Boss shook his head. “Why are you telling me this? It sounds like a bad case of the flu or something.”
“Exactly. After this, everything goes silent until six months ago, here, in this city, ten more potential cases appear. All random. Drug dealers and users suddenly turn up at the hospital with similar symptoms. Within forty-eight hours, they’re all dead. I’ve been thinking there’s some kind of cover up to hide something, but I’ve got a feeling this is the real deal.” Adam had this big smile on his face. “It’s tainted drugs and I can tell you, whatever is the main cause in this stuff, I can’t locate it. Of course, I’ve run all the basic tox screens, but whatever is in there is hiding.”
“So this stuff is useless?” Boss asked, holding up his piece of paper. He rubbed at his temple. He was starting to get a headache. When dealing with Adam, it was always a challenge. The man got excited about chemical formulas.
All he wanted was for Maurice to arrive and give him some reprieve.
“No, it’s not useless. That is the third time I’ve tested this stuff. This is the first, and this is the second. Look at it,” he said.
Boss looked at the paperwork. “It changes?”
Adam nodded. “Yeah, it changes and believe me, I don’t know how the fuck that is. I mean, it could have something to do with exposure to oxygen, heat, sweat, I don’t know. This is a big deal, but this is some serious shit, Boss. You’re going to need to call your contacts in the police force, because if I’m right, and this stuff is the killing coke—it means it’s traveled here, and well, a lot of people are going to die.”
There was a loud bang at the side of the truck.
Boss opened it to find Maurice. “I’m all set up in your office.”
“Adam, I want you to put this truck into the underground parking garage and bring everything inside. I’ll pay you by the hour, but I want you all over this, got it?”
“I’m expensive.”
“I know. It’s why I know you’re the best.” He left the truck and knew Adam would follow his instructions. Boss had a hunch and when he did, he always followed it. These drugs, the men tonight, the fear, the way they were, something was relevant here. He stopped at the doorway to his building and turned. Adam was already getting ready to move. “Is it airborne?” he asked.
“That I don’t know, but hopefully I’ll have some answers for you soon,” Adam said.
“Follow protocol. I don’t want you to exposed to any of this shit.”
“On it.”
He made his way toward his main office where Maurice had set up all the relevant security feed.
“I’m sorry, Boss,” Maurice said.
“I don’t want to hear it right now. Just show me what you’ve got.” He leaned against his desk, watching the security footage of fifteen different cameras. The woman in the blonde wig, he recognized her shape and face instantly. “There she is.”
She was with the target, leaning against him as if he was some kind of god. The look on her face appeared like a woman in love but he knew the Widow Maker. She was a deadly weapon.
Running a hand down his face, he watched.
“The camera by the hotel entrance. Keep it on.”
About thirty minutes later, Graciella came out of the hotel room, minus the wig. She wore the same clothes but her locks were now a luscious black and a lot longer than the blonde.
“Fuck,” Maurice said.
“You were watching for a blonde.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Boss moved to his desk, opening up his laptop and accessing the cameras located on the streets. He had permanent access to the surveillance through a particular software one of his men wrote, that allowed him unlimited access to the city whenever he wanted. This was how he was able to stay on top, always follow his men, and also keep an eye on possible targets.
He watched the woman in question go to pick up some food. The sway of her hips was so sensual, he shouldn’t watch, nor should he feel a stirring, but he had one nonetheless. Women shouldn’t affect him, they usually didn’t. Gritting his teeth, he watched her put her food in the back seat, and then there was a man in the shadows.
Boss tensed up, having to change camera angles, but the man took her down an alley that had none.
“Fuck!”
Seconds passed and Graciella came strolling out of the street as if she owned the place but he saw the look on her face. It was one of disgust. He recognized it well. There were many times he wore a similar expression.