it all started with a Heist

Chapter 9

Different information about the painting has been floating in the black market, and every time we thought we had a lead, the painting turned out to be a fake or some forgery.
Okay, I have to admit that the criminals did a hell of a job in hiding their identities.
A few hours earlier, I received some information from a source in the black market, I was now on my way to a very dangerous area in New York, an area that even the NYPD and the FBI avoided being there except in emergencies. Most of the people in this area were very unlucky lost tourists or criminals, and it was the place where most of the sales in the black market happened.
I parked my SUV and got out of it, I started checking place after place. Most of them were bars and the people there weren't very happy with the presence of the FBI. I got some information from the places I got in, however, they weren't helpful at all. The last place I was visiting was a very dangerous territory that has a very unpleasant reputation. I sighed and decided to check it anyway, I was desperate for some useful information. In front of the building, stood two huge muscled men who I was sure were armed, and I was proved right as they immediately put their hands on the guns that were strapped to their waists when they saw me walking their way, ready to pull them out at any second. Did my look scream trouble that much?
My hands automatically reached for my gun's holster, but I decided it was a bad idea so I didn't get my gun out, I got out my FBI badge instead and flashed it at them.
"I'm a federal agent, you better take your hands off your guns. I'm not coming here for trouble." I said as calm as I could.
They both shared a look before taking their hands off the guns. "What do you want?" One of them asked, harshly, I guess they had no problem with pissing the FBI.
"I need to talk to your boss and ask some questions," I told them as I put my badge back in my pocket.
"Wait till I make a call," One of them said, getting his phone out, he started talking with someone, the other just stood there staring at me.
The one who was talking on the phone came back shortly and nodded to the other guy who opened the door for me with a snort, I gave him a bitter smile before stepping in, they closed the door behind me.
I felt uncomfortable as I walked through the people there, most of them were drinking and the others were playing poker or discussing illegal business. They all gave me hatred glares as I walked past them.
I asked the bartender about the boss and he pointed to a table where a man was sitting.
"Agent Nivans, FBI," I said, flashing my badge at him.
"To what do we owe the honor, agent Nivans?" The man asked as he took a sip from his cocktail, showing me that I wasn't welcomed here.
"I just need to ask a few questions," I started to say as I took a seat in front of him. "About the Corridor in the Asylum painting."
He looked at me interestingly before saying, "Oh, that one had been causing a lot of trouble lately."
"Do you know anything about the seller or the buyer?" I asked him with a poker face.
"I don't know the seller," The man answered, calmly.
"What about the buyer?" I asked, suspiciously.
"Don't know about that either," The man smirked mischievously, and I knew for sure that something was wrong.
"May I know your name, sir?" I asked, looking at him in the eye.
"Do you have a warrant?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No." I answerwd, still maintaining eye contact with him.
"Then, you may not," The man said, harshly. "And, your time here is over. Please leave without causing any trouble." The man threatened me. Then, he waved at one of his men who came and stood mext to me, crossing his arms on his chest, wanting to radiate a fearful vibe.
I wanted to take my gun out and start arresting all of them, but that wasn't going to be a very smart move in a place full of armed criminals, and I would probably end up dead. Yeah, I shouldn't have came here alone after all.
I gave the man in front of me a bitter smile before standing up, then I made my way towards the bar's exit. Next, I went to my car and drove away.
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After that, I went to the bureau and rushed to the office, I asked some agents to find me information about that man.
"I want his name, as soon as possible," I said, firmly.
"What happened, Piers?" Luke asked, looking confused.
"I went to ask for some information about the case and I met a very suspicious man there," I answered.
"Where did you go?" Luke asked.
I swallowed hard, "That building." I answered him and he knew for sure what I meant. He wouldn't be happy with me as there were strict orders not to go there alone because of how dangerous that place was, a lot of agents and cops lost their lives there.
"You went there alone, without any backup?" Luke yelled at me, delivering the whole office's attention towards us. He sighed before saying, "You are such an idiot, you should be thankful to be alive, right now."
"I am," I spoke up, calmly. "Now, I want to know that man's name."
Luke sighed and left me alone, informing me that I was a stubborn, hopeless case. I went to my office after that and rested my head on my chair. I needed to know more information about that man, he obviously knew something.
"Nivans," Luke said as he entered my office a while later. He was using last names, that wasn't good.
"They got his name," Luke said, unpleasantly.
"And?" I asked him, impatiently.
"His name is Alexander Hunter," Luke said and my eyes widened, this man was infamously renowned in the black market, although nobody was able to tie any charges to him, he was absolutely dangerous and capable.
I took the new information and didn't say anything, already lost in thought. I have to know more information about that man, he seemed to know a lot, and he might know the buyer or actually be the buyer himself. I have to know more. No, I needed to know more.