Max went on to ask. "So what happened in the end? How much damage was done?"
Since he got the results from everything that had taken place, he wished to hear what the cost had been.
Although things could have been a lot worse if nothing was spotted early, there were still resources being put toward tracking everyone related to the incident down.
Butch went silent for some time before replying in a low tone of voice which showed his unease. "I lost one of my men. A couple have minor injuries, but everyone else who was involved was perfectly fine and can continue with their duties right away."
Max nodded upon hearing the report, then sighed. "I guess it is not too big of a loss. Accidents can happen in any operation. I hear that one of those you caught had quite the reputation. You did well to bring him in alive, with only one person being lost.
You should be proud of what you have done, and you should not feel too responsible or down over this. Everyone in this line of business already knows of the potential risks they are putting their lives in with each task they take part in."
Butch bowed expressing his gratitude. "Thanks, boss. I will remember your words."
Max waved his hand as if to shoo him away. "Nothing can be done for now unless the enemy reveals themselves again. It would be unwise for me to disappear again, so it looks like I will be sticking around for a little while longer than planned."
Butch bowed again before leaving the room.
The door closed behind him, leaving Max alone in the room.
Max remained seated at his desk as he had a look of suspicion on his face. "Is this all just an accident, or is this all intentional? Are things going outside of their plans, or is everything working out like they want?
If I go, then I could be leaving the gang open to more potential plots. If I do not go, then it is possible that such a thing could be exactly what such a person wanted to happen all along. There must be some form of end goal involved."
Max had faced all kinds of plots and conspiracies to get to where he was.
If he did not have doubts about certain things, then he would never have been able to survive in such a cruel and unforgiving world.
If there was one event that took place, then it could be ignored as being a single thing that could end there.
If more events took place and they seemed to have some similarities or vaguely had some form of connection to each other, then there would be a hidden reason behind each of the events.
A chain of seemingly unrelated events could come together to result in something much greater.
If someone was able to put the pieces in place, then they could achieve the goal they wanted so long as everything went exactly according to plan.
It could have been like that with several of the most recent events, but the main concern involving that was whether such failures were within the expectations of the person who was behind it all.
Some parts could fail or succeed, but they could still gain the same result, so they did not matter too much since both results would cause the same desired effect.
As for other events, they would be expected to either fail or succeed as planned without there being any possible change so that a desired result could be achieved.
Once it all came together, it would help to put all of the pieces together, readying everything for the final big move that had yet to be played out.
What Max was most curious about was whether he was just one of the results of what the enemy wanted or if it was against their expectations, resulting in him being an unexpected variable.
Max was retired previously, so some would not think to include him in their plans.
If they did happen to include him in their plans, then they might have had some idea that Max could be pulled back into the criminal underworld once more despite already retiring.
If that was the case, then Max might have been lured out of retirement for some purpose that he had yet to figure out.
Either his presence would cause a certain result, or it was him showing himself in such a way that was the desired result.
He might have been the target all along, and everything that had been put into place had been done to bring him back to his gang to solve such problems.
If he was being lured out, then he might have been the sole target behind everything, and there would likely be an attempt on his life in the future.
If his presence was not something within the plans or if his presence was only meant to be a temporary wish of theirs to make him shake things up a little, then it was possible that Max would be expected to leave once his matters were finished.
Perhaps he would leave after doing some things, but that would only leave the gang ripe for attack once everything worked out as planned.
There were too many unknowns, which could cause anyone to question which was the right decision to make going forward.
Max may have been left thinking about such possibilities and struggled a little with coming to a decision, but it did not last too long.
A look of determination that had a fierce and predatory glint had appeared in his eyes. "Even if it is all a part of some elaborate plan to trap me... I will not make things so easy for them, whoever they may be.
My claws and fangs have not had blood on them for quite some time now, but that does not mean that I have become so soft and weak that I will go down without a fight. I could just back out now and disappear, but where would the fun in that be?"
A savage grin appeared on his face as if a lot of vitality had returned to his slightly aged features.
It was almost like a part of his youth had been restored, and his old instincts had reawakened.
The thrill of the hunt had returned to the old lion as the new events taking place seemed to draw him closer to the hunter who was hiding in the shadows, setting traps and waiting for the right opportunity to go for the kill.
The result would end with one remaining alive, so either the lion would find the hunter who was in hiding, or the hunter would succeed in trapping the lion.