Chapter 121: Shattered Loyalties

The shrill ring of the phone sliced through the tense silence of Tiago's hideout. He eyed the caller ID with a flicker of surprise – Leao. A smirk played on his lips as he answered, "Officer Leao, to what do I owe this… unexpected pleasure?" "Cut the pleasantries, Alarcão," Leao's voice crackled through the receiver, laced with a thinly veiled threat. "Meet me at the usual coffee shop. Now." Tiago's smirk widened. Leao wouldn't be making this request unless his investigation had taken an unwelcome turn. "Intriguing. Is this about a certain… underground inquiry you might be conducting?" He said revealing his awareness about Leao’s recent movements. Leao hesitated for a beat. "Let's just say my visit to that little… establishment wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Seems someone there recognized me." A hint of amusement crept into Tiago's voice. "My, my, that does sound precarious, Officer. Did you manage to extricate yourself from that… predicament?" "Let's just say I had some… une