by G. K. Parks
“Times have changed. The KXDs don’t have as much power on the streets. Bard’s lost favor without the cartel connection to back his position. The cartel’s running the show now.”
“Maybe the KXDs’ outside operation, but not inside. Bard still has power in the prisons,” I said. “A lot of his loyal followers went down the same time he did. So he moved his main operation from outside the prison gates to inside. He’s doing a better business now than he was before.”
“You’re sure about that?” Lucca asked.
“That’s what the detectives I spoke to in narcotics said. Bard’s people are loyal.”
“That’s because Bard never turned on them, but the same can’t necessarily be said for Steele.”
“Steele never gave up Bard or the KXDs.”
“No, but he gave up their other connections to save his own skin. He gave up a lot.” Lucca lazily pointed at the computer. “The transcripts should be in there. Read them for yourself.”
“I read them, but Vega supported Steele, even though by most normal standards Steele betrayed the KXDs by allowing a traitor, me, to take them down. Vega should have told him to fuck off, but he didn’t. There has to be a reason.”
“You think Bard put the word out to help Steele?”
“I think it’s possible.”
“Which would mean he’d have to know what Steele has planned, except Bard denies it. And nothing we have contradicts it.” Lucca rolled his neck from side to side. “So why does it matter? How does this help us?”
“Let’s just assume Bard’s full of shit.”
“Good assumption.” Lucca stared, waiting for me to get to the point.
“The one thing I’m certain of is Steele would never betray Bard. It goes against the dynamics of their relationship. Steele had nothing. Bard’s his brother. His father. His best friend. His platonic lover. Bard is Steele’s entire world.”
“Bard doesn’t view Steele in the same light.”
“Exactly. Bard’s a tough guy who grew up tough, but at his core, he’s just running a business and watching out for number one, which means we could incentivize him to cooperate.”
“Unless he really doesn’t know anything.” Lucca let out a lengthy exhale. “There’s also another possibility we haven’t considered yet.”
“What’s that?”
“Bard put word out that Jablonsky and the OIO have been looking into the cartel and someone needs to shut that down. Steele had an obvious beef and plenty to make up for after betraying the gang. Maybe Bard gave Steele an opportunity to redeem himself.”
“I’m not sure Bard would trust Steele with such an important task. It’d be easier to get some punk who wants to prove himself to take care of business instead.”
“It’s just something to think about,” Lucca said.
Rubbing my eyes, I stared at my scribbles. None of this made a damn bit of sense. “One thing at a time.” Since the authorities were exploring the possibility of a corrupt corrections officer, I dug deeper into Bard’s background. The gang leader had plenty of enemies – rival gang leaders, law enforcement, the IRS. He also had a lot of associates. But no one in particular stood out. Maybe Lucca was right. Bard wanted blood, and Steele would deliver. No one could argue with that.
“We need to convince Vega to tell us what’s what,” I said. “He’s a KXD. He’d know if the orders came from Bard or if this is Steele acting on his own.” And we needed to find out. That would help us determine who else Steele planned to target. Right now, we assumed he only planned to take out his enemies, but if he promised to take out Bard’s enemies too, the list of potentials would grow exponentially.
I opened another file. Luther Vega had been a model prisoner. He’d been arrested just days before Bard. He’d been picked up on a traffic violation, of all things. The officer found drugs in the vehicle, and Vega was charged with possession. He’d been given the minimum sentence, but he’d been a frequent flyer at the prison infirmary for his first few months there. “We might be wrong about Bard.”
Lucca didn’t say anything. I looked up, wondering why the boy scout would waste the perfect opportunity to say something snide, but he had fallen asleep.
“Eddie,” I said. He didn’t stir. “Lucca,” I said louder.
A snore escaped as he shook himself awake. “What? What’s going on?”
“Get out of here. You need to get some sleep.”
He rubbed both hands over his face. “Yeah, all right.” He leaned his head back. “Mind calling and seeing if that hotel down the block has any vacancies?”
“You don’t have a place to stay? You didn’t check in at a hotel?”
He pulled his hands away from his eyes. “When exactly would I have had time to do that? I came to the hospital straight from the airport this morning.”
No wonder he’d fallen asleep. He had to be going on thirty-six hours easy. “Sure, no problem.” I reached for the phone. “If you want, you can crash at my place.”
“Thanks, but I’d rather take my chances somewhere with room service and a mini-bar. I remember how barren your cupboards are.”
“That place burned down not too long ago. Martin and I have an apartment you can use. There are tons of groceries and maybe some home-cooked leftovers. Martin has this weird obsession with keeping us fed. Y’never know what might be in the fridge.”
“I don’t want to intrude. Thanks, though.”
“Sure.” I dialed and made a reservation for him. “Give the front desk your name.”
“I know how hotels work, Parker.”
“Glad to hear it.”
He stood, making his back pop in the process. “For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you. An apartment, food, and this swanky office, it suits you better than the federal building.”
“At the moment, it doesn’t feel like it.”
“Understandable, but you and hierarchical structure and authority just don’t mix.” He grabbed the messenger bag he’d been carrying around all day, which contained everything he brought with him for the trip. “I’m glad you and Martin worked things out. I don’t know him or much about him, but if he can put up with your shit, he must be a saint. And on your better days, you deserve a saint.”
“All the saints are dead, Lucca. I don’t want a saint. I prefer the people I care about to stay alive. That includes you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Do better than that.”
“Damn, you’re bossy.”
“You should be used to it by now. Or have you forgotten how this works?” I walked him to the elevator. The doors just opened when I heard my office phone ring. “Shit.” I ran down the hall and dove for the phone, knocking my keyboard and several folders to the floor. “Hello?”
“I’m not sure if I’m flattered or offended you actually thought I’d crawl into the sewer like a rat. Then again, you must have felt right at home with more of your kind.”
“Francisco,” I said, relieved Amir had been able to redirect the call, “what do you want?”
“To play.”
“Then visit a toy store.”
He chuckled. “Still with so much fight, but you’ll learn.” Music boomed in the background. “Do you remember that club I took you to?”
“Yes.”
“You made quite the impression that night,” Steele said.
“I hope that kept you warm on those lonely nights in prison,” I retorted. “I can’t say fondling you was the highlight of my career.”
“I always wondered how you moved that much product so fast,” Steele mused. Either he didn’t hear me, or he chose to ignore me. “That night changed everything.” He let out an angry grunt. “How’d you do it?”
“I’m a magician.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“I never reveal my secrets.”
He cursed, growing more irritated by the second. “I could have killed you today. You should thank me for sparing your pathetic life.”
&
nbsp; “I’ll get right on that, just as soon as hell freezes over.”
Lucca tapped on the doorjamb. Cool it, he mouthed.
I gave him a disgusted look. No, I wouldn’t pull my punches. Plus, I needed to keep Steele on the line as long as possible. Amir and the techs upstairs could work miracles. If anyone could get a fix on his location, it’d be them.
“Who was the cop with you today?” Steele asked. “You seemed adamant about saving his pointless life.”
“I don’t know, just some dick assigned to the case.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t care.” Steele would pay for Mark and Cooper. He’d only make things worse for himself if he went after Nick or Jen.
“You should.” Steele chuckled again, a sound that made my insides quiver. “Have you seen Hotshot lately? Bet he went into hiding the minute he heard I was out. He knows I’m looking for him.”
“Hotshot?” I tried to play dumb, though I knew exactly to whom Steele was referring. Derek Heathcliff wasn’t hiding, at least not by choice. But Steele admitted he was looking for him. I just didn’t know if he had found him yet. I wrote Heathcliff’s name on the pad and held it up for Lucca to see. Find him.
He stepped into the break room across the hall, out of earshot of my office, and made the call.
“That cock-block prick narcotics detective, where is he?” Steele asked.
“How should I know?”
Steele didn’t say anything for a moment, almost as if deciding whether he should believe me. “Tell him I’m coming for him.”
“No.”
“No?” Steele said, surprised.
“No,” I repeated. “I won’t let you hurt anyone else. I’ll find you, and I’ll end you. I’m not going to sit around and wait for you to call to tell me you’ve killed someone else. I don’t lie down. You should know that by now. And I don’t give up. You said you want to kill me, so come get me. Because while you’re dicking around, I’m coming for you.”
“Let me?” He laughed, a long, belly laugh. “Let me? You’re already too late. Or you will be soon enough.”
I swallowed, wondering whose life he’d take next. “Francisco, don’t do this.”
“Then admit it. Admit that I’m in control. This is my game. I call the shots.”
Lucca returned to the doorway and gave me a thumbs up. Heathcliff was safe, but that didn’t provide any relief. It just left too many other possibilities.
“You’re right.” The words tasted sour on my tongue. Steele didn’t speak for a moment, and the lag in conversation allowed me to focus on the music in the background, loud, thumping rhythms. I checked the time. The clubs were open now. I knew where he was. I just didn’t know if it was a trap. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s better,” he said. “So I’ll give you a chance, just one, to save him. But you have to get here in time. And if I spot a single cop or Fed, I’ll kill them too. The more you bring, the bigger the bloodbath. You better run, Alex. Time’s a-wastin’.”
“Where are you?” I asked.
He laughed again. “Figure it out.” And then he was gone.
Twenty-three
“O’Connell, Thompson,” I continued listing possibilities as I ran up the steps with Lucca at my side, “Aronne, Moretti,” my voice caught in my throat, but I managed to squeak out, “Martin. Steele said ‘he’.”
“All right. I’ll start with the hospital since so much of the task force had been there. They might still be there. I’ll figure out who’s missing.”
“Yeah, fine.” I waved away his suggestion. I didn’t care, just as long as we determined the identity of Steele’s victim. I burst into the lab and nearly collided with Amir. “Did you get a location? I kept him on the phone as long as I could.”
“We have it narrowed to four square blocks.” Amir pulled up a map.
“I know where he is.” I unholstered my nine millimeter and checked to make sure it was loaded. Of course it was loaded, but that was a habitual action I could never quite shake. “What did you find out about the phone?”
“He’s tracking it. He knows where you are, so I cloned it in order to allow you to move freely,” Amir said.
“That’s how he’ll determine if I give it to the cops or Feds.” I looked down at the devices. “Give me both of them for now. You have a trap and trace going?”
“Of course.”
“Okay.” I took a breath, the familiar jitteriness overtaking my senses. “I have to go.”
“Parker,” Lucca grabbed my arm, glancing at Amir for help, “where are you going?”
“To stop Steele.”
“Call the police. Call the FBI. They’ll handle it. You’re not an agent.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll take care of it.”
“Where is he?” Lucca asked, but I didn’t answer. He looked at Amir. “Where is he?” Lucca repeated.
“Eddie, he said no cops. I have to go alone,” I said.
“Don’t you realize that’s what he wants? He’s going to kill you.”
“No, he isn’t. He would have had better aim when he shot me earlier if that’s what he wanted.” I ripped my arm free of Lucca’s grip and shoved him out of my way. “I have to go. We don’t have time for a lengthy debate. I need a head start.” I glanced at Amir. “Ten minutes.”
The tech nodded, and I ran out the door and jabbed the elevator button. I didn’t have time to run down thirty-one flights. The elevator opened. Lucien stood inside, like an elevator attendant, the garage button already illuminated.
“I used my access codes to make this an express trip,” Lucien said as he continued to face the panel. “Two security teams will meet you at the location.”
“No.”
“Steele won’t spot them. They aren’t cops or Feds, so you’re obeying his instructions. But you can’t go alone. You don’t know what you’re walking into.”
“You listened to my conversation?”
“Consider it a party line,” Cross said. “The teams won’t interfere, unless you need help. This is a police matter. You should realize that. What you’re doing is stupid. You’re interfering in an active investigation. This isn’t what we do at Cross Security.”
“Good thing I’m only a consultant. Yours and theirs. The cops won’t charge me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure, but even so,” Cross said, “it’s fucking stupid. You are running into this situation blind. Steele’s a killer who may have a hostage. Do you even know where he is?”
“I have an idea.”
“Any plans on sharing it with me?”
“Why?” I turned to face him. “You already know. The background noise gave it away.”
A look of self-satisfaction crossed his face. “Good. We’re in agreement. Do you know who he has?”
“No. I told Lucca to find out.”
“Speaking of, what would you like me to do with the federal agent upstairs? I’m sure he isn’t pleased by your actions.”
“Amir’s holding him off long enough to give me a head start.” The doors opened, and I ran for my car. “Is Martin safe?”
“Yes.”
“Keep it that way,” I yelled before climbing behind the wheel.
When I parked in the tow-away zone half a block from the club, I wondered how I even got here. The trip was a blur, but it didn’t matter. I checked the time. By now, Lucca would have called for reinforcements. They’d storm the building once they organized. I counted on their delayed response time.
But now that I was here, it didn’t feel right. This couldn’t be the location. The club was too public. No agent or cop would come here unless he was on assignment, right? It was a trap. I could feel it.
I looked around. No sign of Steele or any official vehicles. I entered the club, which was just a dive with live music. I’d only been inside once before. This wasn’t exactly my kind of place.
The dim lights and smoky haze concealed a lot from view, but it was still a public place. A man
bleeding to death would attract a lot of attention. The bar and dance floor were out. The tables and booths were less obvious. I went past each of them, searching faces for anyone familiar or in distress. Most people leered at me. A few made rather unfriendly remarks.
As the seconds ticked by, I wondered if Steele was tracking the burner and laughing while he cut up another of my friends. The thought sickened me. Even if he wasn’t here, he’d want to be close enough to watch. I was sure of it.
Pushing on, I checked the back hallway, finding the offices locked. The last time I’d been here, I’d been lucky enough to slip inside one of them. That wouldn’t be the case today. I just hoped the same held true for Steele.
Moving on, I checked the bathrooms. A guy at the urinal gave me an odd look, but he didn’t comment as I swung each stall door open. No Steele. No blood, guts, or gore. This had to be a wild goose chase. The bastard.
The ladies’ room had a line, two women deep. I didn’t care. I pushed my way inside, crouching down and checking beneath stall doors. Nothing.
“Dammit.” I exited the bathroom, searching for another place to check. Striding up to the bar, I leaned over and held my phone out. “Hey,” I called to the bartender, “have you seen this guy?”
The bartender stared blankly at me, so I waved the phone in his face. He didn’t even look at Steele’s mugshot. “No.”
I wanted to jump over the counter, grab him by the collar, and force him to look at the photo. Somehow, I resisted. I didn’t see Steele. I must have been wrong. He must be somewhere else within these four blocks, but not at the club. At least not anymore. Hopefully, Lucca had made actual progress. Steele was probably laughing his ass off while I wasted precious seconds inside the club.
I scanned the room a final time. A metal rig with lights and speakers hung above the dance floor. From here, I couldn’t tell exactly what was above, but a man-sized heap hung over the side of the catwalk. Locating an alcove in the corner behind the stage that led to the rigging above, I strode toward it. Halfway there, a man grabbed me from behind and shoved me against the railing and pressed his body flush against mine, constricting my movements.