Page 11 of Maddox

Then as with everything else highlighted in the media, the fifteen minutes of fame quickly vanished. So did any further information about the monster.

“What about him?” I asked and shifted in my seat.

“Haven’t you wondered what happened to the man after you wrote your first article and why he’s gone dormant?”

I laughed, doubting my article had stopped his production of cocaine. “He was taking an extended vacation.” My attempt at a joke fell on deaf ears.

“He felt betrayed, determined to eliminate all those who nearly destroyed his lucrative empire. That included several powerful men he once considered allies.”

That I hadn’t heard. “What do I have to do with this?”

“You have a stellar reputation, enough you have been provided with an opportunity to bring the man to his knees.”

“And how would I do that?”

“Alfaro had branched out into sex trafficking.”

My ears were perked. “Who are his victims?”

“Wives, daughters, and nieces of his enemies. They are swept from their homes and kept in his jungle compound, or so it is to be believed although not verified. In addition, he funds several orphanages, taking the cream of the crop of young girls for his special harem. He is a consummate entertainer.”

“For his buddies.”

“Exactly. I will provide you with the beginning of a story including the photographs of several missing women. It’s for you to choose if and how you want to handle the story. I will warn you this will be dangerous.”

“How do I know what you’re about to share with me is the truth?”

His chuckle was dark and ominous. “Because you have the best instincts of anyone I’ve ever known.”

Known. That implied the man knew me personally. Was that even possible? I racked my brain to try to determine who had the capability of providing such damning information. There’d been one FBI agent I’d talked to several times long enough ego I couldn’t recall his name. He’d grilled me on my sources, which I’d refused to provide, and taken my information after I’d received threats.

But as soon as the story had dipped from the limelight, the man had disappeared.

And the threats had stopped with no punitive actions taken against Alfaro.

That had pissed me off.

“There is something else you should know,” he continued.

“That is?”

“Look up Mercury Fulminate.”

“What is that?” Some chemical compound? It had been a long time since I’d taken a chemistry class.

“You’ll figure it out. My time is concluded. If you agree to the opportunity, you’ll be contacted during your trip.”

“By whom?”

“Someone credible who will provide you with a smoking gun.”

The thought was both exciting and terrifying. “How will you know if I’ve accepted it?”

He chuckled. “Trust me, Ms. Douglas. We will know.”

We as in plural.

“After I leave, wait for thirty seconds before turning around. I’ll leave the information for you under your chair.”

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