The Scorpion's Tale (33 page)

“What do you want now, moron?”

All of Renaldo’s men turned.

The Scorpion smiled apologetically as he
addressed Renaldo. “My apologies. There was another box of
shirts.”

Before Renaldo could say anything, the
Scorpion tossed the box high into the air, causing everyone’s
attention to focus on the airborne package. The Scorpion removed
the Glock from his waistband with his left hand and fired both guns
simultaneously. The first bullet went directly through Renaldo’s
forehead. Within seconds all nine men were sprawled on the floor,
dead or dying. Each man received an insurance bullet after the
Scorpion reloaded. He then locked the front door and searched each
room, making sure there were no witnesses. After checking the first
floor, he went upstairs, where he found a locked room. He shot the
lock off and the door opened. It was dark, since the windows had
been sealed with plywood. He flicked on the light and saw a man
strapped and tied to a board nailed to one of the walls. He had
been brutally tortured and crucified; his face was barely
recognizable.

Assignment completed. He had rid the world of
some of its worst vermin. The Scorpion retrieved the two
boxes
–
the only items he had touched. He closed the door to
the house with a cloth, hopped into his truck, and drove to a
pre-designated place, where he torched the truck along with the
boxes and the DHL uniform. He left wearing running shorts and a tee
shirt, looking inconspicuous as he jogged to another apartment. As
expected, an elegant new outfit awaited him in a suit bag hanging
in the closet. He showered, dyed his hair black, added a
pencil-thin moustache, and darkened his eyebrows. He left ready to
patronize the prestigious Copacabana Palace Hotel.

Marco, who was seated at a round table with
Charlie P, stood to greet Detective Johnston.

“Hello detective,” Marco said, extending his
hand in a friendly gesture. “This is Charlie P.”

“Hello Charlie. What did you want to discuss
with me?” the detective asked.

Charlie looked at Marco, who nodded. “Go
ahead Charlie. For now, assume he’s one of us.”

Detective Johnston nodded deferentially
toward Marco. “Thank you for your vote of confidence.”

“Just earn it, detective.”

Charlie cleared his throat. “I don’t know how
much you already know. Chime in whenever you’d like.” Charlie told
him about the meetings in Chicago with Steven and the Scorpion.
“Steven is tracking this killer alone, and the only help he’s
getting is from washed-up old geezers like me, sending him on a
wild goose chase. All the while, the Scorpion is toying with him,
following from a distance. Steven has stroked the Scorpion’s
distorted ego; he’s flattered that someone is hunting
him
for a change. We need to intervene and even the odds. Otherwise,
Steven is dead.”

Detective Johnston whistled. “Let’s assume I
believe Steven is innocent and is chasing this psycho. Where does
that leave me?”

“It leaves you free to concentrate on finding
Steven and helping him find the Scorpion,” Charlie replied.

“What else can you tell me?”

“I sent Steven to Las Vegas to meet a man
named Billy Veeksburn.”

“I know,” the detective replied. “Billy was
killed after that meeting.”

Charlie looked pale. “Billy’s dead?” He
looked incredulously at Marco and then at Detective Johnston. “I
can’t believe it!”

“Believe it!” the detective replied. “I also
met with his partner, Harry Chesney, who confirmed everything that
happened. Harry was the Scorpion’s source. He told the Scorpion the
time and location of the meeting, and set up his partner.”

“So, do you believe my brother-in-law also
killed this Billy?” Marco asked.

“No. I know that Steven didn’t murder
anyone,” the detective answered.

Charlie took a deep breath. “I never would
have pegged Harry for a rat. Anyway, I have absolutely no idea
where Steven went after Billy.”

“He went to Roatan to visit a man named Pablo
Munoz.”

“Pablo?” Charlie exclaimed.

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“Of course! Everyone in my business knows
Pablo.” Charlie scratched his head. “I believe it may be worth a
call to Pablo.”

“Hold on,” Detective Johnston said. “Let’s
just assume Munoz can lead us to Steven. What exactly is your
plan?”

“I don’t have a plan,” Charlie answered.

“What difference will it make if one or all
of us reach Steven?” the detective asked. “We’ll just be more
targets for the Scorpion.”

“If we can get to Steven first, perhaps we
can turn the tables on the Scorpion,” Charlie said. “Perhaps we can
work together to set a trap for him.”

Detective Johnston frowned. “I’m sorry. I
don’t mean to insult you, but do you really believe we can trap a
professional assassin and master of disguise? This isn’t a
movie.”

“The Scorpion confessed to me that he
actually regrets killing Steven’s family,” Charlie added. “He wants
to meet Steven to explain himself. I believe that is the sole
reason why he hasn’t killed him. In his warped mind he needs
absolution from Steven before killing him.”

“Are you serious?” Detective Johnston
asked.

“Dead serious,” Charlie replied. “When a man
is pointing a gun and confessing his sins, I take every word as
gospel! The Scorpion is having nightmares about Steven’s wife and
daughter. He needs to be forgiven. That’s not his way. He’s usually
extraordinarily meticulous and methodical. His recklessness has
caused an inner conflict that he cannot handle.”

The men contemplated Charlie’s words until
the waiter approached and they ordered three Heinekens and a large
pepperoni pizza.

“No guarantees,” Detective Johnston said.
“I’m going to be hard pressed to sell any of this to my superiors,
but it’s worth a call to Munoz. It would also help to know whether
Steven is still alive. Make the call.”

-------------------

Charlie returned ten minutes later. “I had an
interesting discussion with Pablo. In a nutshell, he met Steven and
sent him to St. Thomas to visit Joaquin Ordonez.”

“Who’s he?” Marco asked, as he nibbled on a
piece of crust.

“Joaquin is a former assassin who became a
highly respected elder statesman in our dark world. Pablo told me
that Joaquin was once close with the Scorpion.”

“That’s all he told you?” Marco asked. “So
Steven goes to Central America to find some crackpot who sends him
to some old man in the Virgin Islands? Are these guys lunatics or
are they simply having fun at my brother-in-law’s expense?”

Charlie shrugged as he took a huge bite out
of his slice.

“It’s not as crazy as it seems,” the
detective said. “Bit by bit, Steven is getting into this killer’s
inner circle. He started with Charlie, who was a business
acquaintance, and now he’s meeting someone much closer. Steven is
being educated and is amassing a dossier of information on the
elusive Scorpion that no one has ever collected. I like it!”

Marco shook his head. “This is insane!”

Detective Johnston ignored his comment.
“Charlie, did Munoz give you any specific information?”

“Yes. He gave me Joaquin’s phone number.
Pablo wanted to help, but could not leave Roatan.”

“Have you ever met Ordonez?” Marco asked.

“Many times, but I haven’t seen him in years.
I had no idea he was living in St. Thomas. I thought he was long
dead. Pablo informed me that Joaquin’s location is a secret he’s
guarded for many years.”

“Call him now, Charlie,” Detective Johnston
commanded.

-------------------

Charlie returned a few minutes later.

“Where’s Steven now?” Marco asked.

“He’s on his way to Quito, Ecuador, and then
he’s traveling into the mountains to find a priest named Pierre
Mateuse,” Charlie answered. “Father Mateuse was an assassin who
turned to God. He was the Scorpion’s best friend. Joaquin believes
that Pierre Mateuse knows where to find the Scorpion.”

“So what does this mean for us?” Detective
Johnston asked.

“Joaquin is coming to Miami. He says he has
valuable information and that we must go to Ecuador with him,”
Charlie replied.

“I can’t go,” Marco said. “I’ve got to be
here for the family. My father is gravely ill.”

Charlie nodded. “I understand. What about
you, Detective Johnston? Are you coming with me to Ecuador?”

Detective Johnston rolled his eyes. “My chief
will never go for it. However, he did suggest I take some personal
time. I could do this on my own time, but I have to think about it.
When would you be going?”

“I plan to fly to Miami this evening to meet
Joaquin. He said we could catch an early morning flight to
Quito.”

“I’ll pay all your expenses if money is an
issue, Detective,” Marco offered.

“That’s honestly the only way I could go. Let
me make a few calls and see if this might work.”

“I’m calling Joaquin now,” Charlie said. “I’m
going to make my flight reservation to Miami.”

“Make your arrangements,” the detective said.
“If I can join you, I will. Give me your cell phone numbers.”

“We’d better get going to catch that flight,”
Marco said, standing and motioning to Charlie. Marco pulled out a
fifty-dollar bill and handed it to the detective. “This is for
dinner. Our waitress can keep the change. Good luck.”

-------------------

Detective Johnston entered his darkened house
and walked into a living room that was illuminated only by the
television. He walked over to the fireplace and retrieved a
beautifully framed photograph of his wife.

“Ruth
–
you know this case haunts me. I
must travel to Ecuador to help the man I told you about. He’s alone
and in danger. I can’t walk away. I know you’d want me to help
him.”

He gently caressed the picture, kissed the
image and said, “I love you.” A tear trickled down his face as he
replaced his dead wife’s picture on the mantle. He turned off the
television that he’d left on continuously for many months, then
went upstairs and packed his bag.

Braulio drove around the back of the targeted
house and parked down the block. The signal from the tracking
device hadn’t moved. The plan was simple: storm the house, kill
everyone inside, and flee. All three men were armed with machine
guns as they cautiously approached the house. Pete and Braulio
sought cover behind shrubbery while Louie peered into several
windows. Louie couldn’t see anything until he reached the front
windows, obscured by the same trees that gave him protective cover.
He looked inside and saw bodies sprawled all over the floor. He
tried to collect his thoughts, wondering if he was hallucinating.
He took a longer second look and saw several bodies on the floor.
Louie returned to Pete and Braulio.

“Let’s get out of here fast!” Louie
whispered. “Someone beat us to it. They’re all dead. It looks like
a war zone in there!”

“Let’s fly,” Pete said. “We need to call Nick
immediately.”

-------------------

Nick was smiling contently with Giovanna
curled up next to him when his phone rang.

“Please tell me justice is done,” Giovanna
stated.

Nick retrieved the phone and walked into the
living room. “How did it go, Pete?”

“Someone beat us to it. They were all
dead.”

“Okay. Dump the car and get back here. We’re
leaving Rio.” He hung up and came back into the bedroom. “Gia,
start packing. Justice is done.”

“What’s wrong? You’re not smiling. This is
what we’ve both waited for.”

“Nothing is wrong. Just do as I say. I want
to be out of here in thirty minutes.”

Nick’s phone rang again. This time it was
Steven Capresi. Nick moved back into the living room to take the
call. “Steven, where the hell are you?” Nick asked, urgency in his
voice.

“The question is–where are you?”

“I’m trying to make arrangements to get back
to New York tonight.”

“That’s what he’s expecting you to do. You
need to be on the next plane to Quito.”

“Quito?”

“Yes. That’s where I am now, and that’s where
you need to be.”

“Why do I need to be in Quito?”

“Because together, you and I are going to
find him.”

“How can you be so confident?”

“You’ll have to trust my instincts.”

“Alberto expects me home.”

“Then you can go home in a body bag! The only
way you’re staying alive is if we find him before he finds us. If
he’s coming to Rio, you’ve got an opportunity to outsmart him and
come here. At least we can buy some time.”

“Do you still trust me after I lied to
you?”

Steven forced a laugh. “I’ve never trusted
you.”

“Well, at least I know you’re not
bullshitting me.” Nick thought about the massacred Brazilians. It
could only be the handiwork of the Scorpion. But who hired him to
kill both the Brazilian’s and him? It would only be a matter of
time until the Scorpion completed his contract. “I need to bring my
men.”

“Leave your men in Rio or send them back to
New York. You need to move fast. Come alone and travel light.”

Nick hesitated. “Then at least let me bring
my girl. I can’t leave her alone. My men aren’t here.”

Steven remained silent.

“She won’t be any trouble.”

“Of course she’ll be trouble! But she’ll be
your problem, not mine. If you want to bring her, I really don’t
give a damn.”

“Where will I find you?”

“Get on the next flight. Call me when you
land. I’ll give you specific instructions on how to find me.”

“Are you leaving Quito?”

“That doesn’t concern you. If I don’t hear
from you, I’ll assume you’ve either returned to New York or you’re
dead.”