Bloodshed

Hint of the Truth

We pulled up outside the apartment building and stepped out of the car. This was the bad side of town. Hell, what am I saying, every side was the bad side. But this, this was different. This was the kind of place where you don't go out at night, unless you want to be fucked up by some druggy with a rusty knife. We walked up to the door. Joe pressed the button and waited for a reply.

'WHAT?' The words belted from the speaker like a foghorn. I wasn't expecting it and I was caught off guard a little by it.

'It's me. Joe.' He said seemingly unphased.

'Joe who?' The voice asked.

'You know who I am, Sanchez, now stop fucking around, this is serious.' Joe said, with a frustrated tone.

'Suppose you had better come in then.' Replied the mysterious voice named Sanchez.

The door buzzed and then opened. We trudged up the first set of stairs.

'You going to tell me who this mystery mother fucker of yours is?' I said.

'Calm down. Oh yeah...don't use that tone around Sanchez, he's big on respect. If you piss him off, he'll pull out his gun and shoot you square between the eyes. We want info from him, so just play it cool compadre, let me do the talking.'

By this time we had made it up all 3 flights of stairs and Joe knocked on the door. It took a minute, but eventually we heard the sound of the chain being taken down and the door opened. Inside was a fat man, I'd say in his mid forties. He was quite unkept, with worn down clothes which were covered in stains. Joe was the first to speak, as always.

'Antonio, this is Sanchez. Sanchez, Antonio.' It was a bland introduction, but an introduction nonetheless.

'Let's skip the frankly crappy introductions and get down to business.' Said an unamused Sanchez. 'You boys want some coffee?'

'I'll take some.' Joe said. But I was less enthused.

'I'm okay sir,' I said, remembering the respect thing.

He went into the he kitchen as we sat in silence, he then returned around 5 minutes later (which seemed like 5 hours), with his and Joe's coffee. He sat down.

'We need some intel on Martin Mendilevi.' Joe said.

'Ah this new blood. This Mendilevi character. I've heard a lot about this kid. He's doing some big things at the moment.' Said Sanchez, almost impressed.

'Can you cut to the chase please?' Joe asked.

Sanchez stopped sipping on his coffee and a serious look came to his face.

'I would seriously consider getting off this case if I were you. There is A LOT of fucked up things involving this case, fucked up things that would give you nightmares for the rest of your god damn lives. I've seen it all and I'd give anything to unsee it. So just leave get off this while you still can. Get off this while you aren't buried too deep in the shit. Because mark my words, when you cross that line, there is no going back. I've crossed that line too many times, part of the reason I got out of this business.'

'I'm sure we can handle it Sanchez. We are two of the best cops in our precinct. We are prepared for anything. Now can we have our intel? If you have any that is. We will pay you.'

Sanchez chuckled.

'You may think that now. But trusted when I say, you haven't even scratched the surface. Don't dismiss what I say so easily. But yeah okay.... I'll give you your intel. I know he has people working for him in an office building down town. You might find something there.'

Joe took out a notebook and paper.

'Address?' He asked.

'23 Charlton Avenue.' He replied.

'Cheers Sanchez, reliable as always. Just a shame we can't skip all the creepy shit.' Joe said.

'But that's life isn't it. You can't skip the creepy shit.' He replied.

We got up to leave. Joe handed Sanchez some bills. We walked through the door and we're halfway downstairs, when I couldn't find my keys.

'Joe, I can't find my keys, I'm going to go look for them. I'll meet you in the car.'

'Sure,' he replied 'just be quick.'

I hurried back up the stairs and through Sanchez's door.

'Sorry, I forgot my keys, can I look?'

'Be my guest.' He replied, as if nothing of interest was going on.

I searched where I was sitting and soon found them. I turned to leave, but Sanchez grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

'I'm going to tell you the truth and you may not like it. You can't trust Joe, I know him better than anyone. He will sell you out in a heartbeat to save his own ass. Go back to your wife, son, go back to your kids and leave this case alone. Because mark my words, when you see your own children tortured and killed because of your involvement, you will wish you were dead as well.'

I quickly withdrew my wrist, shocked. I ran out the door and down the stairs, wishing that I had never gone back.