I was gutted to know of Leo's capture and at the same time could finally let off some steam as a part of my wild mind in finally knowing who had destroyed my family. I drove down to the station to pick up some amenities and began my quest to save my best friend.

I hit the road in my Toyota Hilux filled with supplies and amenities as I had no clue when we'd return. After a short drive the heavens opened up and it poured, but it didn't bother me rather I felt a sense of calm as I enjoyed driving in the rain. It brought back some good old memories. The time Marian and I first met, the birth of our son, both of them at the door, waving goodbye as I left to work, our small fights during the day and the cuddling in the night, celebrating Malcolm's 1st birthday, Marian and I having some fun moments in the rain while Malcolm watched from the window and we shied away and laughed sheepishly. These memories brought tears to my eyes. The horn of the vehicle that overtook me brought me back to reality. I stopped at the next gas station to grab a bite and to refuel the vehicle.

The reason I chose to go by road which was a 1950 mile (40 to 48 hrs) ride and not by air was because I needed to have time to plan my actions on infiltrating the Ukrainian Mafia and also the amenities I brought along for the ambush. After a short break at the gas station I hit the road and was focused as hell and started sketching a plan in my mind. The smell of nature after a rain was musky and fresh. I lowered my window and let the breeze hit my face and was lost in thought once again. I dreamt of Leo and me meeting, becoming partners at the station and our first case together which was hilarious.
We were put on a case involving a criminal named Vincent La Paul who escaped the Winson Green prison and was on the run. We had information that he was a womanizer and a healthy tip from one of our informants that he was taking cover in a brothel nearby.
We reached the brothel and found out that he was put up in room number 5. The madam over there asked us to avoid too much commotion as they had other customers in the brothel and did not want to lose business. We acted swiftly because it was our first case and more so because of the adrenaline rush. We drew our pistols and stationed ourselves outside the door. I knocked on the door and pretended to be room service while Leo was giving me cover but Vincent with all his experience knew something was uncanny. What we were not informed about ,was that there were alternate exits in each of the rooms that was used by the customers when police carried out their raids to avoid getting caught. I grew impatient and knocked a few more times, then the prostitute who was giving him company opened the door giving a puzzled look because of my gun pointed at her chest and for a brief time stalled us. She had some big assets and we got distracted a little. But I quickly came to my senses and headed to the exit to catch Vincent while Leo who was oogling before, was having a conversation with her and I had to scream a little louder to draw his attention and remind him of the situation we were in. We started chasing Vincent who although a little old ,was swift and Leo said he knew exactly the reason and winked. Leo took a shortcut and I followed Vincent and was asking him to give up and surrender, but to no avail and finally Leo came around and took him down and I quickly cuffed him, both of us still panting. We were appreciated by the commissioner and that was the beginning of our many successful cases. It brought a little smile to my face at this moment of torment and despondency.

Throughout the journey I kept thinking of the torture Leo was undergoing and kept telling myself that they would all pay for this and would unleash hell on Mikhailo. I would leave no stone unturned and if I had to do it alone I wiould go in with all guns blazing. I tried sketching up plans but still could not figure out a way to infiltrate the mafia because it would be heavily guarded. All of a sudden I realized having watched something on the news recently of some people in Ukraine who were being beaten up and some of them even tortured and killed by the Ukrainian Mafia for opposing the drug lords and protesting for a ban. At that point I knew if I could somehow talk them into helping me, I'd have a chance of getting in. Now...