Slippery
753 Words
Julian lifted his arm horizontally, body arching left.
Thud.
A muffled impact. Julian shoved the man back two steps, standing firm. Hands raised. “Brother, brother—don’t make it hard on me. The Sixth is nearly eight hundred thousand square kilometers—outlaw bosses everywhere. Who am I? Why take it out on me?”
The man, knife in hand, stared shocked. “You know a thing or two?”
“I know nothing—I’m just a small-time officer…!” Julian bitter face, sweat pouring, called to Elias in the vehicle. “Mr. Cross—this case, I can’t decide. Give me a break, yeah?”
Elias frowned at Julian, thought, then called to the man. “Hold off.”
The man stepped back, knife ready.
Julian added quickly. “Mr. Cross—if you can get this money higher up, get them to delay—the moment they say slow down, I’ll redo evidence, release your family. No problem.”
“Heh—you talk human to humans, ghost to ghosts,” Elias said, smile amused.
Julian clasped hands, nodding repeatedly. “I’m a small officer—barely surviving. Who can I afford to offend?”
Elias silent seconds, waved. “Let him go.”
“Mr. Cross!” the man blocked Julian’s path, knife raised.
“Let him go.” Elias waved again.
The four stared cold at Julian, stepped aside.
Julian bowed slightly. “Rest assured, Mr. Cross—your family’s in my custody. I’ll take good care of them.”
Elias paused, then smiled. “Appreciate it.”
“No trouble.” Julian left.
Alley.
The man stepped to Elias. “Kid’s too soft. I believe him—he can’t help.”
Elias lit another cigarette, shook head. “Not soft—slippery.”
The man blinked.
“Soft ones piss themselves here.” Elias exhaled. “You didn’t see? He’s sending a message.”
“What?”
“This isn’t on him. Problem’s Vale and the chief.” Elias muttered. “He’s just labor. Doesn’t want to take heat for leadership—so he threw Vale and the chief under without blinking.”
“Ah—so he and Vale aren’t that tight?”
“Right.” Elias cut in. “Official sweep on private meds—probably tied to another batch hitting market recently. Used to be just us. New players…”
“Then next?”
“Talking to this Julian’s useless.” Elias waved. “Get in. Figure why official’s sweeping—then we know how to handle Alexander and Stephen.”
…
Julian sped to the department the moment he left the alley.
Elias was spot on: Julian wouldn’t carry anyone’s pot. Vale ordered the bust—fine. Trouble came—Vale carried it. Julian couldn’t afford weight. Keeping status quo was hard enough.
First thing at headquarters, Julian saw Vale, told him about Elias—watching reaction.
Vale looked shocked, serious. “These people are dangerous. Watch your back. Don’t worry—pressure’s on me. I’ll leak word it was my order to sweep dealers. Trouble comes to me.”
Julian’s doubts on Vale eased. Words solid, loyal—like a leader to rely on.
Wind died down. Julian hit interrogation—hammering Alexander and Stephen for confessions, chasing bigger fish.
…
Six hours. Alexander and Stephen stonewalled—Alexander crazy act, Stephen silent.
Zabby, frustrated, dragged them to basement—no cameras, no recordings—“lessons.”
Still nothing.
No choice. Julian turned to the low-level dealers for leads—less core, but something.
Interrogation room.
Julian puffed e-cig, head tilted at Alexander’s underling. “Give me something useful! Chickenfeed clues don’t help you.”
The underling head down. “Boss—I’m not holding back. We got grabbed—stock, people hidden. Old info’s useless now.”
“You don’t know Zabby’s methods,” Julian stood impatiently. “Fine—no more talk. Zabby teaches.”
“Boss, boss—wait. Let me think.”
“Think fast—I haven’t eaten.”
The underling thought hard, slapped forehead. “Wait—I got something.”
“What?”
“Before arrest, overheard Alexander on phone—big supplier coming to Salt Lake City these days.”
Julian’s eyes lit. “Real?”
…
Slag Row warehouse, poor district.
A scruffy man on phone, low. “Wind died down? Stock’s backed up—I need to move.”
Elias Cross paused, helpless tone. “Meet first—talk.”
- Writer
