Tevita Suarvea

by David Manoa

  “Ok Kid, testing the earpiece now. Can you hear me?”

  “Copy that – Old man.”

  Jessica put the car in gear and launched the vehicle, the car squatted down in the rear before propelling itself, the gravel and debris spraying all over me when she headed towards Jasper. I adjusted my earpiece for an incoming call it was Anna.

  “Rooks, do you need me to call in backup?”

  I paused to evaluate, it wouldn’t be a good move knowing that these roosters would have police scanners.

  “I am the backup.” I said clutching my Beretta and my trusty knife.

  I could hear Anna on the earpiece annoyed, by hearing her let out her breath and the sound of her pen dropping. “Rooks, you one-man bastard, you have to be smart about this. Don’t put yourself and Jessica in unnecessary risk.”

  I observed with the anxiety that went through me the henchmen, when they all paused the moment Jessica got out of the Skyline. The perverted look on their faces surprised to see a woman. I grinded my teeth, so hard the muscles in my jaw were popping out. I couldn’t help feeling like I was sending a young lamb into the den of wolves.

  I squinted to observe closely when the group of men and Jasper checked out her car, scrutinizing it. I tuned in briefly to hear them converse the car lingo turbo this. Wastegate that. I watched when Jasper walked away to take a phone call while the guys continued to talk to Jessica. I switched back to Anna.

  “There is a greater risk if you call backup, these guys will flee, the moment you deploy the units.”

  “Ok Rooks. I’ll stand down but keep the audio open.”

  “Copy that.”

  My vision averted to Jasper, Shit he’s a big bastard. He was wearing a black tank top and had massive heavily tattooed arms. Tight dark grey jeans, it was obvious he never worked out his legs. From where I was he would be six foot four at least. How he managed to fit in his car is a miracle, Muscle bound dickhead probably uses his henchmen to wipe his ass.

  I noticed one of the men had his hands by his belt walking like a cocky cowboy checking Jessica’s arse out while she conversed with Jasper. The creepy bastard then put his hand on Jessica’s rear. She reacted and twisted his arm throwing him to the ground, hard.

  Ouch! I thought.

  “Don’t ever touch me!” Jessica said to the thug, holding his arm ready to break it. All the other henchmen were about to jump in, Jasper stood there with arms crossed laughing.

  “C’mon baby I was only playing!”

  She tightened her hold.

  “Argh! Bitch! Let go of my arm!” the thug said in pain, I could see his constipated face from where I was standing. I patched in.

  “Kid, its Rooks. Shake your head. Green light me.” I took the safety off my Beretta.

  ‘Crack’

  I could hear the sound of bone crunching. I flinched when I saw Jessica break the arm of the thug when he screamed out in agony. The other henchmen tried to jump in when Jasper stopped them holding his muscled arms out.

  “Boys, I came to race. but if you want to mess with me, I’ll put you all down.” Jessica said when she started to click her knuckles. Shit that was pretty badass for the rookie.

  “And so you shall, young lady.” Jasper said.

  “From the lights to where the railway line is under a quarter mile. The first car there and back here wins.” Jasper said licking his lips, flexing his tattooed arms.

  Jessica nodded, and walked back to the car, the people parted like the red sea when she got in.

  “Kid, are you okay?” I said concerned.

  “I’m fine, when I was talking with Jasper, I overheard him talking to someone about the incoming shipment of the chemicals leaving from crows nest, in the next two days some sort of exchange.” I paused to think about ‘crows nest’ I wasn’t too sure if it was a codename or a place. I hit back at Jessica.

  “Was there anything distinctive about the other caller?”

  I moved up when Jessica lined up against Jasper at the traffic lights. The blue Skyline and red Mazda RX7 were preparing to race. Everyone flocked over like cockroaches to watch. I pushed through the crowd and made eye contact with Jessica when she revved up her engine, with the awkward sneezing sound at the end.

  “The caller was male, for sure. There was no name mentioned, but there was a twang, to the voice - an accent. Its Australian I’m sure.”

  “Anything else?”

  “There was cheering in the background sound like it was a concert.”

  “Kid, I want to you null out the conversation was there any distinctive noises.”

  She paused.

  “There were cheers no music but I heard a whistle sound.”

  “Sounds like a sports game.”

  There was a pause in our conversation. I could see Jessica stroke her chin, through the windshield. The group beside me reeked of beer and weed while they cheered Jasper on. Another drunk guy beside me was holding his hand like a phone to get Jessica’s number.

  I moved to the end of the crowd to see the railway tracks in the distance, the street ended into a cul-de-sac with the unfinished road ending up into a paddock.

  “Rooks, The caller said something about ‘sports supplements’ it doesn’t make sense.”

  “Let me ponder on that one Kid, I have a plan.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “I want you to pull ahead of Jasper’s car and drive him off the road as soon as you get to the end of the railway. From there I will pull him out into the paddock and question him before his henchmen get a chance.”

  Jessica frowned when she angled her head from side to side, to stretch her neck muscles. A scantily clad woman walked up the middle of the two cars to hold her hands up.

  “I was under the impression that I was to lose, so when he takes the car we can plant the phone to track him?” she said.

  “Kid, the identification of that caller is the key. It sounds like he is importing the bulking agents disguised as Sports supplements so that Jasper can cut the heroin in his labs.”

  “Rooks, I thought we were to concentrate on finding the labs?”

  “Greater good – Think about it. If we takeout the importer, we stop their ability to double the supply. God knows how many labs there could be here and they will shrink up overnight once we take importer out.”

  “Makes our job easier huh Rooks?”

  “Exactly.”

  I paused to collect my thoughts.

  “We also stop them from producing this corrosive variant of it. I’d rather see the lesser of the two evils on the streets.”

  Jessica held the steering wheel in the ten to two position. Her fingers opened up to reaffirm her grip. I could hear the revs on her engine raise to the redline. That last rev ignited a flame that shot out from the muffler.

  Jasper held his steering wheel with one hand. His posture had him look like he leaned right back. Arrogant prick. The adrenaline in the crowd was surging when they saw the flames spit out. I could smell the breath of the intoxicated guy next to me screaming out. The piercing sound of the cheers rose when the scantily clad woman was just about to lower her hands. Her skirt was so short I could see her butt cheeks.

  I could taste the grit of burnt rubber in my mouth. Looking ahead, the street lights looked like mini suns with the amount of smoke that was in the air. I paused to process knowing too well I will need to get the address and the identity of the caller from Jasper, but this info will be useful to make him uncomfortable to flush more intel out of him once I get my hands on the fucker.

  Suddenly the scantily clad woman dropped her hands when Jessica and Jasper raced off the line. The cars went off like jets, the deafening sound making me put my palms on my ears. The crowd went absolutely berserk when they rushed into the street behind the cars to cheer, throwing their bottles in the air. I had to get to the railway track and I spotted a group of young guys on their Harley Davidson motorcycles fist pumping with their brown cans of Cody’s bourbon.

  �
�You there! this is Detective Tevita Suarvea. I need to acquire your vehicle now!” I said when I flashed my badge as them.

  The guy on the bike tried to be tough, and alerted his two riders beside him.

  “Eh? Who do you think you are. Renta cop, I ain’t giving you my bike.”

  “You will be arrested for obstruction.”

  “Dox, if you want my bike you have to go through my two toko’s here.” I watched when the two riders got off their bikes, one was so seriously overweight the bikes suspension raised up by nearly ten inches. The other rider was tall but muscular. A boxer with the way he stood ready in a southpaw stance, he started punching the air showing off his combinations making sound effects with his punches. I wiped my eye from the spittle, he probably could have killed me with his bad breath.

  It was obvious these two dickheads had no respect for the law so I showed them two friends of my own…

  “I don’t have time for this shit. I need a bike now, or else my two friends the knife will give your two friends here circumcisions and my gun a nice bullet in your balls as a vasectomy.” I watched as they all saw my trusty Beretta and knife, they all got scared and dropped their nuts. Their faces went pale and they hand their hands up. The rider in the middle got off his bike and gave me the keys.

  “Sorry Dox, we were joking Cuz. Here take it, please don’t shoot me...” he said covering his crotch.

  “I ain’t your Cuz.”

  I jumped on his bike and left a trail of smoke in their faces.

  “Kid, I’m on my way,” I said engaging the clutch and increasing the throttle to catch up. I could see why motorcyclists wore the thick leather jackets the cold wind was freezing my bones. My face felt like an ice mask was forming.

  “Rooks, I'm nearly at the end, Jasper is side by side with me. His car is quick!”

  “You gotta get in front.”

  “I know! This car won’t go any faster!”

  “I told you I should have chosen the car!”

  “Shut up!”

  I could hear the sound of Jessica changing the gears the rumble of the engine and that sneezing sound dominating our conversation. I shifted down a gear on the bike as the revs shot up to 10,000 rpm it sounded like a strangled cat. The street lights becoming blurred lines of light when I picked up speed. I started to catch up to them. I was on the opposite side of the street dodging the incoming cars that were racing on the other side. The sound of their horns echoed when I passed them.

  “Rooks he’s pulling away!’ Jessica shouted on the earpiece. I was determined not to lose this bastard so I made a risky call.

  “Kid ram him now!”

  “What!”

  “Do it!”

  “Ram him!”

  Jessica didn’t hesitate when her car hit the side of Jaspers car causing them both to spin out in the middle of the road. I could hear the crunching sound of the collision, Both cars creating sparks and smoke of burning rubber on the road. It was then they moved to the side of the road in the path of one of the street lights. It was Russian roulette as to which car would hit the post.

  “Shit!”

  I could hear Jessica scream on the earpiece.

  “Kid cut the engine! Now!”

  It was too late, I watched Jessica’s car hit the post. The driver’s side crashing and bending the light post in half like a straw.

  “Kid!”

  “Can you hear me!”

  Fuck. No response, I patched through to Anna to get an ambulance over. I arrived at the crash site to see Jessica’s head resting on the inflated air bag. Shit there was smoke and scattered metal everywhere. Sparks were emanating from Jaspers car. I saw him trying to climb out the window, he was drenched in petrol. His black hair was dripping so much it looked like he was showered in it.

  I got off the bike and attended to Jessica.

  “Kid!”

  “Wake up!”

  Suddenly these two big tattooed arms grabbed me from behind and flung me away. I got up from the ground to go toe to toe. I lunged forward and he caught my punch and put me in a choke hold. He took me to the ground. I had trouble trying to free his arms since they had and petrol and grease all over them.

  “I know you are running the chemicals into the country to cut the heroin. I want the name of your source?” I said.

  “Fuck you cop.”

  “Tell me your source or I’ll throw you into the fire.”

  “That’s funny cop. You’re in no position to ask questions or even threaten me.”

  I could smell the petrol evaporating off his forearms. He had a tattoo of the Greek beast Cerberus. He increased the pressure, I almost blanked out. Then Jessica’s scream woke me. I could hear her in pain on the earpiece. She was in distress when her car began to catch fire. She was disorientated when she started to scream out for her mother.

  I called out to her, but Jasper had me in a choke hold. I was certain she could see me. Jasper started laughing, it had this raspy tone to it like his vocal chords had caramelized by years of hard drugs and smoking.

  “Ha-ha, the stupid bitch is calling for her mommy...”

  “Argh!” I tensed my neck moving it sideways to get more air.

  “I know you are working with someone in the suburb of Crow’s nest in Australia.”

  Jasper's face dropped, his smirk perhaps disappeared knowing his cover is up, but I bullshitted him so he could get agitated.

  “Tell me what I need to know and I’ll let you go!”

  “I ain’t telling you shit.”

  “Last chance asshole.”

  I let my left hand hold back the tension from Jasper’s choke and with my right hand I grabbed my gold Zippo lighter and ignited it. I pictured Jaspers's eyes widening, wondering if he‘s smart.

  “Bullshit you won’t do it. We will both burn.” He said.

  “I’m not the one soaked in petrol, I want a name.”

  I could sense Jasper getting nervous the closer the flame approached us. It went out from the gust of wind. But then I adjusted the notch I lit it again. It was now a bigger flame. He got scared straight away and tried to let go, but I held him with my arm and twisted it that we rolled over. My weight was now on top of him, His head was against the ground. I had him.

  “Alright shit. His name is Wayne Carr that’s all I know.”

  “Bullshit”

  “It’s the truth I swear!”

  “Wayne Carr!”

  I lit his forearm and there was a light yellow sheen of flame that ignited right down to hands. I waited five seconds while he screamed while we both watched the hair on arms singe then the skin start to blister and bubble. I stamped it out. Now he knew I was serious.

  “Don’t bullshit me!”

  “Argh! Ok! Stop! His name is Greg that’s all I know.”

  “Where’s the address? Where can I find him?”

  “I’ve never met the guy!”

  “Bullshit! How can you talk to a guy you never met in person?”

  “It’s the way they operate man. No faces.”

  “How can I find Greg?”

  “You can’t he calls me and tells me when the boats leaving.”

  “And what did he say to you on the phone earlier?”

  He paused.

  “Tell me!”

  “He said this was the last shipment. He said there was too much heat there.”

  “What about the labs? Tell me the location of them all?”

  “I don’t know, I’m just the middleman. I take my cut of the cash then I hand it Brody.”

  Brody… so that’s what he’s up to now. I thought.

  “Thanks, asshole.”

  I threw the Zippo lighter at him and I headed over to save Jessica.

  There was so much smoke, I went to the driver’s side, Jessica was now semi-unconscious from the smoke inhalation. I grabbed my knife and cut the seat belt and pierced the airbags. There was enough space to pull Jessica out from the windscreen.

  I smashed the rest of the g
lass shouting at her to get her to focus.

  “Kid! It’s Rooks wake up!”

  “Mommy?” she said with this incoherent glaze over her eyes.

  I shook Jessica when she finally snapped out of it.

  “Wake up!”

  “Give me your arms now!”

  I felt the flames edge closer to me, the heat making the sweat from my forehead gather at my brow. I grabbed her arms and pulled her out. I carried Jessica to safety when suddenly both cars exploded.

  We both fell to the ground and I sheltered Jessica from the debris that fell everywhere around us. Shards of hot metal fell on my back when I shouted out in pain. Jessica reacted by her hands clutching the side of my waist. To feel the side of her face, Her petite body under the protection of mine, our heavy breathing. There was a moment…

  I paused to let the pain pass… Listening to the sound of destruction around us.

  “Rooks.” she said softly.

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry, I messed up.”

  “Jessica, you handled yourself well out there. I was the one that messed up, not getting to you sooner.”

  I watched when she raised her eyebrows surprised.

  “What?” I said puzzled.

  “You called me by my name… ”

  I blinked twice and realised.

  “Shit I did too. I guess that makes you my partner.” I said.

  ***

  Jessica was reluctant to be admitted to hospital, but I told her I would keep her in the loop. I rejoined Anna for debriefing back at the Hive. It felt odd not to have her here. Shit I guess she was growing on me already. I took out my phone and put it on speaker so Jessica could hear what was going on.

  “Rooks pay attention!”

  “Sorry.”

  “This whole operation was a failure. With Jasper ending up in the hospital with severe burns, it will be some time before we can’t get any information out of him.”

  “I did.”

  “What?”

  “Information.” I said.

  “We have a Country. A suburb. And a name.”

  “Nothing was in your report.”

  “I know.”

  Anna raised an eyebrow when I clarified.