Page 269 of 7+Us Makes Nine

“This ain’t no Heisenberg shit.” Lucas said. “But it’s almost 80% pure, a shade off 78.” He pointed a finger at the bag I was still studying intently. “Rest of the other stuff we got is the same quality. Exactly the same quality. Someone’s trying to get back into the game.”

“Well, unless they’re running it from prison or from beyond the grave it ain’t the old O’Rourkes,” I said absently, deep in thought.

We had infiltrated the gang successfully, but to do so I’d done some stuff I wasn’t proud of. Coercion, giving and taking bribes to grease the palms of police informers, drug dealing and taking, recruiting new police informers by intimidation and even assault, manipulating and planting evidence… the list went on.

But eventually the clean detectives working the case built up enough evidence to take down the whole operation. Three of the gang leaders were shot, resisting arrest. Two were behind bars, almost indefinitely.

The rest of the gang had been given various sentences and had been split up and sent to jails across the country. They had been strongly advised to avoid making contact with any of their previous “associates” when the day finally came when they walked free.

“So it’s either a new operation,” I said, ticking the possibilities off on my fingers as I stared into the middle distance. “Or it could be an old batch that’s been found. Or could be we didn’t get everyone before that was involved in the operation. Or, there are some O’Rourkes we never knew about in the first place.”

I drummed my fingers on my desk as my brain started sifting through the possibilities.

“Well, listen. I’ll get you the names of the guys who found the other stuff. We both know this ain’t enough for a case yet, but you ain’t busy anyway, right? So you could look into it, if you found the time. That’s all I’m saying. Help a brother out, you know?” Lucas leaned over and patted me on the shoulder.

“Yeah, thanks Lucas. I appreciate it. Hell, if this works out and I get another big bust under my belt, maybe I’ll bring you some flowers too!” I winked at him.

“I don’t swing that way, bro.” He paused thoughtfully. “But fuck it, bring me a bottle of Cuervo Gold and I’ll do anything you want!”

We both laughed.

“When you gonna make Detective, Lucas? We could use someone like you ‘round here. You know the streets. Got contacts, and you ain’t no moron. God knows we’re short on numbers here, too.” I looked around. Only half the desks were occupied. Half of those were occupied by old detectives who were a little too comfortable. And fat. And half of those old guys were corrupt as fuck.

“When I get the time I’m gonna go for Detective. Maria thinks I got the brains, the way I help out the kids with homework.” He sighed. “But four young ones at home don’t leave me with much time.”

He looked away, wistfully. “But when they’re at college I’ll still be in my forties. I’ll have plenty of time to put my mind to it then.”

Maria was Lucas’s wife, who’d been his childhood sweetheart. They’d married as soon as they could, and she had their first kid about six months later.

I looked at Lucas. I could tell he was exhausted, but was trying his best not to show it. Dark rings were beginning to form under his eyes.

“Listen carefully, alright. Because for once I’m not joking. When you’re ready, come see me. I might even be Lieutenant. I’ll help you out.” I looked at him seriously.

I raised my eyebrows when he laughed at me good naturedly.

“Jack if you ain’t Captain by then, I don’t know what’s going on in this place,” He grinned.

He turned and walked away, swaggering as he walked. He turned back to me as he headed to the exit.

“Yo, Storm. Let’s grab a beer Friday?” He stopped, raising his arm in a gesture of feigned irritation.“Maria’s Mom is over for the weekend. Gonna need a few beers in me to deal with that damn ice queen.”

I smiled, nodding. “You’re on.” I pointed a finger at him, frowning. “But you’re paying this time!”

TWO

Eden

I was looking at my reflection in the full-length mirror in front of me, adjusting my slightly too tight work uniform. I pulled the hem of my shirt down over my hips, and wriggled my butt in my pants, glad that they were at least a little stretchy. I adjusted my boobs in my bra which was a little too tight, promising myself to buy some new clothes soon.

Maybe some sexy underwear. Not that I have anyone to show it to…

Happy that I’d managed to squeeze into my uniform, I headed downstairs for a quick breakfast before I’d need to head for work.

I clicked the small TV on that I had in my kitchen before lighting the stove and grabbing a pan. I half listened to the news anchor as I prepared some eggs and bacon.

“...has resurfaced in the town. Although the O’Rourkes are currently behind bars, we have an exclusive report that meth of a very similar quality is starting to appear again. Over to Vicky outside Freddie’s Biker Bar for more.”

“Thanks, John. Yes, we have had an exclusive report that O’Rourke-quality meth is starting to reappear on the streets, corroborated from a number of sources, who wish to remain anonymous.

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