why are you here, Marquez?" His voice was thick with distrust.

Marquez studied him, silent for a long moment. Then he leaned forward, his voice low. "I know what your mother did."

Teddy's heart raced. "How do you know?"

Marquez sighed, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "Marlon was an informant, Teddy. He was giving us information about your mother's dealings in the district. We've known for a while that she was involved in some heavy things, things that went way beyond street business. But before he could share everything he knew... he was killed."

The pieces fell into place in Teddy's mind, snapping together like the cold metal of a trap. "So you're saying... you already suspected her?"

"We did," Marquez said, his gaze hardening. "But Marlon's death covered her tracks. Without any real proof, we couldn't move forward."

Teddy's fists clenched, fury swirling in his chest. His mother's betrayal had been deeper than he'd realized. Not only had she killed Marlon, but she had used her own son as a pawn to eliminate any remaining threats.

"So, what do you want from me?" Teddy asked, his voice bitter.

Marquez's eyes glinted with something close to respect. "You know things, Teddy. Maybe not all the details, but enough to start breaking down the truth. We can help you, but you've got to be willing to work with us. Think of it as... finishing what Marlon started."

Teddy hesitated, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. He knew cooperating with Marquez would mean making himself vulnerable, but the thought of letting his mother get away with everything she had done was even more unbearable.

He met Marquez's gaze, a cold determination hardening in his chest. "I'll tell you everything I know. But if I do this... I need your word. She goes down, no matter what."

Marquez nodded solemnly. "You have my word."

As they left the visiting room, Teddy felt a strange sense of clarity, as though the shadows were finally lifting. He knew that this was just the beginning—a new chapter in his life where he would be forced to face not only his mother's sins but his own as well.

He had been led by anger, by grief, but now he was driven by something stronger: the need for justice, and perhaps, a hope for redemption.