Hard Case VI: The Killer Inside (John Harding Book 6) (32 page)

“Now Gorgo,” Lynn began with dulcet tones. “You and I, and all my friends know you had much to do with trying to make Alexi’s ship The Roma into a targeted missile. If you didn’t, and you just had a part in it, maybe we can be a little merciful. No matter what, you’re going to answer for the part you played in trying to blow China Basin, along with God knows how many people to kingdom come. First though, I want to know why. In what realm of dipshit gangster world does blowing up Northern California seem like a good idea?”

Silence. Gorgo knew he was in trouble though. He didn’t bother playing any of our favorite cards demanding things he knew already he was never going to get. I could tell though Crue’s last sarcastic question hit the mark. Only in Bizarro World would drug dealing cartels bring nuclear firestorms down on their customers, along with their networks. Crue shrugged and turned to Clint.

“Maybe you better head for home, cowboy. I’m thinking of pulling in some overtime on this case. My curiosity is just too much for me. I have to know. I can see the Islamist nut-cakes destroying even tens of thousands of their own people here. They’re a death cult, but a drug cartel? C’mon Gorgo, give me something. You got punked, right? One of the hookah pipe, prayer rug blaspheming, bearded imbeciles told you they wanted something else with the container ship, huh?”

Gorgo looked up after a moment. “It was supposed to be an EMP weapon which would put the entire Bay Area in the dark, creating an atmosphere we could thrive in.”

“They told you the truth, genius,” I told him. “An atomic bomb is a great EMP device, idiot! I get it. You thought they created a magic bullet EMP device large enough to take out the Bay Area, but leave all your homies alone to work the populace. Never mind. Let’s talk about who led you on in this dirty business. I bet it’s not a guy living on Brookdale Avenue or China Basin.

“Hassan Morsi,” Gorgo answered. “I have been stupid in dealing with these scum with their money. I saw in the video this woman can make me tell you anything and everything. My men are ignorant of details. I do not wish them tortured. I can tell you where to find Morsi. You were right. He contacted me today when nothing happened at China Basin. Morsi told me about covering his bets by scheduling a match meeting with the Oaktown Cartel through the 98 Crew. Nuestra was steering clear of your people. We saw Oaktown dealt with only the ‘bangers invading people real estate. I think Morsi set me up tonight. He must know more about your people than we do, and wanted to find out if he was in any danger after the China Basin plan failed.”

“Has Nuestra figured out who Morsi fronts for?”

Gorgo nodded. “He has people with him from both the Muslim Brotherhood and an Isis spin off from Syria. Until a few days ago, their pipeline from South America through Mexico and into tunnels sprouting under the San Diego area developed so well Nuestra and other Cartels took notice. The Tijuana Cartel took-”

Gorgo stopped for a moment. “Of course… it was your people who closed off the tunnels. They were hit so hard we assumed a new player in the area wanted to assert control of the Tijuana Cartel. Morsi told us the pipeline would be reactivated using Nuestra people at a huge profit if we could orchestrate a diversion using Fiialkov’s container ship as a weapon. I didn’t know it was an atomic bomb. All of us have family in and around China Basin.”

I began getting ideas. “You mentioned knowing where Morsi was. I know he must have figured to be a long way distant when that bomb went off. Is he flying in and out of the area or what?”

Gorgo grinned. I think he must have sensed the gears spinning in my head. “Yes. I will set him up for you. He didn’t fly anywhere. Morsi went to sea explaining he wanted to be out of the EMP blast area. Then after China Basin was hit he would anchor outside of the Sausalito area with the container ship ‘SS Sao Paulo’ he sailed from Cartagena. When it was safe he told us weapons and supplies would be unloaded for Nuestra people only. He will be expecting a report on my meeting with the Oaktown Cartel. Do you have anything I could use as bait? It would have to be big because he rarely leaves the ship.”

I thought I had just the thing. I would need Denny in on this, because even I didn’t know where the hell the atomic bomb tugboat was. “What if you were to tell him you had the tugboat in a safe harbor? We have the tugboat and the crew. No word has been leaked, which I expect is the main reason he put you onto fronting us tonight. When he asks you about the circumstances tell him you have a new deal to present, and you want guarantees because you’ve seen what was on board.”

“That would work. If he has had no contact with the crew, I am sure with a cargo like that, he will want to know. I can tell him Nuestra hijacked his ship because it was rumored it held a weapon of mass destruction. He has no way to prove one way or the other if it is true. If you can provide me with photos of the boat, I can use those too. I will do anything you say to do, and I will lure Morsi into the trap. Do you have plans as to what you want to do afterward? I know you took the cargo boat. If you wish to attack the ‘Sao Paulo’ I am certain you could find it.”

“I have a better idea. First though, I want to clear the air.” There was no use in going forward with this if Gorgo didn’t understand the rules. “I don’t hear you trying to make deals. That is significant.”

Gorgo looked around at my Monsters, and finally at Lynn’s smiling face. “I know there are no deals here. I will do what I say without hesitation. The rest I can do nothing about.”

“Very well. Here’s my plan. Once you lure Morsi to us, my cohort Lynn will convince him to take us back on board the Sao Paulo, and put the ship into our hands.”

“I believe you,” Gorgo said simply.

* * *

The minions put our guests into holding at Pain Central while Jafar initiated an immediate conference call with Denny and Laredo who had flown Denny to DC. I had sent everyone else home. Tomorrow looked like another episode of our own personal ‘24’ episode. I explained the situation, and outlined my plan to Denny.

“I’ll have the tug put wherever you want it, John. That’s a hell of an idea. I’m getting heat back here and no help. Yours is the first break we’ve had. The crew knew nothing. We’ve run into a brick wall of sorts about material traces. Everything threads back into Russian nuclear stockpiles. We expected that, but what we need is how they were sold and to whom. One thing the Russians do not want is an atomic bomb detonation on US soil from one of their black-marketed nuclear stockpiles. I believe they will deal with their problem, but we’ll need the proof to lay it out for them.”

“If we can get our hands on Morsi, Lynn will have him ready to surrender the keys to the kingdom in hours. The new needle work she’s been perfecting is incredible.”

“Great. I’ll call Alexi, and see if he can port the tugboat for us. Palente can take Morsi straight to it or meet in an agreed upon location elsewhere. I’ll have a hollow casing put on board, but of course the actual bomb has already been disassembled.”

“Don’t bother. I know you have pictures of it in the hold of the ship. Send those. Between us having the tug, and pictures of the bomb in the hold, Gorgo will be able to suck Morsi into the trap. I sent everyone else home to get some sleep. Silvio has the duty tonight, so if you think of anything in the way of details you need filled in, call him. We’ll have Gorgo contact Morsi first thing in the morning. Send me the location of the tug once it’s in position. It’s just a precaution in case Morsi requests an on-site look at it.”

“Do you have anyone picked out for being close to Palente through this meeting?”

“I think Clint, Lynn, and Jafar close at hand because they’re less known. I’ll have Dev and Jess driving, with the rest of us backing their play. We’ll be in position. The tricky part will be getting Morsi to meet with Gorgo. I’m not certain how that conversation will go. If Gorgo can’t convince Morsi to meet, we’ll have to hit his ship.”

“Agreed. I’ll get this all in the works, and text you the moment the tug is in position.”

“Okay, Den.” I disconnected. The minions joined me while I was staring off into nowhere. I would have to curtail my Bud and Beam brother celebrations for the immediate future. I grinned though, considering I might get a day off from the Bay.

The minions sat down opposite me.

“He’s thinking Crue won’t demand he go into the Bay tomorrow because of the Morsi gig,” Quays observed.

“Get out of my head, Quays.”

“You know she’ll put you in the Bay even if you do a full out assault on Morsi’s ship, right John?”

“You could let me dream there’s a possibility of not going into the Bay, Gus… you prick.”

“Come on. We’ll give you a ride home. Quays hasn’t had anything to drink. As minions, it is our duty to keep reality close at hand for you, John. False hopes of Bay days off will only result in disappointment.”

“We admit there is a slight chance though,” Silvio said. “If the Mistress of the Unimaginable participates in the mission, and gathers new toys, there may not be time for a launch of the Great Banana.”

“I need to anticipate another great day in the Bay and quit whining. I’ll just have to dunk her again.”

The three immediately turned their chairs around and shunned me.

* * *

Lora glanced at me from the viewing room couch in surprise. She sat next to Al while watching one of those surprisingly awful cartoon movies they make nowadays. “You’re home early, Dark Lord. Something awful has happened. What have you done now, DL?”

Al piled on, twisting around to give me the shaming gesture. “Yes, young man. You were supposed to be somewhere having harmless fun.”

“Oh, you two are hilarious. I’ll have you know I didn’t get into trouble at all. Trouble found me. He brought along his buddies, Snidely Whiplash, and Secret Squirrel. They mugged me and left me for dead, but here I am, back home with you two, only to be chastised for my dangerous journey.”

“Wow, guilty and silly,” Lora stated with Al giggling at my use of Secret Squirrel probably. “Do we want to know what incredible adventures lie ahead of you tomorrow, Jack Bauer junior?”

“Why would you bring up the name of that cub-scout Bauer? Haven’t you heard? Jack goes to bed wearing John Harding pajamas.”

Lora enjoyed the pajama remark, probably picturing Jack Bauer instead of me, the minx.

“Want us to put in a dinosaur ripper movie for you, Dad?”

“No thanks. I don’t want to have nightmares involving mouths with nine inch teeth. What’s this one you’re watching?”

“A Mouse Tale.”

“A tale as in story, or a tail meaning I have to watch a mouse’s butt for an hour?”

Giggle. “It’s a story.”

“Okay, I’m in then.”

* * *

I finished an early morning treat involving lecherous behavior with a sleepy but willing wife, and then arose to make coffee at 5:30 am. Compared to yesterday, last night had been like going to Disneyland or Erotic World. It’s rather skillful the actions one must initiate to rid wives of cartoon mice thoughts. Then there came a gentle knock at the door. I had thrown on my jeans and t-shirt so I peaked at the security camera. It was Clint and Lynn with sleeping baby. I opened the door.

“Good morning. What brings you three to my doorstep at this odd hour?”

“I knew you’d be fooling around with La Lora before Al woke, Cheese,” Lynn said. “Get your damn shoes on. We have to get you into the Bay before we attack the Western Hemisphere.”

Damn it! “What the hell, Clint? I thought we were brothers, and then you do this… land ‘The Wake of the Red Witch’ at my door.”

Clint chuckled at my accusations. “I had to pay the piper for my own romantic awakenings, brother. Best put your shoes on. I see a storm on the horizon. Let’s attack this day before it gets knife in hand.”

“Come in and have a coffee.” I turned and trudged toward the kitchen.

“Stick it in a thermos, Cheeseburger. I smell blood in the water.”

“Did you already get Tommy up or is this going to be a solo mission of pain?”

“Glad you asked while you’re putting on your shoes. Yes, White Sands will be there with Jess. They want to fish and be on hand to pluck your lifeless body from the cold waters of the Bay after I finish with you.”

I turned and glanced upwards with a grin while tying my tennis shoe. “Hold on to the pole, Sissy, and you’ll be taking your usual plunge.”

The furrowed brow appeared accompanied by Clint’s muffled appreciation. “I’m starting to think you need some needle therapy before practice, Cheese. It’ll warm you for the big show.”

I decided I was all in. Clint wouldn’t let her kill me. “What show? Oh you mean the gazelle flight off the railing, somersault into the waves fully clothed, and the sputtering curses shooting into the air mixed with salt water?”

“Oh Cheese… this voyage will be epic. Go hug and kiss your loved ones as if it’s your last morning on earth and get your burger butt down here ready to go.”

I shrugged while heading for the stairs. “Fine. I hope I can get more of a workout than when you had guts enough to hold onto the pole.” I sighed. “Fun times.”

I didn’t turn as I knew the commotion behind me involved Cruella Deville trying to shove her baby son into his Dad’s arms while getting her knife ready to cut the Cheeseburger. I heard brother Clint soothe the full scale storm thundering inside my kitchen. Ah… my work here is done. Now to go upstairs and let Lora know she may need to come get the Cheese with a spatula later.