No More Tears In The End

With McManus in place, the DEA fired Vinnelli and he was indicted for money laundering and conspiracy to commit murder. That afternoon, Vinnelli fled the country for Nogales, Mexico.

Why do they always run to Mexico?

Nogales is one of many Mexican towns on the border with the United States. If you follow Interstate 19 south of Tucson, Arizona, you’ll end right at the border from Nogales, Arizona to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

Monika and I drove down 19 and took the International Border exit. In no time at all, we saw the signs for parking lots on the American side. “You think the car will be safe here until we get back?” Monika wanted to know. She had become my secret weapon. Monika handles all the little things that Freeze used to do for me and so much more.

A man assured us that the car and its contents would be safe. We paid the fee and headed toward the border. What I noticed as I approached the border was the absence of armed troops. Across the street there were a few men in white shirts. “U.S. Border Patrol,” Monika said.

Apparently, it was a busy shopping day with people crossing from Nogales into the U.S. to stock up on supplies. Women with baby strollers were returning back into Mexico with their purchases and joined us at the border turnstiles. Walking into Mexico was simple. No one even asked for our identification.

No one even eyed us.

After spending the day in a little dump of a bar, trading shots of tequila with Monika, Vinnelli finally showed up. It was obvious to both of us that he had been drinking heavily. “You sure about this?” I asked.

“You worry too much. I can handle him, now go on and get out of here.”

“See you later.” I finished my drink and stood. Took a look at our prey and left Monika to do her work. I went back to our dump of a hotel, put my silencer on my gun, got a bottle of tequila, took a seat by the window and waited for Monika to get there.

It was an hour later when I heard noises in the hallway. I picked up my gun and pointed it at the door. Monika opened the door and in walked Vinnelli.

“Oh shit,” he said when he saw me sitting there and the gun pointed at him.

He thought about leaving, but Monika put the gun to his head. “Get in there,” she said and pushed him to the ground. Monika closed the door and stood over Vinnelli, putting the silencer on her gun. When she was ready I got up and walked to the spot where Vinnelli was on his knees with his hands in the air.

I thought about the monologue that I was gonna say before I killed him, about how foolish it was to fuck with me and shit like that. But now, here at the end, I felt nothing like I thought I would. I felt no anger, no pain, none of the rage that has consumed me since the night I came home and found Cassandra dead.

I looked at Vinnelli. He was a broken man. I had taken everything from him and turned him into a drunk. I began to feel sorry for him.

I lowered my gun.

Monika wasn’t feeling sympathetic. Her first shot was aimed at his dick. “That’s for callin’ me a nigga bitch and still thinkin’ you were gettin’ some of this pussy.”

I laughed while Vinnelli screamed.

Her second shot was aimed at his hand. “That’s for touching me.”

Vinnelli let out another loud scream and Monika stepped up and put the gun to his head.

“Any last words?”

“Finish it,” Vinnelli said quietly and shed a tear.

Monika stepped back and I raised my gun again.

Both of us fired.

“Rest in peace, Cassandra.