"Agent Markham, please start the presentation." Mr Nobody says to the guy who put three holes in Sky.
'Should have let him hit the pavement…' I think idly at the fact that I have to redo an entire paint job now after doing the metal work.
Markham nods to Mr Nobody and takes in a deep breath before letting out a calming exhale, "Carter Verone.
Born in Argentina. But he's lived
most of his life in Miami. Now he owns the biggest import/ export business in the state…his biggest import is illegal narcotics, though he has been getting into firearms as well.
Unfortunately for Verone even though he and the cartels have been successful getting drugs into Miami they've had a hard time gettin' the cash out." Markham takes a breath before continuing as Tess and I grab a seat, and it is totally by coincidence that she takes the seat right next to the one that I do…I'm sure.
'Hmm…I hope Sophia is staying under the radar…'
We've been surveilling him for a year, but we've never been able... to put him and the money together. We've swept his house, his warehouses...nothing…then there's this woman Sophia, no last name available own a high end fashion clothing brand that she used to move weapons and drugs…she's also famous for rescuing women and children that have been sold into the sex trade, ninety percent of her forces are made up of rescued/battered women." Markham says and I do my best not to show an outwards reaction, but it's difficult.
"She is not a target of interest; currently it seems the CIA is using her to help stem the tide of illegal weapons and drugs flooding into the country." Markham continues and then Bilkins clears his throat and puts on a I have a bigger dick than you air.
"Customs here has done a great job of getting us this far….I'm just here to help get them over the top.
I was able to get an agent in undercover...working travel
and logistics for him. Recently, Verone put her in charge of finding some new drivers."
"Is this that hot Latina who's been watching me like a hawk these past few weeks?"
"Yes…" Bilkins says and trails off.
"How do we know she's not dirty?" I point out questioningly.
"Right. Although we can't confirm her status right now." Bilkins hums me and I can feel Mr Nobody and Tess looking at me.
"You think she 's flipped?" Mr Nobody asks me.
"Hey, she's one of mine…she's all right."
"Look man she's been in with Verone nearly a year…lives with him at the compound…most likely sleeps with him."
"Look, it was the F.B.I.'s idea to bring you in here. I'm against it. But we need some good drivers...
that can put this asshole and his money together. You' re gonna roll
with Agent Dunn here."
"And if I don't?" I ask from what Bilkins says my only crimes have been street racing and resisting arrest, by driving away from the Customs Agents.
"Well, here's a list of the laws you broke in L.A. Obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting."
"Hold up Bilkins says I'm not wanted for even questioning anymore…"
"You aren't…Mia Toretto and Leticia Ortiz are…" Mr Nobody says and I turn to glare at him. He looks me in my eyes for half a second before something floods them and he looks away, I feel Tess pressing her knee against my legs and it feels strangely relaxing.
"I'm sure you know their rap sheets…it might have been in self defense, the shootings in the desert, but they fled the scene of a crime and there is video footage of two women that look remarkably similar to them getting into a big rig that disappeared with over 1.5 million retail in merchandise inside of it." At Bilkins input I shut my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose between my index finger and thumb.
'Darn it girls…and you both were so happy about pulling off a heist on your own…it'd crush you both to know they've got something on you both.'
"Now, we can make this all go away in the interest of justice, if you're willing to play ball." Bilkins says and I get up and start walking around and then head over to a table that has an assortment of food laid out in it.
"Yeah…so what's the idea here?" I ask and pick up a plastic cup from a Pizzeria that's got the push thing at the top pushed down for Coke and it has Gallo Pizzeria, I try not to smirk.
I look to Dunn, "Dunn right?" I ask him and he nods to me and takes a sip of his drink. "Okay so Dunn and I are supposed to be street racers, yeah?"
"That's right." Markham says stoically.
"So, Dunn...looks like we're gonna be partners, bro…I'm sure since they picked you, you know your shit about cars, so could you tell me right quick what would be a better motor for my Skyline, a Gallo 12 or a Gallo 24?" I hear Tess make a soft choking sound that sounds suspiciously like a giggle.
"Um…the 24." Dunn says dumbly, closing my eyes I take a deep breath in through my nose.
"Shit man, I didn't know pizza places made motors." I say doing my best surfer bro impression.
I look at Bilkins, throw my hands in the air, "You see this shit man? I mean come on. I can 't do this…if this is what you're gonna give me,
I may as well take my chances in a court hearing in L.A."
"We will get someone else." Bilkins nods to me.
"No way, man…the only way this works is if I get to pick the crew."
"All right, 0'Conner, who you got in mind?" Bilkins asks me and I can see a smirk quirking up the corners of Mr Nobody's mouth.
"Alright check it, besides Mia Toretto and Leticia Ortiz who may allegedly still be in the country…and this dude I grew up with in Barstow…"
"Who's that?" Mr Nobody interjects.
"Roman Pearce…a friend from Barstow. And I also want her on my team." Say and point to Tess after bringing up Roman, "I saw her drive last night and she'll be an asset." I continue to say and notice that Tess seems almost seems self-conscious about being put on the spot like this.