The detective remains seated across the deck, his untouched phone between them. The boat moves beyond the harbor, waves tapping softly against the hull.
Detective Mara Velez
You are facing charges tied to the bank robbery, the penthouse theft, and the deaths at the safe house. The exact counts depend on evidence and jurisdiction.
He keeps his hands visible and watches the dark shoreline recede. John remains unconscious at the safe house with Corsio, nowhere near the boat or this conversation.
Detective Mara Velez
Custody can be controlled. I can arrange a private surrender, medical evaluation, and counsel before questioning. I cannot promise immunity without prosecutors signing off.
Detective Mara Velez
Witness protection is possible only if you provide information valuable enough to survive official scrutiny. Corsio and the High Table can be excluded from the process, but agencies will still review every promise.
Detective Mara Velez
He wants certainty from a system built on documentation, and I have only procedures to offer.
Detective Mara Velez
Ask your questions directly, Jesse. Charges, custody, protection, or Corsio. I will tell you what I can guarantee and what remains conditional.
“First of all I admit to everything stated. Now I will tell you that we robbed north shire In preparation for a bigger heist here in LA. If my sources are correct the Los Angeles Federal Union stores around 300 million dollars in gold buiion. We are going to rob that bank. That is what they know. Here’s what they don’t know. When we enter the bank we’re going to immediately open the vault through and inside scourge. When my associates are inside I’m going to shoot them dead. After which I will “escape to my safe house” I will return empty handed and when corsio confronts me he will be shot dead. Detective I’m telling you this because the police are gonna know where the third gunman is. The third gunman will be lying injured from a bullet wound inside the safe house. I will not be there.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Jesse
First, I admit to everything you listed. We robbed North Shire Community Bank while preparing a larger Los Angeles operation. The target is Los Angeles Federal Union, believed to hold roughly three hundred million dollars in gold bullion.
Jesse
When we enter, my associates will open the vault from inside. I will kill them, claim I escaped to the safe house, then return empty-handed and shoot Corsio when he confronts me.
Jesse
What they do not know is that the third gunman will be injured and left inside the safe house. I will not be there. The police will know where to find him.
The detective does not interrupt. His phone remains on the deck, but its screen wakes and displays an active voice memo. Jesse’s confession is now recorded, concrete evidence against him.
Detective Mara Velez
You have confessed to the bank robbery, disclosed a planned federal-bank attack, identified Corsio as a target, and given me the safe house location. I am treating this as an immediate threat.
Detective Mara Velez
I will transmit the safe house location and the planned attack to federal authorities. Your cooperation is documented, but this recording means your surrender terms just became much harder to negotiate.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a protected surrender arrangement
“I’m telling you this because my associate was already wounded in a recent high table trial. I spared his life. He will take the fall. I will be long gone before you get there. You will tell the police nothing except the location of the safe house. You will arrive on scene to the bank as if it were any other day. I will call you when it’s safe to reach the safe house. And just so you know detective if you try and pin this on me behind my back I’ve already put charges inside your house. Your baby sleeps above a remote bomb. Your wife’s vibrator contains a poison sperm charge. And I’ve soaked the foundation of your house in gasoline so that the whole thing will burn down. Don’t underestimate me.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Jesse
I spared my associate after the High Table trial. He will take the fall. I will be gone before you reach the safe house.
Jesse
Tell police only the safe house location. Reach the bank like any other day. I will call when it is safe to approach.
Jesse
If you pin this on me behind my back, I have planted charges at your house. Your family will die. Do not underestimate me.
The detective’s face drains of color. His phone continues recording, capturing the threat alongside Jesse’s confession and demands.
Detective Mara Velez
I will report only the safe house location to the responding police. I will not disclose your role or alter the bank response without your call.
Detective Mara Velez
I understand the terms. I will protect my family first, and I will follow your instructions until you contact me.
He lowers his eyes to the recording, then leaves the phone untouched. The boat continues into open water while the detective accepts Jesse’s conditions.
Director's note
They return to land and Jesse arrives back at the safe house. High table officials await him there
The boat returns to the billionaire’s dock before dawn. The detective steps ashore first, while Jesse remains near the controls until the shoreline is quiet.
Detective Mara Velez
The safe house location has been transmitted. Federal authorities are moving, but no one knows you are with me unless I tell them.
Jesse leaves the boat and crosses Los Angeles by a concealed route, reaching Corsio’s safe house as the first gray light touches the garage doors.
Inside, High Table officials occupy the garage in dark suits, flanked by armed representatives. Corsio stands apart near the stairs, while John remains unconscious under medical care.
the senior High Table official
Jesse. You rejected the sentence, attacked 7 Aces witnesses, threatened Corsio, and disappeared before judgment could be completed.
Corsio Angelico
He has returned by choice, which means he still believes he controls the terms. Do not mistake arrival for surrender.
the senior High Table official
Your status is suspended pending review. Place the weapon on the floor, and explain why the High Table should not authorize immediate custody.