Hunt Down Rose

Chapter 7: Day Break (Part VI)

“… However, after a few months, the business was having problems due to the blockade that happened, affecting the distribution and importation of goods in the Philippines. Certain gangs started having illegal contracts with Cortez, with their informants saying that my Uncle was leaking information across Asia. Without any evidence, he was executed immediately by the same group of men that blamed him. Believing that Senior Cortez himself isn’t involved on any of the mess, I kept on working for him not because I know he’s innocent, simply it’s due to the promise I kept to him that I will do anything for my family.”

“So are you still working for the same man? Pretty tough to consider him as your family amidst all of that?”

“No, but we work under the rule of his eldest son Arcadius. He was an adviser of this city for a few years before gaining the position his father left for him.”

“A successor of the business as usual. So is he the same as his father?”

“I don’t think so. It’s the reason why clinics like these exist around the city, is to help people like us who are involved around the business.”

“What do you do for a living?”

“We’re messengers or informants.” 

“You carry information? What kind?”

“Stock trades.”

“Wait, you guys have access to the stock market?” Damn this is the real deal. Just how much are they selling the info for? I'm one hundred percent sure they have a lot of money flowing with that type of venture going on.

“Most of the establishments here in Spain rely on our information given that we are paid a substantial amount of money. This is one of Cortez’s special trademark when it comes to fixing economic inconsistencies around Europe.”

“I see.”

On the other hand, the business doesn’t just revolve around money - it also conjugates the flow of stocks of each company. Resolving any changes by exchanging the values needed for survival, the reserves of each company under the guidance of Cortez could be one of the sources of the problems here. Whenever a value drops, another will rise eventually. By doing so, they will invest a great amount of money to the opposite value with a certain information present during their trade. In that way, they’ll get a 99% chance of hitting the lottery in just a short time.

“Also you said that Cortez has an eldest son, so where’s the other one?” I asked him moving on to the next topic.

“The youngest? I’m not sure of his whereabouts. Although, I do know is that he’s around Madrid as a gambler. Even we as informants have limited knowledge over the Cortez family tree. Not a single familiar name could be seen regarding his younger brother.”

“Do you have any bit of information about him?” I asked, curious if I could have some notes regarding the Cortez family.

“Wait? Are you after him?”

“I’m after some information. The same way you guys do.” It would be great to have a taste of those numbers but it's sad I'm only here for business.

“I can’t give stock information. Besides why go after this business?” He replied, I knew it was too good to be true.

“I’m not after stocks; I just want information on how to get this guy to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Right now, my country is having a little bit of trouble with a certain case, that’s why I need access with the Cortez cartel as quickly as possible.”

“So are we. Right now the troubles in our city keep on going with the people running under shallow waters. The small business and civilians are the ones getting in danger…”

“Why is it that the government can’t use force to apprehend these troublemakers? It seems easy at this point especially with their boldness to do their crimes under the sun.” It seems logical at this point.

“They can’t, and that’s the sad part… Due to the conflicts of territory around Spain, this thing is so deep if this goes down a lot of politicians will be dragged including those in the neighboring countries. Nobody in the government would be in the right mind to instigate any trouble related to our business… This means they can’t also help the innocent people directly…” It has a similar vibe to what the Philippines is experiencing now. The reason why the government can’t use all of its forces is because there is a strong international interference. Who else would they send to clean up the mess, definitely me!

“How bad is it?” I asked, taking a sip from my can of cola.

“Most officials rely on the power of the private sector along with the elite groups that support the foundation of some cities. Now, these people are capable of eliminating anyone if it pleases them.”

“You mean everything is being manipulated by those people?”

“Yes… That’s basically what’s going on… I hope whatever is causing it would stop because a lot of people are getting killed…” I can feel the weight on his shoulders.

Giving it some thought, it does make a lot of sense that these people are capable of using political influences internally. The idea that the government is tied to their civilians, the private groups are taking advantage of that as a form of threat to any unnecessary actions in the near future. The insurance of these guys require a string to hold all of it together. Gangs and certain groups around the city could only mean that they’re just being used the same way this charade is going.

“I wonder if this is considered as a revolution. Knowing that other fellow countries are helping resolve the dispute internally, they should be aware of diplomatic pacts created by the government.”

“I wouldn’t consider it as a revolution although they have been saying that it is all over the news. But for us, it’s an internal problem.”

“Why internal?” It caught my interest, knowing that there’s a better reason for this to happen in such good timing, related to the economic blockade in our country.

“Once a company has lost its function with our services under the tables, we have to ensure the credibility of the business by giving them loans. If a lot of companies experience the same problem with the values of their trades, it only means that the exportation and importation would be one of the causes. If ever we can’t give any possible solutions to this downfall, the entire city will collapse and so would be the other parts of the country.”

“Don’t tell me the government can’t do s**t again...”

“Yes… Once again, they can’t do much since the problem is inside. Those fuckers are more afraid of tarnishing their names than saving their citizens!”

“Then the best solution is to strike the tree from its roots.”

“Yes of course - but how?”

“The answers would be clear soon enough. I’ll be getting to the bottom of this,” I said to him as I crushed my can as soon as I squeeze every last drop inside, tossing the can in a nearby bin.

Whoever is doing this must be crazy enough to bring everyone to havoc in this case. Economic sabotage from an outside source, the exportation of weapons, hiring of local militants, Spain is in the middle of a crisis. What’s more problematic is that the countries related could experience the same thing in just a matter of time. 

Then I remembered something important to ask.

“Can you give me the details of the younger brother?”

“Why the sudden interest? Will that be of any help?”

“It has to be somehow.”

“hmmm…” He started thinking deeply about my request.

Considering that both parties are on the same boat, the certification of the last will should be done by now. If my hunch is correct, the person is after the last will being signed. Being aware of the possibility, we sent him to a place far from harm with his lawyer to finish the paper works. It should be done by now, as requested by Yun’s legal team and Calvin himself. There’s no reason for the culprit to hold back his plans, whether it would result in war or not. I have to make contact with the present Cortez and stabilize the prices; else the entire city along with other places will fall like dominos. Who the f**k would make such a dangerous business move at a time like this? 

(To Be Continued)