I hope everyone is enjoying this. I would just like to state that I DO NOT encourage underaged drinking, it just seem to fit with the scenario. As always, I don't own the turtles, at least in this world. (sigh) Oh well, on with the story.
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Things were quiet around the lair. After having practice, splinter gave the turtle's and Casey the rest of the day off. The evening before was uneventful. The most exciting highlight came when the four of them stopped a mugging, nothing more.
Leo decided that tonight they would go back to the warehouse at the docks and see if they could find any clues. They made it to the old brick building around midnight. Quietly, they snuck in.
"Anything Don. Any little bit of information that will give us any indication of what this place is for. Something to let us know what that guy was doing here," Leonardo answered. Michelangelo started to open his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by Leonardo. "Save it Mikey. We've been through this and I don't see how this guy could be Raph, OK?"
Michelangelo looked as if he had been hit in the stomach. Casey couldn't stand to see his young friend being treated like this. He started walking up to Leonardo, his steps got faster as he got closer. When he got behind Leo, Casey grabbed his shoulder and whipped him around. "Enough Leo!" Casey stuck a finger in Leonardo's face. "You think that because you're in charge and Don's the brains of the outfit, you can treat Mike's opinions like they don't count. Well I'm sick of it and so is he. The only reason he don't say anything is because he looks up to you but I don't know why. Now Mike and I are going downstairs to see what we can find. And the next time you or Don even think about saying anything to Mike, it better be an apology." And with those words, Casey turned around, grabbed Michelangelo by the arm, and went to the floor below.
After they got downstairs and Casey calmed down a little the two started looking around. "Hey Casey?"
"Yeah Mike?" Casey continued looking through boxes and crates.
"Thanks for sticking up for me."
"No prob bro'. Why do you let them do that to you?" Casey moved on to the next crate, it was empty like the first. "You're too nice Mike. You gotta' start sticking up for yourself with those two."
"I know Casey, I know," Michelangelo was digging through some packing peanuts looking in a large wooden crate. "Casey, do you think I'm nuts for thinking this guy is Raph? Is it that hard to believe that he's still alive?"
"Mike," Casey stopped searching and began to think about what to say, "If you had told me that a year ago I would be running around the dead of night, helping three five foot tall talking turtles who are trained ninjas, with a giant rat for a master, I would have said you were crazy. But, after everything that's happened, I'd say anything's possible. So no, it's not hard to believe your brother is still out there."
"Thanks Case. I appreciate it………Whoa! Look at this." Michelangelo removed some of the packing material he had been digging through and pulled out a package the size of a brick. I know these are drugs, but what kind?" He held up the cellophane wrapped item for Casey to see.
Casey walked over to get a closer look. "Let me see…………..CRAP!" He snatched that small object from Michelangelo's hands and threw it back in the box. Frantically he looked at the turtle's palms to make sure nothing was on them.
"Hey! What gives Case?" Michelangelo wasn't sure what was going on. "What's the prob!"
"We gotta' get off this floor, get Leo and Don and get outta' here NOW." Casey replied. He dragged Michelangelo back to the stairs and pushed him up. All the way he was yelling, "Leo! Donnie! We gotta' go and we gotta' go quick!"
Leonardo wasn't thrilled to see the human but he understood the urgency in his voice. "What is it Casey?"
Casey replied with one word, "Meth."
Immediately Donnatello opened the window and ushered everyone out. Everyone got backing the battle shell and headed toward the lair.
Earlier that evening………………………………………….
Jake was sitting in the control room, monitoring as M was involved in a fight. "This is too easy Jake," came a voice over the speaker. "Five against one? I ain't even breaking a sweat." M ducked as a fist came towards his face. Using his right foot, swept his opponents feet out from under him. With a quick punch to the face, M rendered the guy unconscious.
"Don't get cocky kid. I got a few surprises for ya'," the tone in Jake's voice let M know to be ready for anything.
"Hey Jake," a familiar voice said cheerfully. "How's he doing?" Caitlin leaned over to look out the window to the room below. Jake stared at her for a moment as she stretched toward the glass for a good look.
Realizing what he was doing, Jake turned his attention back to the fight going on at the lower level. "He's having way too much fun with this. How'd he do with his language test this morning?"
Caitlin giggled as she sat down. She knew Jake was staring but she didn't mind. "Perfect score as always. What's going on there?" She pointed to the room below.
"We gotta head to the club and buy some info off of Santini tonight. We have some time to kill before we leave, so the kid asked if he run through some simulations. Watch close, here's where it get's sticky." Jake pushed a few button, adding a new element to the scenario.
Caitlin leaned forward on her elbows to see what Jake was talking about. All she saw was the same scene as before, M in an alley, fighting some gang members. When she came in, he was working on five. Now he was down to two. "I don't see what you're taking about," she whispered.
"Just watch the guy behind the kid," Jake told her.
Caitlin turned her attention back to the window, waiting intently to see what was going to happen. M was busy fighting with the guy in front of him when he heard a 'click' behind him. Immediately he dropped to the floor as a shot rang out. The bullet missed M when he fell and it struck the other gang member. Without missing a beat and in one fluid movement, M rolled over and pulled out his pistol and fired on the last remaining gang member. He stopped and fell dead. Breathing heavy, M stood and surveyed the scene around him. Three unconscious, two dead, only one because of him.
"Jesus………………" was all Caitlin could say.
"Yeah," said Jake. "The kid's impressive. On my best day, I don't ever think I was tat good."
"But Jake, a gun?" Caitlin wasn't crazy about the idea.
"Look Caitlin," Jake tried to explain to her. "He knows they're not toys. He's got a healthy respect for them. And if it comes down to him or someone else making' it out, it's going to be him." Jake stood up and pushed a button causing everything to disappear. He leaned into the microphone, "It's 10 o'clock kid. I want to be ready to leave in thirty minutes."
M popped the clip from his gun and emptied the chamber. He looked up at the window, nodded in agreement and left for his room so he could get ready. Twenty-five minutes later, Jake and M were in the truck on their way to Sound System, a club on the Upper East Side.
When they got to their destination, they surveyed the scene. Sound System was a pretty popular club. The line waiting to get in stretched past the building and down the block. M eyed some of scantily clad girls who were waiting to get in. His staring earned him a smack upside the head.
"Hey!" he said, startled as he adjusted his skull cap.
"Focus kid." Jake warned. "You ready in case things get hairy?"
M nodded solemnly and patted his side under his jacket, indicating to Jake that he did indeed have his pistol.
Jake parked the vehicle away from the club, in the shadows. As they got out, M pulled the collar up on his navy pea coat, hiding as much of his face as possible. He shoved his hands into the coat pockets and walked behind Jake. As they got closer, M straightened up and adopted the attitude that he owned the place. He began walking in front of Jake.
As they got to the steps of the building, two bouncers in black suits blocked their entrance. One of them held up a clipboard while the other asked for their names. "We ain't on the list," M replied.
"Too bad," said the guy with the clipboard. "If you're not on the list, you're not getting in." The other bouncer stood there with his arms folded.
Oh not good thought Jake. These guys are in for it now. M looked at Jake, as if he was waiting for permission. Jake nodded to M and M began walking up the steps. As he did, the two bouncers edged closer to each other, thinking it would keep the two party crashers out. Those that were in line waiting, turned there attention to the scene playing out before them.
M got right in front of the guy on his right and spoke low, "We got business with Santini, so even though we're not on the list, you're going to let us go upstairs. Understand?"
The guy M was talking to just swallowed hard and responded, "No name, no entry."
M was not happy. He began to walk closer and as he did, the guy with the clipboard grabbed M's arm. "Big mistake," M said. He turned, grabbed the guy's wrist and flipped him. Within a matter of two seconds the bouncer with the clipboard was on his stomach with M's size 12 putting pressure on the base of his neck. M was holding the clipboard. He tossed it to the remaining bouncer and spoke. "I suggest you get your little radio out and call Yard dog. Tell him that Jake is here to talk to Santini."
He looked dumbfounded as his friend was still on the floor, moaning as he felt pressure on his neck. "I'm waiting," grumbled M. "I don't like waiting."
The bouncer nodded. "Yes….Yes sir……." He stammered. He pulled out a small walkie talkie, "Mr. Yard dog sir, we have company. Someone named Jake and his…………friend?" He looked at M questioningly.
M nodded and took his foot of the other guy's neck and pushed him over with the toe of his shoe. "Get up," he said, exasperated. "You're embarrassing yourself."
Yard dog appeared at the door. His nickname was appropriate for obvious reasons. He was a large black man, 7 foot tall and well over 300 pounds of muscle. When he grinned, rarely, you could see on gold tooth. A present from M. The light reflected off of his freshly shaved head. He stared at the two bouncers who had managed to make fools of themselves. "They're in," was all they heard from his deep voice.
M and Jake strolled up the steps past the two unfortunate figures. M and Yard dog locked eyes for a moment. "Punk," Yarddog muttered.
"Wimp," came M's reply.
Yard dog smiled and put his fist out. M promptly hit the top of it with his fist and Yard dog returned the gesture. "C'mon," Yard dog indicated by turning his head. "Santini's waiting."
M and Jake followed the large man up the stairs. Santini's office, as yard dog called it, was more of a penthouse. It was decorated with sculpture and artwork. Santini was a man who enjoyed the finer things in life. It was obvious by the way he lived.
Santini was sitting on a dark brown leather couch, smoking a cigar. Jake sat down on the couch opposite of him. M stood behind Jake, arms folded, still maintaining his tough guy attitude. Yard dot took his position behind Santini. Santini smiled.
He was a thin, Hispanic man. He had his hair slicked back in a pony tail. He was wearing a white linen suit, black shirt, and tan loafers. He puffed on his cigar and blew the smoke out. "Angie," he called out.
A young brunette came forward with a tray. She placed a napkin in front of Santini and Jake. "Your scotch and water sir," and handed her boss his drink. She picked up a bottle opener and opened up two beer bottles. "Sir," she said as she passed one to Jake. She took the remaining bottle and walked around the couch to M. As M said Thank you, Angie smiled at him. M took a sip.
"Anything else sir?" Angie asked as she walked back over to pick up the empty tray.
"No thank you. That will be all." Angie nodded and left the room, smiling at M again as she left. M smiled back and watched her walk out the door.
"Nice girl," Jake said as he leaned back in the couch and sipped on his beer. "New?"
"Yes, but she does a good job." Santini paused and looked at M who was still staring at the girl as she walked off. "That's my niece kid," he warned.
Realizing he was caught looking, M quickly assumed his original position.
"So," Santini got down to business. "You want to know about Kadir Supreme Smith." He looked at Yard dog who produced an envelope from his coat pocket. He handed it to his boss. Santini slid the envelope across the table to Jake. Jake opened the envelope and began looking through the papers.
"Quite a few names here," Jake said.
"Kadir Smith, James Goshay, Carlo Jackson. The guys got about ten different aliases' he uses. Apparently your boys down at the CIA aren't the only one's who are after him," Santini said. "My sources tell me he's in town at the Hilton this weekend. He should be listed under one of those names. Smith usually gets the same suite with a big balcony. That ought to make it easy enough for your man here to get to him," Santini indicated by pointing to M.
Jake raised his right arm behind him, opening his palm. M placed a large envelope in Jakes hand. Jake slid the envelope over to Santini, but was stopped.
"This one's on me," Santini said.
"Why," Jake asked suspiciously.
Santini stiffened up a little. "Five months ago," he answered. "Kadir's got a big meth lab up and running in my old neighborhood. He gets wind that the cops are going to' bust him and his lab. So, he blows everything up. Fallout from the explosion gets a lot of the neighborhood kids sick. Some of 'em died, a few lost their parents." Santini leaned forward and pointed to the envelope he handed Jake. "I want to see this guy fall, and fall hard."
Jake looked at the envelope of money in front of him and thought for only a second. He stood up and grabbed Santinni's wrist and slapped the envelope into his hand. "There's fifty grand in here," he said. "Make sure those kids get it. OK?"
Shocked, Santinni smiled, stood up, and offered Jake his right hand. "You're one of the good one's Jake. I'll make sure the money goes to the kids."
Jake stood up and shook Santini's hand and turned around to M. "Time to go kid. We got work to do."
M placed the beer bottle on the table. He looked at Yard dog, grinned, and began to follow Jake out the door. "Yo! M!" he heard yard dog holler at him. He turned to look at his large friend. "You know I still owe you for this gold tooth here."
"Yeah and I expect payment in full," M replied and headed out the door to the stairs. As they got to the front door of the club, M spotted the two bouncers from earlier. M and Jake walked down the front steps. As he strolled past the two men, M moved as if he was going to jump the one with the clipboard. Scared, the two tried to hide behind the clipboard. "Pitiful," they heard him say as he walked past.
M and Jake got back in the truck and headed toward the station. "Well Kid," Jake broke the silence. "Looks like you're going to be busy tomorrow night."
"Yeah?"
"Yep, Looks like you got the assassination of a drug lord to take care of."
