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</div><br/><br/><div style="text-align: center">《 Hale 》<br/>
Location: Abendblume conference room<br/>
Addressing: Rebel, Alvaro, Dan, Ray Jr, Armando<a class="username" data-user-id="288" data-username="Flannel King" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/288/">Flannel King</a> <a class="username" data-user-id="6997" data-username="Traveler" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/6997/">Traveler</a>​</div><br/><br/>"Thank you, Armando, for admitting to your failure. And thank you, Rebel, for your thoughts. I agree with them." Hale made eye contact with several of the men in the room, then looked to his cartel hitman. Alvaro had been standing back, a part of the meeting but not a voice. Not yet. He'd been obedient, loyal, and straightforward. Those were qualities he'd once claimed of Armando, though watching the man now, there was discontent in his face. For the first time, Hale didn't trust the man he'd usually chosen to have at his side. But, with time, situations evolved, and he couldn't afford to worry over hurt feelings.<br/><br/>"Alvaro," Hale moved to address the man more directly. "Unite the guards so that a situation like this doesn't occur again. Work with Rebel to see it through. Clearly, the man has a vision to better the community."<br/><br/>"<i>Have you lost your fucking mind</i>?" Armando shouted. Hale ignored the outburst. His eyes had moved to Ray, still seated, and he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. The young man seemed fixated on something, and Hale hoped to derail his thoughts to put him to purpose.<br/><br/>"Ray, why don't you handle PR since you want so badly to prove yourself accomplished. I know what you can do with violence. Show me what you can do with a little tact."<br/><br/>Hale sighed before moving onto the most difficult announcement of the meeting, but better to be succinct and to the point.<br/><br/>"And Armando, take some leave. It is obvious the work is weighing on you. I think it best you step back for the time being." It seemed the only option, at least until he could sort out where the man stood in terms of his loyalty.<br/><br/>Each word Hale spoke was a blow in some way. Armando watched it unfold, his outburst a product of disbelief. Alvaro had been a criminal. Had worked for the cartel. Then Hale put Ray in a PR spot. A joke, and a slap to the face after what he'd done only a few hours before. But Hale benching him took the wind out of his sails entirely. He understood it for what it was. A punishment. Armando was a man of duty, and Hale removing it from him was no kindness.<br/><br/>"Take the time to reflect," Hale tacked on.<br/><br/>"Jesus, dad. What the fuck," Ray exclaimed with a shake of his head.<br/><br/>"Congratulations, Rebel, on your promotion to outside head of guard. I look forward to what you and Alvaro can accomplish together," Hale finished.<br/><br/>The chair Armando had been seated in scraped back as he stood abruptly, a mix of emotions, before removing himself. He was near to an outburst, furious beyond words, and the object of his ire was standing there nonchalantly, waiting for him to mess up yet again.