"We can't exactly waltz into T&T headquarters and confront them," Derrick pointed out wryly. "Besides, we're on the run. Police will be everywhere we look as soon as we enter the city."

One voice said, "Maybe not," coming from behind. Martha stood in the doorway with crossed arms, displaying a determined gaze that captivated everyone's attention.


"You have a connection inside T&T? Someone we could potentially involve and we wont risk getting caught?" Sarah asked, getting a bit hopeful.

Martha gave a curt nod. "Used to work security there, years ago. Still have a few contacts who owe me favors."

Derrick started by saying, "So, if I understand correctly, what youre saying is…..." with a smile gradually appearing on his face.


"We can get someone on the inside," Martha finished, her voice gruff but firm. "Someone who can keep an eye on things, report back on Briggs's activities."

"But who?" Sarah asked. "Who would be willing to risk their job to help us and not backout on us in the dine minute?"


Martha's gaze met Sarah's, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Someone with a grudge. Someone who wouldn't mind seeing Briggs's empire crumble from the inside out."

A slow smile spread across Sarah's face. "That sounds perfect. But how do we find this… disgruntled employee?"

Tiger leaned in, his eyes sparkling with determination. "I'll take care of that," he said. 'I am acquainted with some individuals who regularly visit the shadowy areas of the city. Surely, someone will have an issue to address with Briggs. He is not well liked. Only well feared by people who he has things on their head."

A tense quiet fell over the room as they took in this fresh knowledge. The despair that had almost overwhelmed them before was now replaced by a glimmer of resistance. Although they were fugitives, they were not without power.

"Okay," Sarah stated firmly, her voice filled with fresh resolve. "This changes things. We're not just hiding anymore. We're going to fight back."

Derrick, a mischievous grin playing on his lips, chimed in. "Operation: Bring Down the House, anyone?"

Olivia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she clapped her hands. "Let us proceed!"

Even Martha, with a slight smile on her lips, gave a small nod of approval.

Gathered around the fire with a fresh determination, they started to develop their strategy. It wouldn't be simple, and the chances were not in their favor.

However, it was not until they left the city that they finally felt empowered to determine their own future.

They would expose Bobby and Marshal Briggs, protect T&T, and reclaim their lives.

Though the battle was far from ended, optimism had been kindled in the old lodge's flickering firelight.

Sarah held the phone line while a blazing fire danced over the lodge's weathered wooden walls. She inhaled deeply and phoned Mr. Black's number. It rang twice before his familiar, raspy voice filled her ear.

"Sarah? Everything alright?"

"Mr. Black," Sarah began, her voice a mix of urgency and trepidation. "There's been a development."

She quickly filled him in on the details – Derrick's conversation with Sam, Bobby's plan to transfer ownership to Marshal Briggs, and their tentative plan to get an inside source at T&T.

A thoughtful silence followed her explanation. Finally, Mr. Black spoke.

"This Marshal Briggs," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "He's a dangerous man, Sarah. This changes the game entirely."

"We know," Sarah replied. "We can't just sit here and watch them dismantle T&T."

"Of course not," Mr. Black agreed. "But you need to be careful. Briggs isn't someone to underestimate."

"We understand the risk," Sarah assured him. "But we also have an opportunity here. With Bobby out of the picture, maybe we can use this against him."

"Use what?" Mr. Black queried.

Sarah outlined their plan to gather evidence against Bobby – the incriminating files from his office, the recording of his threats, and potentially even testimony from the disgruntled employee they planned to recruit.

'Excellent," Mr. Black said, his voice gaining a sharper edge. "Gather everything you have. Each and every file, tape, every scrap of evidence linking Bobby to his transgressions. We must present a convincing argument that will drive even his devoted supporters to acknowledge the reality."

There was a pause, and then a deep laugh came over the phone. "You're a clever woman, Sarah. Yes, gather everything you can. Expose Bobby for the fraud he is. Use the media, create a public outcry. Make his transfer of ownership a poisoned chalice."

"That's what we were thinking," Sarah said, a flicker of relief warming her voice. "But it's a long shot."

"Perhaps," Mr. Black conceded. "But it's the best shot you have. Just keep me updated on your progress."

"And what about Derrick?" Mr. Black inquired. "Has he contacted his… family?"

Sarah glanced at Derrick, who was pacing the room, a deep frown etching his features. He cradled his phone, his expression a mixture of anger and sadness.

"He's… talking to his father right now," Sarah replied hesitantly.

"Good," Mr. Black said. "Perhaps Mr. Duke can be an unexpected ally in this fight."

"We will," Sarah promised. "Thank you, Mr. Black. For everything."

Hanging up the phone, Sarah turned to face the others, a renewed sense of purpose etched on her face. "Mr. Black agrees. We need to gather as much evidence as possible against Bobby. The more we have, the stronger our case."

Meanwhile, Derrick's conversation with his father was anything but smooth.

"Wait, are you saying Bobby is not my biological child?" Mr. Duke's voice shook with a combination of pain and shock as it echoed through the phone.

"That's what the investigator said," Derrick replied with a tense tone. "And apparently, Bobby has a whole other father, this guy named Marshal Briggs."

A heavy silence descended on the line. Derrick could almost picture his father slumped in his chair, the weight of the revelation crushing him.

"But… how?" Mr. Duke finally managed, his voice thick with emotion. "I raised Bobby since he was a baby. He's my son."

"I know, Dad," Derrick said sympathetically. "This must be a shock for you."

"A shock? It's more than that!" Mr. Duke exclaimed. "It changes everything. All those years… wasted on a lie."

Derrick felt sad as he listened to the pain in his father's voice. Although their relationship was tense, he still recognized the pain of the betrayal.

"Dad," Derrick cautiously suggested, "perhaps we could potentially benefit from this situation. If Bobby isn't your child, there's no need for you to continue shielding him.",

Another long pause. Then, Mr. Duke spoke, his voice hardened with resolve. "You're right, Derrick. This changes things. I want the truth. I need a paternity test done, a real one, one that can't be tampered with."

Derrick's heart lifted. Maybe, just maybe, his father could be swayed. Maybe the truth, however bitter, could be the key to breaking Bobby's hold on him.

"Dad, I promise I will take care of it," Derrick assured. "Once we obtain the outcomes, we will determine our next course of action."

After ending the call, hope appeared in his eyes.. They had a plan, a growing network of allies, and a truth that could shatter Bobby's carefully constructed world.

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Olivia, sensing the awkwardness, nestled closer to Sarah.

"Mr. Duke… still thinks of Bobby as his son," Sarah finally said, her voice soft.

"He raised Bobby since he was a baby," Derrick replied, his voice heavy with emotion. "It's going to be a shock to his system."

Tiger, who had been staring into the fire, spoke up. "Perhaps this shock can work in our favor. A distraught Mr. Duke could be a powerful weapon against Bobby."

Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe. But we have to be careful not to manipulate Mr. Duke's emotions."

"Agreed," Derrick said. "My dad might be angry right now, but he's not a heartless man. "We must present all the information to him and allow him to decide for himself."

While talking about their future plans, a feeling of careful hopefulness enveloped the room.

Although they were not yet close to winning, they had a strategy, supporters in surprising locations, and more and more proof against Bobby.

The battle was still ongoing, yet in the dim light of the ancient cabin, they experienced a revived feeling of empowerment, prepared to reclaim their lives gradually.

Derrick walked out of the lodge, feeling grateful for the refreshing coolness of the night air following his strained talk with his father. Taking his phone out, he punched in a well-known number

"Sam? It's Derrick."

"Derrick! How are things up there in the wilderness?" Sam's voice came through, laced with his usual easygoing humor.

Derrick chuckled dryly. "Wilderness is one way to put it. Listen, I have a new assignment for you, and it's pretty urgent."

He proceeded to explain the bombshell revelation – Bobby's true parentage and Mr. Duke's desire for a paternity test.