Theo went back to work the next day, knowing it would look suspicious if he vanished for too long after they'd been in an incident involving Cyrus and the Hunters. Cyrus was sad to see him go, but he understood, and Theo had promised to repay him for the hours they spent apart later. He returned to the PD, expecting Spiro to still be completely obsessed with the shooting, and that he'd probably have no less than three conspiracies theories regarding the situation. But instead, Spiro was drowning in paperwork regarding Oak's gang.

"What's all this?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow. Spiro jumped at the interruption, his eyes wild as he looked up at his partner.

"Theo, you're never gonna believe this. I just got a major lead," he declared.

"On who? Cyrus?"

"No. Maybe better." Theo looked skeptical. Cyrus Mossberg was priority number one. There was nothing better than a lead on him, especially with the FBI arriving any day now to get a closer look at their work. Maybe two days had been too long of a time to leave Spiro to his own thoughts at the PD. He seemed to have gone completely out of his mind. "We caught one of the gangsters from the restaurant, some guy from the Cardinal Rebels. Dude cracked as soon as we sat him in the interrogation room and spilled everything he knew. Amongst most of the useless junk he fed us, I got an airtight location on where Oak Mayfield is going to be on Friday." Theo's eyes widened. A solid location on Oak Mayfield? That was one gangster he was happy to bring down. Oak was a pest, always had it out for Cyrus and the Hunters. If they could arrest Oak, they'd cut off the head of the snake that was his gang and make the Chief happy while they did it. Sure, it would draw more attention to the Hunters since there were no other gangs in the area to focus on, but that was a risk Theo was willing to take, especially if it meant he'd get to shove Oak in the back of a cruiser. He had a feeling Cyrus would find a way to thank him for it too.

"Where's he gonna be?" Theo demanded, scanning the paperwork. Spiro dove through the dumpster that was his desk, finally holding up a half ripped notecard.

"There's going to be a huge high stakes poker game at Kramer's casino on Friday. Lots of shady people, invitations are slim and handed out by Kramer himself. We found a couple at the scene, so I'm sure they got to some Hunter members too. Mossberg must have gotten one if Oak did. I would say he's going to be there too, but since we just busted them at the restaurant and you got a shot in on him, I doubt he'll show. It's the perfect time to take down Oak, and send a message to Mossberg that we're closing in on him. Who knows, maybe they'll both be there, and we can take down the heads of Louisburg's two biggest gangs in one go."

"That's perfect," Theo agreed. "But Cyrus won't show. You're right. Whenever we get a stab at him, he practically vanishes for weeks. He likes to keep a low profile, and after the shooting, he'll feel exposed and won't want to draw more attention to himself then he already has. Oak will show, but the Hunters? I wouldn't bet on it." Theo knew most of his words were lies. Cyrus did have a way of disappearing after they got too close to him, but this poker game was different. The restaurant episode had been on the news and in the paper. Cyrus had been mad about the news channel's choice of stock photo of him and for portraying him as a 'drug crazed mobster', but it was still surely a buzzing bit of information in the underworld, and Theo had no doubt that Oak knew all about it. Oak would go to the poker game, that was obvious, but so would all other power players in the tristate area. The Hunters would be discussed, especially since the game was hosted by Kramer. Oak might even try to rally allies to help him take down the gang. If Cyrus didn't show, it would be like admitting defeat. Admitting that he was too weak to risk being seen. That wasn't a chance Cyrus would take. He was too smart for that. He'd go. He'd bring a lot of backup, but he'd go. Theo knew in his gut that he would. Cyrus didn't like to be seen as weak. He would walk into that casino, bullet wound and all, and he would kick the crap out of everyone else in a game of cards, reminding them all who, exactly, owned all the power. The idea of it sent shivers down Theo's spine. He liked it when Cyrus got a one up on everyone else like that. Cyrus didn't need violence to show he was in charge. He could show that just by walking into the room.

But now that Spiro would be there, no doubt with a few more undercover cops for backup, the casino would be the most dangerous place for Cyrus to be. He'd be walking right into a trap set for Oak. Theo would warn him, convince him to stay away. That would have to work, or Cyrus would just have to be extra good at weaseling his way out of situations. Both options were possible, although Theo definitely knew which one he preferred. He really wished, sometimes, that his husband wasn't so damn stubborn about making appearances.

If he got Cyrus and the Hunters out of the picture, then things should be smooth sailing. Kramer, the casino's owner, was an old friend of Cyrus and Theo's. His casino would be impossible to sneak into, especially with a secret gang poker game going on. But Theo could get him and Spiro in; he could call in that favor. It would make Spiro wonder, but then again, he didn't know that Kramer was on the Hunters payroll. Nobody knew. Kramer wasn't on the Hunters side, per say. He was in the business for himself, and whatever met his best interests is what he went for. There was just as much chance he was on the payroll for every gang in the country as he was with the Hunters. There was a boxing ring in the basement of the casino, a popular spot for illegal fights. Cyrus paid the man to let them hold their fights in his basement, and to keep his mouth shut. Kramer only stuck around because he liked Cyrus, and he made good money betting on the fights. But since he liked Cyrus, by extension, that meant he liked Theo. Theo just hoped that was enough to get him and Spiro inside.

***

"I need to speak with Kramer," Theo said as he and Spiro stood at one of the side entrances to the casino on Friday night. The bouncer at the door looked skeptical. It would be too obvious to walk right in the front doors, Theo knew. Everyone important in attendance would keep a guy by the door, and he had no doubt that each guard knew who they were. Their best bet was a side door, and the odds that Kramer himself would show were slim, but more probable.

"Nobody speaks with Mr. Kramer," The bouncer declared, his arms crossed. He was a tall, muscled man with a bald head. Kramer had a never ending supply of guys like him to guard the casino, and they didn't budge easily. Theo sighed.

"Tell him I'm calling in a favor," He offered. He couldn't give too much information away, not in front of Spiro, but he hoped it would be enough to get the bouncer on their side. He still looked skeptical, but he scanned Theo more closely.

"What was your name again?"

"Theo."

"Theo what?" He scowled.

"Just tell Kramer that Theo's calling in a favor. He knows me." The bouncer obliged, locking the door behind him and leaving them alone outside, standing awkwardly.

"How exactly do you know Kramer again?" Spiro asked. Theo shrugged, acting casual. The lying came much more easily to him now than it had a few years ago.

"Met him a couple years ago on a case. He did me a favor, I've done a couple for him in return, so he owes me this. He's a good guy."

"Even though his casino is actively hosting a poker game for people specializing in illegal activities?" Spiro didn't quite seem to believe him, but Theo kept up the casual charade, knowing his partner wasn't bright enough to ever piece together the strange connection Theo had with the shady casino owner. Theo gave him a half smile.

"You'd be surprised how many gangsters are morally decent, Spiro." The door swung back open, and the bouncer stepped out, quickly moving aside as Kramer flounced out.

Because flouncing was the only real way to describe how Kramer walked. He was a short, chubby man, with brown hair and a matching beard. He wore expensive suits and cheap shoes. At first glance, he was a man you didn't cross. One you grew to fear just by sight alone, especially when a few of his bald bouncers circled him. Spiro stiffened at the sight of him, already on edge. But Theo knew the real Kramer that lurked below that mask. A funny, charming man with a heart of gold. Spiro blinked in surprise as Kramer threw out his arms and wrapped Theo in a hug.

"Theo! My old friend, it's been ages," He declared, releasing him. "How's it hanging? You still married to that old coot?" Theo grinned, but at the same time, feared the subject of discussing Cyrus in front of Spiro. Kramer may have known the truth about who he was married to, but as far as Spiro and the rest of the PD knew, Benny was his husband.

"Things are good, and yeah, still hitched," Theo shrugged. "But I need a favor."

"Ah, anything for you, you know that. How can I help?" Theo quickly explained the situation. The poker game, their plan to arrest Oak. Kramer listened seriously and finally nodded.

"I can let you in," He admitted, sighing. "It's a shame, though. Oak's brought me a lot of money."

"You been working with him?"

"Nah. He's just a sucker with a gambling addiction. He offers me contracts, I just point to the slot machines and off he goes. I won't be sorry to see him go, though. Brings in cash, sure, but the guy's a jerk. About time he got what was coming to him."

"So you'll let us do our job?" Spiro piped up. Kramer nodded.

"On one condition," He said. Theo and Spiro exchanged a glance.

"If money's what you're after, Kramer, it won't be a problem," Theo started, but Kramer waved him off.

"Please, Theo, like I'm dumb enough for that. A favor's a favor, and I wouldn't dare try to sneak some extra dough from you. I'm talking about my rule. You follow it, we won't have any problems. But you break it, and, well, we got a problem."

"What's the rule?"

"No bloodshed, fellows. You wanna arrest Oak? Be my guest. Arrest the whole poker game for all I care, I've already been paid. But no shooting, no stabbing, no maiming or ending of life at all. I don't care if it's from a papercut, if a drop of blood hits my carpets, you answer to me, and it won't be pretty." He paused, glancing at Theo. "And it don't matter who you are, either. We clear?" Theo knew what he meant, but they both nodded. He was Cyrus's husband, and the Hunters' rule number one. You didn't touch Theo. No matter what. You so much as thought about it, and Cyrus would have you digging your own grave. Nobody messed with Theo without Cyrus knowing about it, and nobody got away with it. So if Kramer was willing to risk that rage for this one rule, then he was dead serious about it.

Dead serious, of course, because if Theo broke the rule, somebody would definitely end up being dead.

Kramer let them in the casino, giving them the location of the game and they split up, scanning for bodyguards. These were high and mighty criminals they were up against. Everybody brought their own protection, and they wouldn't get far with arresting anybody if they were outnumbered two to seven. They had tracked down Oak's main guards weeks ago, and now it was only a matter of locating and disabling them. Theo just hoped it would go over that smoothly. He and Spiro both had their standard pistols on them (Spiro had managed to locate his a few minutes before they left the station. Somehow the poor gun had ended up in the break room coffee machine), just in case things turned ugly, but they kept them concealed in case Kramer had wanted to confiscate them. The grip of the gun dug into Theo's back as he wandered the casino, eventually locking eyes with one of Oak's bodyguards. They hadn't memorized names, but Theo knew his face. And judging by the look the guard was sending back to him, he knew who Theo was too. Theo trailed after him, trying to keep calm as he did so. The casino was still open to the public, even with the poker game, so he couldn't risk making a scene. Oak's guard most likely had a gun too, and somehow Theo doubted he was under the same strict rules from Kramer.

The guard did not seem to agree with the idea of not making a scene, either. They stood directly across from each other, on opposite ends of a row of slot machines. People passed by, some were sitting at the machines as the guard drew a gun from his waistband. There was a silencer on the end, an idea Theo now wished he had thought of. He could be shot and stumble to the ground without anyone noticing why. The noise of the casino would only help muffle the sound further. It was like an old cowboy standoff, the two of them staring each other down. Theo slowly reached for his own gun as a large, dark man passed behind the guard.

And then a rough hand grabbed Theo's wrist, stopping him from reaching his gun, and the large man grabbed the guard, swiping his gun and taking him down. Theo spun around, his eyes dropping from an old baseball hat worn low to a pair of familiar green eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Cyrus hissed.