Marcus Cole spent four years undercover in the Devereaux family. A top DEA agent codenamed Bone, he rose from street nobody to the right-hand man of drug lord Augustine. For four years, he missed every birthday of his son Jalen. Augustine ran a billion-dollar cocaine empire, yet he was also the biggest donor in District Nine. He treated Marcus like his own son, trusting him more than his flesh and blood. Marcus once wrote in his secret report: “He’s a monster. But he’s also the only one who ever asked if I’ve been sleeping well.” Six weeks before Operation Hurricane, nine-year-old Jalen was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Marcus couldn’t walk away—if he vanished, the entire undercover network would be exposed within twenty-four hours. He had to keep running drugs for the cartel, listening to his ex-wife cry over a burner phone late at night. Augustine found out about the illness. He called Marcus to his study, no accusations, only a quiet offer: “The best pediatric oncology team at Tulane University. All expenses paid.” Standing before the man he was duty-bound to take down, Marcus felt dizzy for the first time. His DEA salary could never cover his son’s treatment, while this drug lord was saving Jalen’s life. The raid went down at last. One hundred and ninety-seven were arrested. As Augustine was led away, he spotted Marcus in a DEA vest. He uttered no curse, only: “Take care of your son, Marcus.” After retiring, Marcus flew to Atlanta. Nine-year-old Jalen looked up at the stranger he hadn’t seen in four years. Marcus knelt down: “I heard you’re very brave. I used to be a cop. Now I’m just your dad… if you’ll let me.” Jalen thought for a moment, then held out his tablet: “Do you know how to play this game?” Marcus didn’t. But he sat down, and started learning.
