Chapter 138 - Playing With It (1/2)
A man stood looking out over the city from a floor to ceiling window. He was handsome enough with his dark hair and brown eyes, but when the other people in the room looked at him, they either had fear or respect shown on their faces, sometimes both.
”Boss, things are getting real tricky in most areas. Cops are locking down entire blocks, searching for then damn mutants.”
”Yeah Boss, it's next to impossible to do an honest days sales anymore.”
”We're bleeding money left and right here boss. And the runners are scared they are going to get busted, so as soon as they sell out, they stop.”
Complaints were flying all over the place as the various men and women in the room voiced their concerns about the business. As the man who had just taken over running the illegal side of the business in this city, Tony felt more like someone had taken a shit on him as opposed to feeling great about getting promoted. As it stood, this was the last test before he could begin officially working for the legal side of things. Of course, nothing was running smoothly and the only people he had working for him were full of complaints and no solutions.
Tony couldn't help but sigh and turn away from the window before sitting down at lead seat of the long rectangular table. Looking left and right, his eyes strayed for just a moment on Desi who happened to be on his immediate left. She was dressed in a tight fitted suit that did little to hide her sensational curves along with black rimmed glasses that made her look totally like the secretary she was pretending to be. Seeing his gaze land on her, she couldn't help but smile back provocatively, giving him a bit of encouragement.
”Alright. Here's what we are going to do. Get some tests together from our legal contacts and test the runners to get them a clean certification. After that, reduce their carrying loads to only what can be concealed on their persons. At this point, no one gives a damn about small time runners so as long as they don't look shifty, things will be fine. The cops are more worried about what's in their blood as opposed to what's on their person.”
”So you want us to play by the law?” One of the more ruthless looking leaders asked.
”Why the hell not?” Tony shot back. He knew that he was being put to the test and whatever decisions he made would either cement his position or bury him. The worst thing he could do right now was nothing.
”Most of the runners have records. And you want them to actually submit themselves to a government backed testing?” The ruthless man asked as though Tony were an idiot.
”It's quite simple if you would stop and think about it. In the last six months, how many raids have the police conducted? When's the last time you heard about the DEA cracking down on a supplier? Or hell, how many of our people have been stopped and frisked in the last four months? No one gives a shit about this right now, so why the hell aren't we out making a killing?”
”Well...”
”Fuck! Everyone here needs to balls the fuck up and get to it. Once they are certified as clean, they are walking the golden god damn road in this city. Long as we don't flash our merchandise to a badge, they aren't going to waste time with it. For once, they have bigger fucking fish to fry. Am I wrong?” Looking around the room, the dozen leaders had finally shut up and started to think about what Tony had said. No matter who it was, they realized he had a point.
”Excuse me. Mr. Hearn?” A women in a skirt and dress shirt popped her head through the door without knocking.
”We are a bit busy at the moment Christina,” Tony responded back in a flat voice.
”Sir, it's a call concerning that individual you rated. You asked that I tell you as soon as something came in.”
”Ah. Yes. Ladies and Gentlemen, excuse me.” Tony got up and walked over to a side door and stepped inside. The corner office was still being redecorated after it's last resident had vacated rather suddenly. From what Tony knew, it wasn't in a pleasant manner.
After picking up the phone, Tony spoke a bit, answering the questions asked and in turn, asking a few of his own. After he put down the phone, he picked up his cell and sent a quick message before going back into the meeting room.
”Are there any other objections?” Tony asked after he returned to his seat. All of the others who had gathered shook their heads no, with just the ruthless looking man opening his mouth.
”What happens if we find infected within the runners?”
”We've got a special place for those people. Christina will pass out some information to everyone on your way out. There is more than one way they can make money for us,” Tony commented with a glint in his eye. Although the other leaders didn't understand what he meant, they had no problem making a buck off of someone else, no matter how that buck came to be. So far, it seemed like this new leader was off to a good start.
After the room cleared, it was only Desi and Tony left.
”Did you let her know?” Desi asked as she slid closer to Tony.
”Of course. You think she would let me go if I failed to mention it as soon as I found out?”
”He he he. To think you would be scared of your own cousin who you used to think almost nothing of.”
”Yeah. And if you met her, you would think she is damn scary now too. I have no idea what happened, but either that boy is the luckiest man alive... or he won't be breathing much longer.”
”She still never explained it?”
”No. And I stopped asking. She's doing her own thing now and no one is going to get in her way. And that is just the way those old guys want it.”
Desi could only nod her head as she stood up and started rubbing Tony's shoulders. No matter how much power he accumulated at this point, he would never end up matching his cousin in this life. At this point, he could only hope he lived to see an old age.
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