Page 202 of Sticks and Stones
A lot.
Gene kept talking.
“So the assholes who are trafficking men as cover for the drugs are a problem for Gabe and the FBI. The text you got…that is for us to handle. Forewarning, it’s going to be messy, and off the record.”
It was rare they didn’t follow the laws set by the FBI, and the federal government.
That told Ethan this was big.
Gene continued.
“I contacted a friend who works in DC at the FBI still. She handled this in Colombia. From what she told me, let’s just say that it’s bad.”
Ethan needed to know.
“How bad are we talking?” he asked. “Like stop your heart and kill you instantly?”
Gene shook his head.
“It’s a date rape drug. From what I was told, it turns the user into a sexed-up zombie with no limits, and no ability to say no.”
Ethan thought about it.
“How did the bikers connect to this?” he asked, meaning Corbin’s assault.
Gene wanted to be delicate, but Corbin needed to hear how close he came.
“There was a guy in New York that escaped the traffickers. He found someone to get him to the hospital. He told them what was going on, and they saw the burned brand on him.”
Corbin was pale and not saying anything.
Still, Gene kept going.
“The bikers are transporting the victims as drug mules. They are branding them, so the buyers know where the merchandise is coming from.”
They both watched Corbin slide his hand over the place on his thigh where he had the same brand burned into his body.
Gene tried to do this as quickly as possible.
“The victims in the morgue all match that MO. They also had traces of an unknown narcotic in their system. Reed couldn’t identify it.”
Corbin closed his eyes, and Gene needed to know.
“I can tell Ethan about this in private if it’s upsetting. I completely understand, and we can keep you out of the loop, Corbin, if that’s what you need to heal.”
When he opened his eyes, there were tears in them, and the man looked…broken.
“They were going to traffic me?” he asked, needing to know.
Gene didn’t lie.
“Yeah. Likely. You fit the age of the desired sex victims that are being bought.”
That hung there.
Gene hated hurting Corbin. He’d been through plenty the last two days.
“What saved you is that they thought they killed you or broke you more than they’d originally planned. Getting you medical assistance wasn’t an option. So they figured it was easier to let you die.”
