The Black Dahlia (Cartel Series #1) ✔️

16. Confrontation

Alejandro

After dropping my secretary safely at my home. I had a private chat with my mom. “She almost died yesterday, take care of her”, I said.
“You go to the bottom of this matter, it looks really serious”, my mother said with a concerned and guilty tone.

“I will”, I assured her, kissed her goodbye and made my way to the office, the car being driven by Carlos as usual.

I asked him to look into this matter today itself and find me the truth. I could not wait anymore, I can least afford to stay silent when my rivals attack me without any fear.

If I do not retaliate they will take my silence as a form of weakness, they need to feel the wrath of Sinaloa, least they forget how I had dismantled their control to make Sinaloa the primero uno Mexican cartel.

I busied myself with my regular schedule, but I was still disturbed by the recent developments and subconsciously my mind was more focused on them than my day’s work. I somehow managed to go through the day until lunchtime.

As I was about to head out for lunch, Carlos called me. “Boss meet me in the cafeteria, let’s have lunch together I have some important information.” We ordered some white wine to go with spaghetti and meatballs.
“I found out the perpetrators responsible for attacking Gabriella”, he said calmly.

“Who is it? tell me!”, I almost shouted.
“Medellin cartel”, he said.
“What? they don’t attack without a strong cause”, I said slamming my fists on the table.
“I share the same sentiments. I have a few more questions gnawing at my mind, what connection does Gabriella have with the Medellin cartel and the way she fought and shot the attacker, seems like she is no ordinary orphan girl rather a trained fighter.”, Carlos said.

He proceeded to hand me a file that contained all the evidence and information he had gathered. I went back to my office and read and reread the file.

These questions really gave me food for thought. I couldn’t get it out of my head and I just couldn’t focus on work anymore. I called it a day and decided to head home early. I needed some answers from Gabriella.

Gabriella.

I am seated on a chair; my wrists and fist are tied with a rope. I try to acclimatize myself to my new surroundings.  It was a cramped space, looked like some kind of basement. It smelled of rotten flesh, dried blood and industrial grade chemicals. I felt sick in my guts and had to work hard to control my gag reflex from setting in.

I maintained my composure and tried to focus on the events that occurred so far instead of panicking about the situation I find myself in right now.

The last thing I can recall is chilling in my allotted room and watching some Netflix with Sandra. Alejandro barged inside and looked a little upset. He signaled me to come outside without even acknowledging Sandra. He surely had something on his mind.

Carlos and Alejandro accompanied me to this dark room and tied my hands and feet. They told me to wait and it’s been almost an hour. Suddenly I heard the twisting of a lever making a gurgling sound as if it was coming from the depths of a gargantuan monster.

Two people walked in, I could make that out from the sound of the footsteps as my back was turned away from the door.
As expected it was Alejandro and Carlos. Carlos waited in the shadows and Alejandro took the lead.  He looked me straight in the eye and with rage in them roared “Who are you?, no more deception I want the truth. I know about your connection with Medellin cartel.”
I was shocked to hear this, I thought I had covered my tracks really well. My heart started beating like it was on steroids. 

“Why are they chasing you? Tell me what’s exactly going on.” Alejandro said, in his angry demeanor.

I internally breathed a sigh of relief, but maintained my calm demeanor externally. I became a little emotional and started narrating my “story”, with tears in my eyes for added effect. I was not faking it, the emotions were real, I was projecting my hurt and pain of over the years, caused by the loss my brother and mother.
“My parents were members of the Medellin cartel. My father was a high ranking member of the cartel. He got hold of some sensitive information that painted many of his associates in bad light. They conspired to throw shade over him in the eyes of the big boss, which led to his execution for being a loyal and devoted member. My mother was met with the same fate, she managed to send me to Mexico through her contacts and I grew up in the cathedral orphanage. The head nun was close to my mother and she told me everything when I was old enough. I took a vow that day, to destroy Medellin Cartel for burning my little world to the ground.”

Alejandro smiled and nodded his head, later saying “I believe your story”. Carlos interjected “well nice plot you got there, but tell us the truth now”.
“This is the truth!” I screamed.
“Liar!, enough with your tall tales”, Carlos roared back.

I repeated my statement and adamantly tried to stick to it, not budging even an inch. After going on like a broken record,
I remained silent and waited for his response. In these situations where your interrogator seems hell bent on breaking you and counter-questioning your facts it’s always best practice to repeat your statement and stick to it, whether it’s true or lies is beside the point.

Never let your interrogator smell even a little hint of doubt, confidence is the key. One little hint and a good interrogator will feast on you and make mince-meat of you.

My spies had also informed me about what type of a man Carlos was. He was as ruthless if not more as Alejandro. They were childhood buddies more like brothers. If he suspects anyone of harming or trying to trap Alejandro, even a little hint is enough to transform him into a beast for his brother-like friend. I needed to be really careful with him, push him the wrong way and I could end up ruining it all.

The room was cold and quiet for a bit. It was eerie, as if the silence was going to pierce my eardrums; there was a sense of tension in the air around us. Alejandro’s face was expressionless, the approving smiles were gone.
“Enough with your mind games please stop wasting each other’s time and tell the truth. I know you are up to no good!, you have connections with our enemies! Tell me your true intentions?, why the hell are you here?”Carlos roared.

“I am telling the truth believe me” i said
“ohh please! Stop this melo-drama and tell me the truth otherwise I would be compelled to use my “methods” to extract the truth”. He said.

“That’s enough”, Alejandro said. Before Carlos could take any further action, the door creaked again and I could hear the tap of stilettos on the concrete floor. It was Rosa.
“Alejandro, Carlos leave. I will deal with her.”

Her face is expressionless and she circles me a few times.
Then she proceeds to speak “Tell me your story”. I proceed to repeat whatever I had told Carlos. She nods without changing her expression.

“Before I probe you further on your connections. I want to ask you did you know about Alejandro’s connection to Sinaloa Cartel before this attack on you. If yes why did you lie to me?” she asked

“I knew he was Alejandro Martinez the eldest son of Rosa Martinez and leader of Sinaloa cartel. I hesitated revealing my knowledge to you initially because I did not want you to doubt me or think of me as a spy. I was really worried about endangering my life.” i replied

“Alright, I trust you. You saved my son’s life and even risked your own life last night as a repercussion of your kindness. Remember one ittle thing, if you ever try to dismantle my cartel or family, in any possible way I will leave no stone unturned to send you to hell. You can run and hide away in any part of the world; I will find you and put you to sleep once and for all!” She said and proceeded to walk away before untying my feet and hands.

I felt relieved that she did believe my story, but I had to be extra alert because even a   little slip-up could blow my cover with Rosa Martinez on high alert.