Page 59 of Hidden Ascent

“They’ve always been into small stuff. Small drug arrests. A few weapons charges. Then they came under new leadership, and things changed. They began bringing in and cutting the drugs, then selling them. No middle men. Their product was cheaper, but we suspected there was more going on because deaths from drug overdoses have increased in the area.”

“And you think it’s their product that’s responsible?”

“That’s what we found out, yes.”

“Can you remember the name of the leader of the group?”

“A man named John Sharpe.”

“Sharpe?”

“You know him?” Peter said.

“I know of him. He’s a businessman. He tried to hire me once. I turned him down.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t do what he wanted me to do. He’s a dangerous man, but I wouldn’t expect him to lead a gang. Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Isla said. “Maybe he’s diversifying his portfolio.”

“You may be kidding, but you’re probably not far off. What gang is he leading?”

“They call themselves the Red Wolves.”

Jay stiffened. “The Red Wolves did this?”

“You know them too?”

He stood and walked to the fire. “I know the man who used to lead them.”

“You did work for him?”

“Yes. But I also considered him a friend.”

“A drug dealer is your friend?”

“That’s not—forget it. Murdering an entire unit of federal agents would have never happened under his command.”

“This friend of yours, do you think we could talk to him?”

“He’s not a part of this. He’s running a bar downtown now. Sharpe’s the one who ordered it.”

“But he knows the guys in the gang. If he’s still connected to any of them, he might offer us a way in.”

“I doubt it. He’s not a big fan of the feds.”

“I wouldn’t expect him to be, but I take it he doesn’t approve of what the Red Wolves did to my team?”

“It wouldn’t affect his sleep at night, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Please, Jay. He’s our only lead. Can you at least ask?”

“I can ask.”

“Great.” She stared at him for a second. “You need to borrow my phone?”

“I don’t have his number.”

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