Bloodlines and law

A threat

Mario raced his hands through his neatly combed black hair, he stood in front of the forty-inch wide, and fifty-inch tall mirror, his white shirt nearly ironed as he tried knotting his tie. His white lab coat was hanging from a hook nearby with his glasses. The glasses were just to give the right quirks to his acclaimed medical specalty.

The phone rang in the hallway and one of the housekeepers knocked on the door, he pulled his white coat over his shoulders and spoke softly

"come in" an old woman dressed in a black dress and white apron walked inside the room.

"Good morning sir Mario, Patricia said you had a visitor at the hospital and he won't leave neither disclose his identity till you come" she spoke gently and with her head bent a bit

"Get me my drugs and I'll be down in ten minutes " he commanded and in less than a second the elevator sounded.

It isn't a secret anymore, the doctor is an addict, and that's why he stays in a mansion all by himself. He's mostly secluded when he inhales those addictive pills but at the same thing, it unveils his inner demon, to him it keeps his feelings in check to elbow any inhumane atrocity but to others, they see a monster, a brute, and feid.

He sat in front of his mirror table at a folded dollar bill, his eith desperation to feel high, his nose ready and longing to sense that triggering aroma, his brain activated, dopamine floods it quieting fear and unleashing a warm sense of ecstatic feeling. He scoops down like a professional, unfolding the papers and thinking of whoever in the world wants to threaten his authority, With the eagerness to escape from this facade without realizing any answers which was his first time, the feeling of fear crept over him, and in a slight moment, he bent slowly and dissolved every decay of the powder, immediately a tingling sensation went through his sinuses like a whispered secret. His eyes fluttered closed and he felt the familiar rush of euphoria, a warm wave that washed away his doubt and fears.

The exact feeling he's been yearning for, in a fleeting moment, he was transported to a space where the anonymous questions didn't matter and the ever feeling of a conqueror embodied him like the coat over his shoulder.

His eyes closed and his mouth opened in relief, the feelings never get old, just like every day it feels new.

Soonest the rush began to fade and the tepid realistic feeling stormed back in like a whirlwind consuming every item on the earth's surface. He opened his eyes and little crumps were at the edge of his nose, his mind back to the fears and desperations it was a few minutes ago, he knew he had to sniff yet again and again chasing the high and escape that always seemed out of reach.

The clock ticked twice and it was time to set to work, he checked himself once more in the mirror, his eyes were normal, and his head was intact, this was the man he was known to be, He checked his hair one more time and adjusted his tie, he didn't have to trouble what would be at the hospital anymore, on the high, there's this unwavering nerve that keeps his aura feared and gruesome.

A faint smile on his face, his eyes all white and bright, and his white coat in his hands, this is the manager of Elysium.

The glass doors swung open on the last floor of the three-story building.

"He's here" Patricia announced and immediately two men in black suits turned their eyes toward the door and stiffened.

Mario Salvatore walked in with ease and charisma trying to process the faces of the people in his office, he took his time to make his presence settle in before speaking " Hello gentlemen, it's unlike me to keep my guests waiting" to relieve the guilt of his neck, he turned to Patricia "please make coffee for my guests".

The air was not eased and the four people in that office knew too well this was just one of Mario's feigned characters to cover his beastly nature.

He turned and extended a hand to Robert and gave a light shake before turning to Jimmy. Their eyes locked and hands shook, Mario lingered in his grip for just a second longer than necessary. "I seem to remember you" he smirked "It's a pleasure to meet you again," he said, his voice carrying a weight of both surprise and amusement - like he was speaking to an old friend.

Detective Jimmy Brenn was once an honorable and respected community activist, a man who fought for the goodwill of the community, Instigating justice, fairness, and enough policies to provide resources to the marginalized. He was loved by the people so it was hard to believe he lost the presidential community election to Mario with a humiliating score of over 60% votes. Jimmy believed Mario had his hands on some dirty political games and never bought his good image but what's his proof? And who would he tell that Mario played some cards to win the election?

So Jimmy had gone back to the firm, his initial employment, but this time, not as a public figure, but as a detective in the Department of Crime and Justice. Nobody cared, and his supporters and partners left him without questioning why he didn't stand to try again, maybe no one questions the decisions pain makes you make.

Mario's gaze flickered on Jimmy's two thousand dollar suit and noticed his bold badge "Ohh my Jimmy....... you've never looked better in black and gold" he smiled taking in every detail on the badge

Jimmy's jaw clenched and he didn't hesitate to respond "This is just one of my good looks Mario" adjusting his wine tie " I also help put people in that orange jumpsuit" Satisfaction filled his face with that response, he smiled lightly and with ease.

Mario was that nonchalant dude that never gives humans the impression that they can scare him, the reality is they don't!

He didn't even flinch, instead, he let out a laugh that was light but filled the room like Jimmy just cracked an expensive joke - only if he knew who he was talking to.

He moved closer to him and leaned slightly, adjusting his already settled white collar and straight tie, his eyes gleaming " The badge says Detective Jimmy Brenn, department of Crime and Justice" he mused with relief, lightly brushing his fingers over the golden surface, wiping away an invisible smudge "Clean, shiny. looks good on you" he settled, jimmy didn't move, and at just the perfect timing Patricia came in with a tray of smearing beverages and cookies, placed them each on the table.

Mario walked over to the swivel chair and placed his white coat "To what do I owe this visit gentlemen " like they skipped this part of their introductions.

Robert who had been quiet and lost for a good minute voiced out "We recognize your good deeds and contributions to the society, and we'd like to know if that's been compromised lately" his stern voice spoke loudly.

"Compromised? Enlighten me" Mario questioned taking a glass of alcohol and sipping it while resting one hand on the luxurious handcrafted mahogany desk.

"We happen to have someone in question who has proven to have several connections to you"

"Does the name Fernando ring a bell to you Mr Salvatore" Jimmy interrupted and sneered through the coffee cup.

"We agreed to bring you in the office for clarity and questioning but I was convinced, there could have been a misunderstanding that can easily be sorted privately with you first" Robert confessed like a fan and his eyes were clear, innocent like a man who believes bad people can still be changed.

"You see if you're going to accuse me of partnering with Fernando ,and you're wielding enough proof to back this theory, you won't come sniffing in my office with a bunch of paperwork" he paused, dropping the glass cup down, and noticed their briefcases, "You'd have cuffed me by now".

This was a dare, Jimmy had the tape of Magnus's confessions and the transaction history of millions of dollars that he claims belong to Mario Salvatore.

Jimmy smirked, reaching for his briefcase. His fingers brushed over the cold metal locks, but he didn’t open it just yet. Instead, he leaned forward, locking eyes with Mario.

“You’re right, Mario. If I had everything I needed, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” His voice was calm, deliberate. “But here’s what I do have. Magnus—your ‘old friend’—has been very cooperative. He’s been more than generous in painting a picture of how things work around here" He proceeded with opening the files in his hands like selected proofs " Offshore accounts, shell companies, illegal pharmaceutical deals run through your hospital, pills, and cocaines smuggled in your club, your cooperation with the border agents to keep your trucks off investigation.....… Should I go on?”

Mario’s expression remained unchanged, but his fingers drummed against the desk.

"Are these enough? You see, I'd be careful about trusting men like Magnus,” he mused. “Desperate men will say anything when the walls start closing in. And you, Detective Brenn, should know better than to chase ghosts.”

Jimmy chuckled under his breath. “Oh, I do know better. Which is why I didn’t come here empty-handed.” He finally popped open the briefcase, sliding a thick folder across the desk. “Financial records. Wire transfers. And a statement signed by Magnus himself. Your name comes up more than a few times, Mario.”

Mario picked up the folder lazily, flipping through the pages with a smirk.

“Interesting,” he murmured. “Very detailed. Almost convincing.” He shut the folder and set it aside like it was nothing more than a dinner menu. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, his voice dropping just enough to make the room feel colder. “Tell me something, Detective Jimmy. Do you believe everything you’re told?”

Jimmy stiffened, but he kept his expression neutral.

“Only when the evidence lines up as much as this, and it's quite convincing for someone of your personality"

Mario chuckled. “At what cost jimmy? You know Magnus recorded with the feds initially, so this stands as a perfect opportunity to deduce the sentence right? " his voice lowered like someone who was whispering this time.

Jimmy’s silence was enough of an answer.

Mario sighed, feigning disappointment. “And here I thought you were smarter than this.” He stood up, pacing toward the window. "Fernando has a price to pay for his crimes, and using him to set me up Jimmy is one thing you could regret for a lifetime.” He turned back to face them, his dark eyes flashing with something unreadable. “You think he was my right-hand man is that it”

Robert shifted uncomfortably, but Jimmy held his ground.

“You can talk in circles all you want, Mario. But the truth has a funny way of surfacing.”

Mario smiled—slow, amused, deadly. “Oh, Jimmy. I'll tell you what, “Truth is relative. The only thing that matters is whom the people and the society believe that's when it's classified as a "Truth", and a little secret" he paused, while rubbing his thumb and index finger together and walking towards Jimmy " The truth doesn't define the final verdict, POWER does" his eyes widened, dead again then he continued, "now let's see how POWERFUL your truth is."