Chapter 8
Disclaimer: Nope Frank and Joe are still free agents!
When Frank got to the office the next day his brain was already buzzing with the beginnings of an idea. He had briefly thought about letting Joe in on his thought process and then decided that he would do it after actually finalizing a plan. So here he was and running his ideas to Paul. Paul was not exactly Joe but he was on his wavelength and his inputs were valuable.
"Paul, I need to run something by you" he started and when Paul responded with a "shoot, I am all ears" he went onto the rest of his explanation. "The drugs were delivered to two apartments one of which was near a college right?" Paul nodded and gestured for Frank to continue, curiosity written on his face. "Well, I ran the address of the other apartment through the system and guess what, it is just a block away from the neighborhood high school. I am beginning to think that all the distribution is happening from apartments placed near colleges and schools. I can pretty much bet that this must be the play and if we look into schools and colleges in a wide radius we might be able to get the distribution zones".
"So?" Paul asked not quite seeing where Frank was going with this. "So, what if instead of waiting for the gang to upgrade Joe we cause a disruption and force the issue?" Frank asked which resulted in more confusion on his partner's face. "What are you saying Frank?" he asked and Frank hesitated a bit before laying his idea out. "A calculated accident, say an out of control car that happens to hit their people? Or something like that. Something that takes out existing operatives and brings in new ones". His partner shook his head "sorry pal have to shoot this one down. Just too many uncontrollable variables on that one. What if we hit the other pedestrians on the road? Even the students themselves? Too risky" he pointed out.
"But we haven't heard anything about the missing operatives Paul, we are losing too much time and we need to do something to get Joe in deeper. I agree on the risk factor, I don't want to hurt anyone else either. What do you suggest" Frank fretted out loud. "Easy buddy I get you. I really do and it's not as if the idea has no merit. It does but we have to work out a whole lot of logistics to make sure that there are no unnecessary casualties. You with me on that?" Paul asked already knowing the answer. "Of course" Frank agreed and the both of them fell silent pondering over the situation.
"Ok first things first, let us think of other possible drop zones and maybe we take out their operatives a different way? An accident but not when the actual distribution is taking place but maybe outside the apartment or something like that. In fact it need not even be an accident, maybe a drunken brawl. Anything that will take out the operatives and without raising suspicion" Paul mused as Frank wracked his brain for the perfect way to take out the gang members. A thoughtful expression stole onto his face "what if a student read one of us has got the drugs from a rival source and is willing to show the guy from where he has made the purchase?".
Paul pondered over the idea "that might work but also open a whole can of worms that needs a lot of setting up" he mused with a grin. "The masquerading as students is a good idea though the premise can be a lot simpler. I am a student who needs the drugs but doesn't have the money on me. I need a fair amount and willing to meet them in not so open a place and buy more with upfront cash. After all I am an eighteen year old and can't get my hands on big money without my parents knowing. How does that sound?" he asked refining Frank's idea further.
Frank grinned "I like it and as much as I would like to go on the field, Joe actually has a point. I cannot be seen directly by any members of the gang so that leaves you if you are interested or someone else who can pull off looking and acting a few years younger". Paul grinned equally enthused "are you kidding me? I would love to get out of this seat for a few hours at least".
"And..you know something else?" Frank quipped equally enthused "The two apartments seem to be in a ten mile radius from each other. What's the bet that we widen the radius another ten miles like this"...Frank said his fingers flying over the keyboard "and we wind up with this" he said zeroing in on a school and college from the wider circle that he had painted on the monitor. The names read Fergusson College and St. Christ's High school. "Gotcha" Paul signaled with a thumbs up while simultaneously getting on the communications line.
He deputed two other agents to scout the new school and college and report back with the info. He then sat back on the chair "Now we wait and see if your deduction holds good. If your plan pans out let's do our thing on this college as far away from Joe as possible. They cannot pin anything on him when he has not seen these locations yet".
"Yeah I agree. The last thing we need is for them to think that he has something to do with this. And before you ask I am not going to tell him about this now, perhaps once it's done. If at all he is suspected his voice will ring truer when he genuinely doesn't know about it." Frank said not at all happy with the fact that he was playing subterfuge from his brother.
"Yes, I just hope they don't move before we do and up their schedule as well" Paul said worry seeping into his voice with how the timing would go. "Amen" Frank's voice echoed the sentiment before both of them went back to listening at their stations.
In the next three hours they had their first proper breakthrough. The agents reported suspicious activity on the alley near Fergusson College and the operation was officially underway. In half an hour a noticeably younger Paul, thanks to the make-up dept was on his way to the alleyway armed with a pouch of cash and a backpack. His arms had fake needle marks and his eyes were slightly dilated with eye drops. Now he had to play the role of a druggie to a T if they were to move things from the outside.
Swinging the backpack over his shoulder he slipped into the college campus and walked a bit before he walked out as if exiting from the college. His experienced eyes caught sight of two students walking to the other side of the road with an older man who didn't seem to be doing any talking at all. In fact the man looked like he had no business being anywhere any educational institution of any kind. He seemed to be their man and if he was right this man would not be alone.
The boss had the habit of pairing off his men and he would bet that this guy had a partner. He let his eyes roam the road and caught sight of another man lounging against a tree on the side of the road. He was definitely older than the student age group and was almost too casual in his demeanor. He let his own eyes wander and let it settle on the man at the opposite end. He held the man's gaze for several seconds to make sure that the message had been received and minutely cocked his head. He then started to move away and was gratified to see that the man was following his footsteps with a cigarette in his mouth.
Paul walked a fair deal and ducked into the alley where Frank was seated along with a couple of other agents in the agency vehicle. The backup was in place and he let down his guard and stopped. He then turned to see the man right behind him and quickly moved to the side of the road. He pretended to look through his backpack and waited for the man to make his move.
"Lost something kid? Perhaps I could help you look" the man said moving closer to Paul. Paul looked up with wide eyes and a calculated nervousness on his face. He held up a small packet of dope discreetly in his fingers "well unless you have more of these I doubt you can help" he replied as he closed his fist around the packet hiding it from view.
The man moved closer and hid Paul's body from view and leaned closer "I sure have more of these…for a price. Now the question is whether you have the money for it. You look a little too young".
Paul looked around nervously for a minute "I have some but I need a lot…I am buying for a friend too. I can get more money in the evening if you can meet me behind Riley's bar in the evening?"
The man gave an assessing look in his direction "A bar? Weird choice for a college kid and you are just a kid. Why would I be believing what you say? Where are you going to get the money?" the man asked. Paul shrugged getting a bit flinty "Where I get the money is none of your business. Now can you meet me or not? Otherwise I know someone who can find me another source. The loss is yours" he dropped letting his voice get appropriately rough.
"Easy there kid. You got it, six in the alley behind the bar" the man promised and walked away. Paul waited till the man disappeared from view totally and ran to the vehicle. "One down hopefully" he crossed his fingers as they made their way back to the center.
By the time they were back at REACH Joe was in the godown where he stood waiting for instructions from the boss. The crates were at half strength with the drugs and weapons having been cleared out. All that were left were the unopened crates marked "clothes" and the others filled with shredded soft toys.
"Okay boys, here is the deal. We are done with the unloading and the movement of cargo. Today is the last day of this working period and you will be contacted when the next shipment arrives. As for today two of you will be delivering the crates marked clothes to the concerned organization and then it is finis for now. Understood? Needless to say I expect all of you to keep a low profile because make no mistake. If there is the slightest suspicion regarding your activities I will come for you and wherever you go you will not be safe. I guarantee it. By the time I am through, death will be a mercy and you will be begging for it. Am I making it clear?" Alex's voice was dripping with silky venom that sent a shudder through even Joe's spine.
Joe on the other hand was frozen, the operation was falling apart. No, no, no he could not be out of the scene now. Everything he worked for would be lost. He needed more time, if he was pulled out now the threads would be lost along with the two agents. "What?" the word fell from his lips without his volition. Alex turned in his direction "you have something to say Al?" he asked his voice icy and dangerous.
"Yes" Joe's voice came and Frank winced; careful Joe the words came unbidden into his mind. "Well I don't have all night" the boss spit the words and Joe spoke "this is too soon, I need more money. Is there anything else you can put me on? I even quit my job at the garage because you asked me to. I won't have a source of income if you stop me now. Please... What will I live on?…" Joe's voice came out with just the right amount of desperation that made Frank laud him in his mind. Now this was why Joe was where he was and he was where he was. While Frank could support Joe, Joe was the one who could transform into another person at will.
"Hmm desperate are we?" the man had a cruel smirk on his face "meet me at my house tonight and we will discuss what I can do for you. For now since you are so keen on working you can go with Nick to drop off the clothes at the garment factory" he said. Joe nodded still with the worried expression on his face until the silence was broken by the boss again "well what are you waiting for? Get going and come back here for your pay. The rest of you can go after leaving your numbers with Chris. You will soon be called for more work". He then gestured for Joe to get started leaving Joe to hoist the crate along with Nick and start carrying it to the vehicle.
Four trips later they were all set to make the drop and Joe seated himself next to Nick who was driving. "Hey tell me something "Nick broke the silence as Joe gave a silent "what?" in reply. "Why do you need the dough so badly? It's not like you are on the streets?" he asked curiously.
Joe sighed and lapsed into a sad silence "For a while I was" he confessed quietly "there was a period when I was too old for the foster system and I was asked to go. No one bothered to find me a placement or a home before I was turned out. I spent six months on the streets until I lucked out. I helped a man whose car had stalled and it turned out he ran a garage. He said that I had the skills to make a good mechanic and he gave me a job. If not for that man I would still be on the streets and it's not something I ever want to experience again" Joe's voice broke as he theatrically shuddered and his eyes misted over with unshed tears.
But even as he spoke he had an epiphany. He realized that the more time he was spending away from Frank and his life he was sinking more into this one. The lie had come effortlessly and he acknowledged that now he could truly imagine what life on the streets would be like. Joe Hardy was being chipped away little by little and he was gripped by fear that only Alan Cruise would remain at the end of the mission. For the first time in his life he understood how perfectly good men could become dark and he prayed for strength to remain who he was at the end of it all. And that was becoming a challenge in itself.
"That's rough sorry man" Nick's voice broke his reverie and he jolted back to awareness. Kicking himself mentally for having meandered in his thoughts Joe made a renewed effort to notice the route. He made a mental note of the route and area and soon they were in front of a factory warehouse. "Oliver's Garments" the name board boasted and Joe was not surprised to see a normal looking office cum warehouse that was the norm for many garment outlets.
"Stay right here. I will go and let them know that the load is here" Nick advised leaving Joe in the van. Within the next five minutes they were once again lugging the crate to the office where a lady received the goods and filled in the inventory. "would you mind putting it in inside?' she asked and Joe responded with a sigh. Damn these crates were heavy. Letting out a breath he helped his partner heft the crate and soon they had put it against the wall inside the said warehouse.
"Fine thank you. I will let the boss know that you have delivered the stuff" the lady said dismissing the both of them. The ride back was silent except for the music that blared from the speakers and soon they were back in the garage. They disembarked and went in to an unexpected sight.
The boss was standing with arms crossed and flanked by four thugs whom Joe recognized as the men from the apartment. At the boss's signal two of them stepped forward and held Joe's arms in a tight grip.
"What the hell? What's going on?" Joe shouted indignantly as he played Alan Cruise but his mind was going over various scenarios as Joe Hardy. Had he overplayed his hand? Had someone seen him talking to Frank? Had he slipped up somewhere with Mike? His mind raced to find the different ways that he might have damaged his cover. But until he knew what was going on, he had to hold onto his cover, come what may.
He struggled weakly as he was shoved into a chair and his wrists were tied tightly to the arms of the chair. He moved his hands experimentally but there was absolutely no give. It was tied tight, too tightly in fact judging by the way the ropes burrowed into his wrists. He looked into the face of the boss and his confusion was not totally feigned. "what's going on?" he asked again looking at everyone in total bewilderment.
"Where is Rafe?" the question brought nothing but confusion on Joe's face. "I don't know anyone called Rafe. Who is he?" Joe's voice came out far more controlled than what he was feeling. He was also genuinely bewildered. Who was this Rafe character? Frank had not mentioned anyone by that name.
"Then perhaps you know Fergusson college" the boss commented and Joe looked even more blank. "There is a Fergusson college? Man I never got as far as college" he replied and got a stinging backhand for his trouble. "I ask the questions here and your street smarts is not appreciated" the boss's cold voice snapped. "Now I want to know why one of my agents is missing" he questioned as one of the men wound a hand in Joe's hair and pulled back his head.
Licking the blood that stained his split lip Joe looked back at the boss. He needn't be totally cowed either, Alan Cruise was a survivor from the streets after all. "How would I know that? You should ask the people he actually hangs out with" he retorted with a glare. "Look man, I have no idea what you are talking about. I just wanted to make some money and did what you asked me to. That's all" Joe resolutely held on to his story. Perhaps this was a test, perhaps this was a problem. He didn't care. He had not come this far to abandon the whole thing now. Besides there was nothing else he could do. Any hint that he was something else other than Alan Cruise would seal his fate. The toughest thing was finding the balance between totally cocky and completely afraid which is what Alan would be.
The boss looked calm on the outside but Joe could see the simmering rage in his eyes and it did not bode well for him. He truly did not have any idea what had happened but he could make a fair guess. It was his big brother working the background and if Joe played it right it would be the push they needed. Yeah this was Frank alright, although the guilt over Joe's treatment would probably kill Frank for a while..that is until Joe talked him out of it. Joe mentally sighed, it's okay big brother… I have handled worse he sent out mentally.
"Perhaps a bit of an incentive is needed to make you talk" the boss said brandishing a knife while Joe let a flash of fear creep into his eyes. "Look I don't know what has happened here but you checked me out, you checked my apartment and I don't even know the place or the man you are talking about. And I am here to make money, the beginning and end of it. I am not really bothered about anything else" he reiterated.
"So…say you get caught by police you would keep your silence? If they promise you more money you would probably sell us out" the boss said a dangerous note creeping into his voice. Shit! Joe mentally kicked himself, his choice of words could have been better.
"No...of course not" he hedged "I know that if I rat you out I will not live to see another sunrise" he said letting more fear creep into his eyes. It was getting easier to do the afraid part unfortunately. "How do we know for sure huh? I say we test it out right now" the boss said with a creepy smile and nodded to the thugs standing on either side of Joe.
One of them moved before Joe and Joe tensed for the inevitable hit that he knew would follow. Even prepared, he was winded when the man's fist sunk into his gut jarring the already bruised ribs. "Hey!" he started protesting before another backhand stilled his speech. Then it was the boss who moved in and while one of the goons wound a fist in his hair again the other ripped his shirt halfway through exposing half his chest.
"Consider this a test and initiation all in one and if you even think of selling us out forget sunrise. You will not live to inhale the next second" the boss sneered as he brought the knife to Joe's collar bone and pressed it to his collar bone. The sharp edge dug into his skin and Joe could feel the drops of blood leaking out. He could feel the thin stream of blood that was now streaking down his chest. He bit down on his lip to keep from shouting out even as the pressure slowly increased.
Joe stiffened and a grunt escaped him as the knife dug in deeper. He tried to keep his scream in and would have succeeded had the man not twisted the knife that was already about two inches in him."aah.." A rough scream erupted from his throat and he twisted in the chair trying to escape the knife and the grip in his hair. Neither budged and then it did. As soon as it had started he was abruptly released leaving him gasping for breath with involuntary tears streaming from his eyes.
He lifted his face and looked at the boss in the eye "so did I pass?" he asked as he straightened in the chair. The boss gave him a sarcastic smirk "for now and as a reward you will take Rafe's place" he tossed out before turning to his goons.
"Release him" he commanded and as the goons cut the ropes that dug into his wrist Joe quipped wryly "you have a weird way of showing appreciation". The boss chuckled and leaned into Joe's face. He wrapped a hand around Joe's throat just tight enough not to cut off his air supply "watch it pretty boy. You have guts and I like that but too much of it will get you into trouble. Understand? " he hissed and Joe nodded as the man let go of his throat with a shove and gestured for his goons to follow him out.
"What should I do now?" Joe called out to the retreating man who turned just to give a flippant "you will be notified" as he walked out of the godown along with his goons. Joe sighed and slid down in the chair totally exhausted. He then assessed his injuries and decided that the knife wound needed to be definitely looked at. Damn! This assignment was leaving him with enough scars to last a lifetime and he hoped that the two agents would appreciate it enough. Getting to his feet slowly he winced as his ribs reminded him that they had been pummeled quite a bit in the last few days. Walking to his apartment in his condition was not a feasible one going by the bruises on his face and the blood on his shirt.
He pulled out his phone "Frank" he spoke quietly "I need a ride. Can you arrange it? Preferably to a clinic and send someone else, ideally female. These guys won't think twice of that...and Frank" he hesitated before adding "I need a shirt".
At the other end Frank disconnected and deflated with tears in his eyes. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid and it was all because of him.
Author notes: Hi everyone! Thanks for the nice words and the encouragement. I hope this chapter finds favor and please do review! In the meantime stay safe and stay happy!
