Minor Demons

by Randall J. Morris

Lilith leaned in and kissed Leech on the cheek.

  “For good luck.”

  As she turned to leave, Leech slapped her hard on her left butt cheek. He immediately regretted it. She turned around and looked at him with her mouth wide open in shock. Leech’s face turned a bright shade of red and he flashed a sheepish grin.

  “That was for good luck too.”

  Lilith closed her mouth and raised one eyebrow in disbelief.

  “Alright fine. I just wanted to see what it felt like. Sarah had a point. I’m not sure why, but you still hypnotize me a little... in spite of how weird you are.”

  “Leech, can I tell you a secret?”

  “Sure.”

  Lilith leaned in really close to Leech and whispered a sentence in his ear.

  “I like geeks...”

  She then pulled back and adopted more of a threatening, scolding stance.

  “...but if you ever slap my ass again without my permission, I will slit your throat with my fingernails. Understood?”

  Leech blushed again and nodded.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Lilith turned and left but Leech thought he could see a slight grin forming on her face as she did so. When she was finally gone, he shook himself and then slapped himself hard across the face.

  “Focus, Leech. It’s money collecting time.”

  CHAPTER 27

  By the time Shadow made it to the warehouse with Carlos, it was very late. Carlos had almost rethought his decision a few more times but Shadow was always there to give him the additional push he needed. When he reached the front of the warehouse, a heavyset man with a semi-automatic weapon stopped him.

  “Are you lost, buddy?”

  “No, I’m here to see Diego.”

  “How do you know Diego? Do you owe him money? We can collect that and pass it on to him.”

  “Not exactly. He’s my cousin. I need to see him.”

  Carlos continued walking but was stopped once again.

  “I don’t really care who you are. No one sees the boss without a personal invite. We’re going to let him know you’re here and we’ll see what he wants to do with you. What’s your name?”

  “Carlos.”

  One of the large guards disappeared inside. He came back out a few minutes later and then waved Carlos in. Carlos followed the guard to Diego’s office inside the warehouse. As they entered the room, Shadow could tell that Leech and Lilith had pulled it off. Diego had a partially clothed girl under each arm, a large stack of money on his desk, and he seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself. As he saw Carlos enter the room, he did a double take.

  “No fuckin way. Is that Carlos?”

  “Hello, Diego. Can we talk?”

  “Sure, sure.”

  Diego dismissed the two prostitutes and stood to greet his cousin. They hugged and then Diego pulled away and punched him hard in his nose. Carlos fell over, blood seeping out of his nostrils and down his moustache.

  “You tell me you’re done with this life, with our family business, and then you just walk back in here and want to talk? Well... talk. You better hope I like what you have to say.”

  Carlos held up his hand, hoping Diego wouldn’t continue.

  “Please, Diego. I made a mistake. If I had just accepted the job you offered a long time ago, my family would still be alive and not dead or near death. I would have been able to afford better care for my wife and I could pay better doctors to figure out what’s wrong with my son.”

  “You have a son, Carlos? Wow, you really didn’t want us in your life at all, did you? You don’t write, you don’t call, and now you have a son?”

  “Yes and he’s dying. I need your help.”

  “I don’t run a charity, bro. This isn’t the Make a Wish foundation.”

  “I’m willing to work for it.”

  “Get your ass up off the floor and let’s talk this out then.”

  Diego helped Carlos to his feet and pulled up a chair for him to sit in. Diego moved to the large custom leather chair behind his desk.

  “My son is dying, Diego. The doctors I’ve taken him to have no idea what’s wrong with him. If things don’t change, he’s going to die. I need to get him to better doctors as soon as possible.”

  “I can make that happen. What are you going to do in exchange?”

  “I want to be a drug dealer. I’m asking you for a job.”

  Diego laughed for several minutes. Each time Carlos thought he was done and tried to continue, Diego started laughing again. When he finally finished, he wiped tears from his eyes.

  “I thought you’d want a job working security or some shit like that. You know... ask for a ton of cash up front to save your son and then slowly work it off in a slow, easy job that pays better than whatever the hell you do right now.”

  “I need to save him, so I will need some money up front. I want to earn it back as quickly as possible.”

  “So you can run back to your honest life?”

  “No. I simply don’t like owing debts. I’m asking for a permanent job in your organization. I’m done working construction.”

  “Why? What changed, Carlos? You thought we were filth when you left with that woman, found your shitty job, and started going to church. Are you done being a Catholic?”

  “Being a good father is more important to me.”

  “Well alright then. You finally found where the real line is. You don’t draw it at morals. You draw it at family. Family is the line you don’t cross. We just have one problem with that.”

  “What problem?”

  Diego pulled a 9 mm from his desk and aimed it at Carlos’ head.

  “You already crossed that line a long time ago.”

  “Diego, I already put all my cards on the table. If you’re going to shoot me then shoot me. I only have family left in this world and if I can’t save my son, I might as well die and meet my wife and kid on the other side.”

  “You’re too dramatic. I’m just giving you a reminder that I will not be crossed again. If you want a permanent job, it ends when your life ends. Don’t try to back out on me again or I won’t just let you walk away this time.”

  “That’s fine. Once my boy is better, I can finally afford to get him some nice things. Can we talk how much you pay?”

  “I’ll start you out selling marijuana.”

  Leech cut in.

  “Tell him no. Marijuana isn’t going to get you where you need to go. It’s too cheap... and it’s starting to become legal in several states.”

  Carlos shook his head at Diego.

  “Please don’t waste my time, cuz. I asked to be a drug dealer and we’re family. Don’t start me out selling marijuana. No matter what percentage my cut would end up being, it would take forever to get anywhere.”

  “So starting off where I start all my dealers is too good for you?”

  “Your other dealers aren’t your cousins. Where did your father start you? Was it selling marijuana?”

  “I see your point, cuz, but you would be wise to use a little more tact and sound a little less ungrateful when you’re addressing the man who is going to save you.”

  “I’m just asking to be given a chance, Diego. A real chance.”

  “Fine. You can start selling meth. One of my meth dealers has too many clients for him to handle anyways. That’s usually around $16,000 a pound in my territory and your cut is 30%. We have a guy that cooks it around 90% pure. If you start moving it well, we can talk numbers again.”

  “Deal.”

  “It’s not a deal yet. I want to see your kid. I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet.”

  “He’s really sick, Diego.”

  “Then you should really take me to him. Right fucking now.”

  Carlos considered running but then figured there was no point in denying Diego’s terms.

  “Fine. No bodyguards and none of your crew. I let family in my house, no one else.”

  “I don’t always travel with bodyguards, cuz. Most people a
ren’t stupid enough to try to kill me. They know what would happen to them... plus I can take care of myself.”

  Diego opened his desk again and removed several guns. He tucked them into his coat, pants, and anywhere else he could think to hide one.

  “Alright, let’s go see the little guy. I have to make sure he’s one of us if his dad is going to work for me. I have to make sure he’s worth it.”

  Carlos was able to refrain from punching Diego when he remembered everything that was at stake. He found the notion that his son wasn’t worth anything without Diego’s approval very offensive, but it was never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. Carlos and Diego headed back out into the night.

  “Why don’t we just see if we can kill them both off right now? Carlos is about to turn into one evil son of a bitch and Diego has probably already killed hundreds of people. He’d feed hell for a while.”

  “You’re being too hasty, Leech. Diego is ready to go whenever; I doubt he can become much worse than he already is. That isn’t really our call. Carlos still has a long ways to go. Besides, we wouldn’t get credit for Diego. Other demons got him to where he’s at. No credit means we don’t give a shit.”

  “Where are the other demons that are supposed to be keeping watch over Diego?”

  “Probably in Hell, kicking back and waiting for him to die one day. It’s not like they need to stay up here to keep him evil. They probably only check in once in a while.”

  “Those lazy bastards. They’re probably working for Asmodeus. Diego doesn’t do much other than boss people around and count his money.”

  “So how’d you guys get him in such a good mood? I mean... I know he’s an asshole but at least our guy is still alive.”

  Lilith decided to answer before Leech had a chance.

  “Leech sat on a couch and drank booze with him while I brought him some whores and called in a few of the debts that people owed him.”

  Leech flipped her off.

  “Not even close. Lily went out on a booty call and I had to do all the hard work. I had to get his money and stop him from drinking anymore.”

  “We’re here.”

  Carlos flipped on the lights and Junior rubbed his eyes. This started a wave of coughing that took a minute to subside.

  “Sorry to wake you, son. I have someone who wants to meet you and this is the only time he could make it to see you.”

  Junior looked up, his brow sweaty and his eyes still adjusting to the light. Diego kneeled next to his bed.

  “My name is Diego. I’m your dad’s cousin. I don’t think he’s ever mentioned me before.”

  “Yes he has. He told me you’re a bad man.”

  Diego glared at Carlos. Carlos met his gaze with an expression like stone. He hadn’t really been wrong about that. Diego turned back to Junior.

  “Your dad and I were discussing getting you to some new doctors so that you can get better.”

  “Dad told me we don’t have the money for that.”

  “I have some money. How about I pay for your treatments and then your dad can pay me back? I offered him a job earlier tonight.”

  Junior looked up at his father. He was hit by another fit of coughing, but this one subsided quicker than the last one.

  “Dad, I don’t think Diego is a bad man. He seems like he’s one of the good guys.”

  Diego laughed.

  “See, Carlos? Junior gets it. I’m not a bad man. I just do bad things for a living.”

  “I guess he’s right.”

  “No he just gets it and I’m still wondering if you do. I look out for my own.”

  “Then what do you think? Is Junior family enough for you?”

  Diego looked down at the sweating, coughing child.

  “Of course he is. I’ll front you the cash. Drop by the warehouse again tomorrow after you check Junior in at whatever hospital can save him.”

  CHAPTER 28

  Carlos checked Junior in at the University of Utah hospital with the small amount of cash Diego had lent him the night before. Once the doctors began running tests, he asked to be excused. Carlos dropped by his house and grabbed his Colt .45. It wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as the semi-automatic weapons carried by most of Diego’s employees, but he had to take something with him for protection. If this .45 was good enough for his grandfather and his father, it was good enough for him. Carlos slid the gun into its holster and hid it underneath his shirt.

  The ride back to Diego’s warehouse was mostly uneventful, but Carlos thought of his son the entire way over. He wanted to be with him while the doctors gave him the tests but Diego’s terms for loaning the money were that he be at work as soon as he had checked his son in at the hospital. At least Junior had a private room and enough to do to kill the time when he wasn’t coughing or throwing up.

  As Carlos pulled his barely functioning vehicle into a parking spot near the front of the warehouse, two security guards eyed him. As he approached the front of the building, they stopped him. They frisked him, removed his .45, and escorted him back to Diego’s office.

  “He was carrying this.”

  The gun was thrown on Diego’s desk. Diego turned slowly in his chair, smoking a large Cuban cigar.

  “Why the hell should I care? He’s my cousin. Let him carry his toy gun if he wants to.”

  “You said we aren’t supposed to let anyone...”

  “Shut the fuck up. He’s my cousin. He’s not here to kill me. Get back to your posts.”

  The guards turned and left the room. Diego picked up the Colt and looked it over.

  “Grandpa’s?”

  “Yes, one of his. He had quite a collection before he died.”

  “You’re right. Hold on a sec, I want to show you something.”

  Diego left the room and came back holding a Winchester rifle. Unlike the gun Carlos had inherited from his grandfather, this one was polished and in pristine condition. No major marks or scratches. He handed it to Carlos.

  “This one also came from grandpa. It’s an original Winchester from 1866. In the condition it’s in, it’s easily worth $15,000.”

  “It’s a beautiful gun, Diego.”

  “You forget that grandpa actually liked me too.”

  Diego placed the rifle on his desk.

  “So here’s how this is going to work. You’re going to help my guys load one of the trucks. One of them will go with you and show you where our clients regularly visit. The value of any product stolen comes out of your wages. I have a decent amount of pull with the police, but don’t do anything stupid like shoot someone in broad daylight. Once I think you’re ready to work on your own, I’ll pull the other dealer. He’s getting half of your cut plus his cut while you’re in training. That’s how it’s going to be, don’t fight me on this.”

  “No worries. I’ll still be making more than I did at my last job.”

  Diego slid a phone across the table.

  “This is a burner phone. If you call anyone from our crew on it, delete the call history and then toss it. We have a lot more of these in the back office. You can never really be too careful in the drug production and selling business. You always delete the call history and destroy the phone. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  “One more thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m going to visit Junior. I want to make sure they’re taking care of him and throw some more money around if I need to. Write down the hospital he’s at and the room number here.”

  Diego slid a piece of paper and a pen towards Carlos. He did as instructed.

  “Anything else?”

  “No. Just don’t die on me out there.”

  “I’m not planning on it.”

  Once Carlos helped the men load the truck, one of the men sat next to him in the back of the van. He offered his hand. Carlos shook it.

  “I’m Andres. Diego says you’re the new meth dealer and I’m supposed to show you how we do things. Let’s start with the basics
. What do you actually know about what we’re selling?”

  “Not much.”

  “I figured as much. Diego said you probably wouldn’t know shit for the first little while. That’s alright though, the longer it takes you to learn, the longer I get to take half of your cut.”

  Andres grinned at him. Carlos had a feeling Andres might drag his feet to keep taking his money and didn’t want that to be the case.

  “I learn quickly. Start explaining it to me.”

  “Just so I have a point of reference, how much did you make at your old job?”

  “Around $10 an hour. It was back breaking work.”

  “It should be pretty easy to break that, even at your reduced rate. So let’s start from the beginning. Are you pretty good with math?”

  “Not especially.”

  “That’s fine, we have an accountant. All you really need to do is keep track of your inventory and how much you sell. We have high-grade stuff that goes for around $16,000 a pound. We break it up in smaller quantities. A teenth is a sixteenth of an ounce. An eightball is one eighth. We sell a teenth for $65 and an eightball for $120. You’ll sell it in small quantities like that. If they ask for anything larger than that, you come to me and we’ll figure out if we’re being harassed by a cop or what to charge them. I’ll do the number crunching. The cops will generally turn the other way out of fear of Diego’s connections, but we occasionally have to give up a teenth or some cash to make a police officer leave us alone. If that happens, it comes out of your cut. We can’t be losing inventory to the police.”

  “I follow you so far. How do we do this though? We can’t just sell drugs out in the open, right?”

  “Right. We have little stands at a lot of different locations. We sell gum, candy, other little things like that. We also sell newspapers. We hide a teenth or an eightball in tiny plastic bags in each of the newspapers that you hold in the back. If it’s one of our regular customers, they’ll ask you for a special edition of the news. That just means they want a teenth for...”

  Andres stopped short to make sure Carlos was paying attention.

  “$65. I got it. What if they want an eightball?”

  “They’ll ask for two copies of the special edition. We’ve tried to make this as simple as possible. So if you made around $10 an hour at your old job, you only have to sell a teenth an hour to make the same money. Well... close. You’re getting 15% right now so at $65 a teenth, you’ll get $9.75. You’ll get $19.50 per eightball. As soon as I think you’re ready, I’ll move on up to dealing cocaine and you can get your full 30%.”