Sitting in the hospital bed felt like its own degree of prison for Oichi. She looked out the window by her bed at the city from her 5th floor window. She had plenty of money from her late husband to spend on the more luxurious accommodations, and yet it still felt too constricting. She felt like the white clean walls were a little too judgmental. The pressed and itchy bedsheets were too thin. The feathered pillow crunched when she rolled her head. It should all have made her feel comfortable, but she currently felt anxious and unnerved. The near death experience with that serial killer had shown her how vulnerable she was now…and also how treacherous even her allies could become. She knew Young would betray her…but even this had gone beyond her notice.

“Miss Taiga?” Marcus whispered. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Marcus…”

“You seem distracted.”

“It’s nothing. Shigata ga nai.” She answered.

“I’m sorry, what does that-”

“It means ‘it cannot be helped.’ My father would say it any time things did not go the way he intended. Just finish telling me our situation, please.” Marcus had visited her frequently since her stay here. The surgery to remove the bullet from her stomach had been successful and short. She’d only have to stay another day or two and then she would be released; but business does not wait. Marcus would regularly keep her up to date with the Syndicate’s current standing…and it usually wasn’t good.

“Three of our drug warehouses were ransacked and the product inside was destroyed…we’re talking a couple hundred grand in losses. Our arms dealers managed to stay out of the way, but they’re being secretive and discrete right now…it would be dangerous to start moving openly again while we’re still dealing with potential turncoats.”

“Turncoats?” Oichi asked.

“It’s a western phrase…it means traitors…”

“Ah…I like it. It has a lovely ring for such a disgusting term.” Marcus paused, uncertain how to interpret that response. Was she making a joke or warning him not to bring up the incidents that just happened? He didn’t want to risk it, so he moved on.

“As for our ties to the cartels…only one is still loyal. The others are shaken. I think they see us as…questionable.”

“We’ll change their tune in time.”

“It would be unwise to try and force them to rejoin us.”

“I’m not so stupid as to convert by the sword.” Oichi sighed, laying her head back and fuming. It seemed so much easier though when you could force others around. What was the use in having muscle if you couldn’t flex it? But that begged the question what muscle did they really have left? Young had been a fool, but his actions had crippled the business considerably. She’d actually smirked when reading about his suicide in the newspaper.

“Speaking of which, there’s something else I want to talk to you about,” Marcus spoke up, “there’s a youth activity center in one of our controlled districts. It’s largely a place for Muslim youths to find social activities…but we have substantial evidence that it’s a breeding ground for some Islamic extremists…terrorist activities.” Oichi shrugged.

“I’m not going to chase after a group of religious radicals right now.” Marcus didn’t stop. He pulled up in his chair and started pulling a few photos from his jacket pocket.

“Normally, I’d agree with you…but there’s more than just that. One of our territories of protection has been dealing with harassment from some of these radicals.”

“A religious war?”

“Something like that, but the territory has plenty of Muslim families also suffering from these radicals…” Oichi’s eyes narrowed darkly.

“Infighting among Muslims? That could be a problem for the community…”

“That’s not the issue we have, either. It’s the MCP.”

“MCP?”

“Muslim Community Patrol. They’re a self proclaimed defense group who act like police officers but only work within the Muslim community. They’ve become a gang in their own right, muscling in on non-muslim properties and bullying more moderate muslim families. Boss, these families pay us for protection…they’ve appreciated the safety we provide. If we don’t do something…”

“Contact the police. Can’t they do something about this nonsense?” Oichi asked. “We’re not exactly in a fit state to wage a war with the MCP or with a supposed religious radical group.” Marcus nodded darkly but nudged the photos forward anyway.

“These are…some of their more recent actions.” Oichi took up the photos to look. The first few were nothing serious…broken shop windows and Quran verses spraypainted on cars and walls. There was one burning car…and what looked like a threatening message on a sidewalk. But as the pictures became more graphic, Oichi’s eyes widened. A woman beaten savagely. An old Jewish man bloodied and on the ground. There was even, what looked frighteningly, like a dead man, covered in bruises and cuts as if he’d been…

“Stoned.” Marcus confirmed. “His name was Jackson Fletcher…he was homosexual…”

“Okay so maybe they’re rabble-rousers. Can’t the police handle this? I feel for these people but…”

“The police have tried, but there’s not much they can do. hashtag Not All Muslims.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It’s a trend that’s popular these days. When a Muslim commits a crime, the community rushes to their defense before anyone generalizes all Muslims as terrorists or violent.”

“You can’t be serious…the police can’t touch them for publicity reasons!?” Oichi gasped.

“That’s why I’ve brought it to your attention. If the police won’t touch it…”

“…Let me think about what to do.” Oichi finally nodded. “Maybe winning some favor back from the community will help the family in the long run. We can’t afford to go storming a youth center without reason…but we also can’t ignore these people we promised to look out for.” Marcus gave a relieved sigh.

“I’ll do some digging and figure out what would be the best course of-”

*knock knock*

The door opened and Marcus stood up while Oichi sat up straighter in surprise. There, standing in his police uniform and looking rather professional…and handsome…was Todd. He looked at Marcus and gave a polite nod.

“Good afternoon, sir. Are you…”

“A friend of Miss Oichi.” He said, frowning and excusing himself. “I was just leaving.” Oichi gave a polite bow to him as he marched past, his displeasure apparent. As he closed the door behind him, Marcus hurried to Oichi and sat down across from her, taking Marcus’s old seat.

“How’re you feeling, Oichi? Are you still sore? I know what it’s like to take a bullet.”

“You just visited me this morning! Don’t you have duty?” Oichi teased, giggling excitedly, secretly glad he was here.

“I can take a little break. My partner will understand a detour for someone like you.” He leaned close and planted a kiss on Oichi’s head, sending her heart spiraling into a swelling sea of glee. She had to stop herself from squealing like a little girl.

“Aww, you worry too much.” She laughed.

“Said the lady nearly killed! We’ve got the killer in custody. He’s a likely suspect for a string of serial murderers. We’ll break him before long and-”

“It’s alright, Todd…he didn’t kill me. I’m alright.” She smiled. In truth, she wanted Todd not to focus on the killer, whoever he was. If Todd dug too much into him, he’d spill why he was there to kill her…and that was a secret she wasn’t ready for Todd to hear. “Let’s not worry about it now, okay?” Todd gave a grunt of disapproval, but nodded all the same. She sat up slightly to lean closer. There was something about being closer to Todd that made her happy…a sensation that she both loved and despised. How could some single man…a police officer no less, spark such feelings in her? And yet, she couldn’t deny them either. Marcus was right not to like this relationship; it went against everything she was and stood for. But…it was not her choice to make who she fell for. Could she live with this? Could she keep this game going and her Syndicate at the same time?

As the two began to talk of other things, suddenly Todd’s radio came on and began to speak.

“Todd! We got a call of assault and battery six blocks from here, let’s get going.” Todd groaned but answered.

“Is it near the Divine Youth Facility again?”

“The report was called in from Alzhara Avenue…only a few miles away so, you do the math, chief.” Todd groaned.

“10-4.” He turned off the radio and stood up again. “Sorry hon…I gotta go.”

“What’s with the Divine Youth Facility?” Oichi asked curiously, though a part of her suspected the answer.

“It’s no big deal. Just…every few days we get some kind of call about vandalism or assault within a few miles of that facility. We suspect some childish pranksters who frequent it but until now we can’t prove anything…and the brass won’t let us near the place.”

“Sounds like more than pranksters to me if we’re talking assault.” Oichi frowned. “Todd, you mentioned the other day that there’s been a rise in potential terrorist activity in the city…does this have-”

“No! No, I shouldn’t have mentioned that to you…that’s stuff we can’t talk about openly.” Todd cautioned, silencing her firmly. “Listen, it’s nothing you need to worry about. You get released soon right? Let’s have dinner the night you’re out and we can talk and…just have a wonderful time together. I don’t want you stressing over this.” As he kissed Oichi’s cheek and walked out the door, Oichi’s eyes narrowed darkly.

“Can’t talk about openly…” Oichi hissed. “Then maybe it can’t be solved openly either. Sorry, Todd…but I think I need to look into this myself.” She reached for her phone and began dialing.

“Marcus?” She said quickly. “There’s been an incident on Alzhara Ave. Police suspect it has to do with that Youth facility you mentioned. Todd wouldn’t mention anything…but I think there’s more to this than even you mentioned.”

“Any particular reason you think that, ma’am?”

“On our last date, Todd mentioned a growing concern of terrorist activity I think. I tried to bring it up to him now, but he quickly shut me down, saying it wasn’t something we could discuss openly. Why bring it up one night, then be quiet about it later?”

“Probably didn’t want to worry you.”

“Maybe…but there’s more to it than that. He said the police can’t touch the Fascility…too much red tape and publicity problems like you said, but Todd is sure it’s originating from there. And if he’s concerned about terrorist threats…rising in terror activities…”

“What are you suggesting, ma’am?”

“The longer we sit on this information with no one acting, the more likely something worse than a few beat up civilians will take place. Arrange a meeting with myself and the Fascility coordinator. I want a word with them…”

“I can do that ma’am.”

“In the mean time, we need to run damage control. Check on our properties and supporters in the local neighborhoods and apartment complexes. Make sure they’re alright. If we’re going to pull ourselves back from the brink, we need social support as much as we need better security.”

“I’ve got some trusted associates on that. But, Miss Taiga…I should point out that even if we win the support of the community, there are plenty of other criminal organizations and gangs in the city waiting to pounce on us. Our little incident has made us way too vulnerable. A community of civilians can’t be protected if we can’t protect ourselves.” Marcus pointed out wisely. Oichi leaned back and stared out the window again, thinking on this truth.

When she first came to this city, she knew it was sick…dying from a festering plague of corruption and criminal infighting. She’d kept the violence she’d caused to a minimum…worked hard to restore the family organization she’d inherited…she’d built strong ties in the community and had won the favor of the populace. And yet…she’d been blind. She’d nearly lost everything because of her inability to anticipate treachery…her inability to look untouchable. That had to change. It was as her father had told her as a little girl…

“Miss Taiga?”

“A tiger mother must handle her cubs with care and with affection…firm but loving. However, should the mother show weakness it, and her cubs, will become prey. Therefore, the tiger cannot show weakness, even around her cubs. To rule the jungle…a tiger must remain ruthless.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’ve not been ruthless, Marcus. In my attempt to win favor, I forgot this rule. I will not convert by the sword…but I will rule by it if I must. Maybe it’s time that I showed this city who I really am…and what I’m really capable of.” A cold silence fell over Marcus. His hands trembled at the very tangible threat.

“M-may I ask how?”

“Time will tell, Marcus. Now arrange the meeting. I’ll be waiting for your call.” Oichi hung up before Marcus could answer. She then lay back and began contemplating her next move. In this game of chess, she had made a mistake and lost her bishops, which controlled the board…and with her next move, she might put the queen herself in danger…but it would be worth it to remind the opposition that the queen does indeed exist. But a show of force would not be enough…not unless it carries value and purpose.

As her plan began to unfold in her mind, Oichi’s eyes flashed with a predatory hunger. The tigress was on the prowl, once again.