338

Angel
I wondered how Cole got the information about the Columbians and how he could help me with my stolen goods. Mike and I arrived at his mansion and were ushered in by the guards. He joined us shortly, quite excited to see us.
Our meeting commenced and I was surprised at the information he had gathered so far. I had my suspicions as to why he was helping us but I needed to hear it from him.
“It’s obvious you did your research and went through great length to search out the Columbians sparrow was working with.” I said and sipped my drink after hearing his briefings on the information he had gathered. To think he had already met with the Columbians, that was going through a great length for me and I was no fool to know all this came with a price.
“You’re right. I did my research.” He said standing up with the glass of wine in his hand. He moved towards his bar and took out one bottle of wine from there. He returned to his seat and handed the wine to me. I studied it for a few seconds, Red Burgundy, that was the name. I raised my gaze to him for an explanation.
“It has been in my bar for a decade.” It tickles my interest and I chuckle.
“You keep them as much as I do.” I said and he laughed.
“I’ll have them package it for you properly. See it as my appreciation for honouring my invitation.” Too much for honouring an invitation when in truth I was the one who should be showing appreciation. I was in a haste to know what Cole’s objectives for helping me were. I had already asked him his reason earlier but he seemed to avoid it.
“I should be the one thanking you for helping me.”
“Nah, no… I’ve always been on your team.” He was right, he always took my side against sparrow.
“You hated Sparrow’s guts.”
“I hate bastards ….” He said and I liked the term he used in referring to Sparrow. “Rude bastards.” He continued and we laughed about it.
“Back to my question….”
“You’re in such a haste Angelo.” He said cutting me off. I clenched my jaw pissed off at the game he was playing and the fact that I had to exercise patience.
‘Of course motherfucker I was in a haste. I Had a damsel I needed to be home with.’ I cursed at him within me.
“Or you’re simply avoiding the question?”
I confronted and he paused for a moment then chuckled.
“I know you have enemies but I’m not one of them Angelo.” He said.
“Good thing you’re not.” I say more like a threat than in relieve. He laughs uneasily as the place suddenly had an air of tension. He could tell I had little patience.
“Your glass is almost empty, do you need a refill?” He gets up to pour another, deciding to stall but I hold his arm stopping him from pouring another drink for me.
“Let’s cut to the chase Cole. Why are you helping me?” I say with all seriousness. I couldn’t hold my curiosity down for any longer. He tilts his head towards my hand over his suggesting I let him go, I hesitate but eventually free his hand. He drops the bottle and sits back on his chair and for the first time I notice him sigh with a desperate expression clouding his face.
“I know you’re smart.” He starts and I just seemed to know where he was heading to.
“So you want a share of my stolen goods?”
“Not exactly, maybe more.” He says, he was fucking bold to even suggest having more. A frown settled on my face which I don’t pretend about.
“Easy… I mean no harm. At least to me.”
Someone was being playful, I see.
“Get on with it.”
“I heard your coke is good. I mean really good.” He said looking at me for a confirmation. I relax back in my chair, he was right, it was a really good and rare to get.
it was a market opening opportunity.
“Ninety nine percent purity. That’s almost impossible to get by and yet you did. I mean, sparrow knows this and has sold a lot already. He’s making huge profit from your goods. The Columbians were the only ones he sold the goods to in it’s untampered form.” He said, showing his knowledge about my coke. “Heard your goods are out there in the street, diluted ones.” He speaks in a low voice now.
“I gathered information too but I’m impressed with your findings.” I said letting him know I was aware of my goods being sold out already. Still, I wanted him to get to his point already.
“I have a feeling that you’re gathering the dots.”
“What do you want cole?” I ask for the second time. Sounding as calm as I could.
“Your contact and I’ll give you the Columbians.” He finally spilled his guts. I sigh deeply internalizing what he just said and mathing out the possible outcomes should I be generous enough to do that. “They haven’t sold your product and have had it in their warehouse for long now. They were suspicious of Sparrow and needed to confirm it’s source and his license to it. Knowing Sparrow’s reputation, it was sensible to doubt him.” He said and waited for me to speak. He was now the one impatient while I took my time to think.
“I can have my goods back in it’s untampered form. That will cover up a lot.” I thought aloud.
I had taken all the funds I needed to pay my supplier from the cartel’s purse and it needed to be accounted for. Removing such big money wasn’t a good idea if we weren’t getting back profits.
“You can.” Cole assured me.
“Why would I risk having a competition just to get stolen goods back?” I’ve paid for it already but I can recover the loss as long as I am the only one who knows the contact. I burst the bubble to Cole making him realize he was insignificant to me.
Cole seems displeased and scared knowing I could refuse his offer.
“I can offer you my men for your operation to get your goods from sparrow. We all know he still has some tons packed somewhere in the north which he is afraid to sell. My men will fight for you and help you achieve your revenge. You’ll get your goods back.” He said in a desperate attempt to convince me.
“I have enough man power.”
“I know that but you don’t need to waste yours.”
“You really want this.” I said squinting at him. There was sometimes more about him being desperate.
“You can tell I’m desperate.”
“Are you going bankrupt?”
I blurt and there’s a pause. There’s silence for a moment and Cole breaks it when he sighs in defeat.
“You’re smart.” He whispers.
“How did it happen?” I got even more interested.
“Drunk gambling.”
“Rules?”
“Never drink when you gamble.”
“Still….?” I asked further. I didn’t see Cole as one who had gambling addictions so something must have pushed him into it. He wasn’t telling the entire truth.
“The DEA got a hold of my goods. Three times and I’m slacking in payments. I got high, very high at the casino and gambled hoping for luck.” He finally confessed and I shook my head.
“I know you’re good at games Cole but desperation doesn’t give you a win at the casino. It does help but never to be trusted.” I said but what was the point when the damage had already been done.
“You know the Shadow cartel?” He asked and I nodded. “They are not to be messed with. They threatened to kill me after failing to deliver payment for all three shipments.”
Fuck! He was in deep shit. They must have really had a long history of good business with him to actually trust him and send goods three times without receiving a pay on any of them. His relationship with them was at risk and now his life.
“And now you need my help to get good coke, free of charge to settle your debts?” I wanted to clarify what he was asking of me.
“I’ll pay back.”
“I know.” I said just immediately but still look at him suspiciously.
“Fine. I know you have men at the DEA. I was hoping we wouldn’t have shipping problems.” So now, he was going to use all my privileges and the price for it was an information I already knew and the access to the Columbians who I could as well decide not to meet and forget about my goods. It wasn’t a good math.
“We won’t have shipping problems.” I answer regardless.
“Does that mean you agree to my offer?” He says as his eyes lit with a glint of hope.
“You’re gaining more here Cole and yet you have failed to convince me to accept this offer.” I dismiss his assumption.
“What if I told you that I knew where Sparrow was.” He says and I am filled with shock. This was exactly what I needed to hear. I only knew Sparrow was in the north and my contacts there were yet to find his location. “What if I told you I had him watched?” Cole continued. ” When he sneezes, everything he does, what if I told you I could get sparrow to kneel at your feet?”