Page 6 of Benga's Rise
“Roger, Boss.” He can’t say anything else, but my mic clicks. “I have two Security on the cleanup truck if you need them, VP.”
I clear my throat, letting him know I got it and follow to the center of town. It’s more like a small city with a few tall buildings.
Cort rides up to the side of the front doors. This is smaller than the other buildings, throwing relief on me. Security inside won’t be much. I back in on the side of his bike and walk in beside him.
“The plan?” I ask.
“Get him out of this building and into ours.”
I nod. “Good plan. Hade, call the Sheriff and let him know we’re here. Have someone pick up his car.” Jerry, the Sheriff, will be glad we found the supplier so quick. He’s good about working with us and is aggressive in his fight to keep drugs from taking over his sectors.
“Roger, VP.”
The inside of the building isn’t as kept up as the outside. More relief. It’s a small lobby with an empty counter and a straight hallway to the elevators and offices. We go up one flight of stairs and down another hall that’s old and worn, but well lit. A woman scrambles into an office when she sees us. Cort doesn’t stop and follows her in.
I turn to Brinks and Nova. “Nova, keep our six.”
“Kenny Leonard?” Cort asks, loud enough to get attention from everyone on the fucking floor.
I walk in behind him and point Brinks to stay just inside the door. Cort usually does this, but he’s pissed. The office is a bunch of cubicles. People stand, some sit right back down, but a few point to the back where three doors are. One is a bathroom with one of those man and woman signs. I assume the other two are actual offices. One door is partially open.
I follow Cort right to it, counting men and women as we walk by. The women are mostly cowering in their chairs, the men sitting and watching me walk by. Two men and one woman are standing to watch what we do.
I’d be watching too. Three men in weird suits, armed and wearing helmets is not a normal part of their day. The bystanders have curiosity on their faces, I keep their positions noted. Cort walks right into the office and I’m one step behind as the shot sounds loud. My gun is out, I move to his side and watch Lenny fall then his legs bounce on the floor. Jesus, thank God my Brother is quick with the reactions.
He takes a step back. “Fuck, that hurt. Can I get another week out of this, Hade?”
Turning so I get a full view of him for Hade, I’m smiling. “If you get me on the month with you, I’ll send Mounty on vacation.”
I hear Hade’s breath in the mic. “I’ll ask, Boss, but he’s tough.” He’s relieved too.
Cort is fine and shows them. “Brinks, Nova, get this dickass out of here. Cleanup here, Hade?”
“Downstairs, Boss. The pussy’s car is moving now. McCabe told the Brothers to take it to impound because of the drugs in the trunk. He has Chaps on a report with the pussy shooting you.”
“Good enough.”
We move out of the way for Brinks and Nova. Enforcers are doing more without complaint. I like it, but it surprised me that it has never been a problem, maybe because most of them were military. I never was, so changing procedures, for me, was an adjustment. I check his desk while Cort goes through a messenger bag.
“Hade?”
“I’ve got it, Boss. The suggestion was transport to the Sheriff.” I know Hade is hoping for that just by the sound of his voice.
“The fuck shot me before I said a word. He’s got kids beating down kids and selling fucking drugs from street corners. We can get a confession and send it with the report and dicktwat.” He’s got steel in his voice. The dick will get payback.
I roll my eyes and move down to the next drawer. Predictable, but he’s got a point. I just wish it wasn’t going to infringe on my time.
~*~
Mounty canceled Cort’s training so I haven’t seen him and wonder if he got the confession. I look for Hade in Ops but find Falcon. “Brother, did he get the confession?”
He’s smiling, shit. “Yeah. Twenty minutes. Shit for brains needed the money to keep his pretty house and researched Gangland or some shit. I never heard of it. Cort hit him once breaking his ribs. He repeated it all at the Sheriff’s and went through digital arraignment or something like that.”
I nod. This is good. “Gangland is a cable show, I think. Digital arraignment is the judge holding him on charges over video. He’ll take the next step because he always does. With a confession, it’s just a matter of sentencing. Jerry doesn’t waste time if he can get confessions. The judge is another Mason so he goes by the book. He must have jurors somewhere close.”
He smiles. “Convenient.”
I look around. “It is, have you seen Banks?”
