Page 47 of The Lost Empress

Sully grimaced, shaking his head. “Cheryl is the worst of the lot. She might look ready to scrapbook, but she’ll scrap your face when you’re not looking. That woman is a total two-faced bi?—”

“Why didn’t you call us,” Jack interrupted Sully, glaring at Tesla. “Those are a lot of problem-makers in one place. I would have cleaned the pavement with those guys.”

“At first, I didn’t think anything of it,” Tesla explained, shrugging. “Then I had crews running all over the city. It got out of control quickly. Before I knew it, we were getting sloppy. That’s when everything went south.”

Sully snapped, an impatient look on his face. “Get to the point, I’m bored with your drama, diva.”

Tesla rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “Fine. Well, I was taking the wheels off Cheryl’s car when I got waylaid. These goons grabbed me, put a bag over my head and abducted me. When I came to, they had me restrained and had roughed me up pretty bad.”

Now that Gen was looking Tesla over, she saw greenish bruises on his face and neck. There were a few scratches peeking out from under his leather jacket. But she suspected that there were more marks from the assaults under his clothes.

“What did they want?” Jack asked, cutting through the details and to the point.

“They had demands and they said that unless I stripped cars and got them what they wanted, then I’d be floating in the Los Angeles River,” Tesla answered, his voice haunted as he looked over his shoulder, like he was afraid he was about to get jumped from behind. “They gave me a list, two days and a concussion. Then they dropped me off at my shop and I just woke up about an hour ago. You all have to help me because these aren’t like normal criminals. These aren’t even like retaliation from Cheryl’s goons. These are some new kinds of dudes.”

“So you don’t think they were one of Shoemakers’ or Ratty Socks’ or one of the others’?” Jack asked, a studious look on his face.

Tesla shook his head. “No, they were different. They talked through a speaker and had masks, but it was dark. But the place they kept me, well, it wasn’t like where I’d expect Cheryl’s gang to hold someone.”

“Why?” Gen asked.

“Because it was…clean,” Tesla stated. “And they spoke, too well… Does that even make sense?”

“Not really,” Sully answered. “But it will once we put this together.”

“So what did they want?” Jack asked.

Tesla dug into his pocket, his hand shaking slightly. “They had a list of parts and said that I was to drop it at the location here in two days. If I did, then I lived and could keep up my business with Getaway Garage and stripping cars, unharmed. If I didn’t, then they were burning down the shop with my crew locked in it and throwing my dead body in the river. I don’t spook. You guys know I don’t, but these dudes…well, they are different. They got me without warning, had me powerless and dropped me back without a trace. I’m scared…”

“Show us the list.” Jack extended a hand, an unflustered expression on his face.

Tesla handed over the piece of folded up, crumpled paper. “It’s stupid, man. They must be trying to power up a fleet of Formula 1 cars.”

Jack read the paper, his eyes widening as he read. “Yeah, this isn’t a normal wish list. Turbochargers, intercoolers, upgraded fuel injectors, high-flow exhaust systems, reinforced transmissions, engine control units, high-performance tires, and reinforced drivetrain components.”

“Can you even fulfill this illegal shopping list?” Sully asked.

Tesla nodded. “For one, I’ve got a lot of these things scattered around, thanks to stripping a lot of big criminal cars lately. But there are a lot of those types hanging around in these parts, so I should be able to if I put all my men on it.” He frowned, a new tension in his eyes. “I never thought I’d be saying this, but we need some controls in this city. Criminals seem to be overrunning things. I always thought that would be good for business, but now, I’m not so sure. Things are out of control. I don’t like the way LA feels right now.”

“I didn’t realize you had feelings,” Sully joked, with a dry laugh.

“I’m serious,” Tesla argued, gesturing around. “Just take a stroll down Wilshire and you’ll see what I mean. There’s prostitution and drugs out in clear sight. Are you all even doing your jobs?”

“We’re talking to you, aren’t we, mate?” Jack shot back. “And we’re aware. The problem seemed to sprout up overnight. Something is really wrong with this city and like you were, we have been overrun with big criminals to manage. I don’t know what happened to the police force. No one seems to. But we’re going to look into this.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime?” Tesla asked. “I don’t want to get put in the river and these guys, well, they are much bigger than any operation I’ve seen before.”

“Fulfill their order,” Gen stated, cutting in before Sully or Jack could answer. All three men turned, giving her a look of surprise. She ignored their shocked expressions. “Is there a way to track something on the equipment? Like a device or something that shows where the parts go? Even if it’s only a single one?”

“Like a tracking device?” Sully questioned, his eyes wide with sudden excitement. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

Jack nodded, smiling brightly. “Yeah, and if you, Tesla, just put it on a single part, then it will probably go unnoticed.”

“That’s easy, man,” Tesla agreed with a nod. “I can put it inside a motor or inside a fan, no problem.”

Jack turned, giving Gen an appraising expression. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that we need to know who these guys are so they don’t mess with Tesla and his garage again,” Gen answered.

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