“There’s a café across the street, the only one within the area. I figure everyone gets hungry, including our scientist, and if he’s working with someone, he needs to be protected. If Maurice can get the information we need, we can find who he’s working for. We can remove this chain of evil once and for all.”
Chapter Nine
“You’re not actually leaving her here alone, are you?” asked El Diablo. They were all getting into the SUV outside the warehouse. “This place is a shithole.”
“Get in the fucking car,” said Boss.
They drove down the rough roadway, the vehicle jostling and jolting. It would be a long three hours. They weren’t in his city anymore. Far from home. These towns were overcrowded, poverty-stricken, and crime ran rampant. El Diablo worried about his sister being left alone in a foreign town with no phone or money. Boss knew better.
He never underestimated Widow Maker. And when they crossed paths again, she’d be fucking pissed—he couldn’t wait.
Viko’s car drove close behind theirs. It was bad enough he’d fucked up their surprise arrival, so Boss wouldn’t let him screw up their second chance to get the antidote from the scientist.
“Any update from Maurice?” asked Boss.
Killian got on his cell in the back seat.
Their driver, Rocco, worked for Killer of Kings, and he was following the initial lead. “The locals can smell a foreigner from a mile away,” he said. “Don’t be surprised if they try to jack us.”
Boss scoffed. “Just keep driving.”
About twenty minutes later, he got a call from Maurice.
“You were right about the cameras across the street. I captured the scientist with the same man three times in the past week. It loops after that. I’ve run his profile and got a hit.”
“Anyone we know?” asked Boss.
“Inside politics, I’m afraid. Your friend Viko should watch his back.”
“What now?”
“Manuel Adrino Viola. He’s worked within the Circle of Monsters for a few years. Errand boy. Looks like he may be trying to make a play for Viko’s place in the circle.”
“By distributing these tainted drugs?”
“That’s as much as I have right now, Boss.”
“Send me everything you have to my secure email. Find out who he’s been talking to. Check his bank accounts.”
That was one of the problems when you hired any lowlife criminal to do your dirty work. There was no loyalty. The Circle of Monsters was a band of rogue killers looking to get paid. They couldn’t be compared to the Killer of Kings on their best day.
They arrived in the rural town over three hours later. Boss needed to take a piss. They all got out of the vehicles, doors slamming, the sound of crickets droning in the fields of tall grass. There wasn’t much in the little rundown town, just a few dilapidated structures. It was completely off the grid, no signs of life. No people or cars. He didn’t like it.
“You sure this is it?” Boss asked Rocco.
He pointed. “The signal is coming from one of those two buildings.”
Viko came up alongside him. He reeked of alcohol but appeared to be somewhat sober. “Where is he? I want to be the one to kill him.”
“Relax, will you? You’re not fucking this one up. Keep back while I handle it. This entire shitshow is on you now,” said Boss.
“He got scared off before we got on scene. There’s no way to know when that happened.”
Boss didn’t have time to argue. “Who’s Manuel Viola to you?”
Viko narrowed his eyes. “A guy I use. Why?”
Boss chuckled. “The Circle of Fuckups. Your guy’s trying to bury you in this mess. He’s paying the scientist. Manuel wants your place in the circle.”