Chapter 3 - Makari
Opening my eyes, I turned to take another look at the amazing woman beside me in my bed. “What?” I breathed out, jumping out of bed. She was gone, and the bed was empty. Rubbing my eyes, I wondered if I had dreamt it all.
“No, impossible,” I spoke to the bed. “I’m good but not that good.” Grinning, I quickly swept the hotel room to ensure she wasn’t making coffee or showering. Grace was gone. Traces of her lingered, such as our glasses on the cabinet, but she wasn’t there anymore.
Heading back to the bathroom, I took a shower. There was work to do, and focusing on her wouldn’t achieve anything. Closing my eyes, I let the hot water rinse her away. Once dressed, I entered the room to collect my jacket.
Picking it up, I saw the note dropping to the floor. Opening it, I read it out loud. “Thanks for the night, cya around!” Shaking my head, I tossed it in the bin as I left. Letting it go, letting her go, was the best thing to do.
As I started my truck, my mind wandered to her smooth skin against mine. I let my head fall to the steering wheel. Taking a deep breath, I cleared my mind. She made me forget everything that was happening.
“No,” I reminded myself. There is a job that needs attending to. No distractions. I headed to the production warehouse first to ensure the delivery would be ready by Friday. Then I went to check on the progress at the packaging warehouse. Driving past the hotel, my mind wandered to Grace.
If I went back to the library, would she be there? I wondered if I would be able to call on her for another night like last. Breathing slowly and deeply, I tried to push the invading thoughts from my mind.
I stopped before the open double doors where the delivery vans were parked. The guards on patrol greeted me as I walked past them into the building. I walked through the sections checking on handling, wrapping, and boxing.
Once that was done, I headed to the docks and kept an eye on any developments there. After an hour, I got out and walked to the food truck up the road. I had to stretch my legs and get coffee before I fell asleep in my truck.
Standing under the tree next to the big empty building, I wondered what Grace was doing. Was she thinking of me? For some reason, I was battling to get her out of my head. After finishing my coffee, I strolled up the docks and back down to my truck.
All was quiet and by supper time, I headed back to the warehouse. After going through the inventory with the head of operations, I headed home.
Pavel had ordered Chinese and was watching a goofy movie as I came in. “Wanna watch with me?” he called from the lounge.
“No thanks, I’m beat,” I replied, heading to the kitchen. It was late, and the day had been long. After heating my food, I went to my room. There was too much to do this week, so I didn’t have time to relax. The new drug recipe had brought some varying disasters. But after months, I think we got it right.
Checking the docks every day and sitting there for hours were draining my patience. Then there was collecting intel and delivering it to the Chernykhs. I had to ensure the product got to the packaging warehouse without hiccups and meet with clients. My days and nights were loaded.
Waking to my alarm, I groaned as I got up. These early mornings and late nights were getting the better of me. I had to be up before the rooster crows to check on the shift change at the warehouse. Most evenings, I only got in after eleven.
Having my morning coffee, I studied the ever-growing list of tasks. Pavel only handled some of the load, but the majority now fell on me. The Chernykhs were surely trying to work us to death.
The rest of the week went reasonably well. The shipment would be ready, the docks were quiet and the buyers were ready. By Friday, I was feeling good. Once the shipment has been handed over, I could hit the clubs.
I arrived at the docks just before six. Our men were in place should they be needed. Yet, I wasn’t expecting any trouble. I had placed them far from the meet, not wanting to spook the buyer. Two were up the road, two at the end of the docks, and another two would walk the area, keeping an eye out for any strangers.
Waiting for the new drug we developed to show, I kept an eye on the surroundings. Most of our men couldn’t even be seen. We couldn’t afford to go wrong with this exchange. It was the first delivery to a new client and a new drug on top of that.
A strong wind swept through the containers. The breeze carried the ocean's odor. Closing my eyes, I lifted my head, breathing in deeply. I loved the smell. It took me back to childhood when things were still intact. My mother used to make this asparagus recipe with garlic, cheese, shrimp, and prawns, and that is what the smell of the ocean brought me to.
Suddenly, my stomach made a turn. Glancing around, I studied the area. People were walking up the road that passed by. A couple were standing on one side, looking out over the ocean. Lovers on a stroll, I was sure. Something was surely off, but I couldn’t see it yet.
The small voice in the back of my mind was screaming red alert. Sweat broke out on the back of my neck and my hands clenched into fists as my body prepared for what was coming. My mother always said I could sense danger a thousand miles off. This was generally my body’s reaction when something was coming.
A black van came up the road and turned into the docks. This had to be the delivery, I thought as I stepped forward into the light of the lamppost. He came to a stop before me, and the side door opened.
Egghead stood in the door, grinning. He was one of our regular delivery men. “Hiya, boss man,” he said in his raggedy voice. His skin was dark, and he was the skinniest man I had ever met.
“Evening,” I replied, stepping closer to the van. “You got the goods?”
“Yes, sir,” he responded, holding out his hand. The package was smaller than I expected.
Taking another step closer, I caught a glimmer as something to my right appeared to spark. I saw the shot even before I heard it. The delivery man got in the van, and I knew it was time to move.
Leaning in, I grabbed the package. I hit the side of the van, screaming at the driver. “Get moving, get him out of here.” Egghead was crying out in pain, his blood running freely, filling the groves of the van. I had barely stepped back when the van pulled away with force.
Sliding sideways, I moved out of the light and into the shadows. There was a truck and a car not too far away. Both would provide cover and different points of view. Racing to the side of the car, I tried to find the shooter.
The buyer would be arriving soon. I had to get the situation under control quickly. I couldn’t think of anyone in this area who would be dumb enough to take a shot at us. Yet, there have been multiple issues lately. Then, as if struck by lightning, I remember hearing one of our men mention another group moving into the area.
I didn’t think twice about it at the time, but now it was all I could think of. In the distance, I saw two of our men coming closer. They were taking cover behind anything they could as they moved.
There were another two shots fired rapidly. Moving forward to the truck, I knew I had to get a better angle. I placed the package in my pocket, pulling my gun at the same time. Looking at the two men just a couple of meters ahead, I heard another shot and saw one going down.
Tightening my grip, I stood and moved towards them. Three men were coming out of the building where the shots had come from. Turning, I fired without care.
The first shot took down a man heading directly at us. The other two missed the men moving into the trees to the left of the building. The unharmed guard had pulled the other one to safety. Kneeling down by them, I spoke softly. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, it was just a graze,” the injured guard huffed.
There was a metal walkway from the building to the trees. Pointing at it, I spoke again. “Keep an eye on the trees; I’m going after them.”
The unharmed guard moved closer, nodding. I moved out to the front of the building. I was about to charge at the trees when I saw a bright light ahead of me, as a deafening bang filled the air. Ducking, I squeezed the trigger and fired back.
The two men fell forward onto the metal walkway. Walking closer, I was satisfied that we had gotten through this with minimal injuries and not one dead. Somewhere in the distance, I heard a woman screaming. Looking through the trees, I saw her just for a second as she turned and ran.
“Shit,” I huffed, stomping my foot on the ground. Pulling out my radio, I called the men up the road. “There’s a witness. She’s coming your way. Stop her.”
The radio made a grating sound. I could only faintly hear the reply as it came through. “Yes…, we…, out.” I could only hope they had heard me.
Moving back to the other two men, I barked at them as I saw the buyer pulling in. “Get him out of here and find out who the witness was.”
“Yes, boss.” They replied as the one picked up the other and moved towards their car.
The car stopped next to me, and the back window rolled halfway down. Stepping closer, I pushed the package through the window without a word. The window closed, and the car drove off.
I was about to go back to the bodies to see if they had identification when I heard the sirens closing in. Cursing under my breath, I couldn’t believe the cops were already coming. “Get out,” I hollered over the radio.
Moving quickly, I knew I wasn’t going to make it to my truck up on the road on time, so I searched for a hiding spot. I could not afford to get caught. Moving back across the metal walkway, I entered the trees next to the building just as the first vehicles pulled in. Moving backward between them, I watched as the cops filled the docks.
They would surely stay a while, so there was no chance of getting to the bodies. Turning, I moved down the back of the building. Once I was far enough from the commotion, I ran up the road to my truck.
Starting her up, I breathed in deeply, feeling the tension in my shoulders turning into knots. I had made it, but we had to find the woman I saw running away. Driving back to the warehouse where the guards stayed, I wondered if I could use this situation to my advantage.
Maybe I could lessen our workload and prove our loyalty with this witness. This woman could be the key. If I took care of the problem by killing her, they would have to see us in a new light.
Stopping across the road from the warehouse, I pulled out my phone and sent Iosif Chernykh, the eldest son of our ex-boss, a message. He was now in charge and we worked for him. ‘There was a gunfight. Took out the shooters and delivered the package. Going after the witness. Will report later again.’
Getting out, I crossed the street and entered the building. Hopefully, one of the guards had more details about the witness. “What’s the word?” I asked, walking up to the table where they sat.
One of the older guards glanced up from a book he was scribbling in. “The delivery man is going to be fine,” he replied dryly. “The woman came from the university and headed back there. She has light brown, almost blond hair and is said to be fit. Someone said she looked like she was in her early twenties. That’s about all we got.”
“There could be a million girls who look like her. Is there anything else to identify this woman with?” I enquired harshly, drawing everyone’s attention.
One of the younger men raised his hand as if we were in class. “Hell’s sake,” I huffed. “Put your hand down and speak, man.”
“I think I saw her entering the university. She kept looking back,” he replied.
Feeling my anger starting to take control, I spat at him impatiently. “Get to the point!”
“If it was her, she was wearing a deep pink tracksuit. Not sure if that helps, though,” he finally added.
“Yes, you see, now I have something to go on. Thank you,” I replied before turning and heading out.
It was getting dark as I arrived at the university, but some night classes were in session. I could only hope the woman was still there. If I took her out and proved our loyalty, I hoped the Chernykhs would give me some rope to get things done at a more reasonable pace.
Parking my truck down the block from the university, I walked slowly, studying each woman I passed. I hoped she would give herself away. Maybe she would try hiding or look panicked or something, I thought as I entered the main building.
Walking down the hallways, I peeked into the classes. I got to the last hallway before reaching the university parking area for students. A door opened, and students poured into the hallway. Standing against the wall, I watched as they split in different directions.
Through the crowd, I noticed someone in a dark pink tracksuit. That had to be her. Not wanting to draw attention, I kept to the wall as I moved closer. She exited the parking area with some other students.
As I exited the building, I noticed her moving off to the left. I kept in the shadows as I followed her. She kept glancing back and looking around. I felt sure it had to be her. Once most of the students were gone, I moved in.
Grabbing her shoulder, I spun the woman around. She screamed, and I moved in swiftly. Placing one hand over her mouth, I pulled her close and held her tight with my other one. Looking down into those bright blue eyes, I breathed in sharply.
Shocked, I let her go. She was shaking, and I knew it had to be her. But I couldn’t kill Grace. I had to know what she saw, but I would wait for the right time to bring it up.