Chapter 5
The Cobra agent known as Ghost Bear had successfully infiltrated the terrorist cell known as the Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia. They were a smaller and lesser-known group but no less radical or dangerous. They had allies in Mauritania, Mali, and Libya and were active sellers in the arms trade. Cobra Commander wanted to keep the more radical Islamic groups on a short rope as he did not agree with the ways in which they chose to deal with their opponents. The emerging terrorist leader was ruthless, but he did not condone the killing of women and children. He did, however, recognize a potential scapegoat when they presented themselves. By having Ghost Bear gain the confidence of the al-Sharia, he, in turn, gained an ally in the Middle East without direct ties to the Cobra Organization. If things went south for some reason he could sever ties and deny any association with the group. Add in the Kenyans and the recent deals struck with the Aum Shirykiro and the Chechnya, his political power was growing worldwide. Soon Cobra would be in a position where they could strike out at the Americans, the British, and the Russians in one unexpected precise and crippling strike. The rulers of these superpowers would be forced to yield to his demands and pay their fealty to him.
The video-conferencing device alert vibrated slightly on the agent’s wrist-link. Ghost Bear excused himself and moved to his private quarters using personal prayer time as his reason. The monitor came to life as the chromed face-plate of the Cobra leader appeared before him.
“Yes, supreme leader.”
“Ah, Ghossst Bear. It isss so nice to see you again. How go thingsss with the Tunisiansss? Are they ready to sssign our agreement?”
“Things have been going very well, and I am close to brokering an alliance that will be favorable and profitable to both parties.”
“Ex-sssellent. Perhaps they are smarter than I gave them credit for. Seal up the deal as soon as possssible. I will be requiring your services elsewhere. You have three daysss.”
“I will not let you down.”
“I would hope not.” The screen went dark and Ghost Bear turned his attention back to the situation at hand. His timeline and his mission had changed, but he was up for the challenge. He would close the deal ahead of time and move on to where his services were needed. It really didn’t bother him too much. He only hoped that his next assignment would be someplace cooler and with better cuisine.
* * * *
Gristle parked the car in an obscure corner. After exiting the vehicle, he opened the door for the well-dressed man and accompanied him around the back of the car. Their precious cargo should be awake by now and after the last shock treatment, they would be more cooperative.
“Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakie.” As the trunk rose, the two passengers rubbed their eyes in order to see their captors. “How was the ride?”
“Terrible, not like you care!” Lolita was quick to respond, her voice dripping with venom.
“Now, now. No need to be so excited. Let me help you out of there.” He reached out his hand in order to grab the woman’s bound wrists as she scooted her legs into a hanging position outside of the trunk. Gristle assisted her brother, Carlos, from the confines of the trunk, but he decided to stay tight-lipped. The Headman produced a pair of cutting pliers from his coat pocket and cut the binds on both individual’s wrists.
“Alright. So, can we start over? I’m the Headman and your new business partner.” The woman looked at his outstretched hand then over to her right and left where two heavily-armed Headhunters stood. Their guns were at their sides, but she knew in a seconds notice that each man could easily put a bullet in her skull. She didn’t like the current arrangement, but she had worked for worse people in her past twenty-two years of life. She looked to her brother then back to the Headman’s hand. She clenched his hand firmly in her own.
“Nice to meet you, partner. I’m Lolita and this is my brother Carlito.”
“Excellent! Welcome aboard. Now that that’s all taken care of, we have a train to catch. Follow me.” The dapper don led them along the back wall until he came across a fire extinguisher cabinet. He opened the front door and pulled down on the extinguisher which caused a hidden passageway to appear as a section of the wall moved back and to the left. “This will get us into the subway system without having to pass through the various video camera checkpoints. Once we catch the C train, we’ll be in the clear.”
Lolita pondered the situation. It didn’t make much sense. Where exactly was he taking them? It didn’t line up with any known bases of operations for the Headhunters that she was aware of. The subway doors closed and the four individuals rode on through the next three stops then exited and took the L Train for another five stops. The subway platform where they exited the train car was abandoned, and the Headman led them all into the men’s bathroom.
“I’m not going in there, you pig.”
“Calm yourself, my dear. It’s simply a means to an end. The drug lord moved a sign on the wall which opened another secret passageway to a hidden tunnel. “Follow me please.” He tipped his fedora at the woman then bowed as she walked past him. The tunnel was dimly-lit but easy to navigate. It ended at a dead end, but Lolita knew it was merely another concealed doorway. Gristle undid the lock this time and the group exited into an underground garage.
“Welcome to my home away from home. He led the three to a construction elevator that took them down to a subterranean level. It had been nearly two months since he had come to the Irvington base, but he wasn’t yet ready to trust his new partners with the Connecticut branch. He would set the two of them up here in his wake and have the Headhunters keep tabs on their activities. If they cooperated and proved their loyalty, all would be forgiven in due time. If anything seemed questionable or out of line...he’d simply end them. He didn’t come into the power that he had by being a patsy. The Headman was no one’s floor mat. Things may have been a little shaky in the beginning, but he had learned from some of the best in the business. He had continued to grow his influence right under the noses of the very individuals who had mentored him and he had expected the recent turn of events to occur sooner or later.
“So what? You expect my sister and me to just join your little organization? Are we just supposed to act like the massacre at the pier just never happened?”
The well-dressed man did little more than shrug. “That my dear Carlito is up to you and Lolita. I will benefit one way or the other. If you join me, then I will gain your connections and network of buyers and sellers. If you should choose not to entertain my offer, that’s just as good. I’ll still assimilate your territory and your connections. The two of you on the other hand…” He paused dramatically and grinned widely. “Won’t be as fortunate. If you catch my drift.” He ended his statement with a wink. Lolita was the next to speak cutting off her brother before he could offer a rebuttal.
“So, should we join the Headhunters, what’s in it for us?”
“Well, for one thing, you and your brother get to live, but that’s not the only perk I offer. You will simply work for me, but out of this location. I will provide you with a base of operations and products. I will also supply you with a security task force. I am even willing to offer you and your brother twenty-five percent of the profit. But...I have rules.”
The woman did her best to conceal her disapproval but entertained his last proclamation. “What do you mean rules?”
“It’s very simple. We only sell to adults. You avoid the grammar schools. And, you don’t sell anything except what I provide. Steal from me or sell your own product and our agreement is over!” Lolita eyed him oddly as he continued outlining his rules. “And one more thing. From here on, none of our clients die. Got it?”
“What do you mean? No one dies? We sell drugs. People die.”
“Not anymore. The only good drug addict is one that stays alive and continues to buy from us.”
“Now you have my attention.” The Headman smiled.
“So, do we have an agreement?”
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