Chapter 27 #3
I’d expected to find Bruno with a needle stuck in his arm, not in the shower. At least by finding him somewhat lucid, our conversation would be that much more productive.
As soon as I jerked back the shower curtain, he automatically reached for his weapon he had on a shelf.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Gabriel leaned over me, grabbing Bruno’s Glock.
“What is this?”
Bruno was nervous, but it was obvious he wasn’t certain who I was.
At least at first.
I could tell the instant he realized the judge was standing right in front of him. After giving him a onceover, I pointed the barrel of my weapon as his shrinking cock.
“Who are you?” he asked, trying to play the tough guy, but he was failing badly. I’d seen many a strung-out kid who believed they had what it took to be in a gang only to be eaten alive or killed within weeks. It took a special breed to be successful in cartels and crime syndicates.
“I think you know, Bruno. And I believe you’re aware that I won’t let anything happen to Valentina.”
He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. “Is she okay?”
“What do you fucking care? Now, I will admit that calling to warn her that she was about to be abducted did take guts.”
Glancing at Maverick, he seemed to know what I needed, immediately turning off the water.
“You did call and warn her. Didn’t you?”
“Ye… Yes.”
“Why?” When he didn’t answer right away, I closed and rubbed my eyes.
“I’m tired. I’m cranky from finding the need to beat the shit out of Worthington’s mole.
I stink like gasoline from torching his car.
I nearly got my nuts blown off when torching one your boss’ warehouses and I might have a slight buzz from being around too much cocaine.
So as you can see, I’m all out of patience. ”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “What do you need me for? You got it all figured out.”
“One simple thing. I need to know the date your boss is planning on hijacking the Colombian ship.”
That was only one part, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the guy. I needed him to lead me to the truth about what was really going on.
“Fuck you. I can’t do that.”
“I think you can,” I countered. “In fact, I know you can.”
He licked his lips out of nervousness. “You don’t know what Delgado will do to me.”
I pressed the barrel against his balls, adding some pressure. “And you have no clue what will happen if I pull the trigger. And don’t let the fact I’m a judge fool you. I was called The Butcher in the Marines for a reason.”
He was a pasty white boy, but he paled even more, his lower lip quivering. “They’ll hurt her. They’ll hurt Bella.”
“Well, at least you know your daughter’s name.”
“Of course I do. I love them. I just…” He looked away as if hopeful of finding answers.
“Then tell me what I need to know and maybe one day you’ll get to spend time with your daughter. When is the ship being hijacked?”
More silence.
“When?” I all but shouted, my face barely an inch from his. Exhaling, I calmed my nerves. “Then let’s try this. What terrible thing did you do? According to what Valentina told me, you admitted you did something horrible. What was it?”
“You don’t get it. Delgado controls this town. He’s very dangerous.”
“Oh, I do get it. What I also get is that the bullshit with the Colombians, this fight that you’re in is fake. It’s merely to disguise what’s really happening. Isn’t it? What did you apologize to Valentina for? Is this about drug smuggling or human trafficking?”
When he still didn’t answer, I slammed the weapon against the tile next to his head then pointed it at his face, making certain the weapon was ready to fire.
“Okay. I sold her to Delgado. He has a buyer. I was high. I owed him money. I’m so sorry. That’s why I called her. You got to believe me. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
Now he was blubbering.
“A buyer,” I repeated.
“Yeah. For her. For… Valentina.” He closed his eyes and Maverick shook his head, urging me to keep my cool.
I pulled back. “Let me guess. The Colombian is bringing in more drugs in exchange for a group of women that will garner a high price to bidders from around the world.”
“Yes.”
The information hit me hard even though I’d been expecting it.
“How much?” I asked in a hushed voice.
“How much what?”
“How much were you in the hole with Delgado? How much until you sold your soul?” It seemed the devil had been working overtime.
“Twenty-five thousand.”
I shoved the barrel against his forehead with every intention of firing.
“Don’t. Valentina wants you back.” Maverick’s words were enough to bring me down from the rafters.
However, I’d heard all I could take. “This is what you’re going to do and anything less will result in some permanent ailments. Am I clear?”
“Yes, but you don’t understand.”
“What don’t I understand exactly?” I barked out.
“It’s happening this morning. The ship is coming in as we speak. Disguised as a cruise ship. And there’s more. I’m… You think that safehouse is protected. It’s not. I’m supposed to go there and meet the Undertaker. I’m luring Valentina out in the open.”
“Where are the other women being kept? Where?” Kendrick demanded before I had a chance to wrap my hand around Bruno’s throat.
“At a warehouse. I have the address.” Bruno was becoming hysterical. “But you need to hurry.”
As the news settled in, I lowered my weapon, another icy chill spilling through me.
The change was complete.
I was no longer a judge.
I’d just become an assassin.