Moth

by Jennifer Foor

  “For your sake, I hope you’re telling me the truth.”

  I nod. Renner better not be fucking around with someone Alizar has in his pocket, but I wouldn’t put it past him. We’re men. Pussy is like a breath of fresh air when you’re in the middle of a drug war. We need it to stay on our game, though it’s no excuse to get sloppy. “I’m sure.”

  “You have three days. In the meantime I’ll have all the files transferred to a new mobile server. We’ll be moving your surveillance platform to a new undisclosed location. For the safety of the agency you won’t know until you arrive. If we’re going to find the leak we need to start over and pay closer attention.”

  I stand and place both palms on his desk, staring him dead in the eyes. “When I get back I’ll end this. I’ll find the damn leak myself and make sure they’re persecuted. You have my word, sir.”

  He waves his hands up in the air. “Moth, I’m sorry to be a dick. When the shit hits the fan it trickles down the chain. You know how it is.”

  “Yeah, I get it.”

  “Three days. Look into the death of your brother and be sure. I need to know if he’s attacking civilians. If it’s personal we’re going to have a problem with you staying on the case. I’m going to have a ton more paperwork, not to mention having to notify the FBI, and we both know those son’s of bitches like getting their noses in whatever they can. The less we have to involve them, the better.”

  I know he’s right. I’ve invested two years of my life into this criminal operation and for us to lose everything is a disaster.

  “I’ll take care of it. I’ll let you know what I find out. I’ll have my cell if anyone needs to reach me.”

  “Three days,” he reiterates. “I need you back here to clean up this mess.”

  It’s been a while since I’ve been able to spend time at my apartment. When I arrive I feel like it’s no longer mine. In the past couple of years I’ve probably spent less than a month here. Since I’m not going to need all my gear, I unpack my bag, only to fill it with clothes appropriate for the next three days. My suit is hung in the closet and still in the plastic from God knows when I last had it cleaned. I think it was for House’s wedding, and now he’s divorced, so it’s been a while. At any rate, I take it by the hanger and roll it to fit in my bag so I’m not carrying it around the airport like a douche. It’s funny, I could have sworn I had dress shoes, but there’s nothing in my closet except for two pairs of Chuck Taylors, Doc Marten boots, and three pairs of the standard grade military boots I wear for work. I snicker to myself knowing how pissed my father will be if I show up in any of these. Since I enjoy making his skin crawl, I choose the black Chucks.

  Now that I’m packed, I get on my phone and book the first flight to Virginia. It’s only about three hours long, so I’ll be there by midnight. I don’t expect the old man to pick me up. I’ll take a cab or rent a car and hope the key I hid years ago is still in the same place.

  Finally, I take a much needed shower. It seems like weeks have gone by since I was in the presence of Ali, but it’s been twenty four hours. I’m exhausted and hope I can catch some Z’s while in the air. I put on some clean clothes and head out, saying goodbye to my apartment yet again.

  As soon as the flight takes off I’m out. I only wake when the stewardess tells me we’ve landed. Half the plane has already exited. That just tells me how much I needed the rest.

  The rental car places are closed so I’m forced to take a cab. I leave out of Richmond and head to West Point where my father resides. I cringe at the cab fair, but pay it anyway because I have no other choice. As the car pulls away I stand on the sidewalk and stare at my old childhood house. He’s changed the siding. Even in the dark I can tell it’s a brighter color rather than the dark gray it used to be. The porch light comes on as I approach. I duck behind a bush and feel around on the ground for the hide a key in the shape of a rock. The azaleas are overgrown and I’m getting pricked with each movement. Finally I come upon what I’m searching for. I slide the bottom to the side and a key falls into my hand.

  I walk up the three steps to the wrap around porch and insert my key in the lock. As soon as it turns and I enter I hear the click of a handgun’s safety being released. “You picked the wrong house to rob, son. Unless you want to die, I’d turn your ass around and forget you came here.”

  Without a second’s thought I maneuver swiftly removing the gun from his possession. Then I take my opposite hand and flick on the light switch. “I’m pretty sure you’ve got nothing anyone would want, old man.”

  He places his hands in the pockets of his robe and shakes his head while giving me a once over. “I see some things never change. You look like hell, boy.”

  No matter what I do this man will never be proud of me. He’s not wired to show affection, and I suppose in some ways I’m the same. I’ve never been in a long-term relationship, and I’m certainly not the kind of guy who sticks around after hooking up with a woman. I can’t remember the last time I’ve hugged someone. Maybe it was my mother or possibly a victim I brought to safety, and there’s no intimacy to that kind of act. “I got here as fast as I could.” I skip the greeting part, because I know neither of us wants the awkwardness that it comes with.

  “You could have waited until morning. With a face like that, it’s a wonder you’re not mistaken for a criminal. When’s the last time you shaved?”

  I try to think about it, but can’t even recall. I needed to blend in for my job. Growing facial hair, even a partial beard was necessary. His military style haircut is like a neon sign pointing to police or armed forces. I can’t even remember the last time I’d cut my hair like that, probably in the Marines before I became a cop. I really let myself go when I joined the DEA. Nevertheless, my appearance is none of his business. “If me staying here is a problem I’ll get a room at the Hyatt.”

  He motions like it’s no big deal. “No need. You know where your room is.” I watch him walk up the stairs without another word. It’s not the time to ask about Jamie, so I retreat to my old bedroom located in the basement. Just as I suspect, my room is filled with miscellaneous junk he’s acquired through the years. There are boxes labeled as tax documents on my bed. My dresser is covered in half-used paint cans, and there is a pressure washer preventing me from walking into the half bath. I sigh and toss my bag down before getting to work clearing the area.

  Once I’m in bed I notice how musty it smells. It’s obvious he hasn’t cleaned for years. I’m wondering if I’ll be riddled with bites from dust mites after sleeping a few hours, so I grab my things and head back upstairs.

  Jamie’s room was the only one on the first floor of the three level home. I’m not sure why my dad hasn’t switched out so he doesn’t have to keep going up and down the stairs, but I choose not to question his decisions. Once inside the room I switch on the light and look around. It’s just as I suspected. Jamie hasn’t been here in a long time. I’m not going to find any answers here. It’s in pristine condition. Figures.

  I find refuge on the living room sofa. It’s old and the wear and tear have left it comfortable. Only a few hours later I hear him coming down the stairs. He’s coughing up a storm as he makes his way to the kitchen. Before I sit up I hear the coffee pot percolating. I check my phone and see it’s five o’clock. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and stand, stretching before hitting the head to relieve myself. As I exit I see him standing there in front of me. “What’s wrong with your room?”

  “It’s filthy, that’s what’s wrong.”

  “Well this ain’t the Ritz, ya know. It’s not like I planned on losing a son.”

  It wouldn’t be right to offer condolences. I know he doesn’t need my sympathy. “What happened? How did he die?”

  “It doesn’t matter. You can’t bring him back.”

  “Dad, if you won’t tell me I’ll find out myself. Save me the trip.”

  “Do what you need to do. Nothing that paperwork says is going to be true. Your brother wasn’t
that kind of man. He wouldn’t ruin his life like they’re saying.”

  Pushing him will only make it worse. I know it’s up to me to visit the police station or the morgue for answers.

  Given the fact that I’m DEA, I don’t waste time making calls. The police barracks are a few miles from my dad’s house. After commandeering his old Ford pickup, I pay the station a visit just to make sure he wasn’t involved in something criminal.

  I flash my badge to the woman seated at the front entrance. She smiles but then rolls her eyes, like I’m just a bastard trying to pull my weight around. “I’m looking into a case that may involve a recent death. Can you point me in the right direction as to who might be handling that?”

  “Yeah, take a seat. Just a minute.” She points in the direction of where two women are already seated. They’re obviously waiting for someone. One holds her purse close to her body as if she feels threatened by my presence. I think it’s funny my appearance offends so many people. I fit right in while doing my job in Guatemala. Nonetheless, I take a seat nearby and wait my turn.

  It’s too early to get pushy, and since I don’t know how my brother died I decided to give her a second so I don’t piss anyone off.

  At first I don’t recognize the detective as he approaches me. I show him my badge as I stand. “Special Agent Douglas. I’m looking into a possible homicide or accidental death of…”

  He doesn’t let me finish. “James Douglas. Wow, Tim, I didn’t even recognize you.”

  I give him a once over. He’s familiar, but I can’t seem to put a name to the face.

  He helps me out. “Stebbins. Josh. We played ball together. Damn, I heard you were deep in the government. DEA. You must see a hell of a lot.”

  I snicker. He acts like I’m James Bond or some shit like that. “I’m just a better paid cop,” I tease. “Sorry I didn’t recognize you. It’s been a long couple of days.”

  “I get it. You’ve got a lot on your mind. I’m sorry to hear about your brother.”

  “I do. Settle my suspicions and tell me my brother died accidentally. Dad wasn’t forthcoming, and I’m wondering why that could be.”

  He shakes his head. “I wasn’t working the night shift when it happened. Look, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but it looks like it’s an overdose. It’s definitely drug related. They found him with a needle in his arm. I’m not sure if he was a user, but the location he was found is known to be a hotspot for drug deals. It’s too soon to speculate, and since I’m not on the case I don’t know much more.”

  I’m sure my mouth drops to the floor. “Bullshit. You’re pulling my chain, right?”

  “I’m afraid not. I wouldn’t joke about that. I can show you the body if you want. The case file is upstairs if you’d rather take a look for yourself. The autopsy will probably be done within the next several days. That’s all I know so far. My buddy is the lead detective. You can certainly get his feedback if you’re interested.”

  I nod. I didn’t know my brother well at all, but my gut was telling me my father might be right. Jamie wouldn’t ruin a promising career by using anything he could stick in his arm with a needle. He sure as hell wouldn’t be lurking around dark alleys to score from dealers. This is absurd. I feel like I’m about to lose my shit if I don’t find out what the hell is going on.

  I’m led upstairs to a full room of police officers. The half-walled cubicles line the vicinity. Stebbins pulls a file off someone’s desk named Clark, and hands it to me. “He’s probably not done typing it all up. His handwriting is shit. I’m getting better at reading it if you need my help.”

  I open it up and talk as I’m beginning to read. “Is there a place I can sit?”

  Stebbins leads me to an empty cubicle and slides a chair in my direction. “Have at it, man. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Where’s the coffee?”

  He gives me a look as I turn to ask. “Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend the tar they serve us here. There’s a Dunkin Donuts a block over.”

  “The tar is fine. I’ve had worse, I’m sure.”

  There isn’t much to look at. Jamie was found by police at nine in the morning three days ago. He was discovered without identification, in an abandoned warehouse. A missing person’s report was filed by a Windy Lewis the day before. It states that she was his girlfriend and had been out of town when the death occurred. So far the detective has it listed as a possible overdose pending the autopsy report. I start shuffling through the crime scene photos and my heart stops when I see something familiar laying beside my brother’s dead body. It’s a heroin wrapper with a raccoon and crossbones, the same heroin I’ve been trying to chase down for two years.

  I slam the manila folder shut and rub my temples. This can’t be related. That heroin is all over the world. It’s just a coincidence. There’s no way Alizar tracked down my estranged brother and murdered him to get to me. We weren’t even close. I didn’t even know the kid’s phone number.

  I’m given a personal escort to the morgue where Jamie is being kept until his autopsy is complete. I recognize the smell as soon as I walk inside of the lab. Two attendees look up, but Stebbins waves them away so I’m not to be bothered. He gives the name and a female points to the slot they’re keeping my brother’s cold dead body.

  I watch Stebbins open the drawer and reveal the body. He’s gray in color, his eyes still open. I don’t turn away. I can’t. I’ve seen a lot of dead people, but this is different. This is my flesh and blood. A part of me is lying in front of me and I have to know why. I don’t have gloves, so I do the best inspection I can without touching and tampering with the ongoing investigation. His arms are in a position I’m unable to see the common area addicts shoot up, but from the look of his eyes I know he definitely died from the narcotics. Now I need to figure out how and why.

  Stebbins gives me some time to myself before leading me back upstairs. I’m back in the room from before, but this time staring at the photos of the heroin wrapper. He’s also provided me with a few other cases involving drugs from the same distributor. This is bad. Each file contains the evidence I hoped wasn’t there.

  I pull out my cell and prepare to deliver the bad news to my director. The shit is about to hit the fan, but it’s better coming from me than him going behind my back and finding it out himself.

  He no sooner answers before I offer the bad news. “It’s Moth. They found Alizar’s heroin on my brother. Apparently it’s made its way to Richmond.”

  “Do you think it’s related? Is it a coincidence? Was he a user?”

  I squint my eyes. It pains me to admit it. “Yeah, it’s possible it’s related. They’re at least distributing in the area. As far as my brother goes, I won’t know without further investigation.”

  “Damnit! I knew it.” I hear him sigh. “This ain’t good, Moth. You need to stick around and find out who did this. We have to rule out Alizar as a direct link before I can allow you to return back to duty. I can’t have him attacking random family members.”

  “I know.” I’m disgusted, utterly gutted this could possibly have something to do with me. “I know how important it is. I’ll offer my assistance to the local police if you grant me the authority.”

  He’s silent for a second. “Let me make some calls. For now, dig up what you can. I’ll be in touch.”

  When we hang up I head over and copy the entire contents of the manila file so I can take it with me and study. I came home to help lay my brother to rest, but now I have to stay to make sure I’m not the one who put him in the ground.

  Chapter 4

  I’ve had a hell of a night. After going back to my dad’s place, I was met with extended family I hadn’t seen in years. Jamie’s mother was all sorts of confounded over the loss of her son. I manage to keep it together while they have me sit with them and look for photos they’ll be displaying during the funeral service. I don’t have the heart to tell them I’m about to open a can of worms that’s going to prolong the body being rele
ased. I’m left with no other options. In order to rule out foul play, I have to take the necessary precautions to make sure things are done right. That’s going to require the DEA’s resources. Forensic toxicology reports aren’t as quick and efficient as they’re seen on television shows. Normal pathologists can take weeks, sometimes even months to return with their findings. I don’t have that kind of time, so I’m going to send everything away to our people to do the testing.

  I make a couple calls outside on the porch, unknowing my father is at the door listening. He waits until my call ends to make his presence known. “I was right. Jamie didn’t kill himself.”

  I clench my jaw and turn away. “I don’t know any more than you at this point.”

  “What do the toxicology reports say?”

  “Preliminary says it’s heroine. His lips were blue, his eyes constricted. They found a spoon and lighter next to his body, only his prints were discovered on both, but I’m not convinced he cooked up the heroin and injected it himself. He’s left handed and the needle was stuck in his left arm. If Jamie did it he would have stuck it with his left hand in his right arm. There’s also the fact that besides the injection site there isn’t a track mark on him. There wasn’t any other drugs found at the scene. It doesn’t add up.”

  He places his hands in his pockets and jingles around some change. “Tell me something I don’t know, son.”

  “The drugs found at the scene, the stuff he died from, they’re related to a case I’m working on.”

  “And?”

  “And that’s all I know right now.”

  “I know what you’re thinking, Tim. Your brother wouldn’t get involved with sketchy people. He knows better. He had a job, and hasn’t hurt for a single thing his whole life.”

  Little does he know, I’m not thinking that route at all. My brother had no reason to need to be involved with drugs or dealers. From what I can tell he had a good life, with a damn promising future. “I’m going to be helping the police. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but you’re not going to have his body right away, at least not until the autopsy can be completed.”