In one swift unsuspecting motion, Wu had Adam in a chokehold and pinned his face down onto the white marble table.
Chapter Nineteen
Adam didn’t fight Wu’s grip. He was outnumbered in any event. Instead, his mind wandered to one of his favorite psalms. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. And as he prayed that Wu didn’t discover the device in his ear or the hidden microphone on his chest, he prayed for God to give him the wisdom to say the right thing.
“I am nobody’s fool,” Wu’s stern voice spoke next to his ear. “If I find out you lied to me you won’t live to tell anyone about it.”
“I didn’t lie. I can decode the text.”
Wu tightened his arm around Adam’s throat. To the point where Adam thought he was going to stop breathing altogether.
“Leave him alone!” Lenny yelled from where The Midget was holding him down on the sofa.
“Why? He’s a liar and I don’t like being lied to.”
“He’s not a liar. He’s telling the truth.”
Wu released his grip around Adam’s neck. He pushed his face down onto the paper as a final gesture of his power. And as he stepped back and got busy straightening his red silk jacket, he signaled for Jerome to let go of Lenny too.
Wu stood in front of the large window and took in the view, arms folded behind his back. In a gentler tone, a complete contrast to the aggressive man who’d existed mere moments ago, he asked if they had managed to get their coffee.
The question caught both Adam and Lenny off guard. So when Wu turned around to face them, neither was able to hide their shocked expressions. It was Adam who answered.
“Actually, we got a pizza instead.”
Wu’s eyes narrowed. His lips curled into the faintest of smiles. As if he knew something, suspected what was going on.
But Adam somehow contained the fear that threatened to lodge in his throat. Lenny, for once, was speechless. His tongue held captive by God’s divine power.
“Good, we wouldn’t want you to get coffee instead of food, now would we?”
He knows!
Wu turned to face Lenny.
“So Lucky Lenny here says you can decrypt the text.”
Lenny’s eyes instantly filled with surprise which was precisely the pleasurable reaction Wu had hoped to get from his words.
“Oh now, come on. You didn’t think I’d let two strangers into my property without finding out exactly who I’m in business with, did you? The question is, do you know who you are dealing with?”
Unlike Lenny who was visibly too afraid to answer, Adam recognized it was just Wu’s pitiful tactic to scare them.
“I think we do, but it’s irrelevant at this point. And yes, I did decrypt the text. The decoded message is written out here on the legal pad. I gave you what you wanted and therefore we are no longer in business,” Adam said bravely without a quiver in his voice.
This time it was Wu who was surprised.
“Did you now?”
“Uh-huh, and since we can see you’re a man of your word, Lenny and I will now let you get on with your business.”
Adam pushed himself away from the table and reached for the envelope containing the original message. As he turned to leave, Lenny in tow, Wu’s voice stopped them.
“Not so fast, Adam Cross.”
Addressing Adam by name was yet another attempt to flaunt his power.
Wu continued. “You see, while I am a man of my word, I believe I also told you not to take me for a fool. Our little agreement didn’t involve any, shall we say, third party. So you see, now I find myself in a rather precarious position. If I let the two of you walk out of this building, I’ll be opening myself up to having to entertain a new set of visitors. And truth be told I’m not that fond of these visitors. Frankly, I don’t enjoy coffee.”
Adam and Lenny were silent for what seemed like hours before Adam finally spoke. “We don’t like coffee either. In fact, as a gesture of faith, we’ll walk out of here with you. I give you my word that you won’t be receiving any unwanted guests. Our business isn’t with you. All we want is the package so Lenny here can complete the job he was hired to do. That’s it. And by the time he delivers the envelope, and they’ve managed to decipher the code, you’ll have completed your transaction and the deal will be done. It’s a win-win for all.”
Wu’s small eyes were locked and focused on Adam’s face as if he was trying to detect if Adam was tricking him. Neither spoke nor moved a muscle. It was a staredown that left Lenny’s insides tense with fear, and Adam clinging to God in faith.
Behind him, Jerome growled again.
“Now, now, Jerome, today may not have been the day you got your little treat as promised, but I think Lenny can attest firsthand how quickly you can track him down.”
“So we have an agreement?” Adam said, eager to get out of there.
“For now, but Adam, if you betray my trust, you won’t live to see another day.”
* * *
Adam and Lenny made it back to their motel in one piece. Tanisha and Gabriel were both in their room when they burst through the door.
“That was intense, man. I for sure thought that giant was going to rip me apart today,” Lenny said as he flopped down onto his bed. “I mean, did you see that guy’s hands? He’d break my bones like they were toothpicks.”
Adam handed Gabriel the envelope.
“Now what? It won’t take long for Wu to figure out that I sent him on a wild goose chase.” He glanced at his watch. “And the clock’s ticking. We need to get the package to Diaz.”
Gabriel studied the cipher.
“You said you’ve figured out the tail clues?” he asked.
Adam took a seat at the table and spread open the newspaper codes.
“I think so, yes. We already know these are all locations where transactions took place. More importantly, I think I’ve figured out that they’re selling inside information—corporate intel, trade secrets, that type of thing. I would assume this Diaz guy is the matchmaker, the go-between. The guy who brings the buyers and sellers together. Wu is a buyer who intercepted a deal. People like him want to cut out the middleman. Now, the addresses are obvious, but the tails of these clues are what determine the product. So we have shoes, that’s corporate espionage, like in this case someone like Nike. MC two is in fact mc squared. That’s calling for pharmaceuticals or biotech firms—they’re selling a secret formula. Triple Long I believe is a Wall Street term traders use to describe a blue-chip company, so that’s stocks or Bitcoin et cetera. That’s how they match the right buyers to whatever it is that’s up for sale. It’s literally an advert. My guess is that whichever buyer is interested at the time, contacts them back somehow. Perhaps there’s even an auction of some kind.”
Gabriel grinned with admiration.
“Your father would be so proud of you right now, Adam. Great job my friend. Your theory certainly fits Wu’s profile, which means at the end of this rainbow there should be a formula of some kind, and whoever Lenny was meant to deliver this envelope to, is the original buyer. Now that we know what they’re all up to and what to look for, I’m going to hand it off to Corporate Crimes and let them bring these guys down. Our job is to get Carrie back before both Diaz and Wu catch on.” Gabriel turned to Lenny. “Make contact with Diaz and arrange the trade, Lenny. We’ll have eyes and ears on you at all times.”
* * *
An hour later Lenny headed toward the place under the bridge where he knew Diaz usually met up with the courier runners. He was nervous. Even more than the previous time when he went back begging for a job. A decision he now deeply regretted. As he walked the half block from the train station, he sent a message to the universe to tell Carrie he was on his way. When he had finished repeating it in his head, it suddenly occurred to him that perhaps this was what praying was. Perhaps he’d been talking to God all this time and just never knew it. The thought made him smile and he liked the way it made him feel.
When the bridge came into view, his body stiffened and he felt a familiar flutter in the pit of his stomach.
“Can you guys hear me?” he spoke quietly.
“Loud and clear, Lenny. We got eyes on you too. Remember, just act normal. Set up the place to do the trade and then walk away.”
Lenny confirmed it.
As he rounded the corner he saw Diaz in his spot under the bridge talking with what Lenny assumed must have been another courier. His heart pounded hard against his chest. His palms felt clammy.
Diaz suddenly spotted him and quickly sent the runner on his way. His eyes met with Lenny’s. Keep it together, Leonard. You can do this. He stopped a few feet away from Diaz, wearing his best poker face.
“I’m going to assume the reason you’re here is to let me know that you have my package,” Diaz said.
“Yes. Where’s my sister?”
“Where’s my package?”
“Not before I see Carrie.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. I have it.”
“You’re a poker player, Lenny. But don’t underestimate me. I know a bluff when I see one.”
Lenny pulled his phone from his pocket. His thumb rolled over the screen until he found the photo. Gabriel had taken a photo of the envelope lying next to that day’s newspaper. He held it out for Diaz to see, pointing out the timestamp.
“I have the package. You’ll get it when I get my sister back. Meet me back here at ten p.m. With my sister of course. And, Diaz, you had better not have hurt one single hair on her head.”
Lenny turned and walked away. He dared not look back. His heart was pounding so hard and fast he thought he was going to be sick. He had done it. In a couple of hours, he would see his little sister again, for the first time in years. And when he got her home to her husband and daughter again, he’d go out and get a real job and pay back every dime he owed to everyone he was indebted to.
Chapter Twenty
The night didn’t quite feel as cold when Lenny walked the now familiar footpath through the park to where it ran underneath the arched train bridge. Perhaps it was because his veins were surging with adrenaline. Or perhaps it was because he’d see Carrie again. He wasn’t sure. Either way, he had a hard time breathing normally—or at all.
As he struggled to calm his racing heart, he was surprised by how much he suddenly yearned to have a normal life, a fresh start. And how badly he wanted to get the deal done so he’d have a chance of turning his life around. One that was free from all things illegal. One that included his sister. And one in which he didn’t feel so alone.
It was a full moon and Lenny could see almost all the way down the path to where Diaz and he were to meet under the bridge. He wasn’t there yet.
He checked the time on his mobile phone. He was ten minutes early. He looked back to where Gabriel had said his men would be on standby—should anything go wrong.
The small tactical team was nearby—hidden in a van disguised as a plumber’s vehicle. Adam had stayed at the motel with Gabriel.
Now at the meeting point under the bridge, an owl hooted from a nearby tree. It made the atmosphere even more eerie. In hindsight, he should have chosen a more public place.
He decided to stick to the areas where the moonlight hit the most—so Gabriel’s men could see him better.
Glancing at the time again it was one minute before ten. There was still neither sight nor sound of Diaz. His forefinger and thumb tightened on the yellow envelope. What if Diaz didn’t show? What if Carrie was already dead? What if he’d been bluffing and she was already safely home? They hadn’t even bothered to check. The thoughts suddenly left him even more restless. He contemplated whispering into his mic to ask Gabriel to check, but if Diaz was nearby it would blow his cover. All he could do now was wait.
Another two minutes passed and Diaz was nowhere to be seen. Lenny wasn’t anxious anymore. He was starting to get angry, frustrated. The owl above his head suddenly went quiet. There was a shuffle of approaching feet coming from the other end. He peered into the dark shadows under the bridge. Listened. His entire body was sweaty and rigid.
In his ear, a male voice told him he had eyes on the target. Lenny strained his eyes. He couldn’t see anyone yet. The shuffling grew louder and Lenny’s heart skipped several beats. Almost instantly Diaz’s pointy black shoes and the bottom half of his jeans became visible in the soft moonlight. Soon after, the outlines of his tall body under his long black coat came into view. Lenny’s fingers clamped down on the envelope. He was ready. Then he saw his face; Diaz was looking at him from under a bright beam of moonlight. His expression was off, cold, almost cautionary. Lenny tore his eyes away from his face and searched for his sister behind him. He heard more than one set of footsteps. She had to be there too. Diaz stopped three yards away from him, his face stern. His eyes pulled into a squint. Demanding Lenny look at him.
In the hollow echoes of the space under the bridge, Lenny heard faint whimpering. Carrie! Every cell in his body was on full alert. He held back his raging emotions. Neither of them spoke. They just stood there, staring, waiting to see who’d draw their metaphorical gun first.
It was Diaz who caved. His eyes dropped to the yellow envelope in Lenny’s hand. Then suddenly his eyes searched the distance behind him. He seemed on edge. Something’s wrong. Lenny’s gut warned him to be careful. To get the deal done and get out of there.
“Where’s my sister?”
Silence. Then Diaz finally spoke.
“Why do you keep doing this, Lenny?”
His question had Lenny draw his eyebrows into a frown.
“What?”
“Why can’t you ever just stick to one deal, huh, Lenny? Why do you always have to play both sides? Be greedy.”
Lenny’s pounding heart dropped into his stomach.
“I don’t know what you mean. Where’s my sister?”
“Did you really think I wasn’t going to find out, huh? You must think I’m an idiot.”
“Look, Diaz, I don’t know what you’re on about, man. I have your package. I just want my sister back so let’s get this over with.”
Diaz clicked his tongue behind his teeth.
“Our deal is off.”
“What? No! You can’t change our deal. Carrie! Carrie!”
She didn’t answer.
“Oh, but I can, Lucky Lenny.” He emphasized his name sarcastically. “You see, that piece of paper is now worthless. It’s hot; too risky since you tried to pull a side hustle with Dr. Wu. None of my clients want to come near it now. You just couldn’t help yourself now could you, Lenny?”
“You’re wrong. I didn’t make any deals with him.”
“Stop taking me for an idiot! You helped him. That spells treachery to me. Betrayal in its finest form.”
“How else was I supposed to get it back? He stole it from me in the first place. I did what I had to do.”
“Well look where that’s gotten you. Word got out and now my real buyer’s out a commodity. And I’m out of my commission. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been working on this deal? Two years, Lenny! And no one’s been able to get it done.”
Lenny’s mind went to the girl at the newsstand whose boyfriend had perished at the hand of Diaz and this deal.
“That’s not my problem, Diaz. I did my part. I got you your package back. We had a deal! Carrie!” he called out to her.
“Not your problem, huh? Well, we’ll see about that!”
Lenny watched in horror as Diaz raised one arm to signal someone in the shadows behind him.
The loud clap of a single gunshot resounded through the hollow darkness.
Lenny heard a body drop to the ground.
Saw the satisfaction in Diaz’s eyes.
“No! Carrie! Carrie!”
He stormed toward the dark space.
Moments later he felt the hard knock against his skull.
And everything went quiet around him.
A
dam paced the small motel room as he listened to the transmission. The gunshot blasted loudly in his ear. His heart went cold. His legs threatened to give way.
“Tell me that didn’t just happen!” he yelled out to Gabriel who was already in communication with his tactical team.
“Gabriel! Are they alive?”
Please, Father, let them be alive!
Gabriel didn’t answer immediately.
“Talk to me, Gabriel. What’s going on?” he tried again.
This time Gabriel answered, the satphone still squeezed against his ear.
“We’re not sure yet, tactical’s making their way to the scene.”
Adam paced again, his heavy heart and mind now fully tuned to God to intervene.
“Lenny, can you hear me?” Gabriel called through the transmission to Lenny’s earpiece.
He didn’t answer.
“How did this happen, Gabriel? Your team was right there,” Adam said, his voice strained in an effort not to sound accusing.
“I’m sorry, Adam. Diaz took us by surprise. We should have some answers very soon.”
Gabriel’s words had barely been spoken when his attention was drawn back to the voice in the receiver.
When he ended the call with the leader of his tactical team he paused as if to find the right words before he spoke.
“Lenny’s okay, he’s alive. They just knocked him unconscious, but he’ll be fine. Two of my men are on their way here with him.”
“And Carrie? What about Carrie?”
“No sign of her.”
“But we heard them shoot her?”
“No, we heard a gunshot and assumed they shot her. We don’t know that they shot her for certain.”
“So there’s no dead body or any trace of her?”
“They did find blood, not Lenny’s. They’re waiting for CSI to take a sample to analyze. I’m told their mobile unit’s equipment is sophisticated enough to determine if it is human and if so, whether it’s male or female. Getting an identity will take time but they’ll put a rush on it for us. But until we know for certain we need to assume she’s still alive.”
Every Good Plan Page 11