by Carl Weber
Karen was as pale as a ghost. Her eyes were the size of a half dollar. She was twisted up mentally that the government had dug up most of her dirty secrets. On everything she loved, she had no idea the trick in Florida that she killed was a police officer. Not wanting to get caught up, she didn’t stay around long enough to find out exactly who she’d murdered. That same night, she’d gotten on the Greyhound bus bound for Arizona, never looking back. Karen got chills. She had flashbacks of getting in the man’s car after they agreed on a price for head only. He then drove to an isolated area. However, that’s when he got violent. The man began smacking and punching her in the face and head. He strong-armed Karen to have sex. Thank God, she somehow got a hold of a screwdriver on the rear floor board of his car. Defending herself, she stuck him over thirty times in the face and neck, killing him.
Karen was at a loss for words. She was trembling and needed a cigarette badly to calm her nerves. Her voice cracked, and she stuttered as she struggled to speak. The agent waved his hand, signaling her to be quiet for a moment. He was far from being done with letting her know what he knew. She’d wasted his time long enough with the denial game, so now it was time to play hardball. It was obvious that he was breaking his prisoner down, yet he had to drive home the point that these charges she was facing were serious and not going to go away on their own. He went back in the folder ready to expose more harsh truths. She cried harder, and snot ran from her nose as she braced herself. The agent then produced a photograph. It showed two teenagers dressed in prom attire. He slid it across the table.
“Here you go. That’s right, Karen. Take a good, long, hard look.”
Karen sat up straight in her chair. Picking up the picture she did what was asked. She studied it hard through her teary vision. Her heart damn near stopped. A lump grew in her throat. It was her baby girl she had given up to the state of Iowa. “She looks like me and my father.” Karen sobbed, unsure how to feel at the moment.
The agent laid it on thick, hoping to get her to flip on Juan and the cartel. His goal was for her to say she’d become a snitch for the federal government. “Look, if you want, I can arrange for you both to be reunited. Maybe begin a new start on life together in the program under government protection. I can make that happen, and that murder charge can disappear with your old life.”
Karen wanted to be with her child more than anything in the world. For years she’d lived with a hole in her heart longing to have her child. Now was her chance to make it right and finally see her baby girl. She knew it could possibly cost her her life if the organization caught wind of her plans, but Karen felt the risk was worth it just to meet her daughter. Out of choices, she wiped the snot from her nose with her open hand. “Okay, I’ll do it. I want the witness protection program for me and my daughter. I want immunity in writing for everything now and in Florida. I’ll take the stand and testify about everything I know.”
The agent stood up trying to hold his excitement in. “Listen, you better not be shitting me around on this. If you do, I’ll make sure you never see daylight again.” The special agent in charge turned and hastily exited the small room, leaving Karen there sobbing and staring at the photo. Five minutes later, he returned into the interrogation room. “Hand over the picture, Karen. It goes back in my records. But play your cards right and you’ll be taking new family photos with your daughter real soon.”
Karen reluctantly handed over the picture and folded her arms. She slid down some in the hard metal chair. As the door closed behind the agent, her mind raced with what consequences the cartel could—and would—make her face when they found out she flipped. Her head dropped. She buried her face in her hands and began to sob once more. “Oh my God, what did I just do?” For once, she was glad the police were on her side and would protect her.
* * *
“Hello, yeah, it’s me.”
“Yes, my friend. How did it go?”
“Unfortunately, just as we knew it would. The disloyal bitch folded. I showed her that fabricated picture of who she thought was her daughter. She bugged out and flipped. She promised to give me Juan and everyone else she knew of.” The special agent shook his head while he spoke. “Hell, I’m quite sure if I press the whore anymore, she’ll tell me who really shot King and Kennedy.”
“Well, we know what must be done.”
“I already know, sir—no loose ends need to unravel in the wind.”
“Exactly. Consider her no longer an asset but a major liability. I trust she will be dealt with accordingly.”
“Of course, consider it done. But what about our other ‘situation’?”
“No need for concern. Our mutual friend Warden Valdez had Juan handle those two calls, so we’re good all the way around. Like Karen, Juan’s contract with us is to be immediately terminated as well. For now, the pipeline is once again secure on all ends, and that’s what’s most important. However, we have yet to find the leak in our midst that turned them in. That housekeeper story can’t be true. That’s a front for whoever the rat is. But we’ll keep looking until we discover who it is.”
“I understand. Say no more.” Ending his conversation, DEA Special Agent Blane placed his private line cell phone back in his inner jacket pocket. Having completed the task of seeing if Karen could, and would, stand tall if need be, he plotted on the arrangements to have her and Juan transferred from prison . . . and relocated to unmarked graves somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Chapter Eleven
All went as planned. Bobby and Maria met back up like they had agreed to do. She had their bounty reward money in a bag. She had been hailed as a hero for bringing down Miguel who had long since been a thorn in the side of the organization. However, she didn’t have time to live in that celebration. More work needed to be done, and more money to be earned. Maria was blessed when her beloved uncle called. She saw the strange number pop up on her screen and started not to answer, but she was glad she had. Their conversation was brief. Juan informed her of the Detroit man’s name and his number to call once they were thirty miles outside of Michigan. Juan’s final words were for his niece to stand tall and continue to represent the infamous bloodline they shared and the family crest tattoo. Juan had her word. Then the line went dead.
Bobby hooked his rig up to the hot box trailer in less than twenty minutes. Shortly after that, the pair was on the road headed to Detroit. It would take twenty-three, maybe twenty-four hours if they drove nonstop. Although the two had anticipated stopping along the way, Bobby had his mind focused on getting the dope to Michigan as quickly as possible. He had just tucked his share of the reward away in the rear of his cab, making him want even more to stack with that cash. So even if it means bodies falling by the wayside along the way, he would make it back home to collect. Bobby wasn’t like Maria. He didn’t have nor understand family loyalty. But he understood money. And to him, the come up was all that mattered, not what it stood for.
Maria sat in the passenger seat with one bare foot up on the dashboard and the other tucked under her ass cheek. She’d showered and changed into a pair of pink cotton booty shorts and a matching sports bra. She fixed her hair up into a genie ponytail. It was so long it rested over her shoulders. Maria was relaxed thinking about how cute she was going to be when she came back from shopping buying all the latest high-end name brand clothes and shoes. She was finally on her way out of that dusty town. Maria idolized the Instagram models she saw on social media. She yearned to dress just like them and drive hot cars like a true boss bitch, as most rap lyrics would say. She looked over her shoulder at the handmade bag her grandma sewed for her. It was filled with her share of the money for killing Miguel, and she had Juan’s blessings. Everything was great in her life and about to get better. All she needed now was to get to Detroit.
Maria put her hand over her mouth and yawned. She was drained and decided to grab a blanket from the back to put over her legs. The air-conditioning inside the cab was on high. She made herself comfortable in the
seat and drifted off to sleep. A few hours into their trip had gone by. Suddenly, her relaxation and pleasant dreams were interrupted. Her cell phone was ringing as it lay positioned in between her legs. Rubbing her eyes, Maria glanced at the number. Her heart started to beat fast. A lump lodged in her throat. She panicked. Maria knew it was the cartel’s boss’s number. Before leaving Laredo, her people advised her to keep her phone on at all times because he or someone would be in touch.
Bobby glanced over at Maria. “What’s wrong? Who is that calling you?”
“Oh my God, it’s jefe calling. They told me someone from the organization would be calling, but I didn’t expect for it to be him personally.”
“Okay, then, it’s him. Answer it and see what’s up,” Bobby urged taking his eyes off the road for a split second to look at her.
Maria pressed the talk icon on her phone and spoke in Spanish. “Hello, Jefe.”
“Hello, Maria. You have done well over the years since you were a little girl to aid the cartel. Your father would be proud to see the woman you have grown into. And your uncle Juan oftentimes sings your praises. I must say your time has finally come to join the family. We want you to eat as we eat. Want for nothing that money can’t buy. You can rest assured your enemy is my enemy. He who is my foe, blood runs from his veins until he is no more. Do you accept my embrace, Maria?”
Maria was humbly stunned. She was at a loss for words. The cartel boss of bosses himself had just formally asked her to become official. Maria came back to her senses and finally replied, “Of course, yes, I will eat at your table. It would be an honor to give my all to the organization, even my life, Jefe.”
They ended the conversation. The ultimate deed was done. Maria was now down in the books for being damn near untouchable to most. Regretfully, the young female had no idea the man who’d just blessed her had just ordered her uncle Juan’s death just as he allowed her father’s death to be excused years earlier.
Bobby didn’t understand much Spanish but could tell by the expression on Maria’s face that whatever just happened was epic.
* * *
After hours on the road, avoiding contact with the state boys through several jurisdictions and sleeping in truck rest areas, they were almost there. Drinking a cup of coffee, Maria was admiring the early-morning scenery. With his baseball hat turned backward, Bobby soon announced the words she had been waiting to hear.
“Hey, baby, you might wanna put that cup down and make that call.”
“Huh, what call?”
“Girl, I know we been on the road, but don’t dummy up on me now. Make the call to your contact person in the D. Let them know we right outside of Michigan and heading in.”
“Oh my God, are you serious?”
“Yeah, girl, so make that call. I’ma pull over at the next exit and get some gas and take a shit. After that, we back on the road.”
Maria took a small piece of paper out of her wallet. Tapping in the numbers, she placed the call. One ring, two rings, three rings later, Greedy answered. After a brief time talking, they agreed to meet in the Mexican Village area of Detroit. Once there, they could sit down and discuss the collection of funds and transference of product.
* * *
Crossing the state line into Michigan, Bobby jumped off of I-75 on got on I-94. They needed to stop by Metro Airport. There were various rental car companies on the premises. Seeing how she had to meet up with the contact person, Maria couldn’t very well drive up in a huge semitruck filled with illegal drugs and other contraband. Amazed with all the regular people coming and going around the airport, she knew she’d made the right decision to get out of the Laredo truck stop area that had become home. Picking out a midsize vehicle, she signed the paperwork and drove off the lot. Trailing behind Bobby, he soon pulled into a motel located right outside of Detroit. They had made it. The mission was almost accomplished. Slowly, the trained driver pulled his rig alongside many others. To anyone passing by, his truck and he seemed like any other truck and any other weary, over-the-road driver.
Maria let him check into the motel room. With the key in hand, Bobby walked to the lower-level room while she slowly drove waiting to park. Once inside the room, each used the bathroom. Bobby fell onto the bed, and Maria joined him. After taking a short nap, she would call Greedy and tell him a definite time to meet up at the restaurant and Bobby would stay with the load.
Chapter Twelve
Greedy received the meet up time call he’d been waiting for. Although shocked earlier when finding out his new plug connect was a female, he rolled with the punches. To him, money had no restrictions on it. If you were eight to eighty, blind, crippled, or crazy, he’d get money with you if you were a hustler. Arriving at Los Galanes a few minutes ahead of time, he and Gigi ordered chips and salsa. He kept an eye on the door. Even though he’d fail to tell the caller his girl and partner in crime would be joining them, everyone in the cartel knew they moved as one. Ten minutes after the chips had arrived, a female wearing a powder-blue shirt with a kitten on it strolled through the door. Greedy easily recognized what she had on. “Well, damn!”
“Damn what, nigga?” Gigi turned to see what had his interest.
“I know damn well this ain’t the new connect.” Greedy stood to his feet so Maria could see he was wearing the Spartan green fitted D cap. He waved her over, and the introductions were made.
After they all ordered food, the details were hashed out. Maria was beautiful, but like Gigi, played no games when it came to business. She wanted to assure her new “friends” that all was well with the flow of the product, and things, for the most part, would not change. She was in town not to just drop off product, but to pick up the ticket money on the fronted product Juan had vouched for. She didn’t mention Juan’s name, and neither did Greedy or Gigi. When all the particulars were established about what motel to meet up at and what time, they enjoyed their meals. Maria made small talk. She asked a few questions about the nightlife in Detroit and what the casinos were like she’d heard so much about. Greedy was all in telling the Mexican beauty this and that, and she continuously flipped her long, flowing hair over her shoulder.
Gigi sat back, not saying much. She had been with her man long enough to tell when some other bitch had him acting goofy or wide open. Whereas part of her wanted to smack the shit outta Maria for being all extra, she was forced to respect that she was indeed the new connect and the key to the pipeline. However, as far as Greedy was concerned, she’d deal with him later.
* * *
It was nearing seven in the evening. The sun was still shining bright. It was thirty minutes before they would meet back up with Maria and her counterpart. Reaching for a bottle of water, Greedy swallowed three Tylenols. The right side of his temple was pounding. He had migraines in the past, but this one was courtesy of Gigi. Ever since leaving the restaurant, she’d been talking shit, going hard. Normally, he was used to hearing her mouth, but this time, it was different. This time, she was furious, breathing on him about his apparent behavior at the restaurant. She kept at him asking why he seemed so fascinated with that stringy-haired Mexican bitch. For some reason, Gigi hated Mexicans but never let it stand in the way of doing business. . . before now. It was bad enough Maria was flirting with her man, but this asshole had the nerve to seem to be open to it. Gigi lost control of herself and her emotions. A few times she even hit Greedy on the back of his head to get his attention when she felt as if he’d tuned her out. She reminded him that Maria was just another whore with a slit. Nothing more, nothing less.
Greedy soon caught on to what the problem was as they got in the car. Gigi was a boss bitch. Everyone they’d come in contact with respected her and her gangster. They knew she was a force to be reckoned with. However, Maria was one as well. She was nothing like Karen was to Juan. She was the leader, the key point person; plus, she was more than easy on the eyes. Gigi didn’t like either of those qualities in another female, especially one dealing with her man.
Greedy wanted to keep the peace. His main objective was to stay making money and maintain an open line to the plug. All of that female jealousy shit was for the birds. He told Gigi that he’d fall back and let her go into the motel room for the money count. She agreed, shut her mouth, and drove off.
When the longtime devoted pair pulled up, Maria and Bobby were just coming back from McDonald’s. He had slept all day and half the evening since they arrived. However, he was now wide awake and alert. Maria introduced Greedy and Gigi to Bobby. Not knowing what to expect, Bobby played it cool. He was born and raised in the city, so he already knew Detroit niggas could get grimy. Although he didn’t have a gun, he feigned as if he did. He knew his rig was holding the drugs and without the go-ahead from Maria, they’d stay in there.
Money bag in tow, Gigi followed Maria into the other room Bobby had rented as well. The men stayed back in the parking lot to watch out for both their girl’s safety and best interest. Once inside, Maria started back with the idle chitchat about this, that, and the third. After ten or so minutes of counting, she had Gigi heated. No matter what she tried, Maria’s mouth was going a mile a minute.
“So, how long have you and him been together?”
“Why you need to know all of that?”
“I was just asking. Well, are you married?”
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, he loves you, right?”