Chapter Twenty-Two
One week later…
S peeding down the interstate, Real took the incoming call from Dave and flipped on his blinker.
“Where are you?”
“On my way to Genesis headquarters. Why?” He took the exit and stopped his jeep at the red light.
“I just want to know if you got a feel for Justice that day in Savage’s office?”
“Why?”
“He’s been radio silent for a while.”
Real didn’t comment. Justice wasn’t his problem. He had only spoken to Justice in the parking lot that day because Dave had asked him to.
He made a left turn when the light changed.
Dave sighed. “Do you think your words made a difference?”
“No. Justice feels too much guilt right now to see clearly. I would have to talk with Fisher to make a dent.”
“What do you think of Justice?”
“He’s solid, super fucking smart, and very careful. Along with his skill set and from what I’ve heard from Steel, he’s one of the best.”
Real had made it his mission to find out about every single Erebus assassin. Having that knowledge would serve him well when they went after Blue.
During his investigation, several Erebus assassins had stood out, and Justice had been one of them.
“You like him for Genesis?”
Real didn’t want to get his hopes up, but hell yeah, he would. “Justice? Yeah, why?”
“If things go south between Fisher and Justice—”
“More than they already are?” he cut in.
“Like I was saying…if they can’t work together after all is said and done, I’ll offer Justice a place in Genesis.”
“Why not Fisher? He’s got military training too.”
“Fisher is a wild card and he’d never take orders from you.”
“Fair point.”
“Did Savage talk to you about collaborating permanently?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“I’m thinking no,” Real admitted.
“Well, give it some more thought and let me know next week.”
“I will.”
“So, this wasn’t a social call. I’ve been receiving information on Blue and his gang,” Dave said.
“How many?”
“Three from what I gathered. Blue, Crow, and a guy named Tanis.”
“How’d you get that info?”
“There’s an informant name I want to give you. It might be a good place to start.”
“Do we know where this informant is?”
“That’s the tricky part and I’m hoping you can take care of that by putting Genesis on it.”
Real took the exit and came to a stop at the light. He had several contacts with different law enforcement agencies, so it shouldn’t be hard to get the informant’s whereabouts.
“I’ll find the informant. I’ll send Steel and Justice to talk with the guy.”
“Good. And Real? This is important. Keep me posted every step of the way,” Dave said and ended the call.
Real frowned. Here he was doing something he swore he wouldn’t do. Work in tandem with Erebus.
Dave wanted to blend Erebus and Genesis when needed. Real didn’t want his team involved that much with Erebus.
Those assassins were too fucking unpredictable.
An influx of text messages pinged Real’s phone and he pulled over to check it.
Savage: I’ve got a lead on where the informant might be. Who are you sending?
Real: Did you talk to Dave?
Savage: Do you need Dave’s permission for me to text you?
Real squinted at the small screen, tossed the phone, and pulled back onto the freeway.
For the next fifteen minutes, his phone blew up with missed calls and text messages. Pulling into the Genesis parking lot, he shut off his jeep and checked his phone.
Savage: “Call me back, asshole.”
With an annoyed sigh, he punched in Savage’s number.
“What is it?”
“I’ve got a lead on that informant.”
“You said that over your text.” Real pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Busting my chops?”
“No,” Savage snorted. “Just making sure you’re awake on this. You sending Steel?”
“Tomorrow.”
“I’ll put Justice on this to go with him.”
“You do know that I have fewer people than you do,” he growled.
Savage sighed. “Yeah, I know. But there’s something off about this guy.”
“What guy?”
“Blue. It’s like smoke and mirrors. Plus, fuck if I can find out how many people are involved with him.”
“Dave already found out the guy has two others helping him. Someone named Crow and another goes by Tanis.”
“Okay, well, that helps. If Justice and Steel can locate the informant, we just might get all of these sons of bitches.”
“Okay, I’ll give you Steel to help for a few days. If I have to, I’ll pull in Memphis.”
“Thank you,” Savage said and hung up.
The abrupt end of the call didn’t bother Real, they never exchange pleasantries.
He tucked the phone inside his pocket and stepped out of his jeep just as it buzzed again. He yanked it out and gazed at the screen.
Azrael: Are you coming home for dinner?
Real stared at the message. Where the fuck was home ? He had no place to call his own.
Azrael:
He scowled at the silly emojis.
That right there?
That was not happening.
Justice woke to the beeping of his alarm, rolled over, and slapped at his phone until it stopped chirping. He flopped onto his back and blinked, staring at the ceiling. Roughly an hour later, showered, dressed, and sipping on his first cup of coffee, he felt like normal when he answered the incoming call from Savage
“What’s up?” Justice answered with a frown.
“I need you to check into an informant about Blue and his two cohorts, Crow and Tanis.”
“Investigating isn’t my strong suit.”
“Make it your suit today.”
“I’m looking for Fisher,” he said.
“Fisher borrowed a car from me. He said he had some things to take care of and needed more time. So do this and give him that.”
Justice gritted his teeth. How much more could he take? If this festered any longer, Fisher may never forgive him.
Fisher isn’t ever going to forgive you anyway.
Fuck it. He could multitask. Look for Fisher and interview an informant. He gripped the phone tighter. “What do you need?”
“I spoke with Real and he’ll send Steel over today to assist you.”
“Why?”
“Two pairs of eyes are better than one. You two need to find that informant and get us some answers.”
“Got it. Wait for Steel, find the informant, get answers,” Justice responded robotically.
“Keep me in the loop,” Savage ordered before ending the call.
Walking out of the kitchen, he tugged out his phone and scrolled through the names. Finding Steel’s number, he shot the man a text.
Justice: “Think you can handle coming over to the dark side again?”
Steel: I can handle anything you’ve got.
Justice: That will be the day.
Steel:
Justice laughed and they made arrangements to meet up later. He shoved his phone away.
Waiting for Steel gave him time to kill so he planned on doing a drive-by at a few of Fisher’s old hangouts. He’d made it his mission to know where most of those places were.
At some point, he might get lucky.
Justice pulled into the parking lot of the third place of business during his search for Fisher. After this one, he was calling it quits for now.
He shoved open the single glass door of the cannabis store and the bell dinged overhead. He’d been here several times and the guy recognized him and gave him an up-nod before pointing to the back.
Justice got his hopes up. His palms grew damp. Here was his chance to make it right with Fisher. He suddenly struggled to recall the words he wanted to say.
Slipping between the back curtains, he made his way down the dimly lit hallway and through another curtain. The smoky back room was dark, with only a few dim tabletop lamps. Along with card games and board games, a few people had their phones out watching sports.
“Hey, Justice.” Memphis waved and pointed to an empty chair at one of the card tables.
Justice raked his gaze around the room. Bummer. Fisher wasn’t there. Hiding his crushing disappointment, he made his way over to Memphis and took a seat. He was immediately dealt a hand in the game and he placed some money on the table.
“What are you doing here?” He slid a glance at Memphis before looking down at his cards.
“Slumming,” Memphis snorted and took a drink of dark amber liquid in a half-full glass.
Justice smirked at the Genesis assassin.
Slumming was another word for a hit. Glancing around the place, it wasn’t surprising that someone in here needed to be dead. This place was a cesspool for the sick and ugly.
“Need some help?” Justice glanced up from his cards.
“Nah. I got it,” Memphis said, leaning back casually in his chair.
Two men were arguing in low voices before one of them got up and headed toward the back room. In the rear of the building, there was an exit, plus a few rooms for watching porn. The other man got up and followed the first one.
“I’m out.” Memphis slapped his cards on the table face down and stood.
The man was tall, ripped, and oozed a combination of authority and danger. Most men steered clear of Memphis. Good thing the guy was a friend of Steel’s so Justice had an in. That, and they all three had similar military backgrounds.
The rest of the five people at the table looked at him and Justice shook his head, dropping his cards face down.
“Fold,” he said and shoved his money to the middle of the table before he stood and followed after Memphis.
Reaching the next set of black curtains, he pulled them apart and stepped into the hallway beyond.
What he saw punched the air from his lungs.
Stunned didn’t begin to describe the feeling of when he came face to face with Fisher.