Bloodshed

Road to the Truth

So, after we failed to catch the man that would become possibly the most dangerous drug dealer that the world had ever known, we had the unfortunate task of going back to the precinct in order to inform our comrades that we were indeed, just to emphasise, absolute fuck ups. We were going to have to launch a formal investigation into this man and his deals which could take years in some cases. The journey back wasn't made any better with Joe's rant.

'God dammit I could have had him, if only I had been that little bit faster. It's my fault, I'll take the blame Antonio.' He said in a deflated sort of way as we pulled up next to the precinct.

'Does your ass ever become jealous of all the shit that comes out of your mouth Marone? As far as I'm concerned it's as much my fault as it is yours, hell I may even be more to blame than you. If you go down I'm going down with you. Now let's get in there and do this.'

We casually walked up to door, trying to pretend that nothing had happened. As you can probably imagine, that is just a bit difficult when you have no evidence, no suspect and guilty look on your face. I didn't fool anyone. It felt as if the entire eyes on the precinct were on us, and more specifically on me. Everyone in there knew we had been working on this case, and when we sauntered in there with jack shit, it only reinforced the fact that we had failed. However, we tried to keep our chins up, and we made our way to the back, to talk to the big boss, Primo. Now, around here he is number one, and everyone knows it. He makes sure that no one steps out of line and does their jobs. He is a good apple in a rotten bunch. A rotten bunch of corrupt cops. He tries to keep the precinct clean and I have all the respect in the world for that. The door opens.

'Ah, Antonio, Joseph, come in, come in. Now, let's get a good look at this evidence you got and we will get straight to work. Also bring the druggy in for questioning, then lock him up.'

We stared at him blankly, not really knowing what to tell him at this point. It was Joe who broke the deafening silence.

'We got nothing sir. He got away with his cash and drugs. He was prepared for us and had men where we were scouting. There was nothing we could have done without compromising the assignment and our dignity as police officers.' He said with complete regret and respect in his voice.

Primo's eyes glazed over suddenly, he was shocked. His bushy eyebrows turned down and his face went red. We thought he was going to blow, when a sudden calm look entered his face.

'Well boys, I have to say I'm disappointed, maybe even a bit angry. But you are two of the best cops in the damn precinct, and if you couldn't catch that son of a bitch, then fuck me, no one could. I am keeping you on this case and I have full confidence that you will achieve results. However, don't take my kindness for weakness don't let this happen again, or you won't be the best here anymore because you won't work here anymore. Do I make myself clear? If you are given a shot, a lead, or anything, I don't give two shits, you take it boys, understand?'

At this point I was absolutely speechless. We had been given a second chance, and I for one was not going to disappoint.

'Yes sir, of course sir. We will get straight back to work. Mark my words sir, we will not let you down. I said with a grateful tone.

Joe and I quickly made an exit. He stared at me in surprise.

'Can you believe it? I was sure he was going to rip our heads off before handing us the pink slip. Guess I was wrong.' He was half whispering because he didn't want anyone to hear that he admitted it.

'Guess you were. The great Joe Marone was wrong. Who would have thought it?' I replied with a sarcastic chuckle.

He gave me the eyes again and I knew to stop.

'So,' I said quickly trying to change the subject, 'what now? Where do we start?'

'Don't sweat it Antonio, my man, I already have that covered. I have a contact that we can meet. We are going right now.' He said with a surprising amount of confidence for someone that had just had their ass handed to them on a silver platter by a police commissioner.

'Okay, just as long as he's not dangerous or a druggy.' I said with a bit of concern in my voice.

'Don't worry Antonio, he's both.'