Chapter Fifty-two #2
So Iker never built alone. He borrowed other people’s power and positioned himself at the center, which explained why his organization never expanded.
Actual operations didn’t require government support to survive.
They stood on their own foundations. Apparently, Iker never learned that particular lesson.
“The assets her mother transferred to Madam are clean,” Akim added. “Whoever advised her knew exactly what they were doing.”
I nodded once. Inna’s mother had been planning this for years, quietly moving pieces across the board while her father looked the other way. Looking at it, I understood exactly where Inna inherited her mind.
The problem was that good planning and adequate protection were two different things. Inna’s mother built everything carefully. But that didn’t mean the men coming after her would move slowly.
“Her mother is the priority,” I said. “She may have people she trusts around her, but we can’t rely on that.
Money buys loyalty faster than loyalty earns it, and all four men have money.
If she’s removed from the equation, the family business goes to whoever moves first.” I looked at Akim.
“You will move to Mexico. Get close to her operation without her knowing you’re there.
Monitor her people. Run background checks on everyone in her circle.
Hack whatever needs hacking. I want to know who’s loyal and who’s waiting for a better offer. ”
“Alright.”
“I’ll contact her directly. If we can remove these four quietly before they organize around Iker’s absence, she walks away clean. But she also needs to understand that dismantling what her father built isn’t a six-week operation. It could take a year. Possibly longer. She should prepare for that.”
“Noted.”
“Send men ahead. Once we’re done with Zachary, you’ll follow.” I leaned back in my chair. “Inna’s mother stays alive. That’s the only outcome I’m willing to accept.”
“Yes, boss.”
He got up and left the office.
I turned back to the screen and began pulling up everything I could find on the broader Mexican landscape.
The problem with Mexico wasn’t the size of the organizations.
It was the number of them. Small operations overlapped territories, formed temporary alliances, and betrayed each other as often as they cooperated.
Most of them were irrelevant. Only three possessed enough reach to matter. Those were the ones I needed to study.
The office door opened again, and I looked up. Akim stepped back inside, his attention fixed on his phone. His expression told me the update wasn’t good.
“Boss, we have a problem.” He moved closer and placed the phone on my desk. “Two of our men in Cuba are dead. They were attacked. Zachary is also scheduled to make a public statement today. Looks like he’s trying to clean his name.”
I stared at the information for a moment.
“He is planning something.” That pattern was familiar. Zachary was trying to regain control, but it also meant he was working on something. “Which means we move now. Get the plane ready.”
“Right away.”
I took a drag of my cigar and watched the circus through the windshield.
Zachary stood outside in his finest suit, surrounded by microphones and cameras.
Reporters crowded around him shoulder to shoulder, shouting questions over one another while flashes burst across his face every few seconds.
He was smiling for them, projecting confidence for an audience that still believed he controlled the situation.
Men like Zachary always ran toward cameras when the walls started closing in. They mistook visibility for power and applause for protection.
Smoke drifted lazily through the car as I stared, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel. He was proving to be impressively stupid. While he stood out there trying to save his reputation in front of the country, I was sitting in his car. He wasn’t aware that I had taken the keys.
I wasn’t interested in whatever speech he was giving or whatever story he was trying to sell. I was interested in him. After my last visit, he reacted faster than I expected, which told me he was more desperate than he wanted people to believe.
I pulled out my phone and called Akim. “Release the other news.”
“Yes, boss,” he paused. “Also, the men on the other side are ready.”
“Good.” I hung up and smoked, giving it five minutes, because I could afford to.
The first sign that the news was released came from the journalists.
I noticed the shift when everyone’s phones went off at the same time.
Some reporters glanced down at their phones before conversations stumbled and expressions changed.
The atmosphere turned restless. They surged closer, throwing questions at Zachary from every direction.
I watched Zachary’s confidence crack and give way to panic.
His bodyguard moved in immediately, forcing a path through the crowd as reporters moved after them.
Questions followed from every direction, but Zachary kept moving, his pace quickening as he headed toward the car I was sitting in.
The bodyguard opened the back door, and Zachary folded himself inside without looking up.
The door closed. As the guard walked around to take the driver’s seat, I hit the lock and drove off.