I watched as Ralphie brought out a tablet and some files. He brought up the images I wanted and walked back out. When he left, so did the lasers. I turned the tablet toward Shaw.
“Apparently, you have a few issues with your business. First, you have a non-silent partner.” I pointed to the picture of Juan Chavez, the leader of the cartel in South America. “Secondly, most, if not all, of your buildings are under surveillance, which by the way, I’m sure you are aware. You are a smart man after all.”
“So what? Are you going to take care of my silent partner and pest control?”
There goes that smirk again.
“Was the silent partner the one that kidnapped Allura?”
His smile faded, and I continued, “So apparently your silent partner has a few guys in the area. And I saw a few of his guys in the restaurant where Allura is currently working. That is a huge coincidence, don’t you think?”
I suddenly saw nervousness creep into the man before me. He looked at his guys and then back at me.
“I can’t control the movements of others.”
I ignored his statement and said, “You have a mole in your ranks, Shaw. Someone knew how to get in contact with Allura. Someone gave that number, her address, and place of employment to them.”
“How do you know that?” Deacon asked.
“Because…” I went through the tablet to show a series of pictures. “I’ve been watching them watch her. I’ve also been watching who has been watching you. And I have to say, Shaw; you need to beef up your security some. I mean, see that picture right there? That’s your house isn’t it? And that right there is an image of you taking a shit. I mean, damn, I could have taken you out right there. Can you only imagine what someone could do if they were paid?”
Now fright crept into the man, and he squirmed in his chair.
“So, here’s what I am offering you. Apparently, these guys here,” I showed him a picture of Juan’s men, “are here for a reason. And would you happen to know if that reason might be to harm Allura? And before you answer that, understand I don’t give a shit about your business. My only concern is her. I will protect her with my life. You can be assured of that fact. So, if you aren’t playing nice again, and they’re pissed at you, I need to know.”
I watched the man in front of me contemplate what I said. He looked at the pictures and then back at me.
One of his guys said, “Come on boss, you can’t be listening to this shit. This white boy don’t know shit. He’s probably a cop.”
It was at that moment that I reacted. I pulled out my gun quickly and put a bullet into the man’s head. The guy that was closest to me started to react, and I shot him in the knee caps. He screamed and thrashed on the ground in pain.
I then pointed my weapon at Shaw. Deacon and the others had their weapons trained on me, but they were out gunned as my guys walked in the room with automatic weapons at the ready.
I stood and pointed to the file in front of him.
“Let me tell you what’s in there. It’s the bank account details belonging to these two on the floor. There are extensive wire transfers from South American banks to theirs dating as far back as five years.” I let that information sink in. “I know for a fact that these two idiots didn’t work alone, but I’m going to let you handle your house. All I want to know is if I need to be concerned about Allura. Are they here for her?”
I looked at Shaw, and he was sweating and breathing heavy. Deacon looked like he was going to throw up. The others in the room also were showing signs of distress. Apparently they didn’t think their closest boys could stab them in the back. I slammed my hand on the table to get Shaw’s attention.
“I don’t have time for you to figure this shit out. Tell me what I want to know now!” I barked.
“I don’t know what they’re here for. We are having some disagreements though, and it’s possible they would use Max as leverage again.”
“Do you know what they did to her the last time? Why did it take you ten days to get her?”
He shook his head.
“That wasn’t my doing, okay? When they said they had her, I did exactly what they wanted.”
“Bullshit. I’ve seen the pictures. They beat the shit out of her, you son of a bitch. There’s no telling what else they did to her. I think you called their bluff, and they hurt her for it. And honestly, I really don’t know why I shouldn’t just kill you all now and be done with it.”
Roland leaned over and whispered to me that it was time to go. So I looked at Shaw.
“I’m being generous because of your daughter, but understand something, if that son of a bitch lying there is seen limping around, I’ll kill him. Then I will kill you and dump your body somewhere you’ll never be seen again. Trust me when I say I’ve done it for years, and I won’t get caught. Take care of your shit, Shaw, and stay away from Allura.”