Jaws of Death

Chapter 2

Wednesday

19:22 PM

James Wesley sat in the wooden bench, cleaning his glasses with a thin napkin. He was in the Guest waiting room of Queensboro Correctional Facility. The room was entirely deserted except for him. The prison rarely allowed guests around this hour on a weekday. Visitor hours were over an hour back. But, he was allowed. James Wesley was an important man with powerful connections.

To put it better, he worked under a man with powerful connections. A man who considered James as a close friend and confidante.

Yet, given the circumstances, he didn't feel important or powerful anymore. Ever since his boss was arrested two weeks ago, an enormous weight fell upon his shoulders. Being next in command, he had to shoulder the responsibility of carrying out every operation in the name of his boss. It was at that moment that he realized, more than before, that his boss ran an empire. An empire whose reach extended beyond imagination into every inch of New York City. Television channels, Newspapers, Law enforcement agencies and even the New York Police Department. He had to hold all that influence under control, and satisfy the needs of customers, henchmen and crime-lords.

Additionally, he had to try to push 'Donovan and Partners' law firm to get his boss out of this as soon as it was possible!

Well, Donovan better hurry before he gets impatient. James exhaled as he looked around the room absently. It was still deserted. The cop hadn't returned yet. The prison cops had their procedures and protocols to follow. From first-hand experience, he knew they can be taxing and time consuming.

Yet, time was so important to Wesley. Now, more than ever!

Handling a criminal empire in New York is like building a sand castle in a beach with powerful waves. The waves are always looking to demolish the castle and erode the sand. When one wave strikes, it is upon you to stabilize the ruin with calculated quickness before the second one arrives. It goes on, never ending. One lackadaisical attempt on your part will send everything into a disarray from which, you can never recover. The arrest of his boss had destabilized the empire and he had to stabilize it before lasting damage occurs.

That damned photographer!

The Daily Bugle's photojournalist had managed to uncover evidence of his Boss's involvement in a series of kidnappings that had led him to the arrest. The trial was due in three days. It fell upon James Wesley to amputate this loose end and tie it up in favour of his boss. He had done just that. Turning the case around, he had managed to falsify evidence to frame the photojournalist in the same case. It had been hard work and it involved a lot of bribery and sleepless nights. But it had worked. The boy was being arrested and brought to this very facility right now.

What was his name, again? James racked his brains. And then with a flash of smile, he remembered.

Peter Parker!

The door on the other end of the waiting room opened and a cop entered. An African American with a thick bush of beard. He called out to James. "Mr.Wesley!"

James looked up.

"He's ready to see you. But don't take too long!"

James nodded and walked towards the cop. "The boy?"

The cop bent his head a little and whispered. "He'll be brought in once we finish the paperwork."

He slid his identification in front of thescanner and the door slid open as James adjusted his tie. No more time forcasual retrospection. He had business to attend to.