Rum Cay, Sweet Surrender (Rum Cay, Sweet Surender) (3 page)

“Appreciate it. I wouldn’t expect anything less of him. Please get in touch with the boys in Jersey to let them know the latest. They need to put the word out on the street later today about the drop that I’m setting up tomorrow. I have some dock workers I know there ready to load a couple containers with sugar to give the appearance of cocaine. Then I’ll have the containers sold to
Barchano’s gang with a secondary sale pending immediately thereafter  to Stagnoli’s group.

“Why will
Barchano be convinced he’s purchasing the real thing as the swing buyer?” asked Derek.

“I have that covered. A guy I know that used to be NYPD has a small stash always tucked for just this type of occasion. He will package a small amount of genuine powder as the sample product from the larger containers… they’ll swallow the entire charade whole, I’m sure of it. Once the sale goes down to
Barchano’s men, then we get Stagnoli’s men to purchase as the secondary end-buyer from Barchano which in-turn becomes the actual seller of record. Barchano collects a nice markup and Stagnoli takes in around $10,000 of sugar for a cool $30 mil, a deal that will send him into war with Barchano immediately.”

“Got it boss.
It’s a sound but potentially dangerous plan. I’ll get right on it, and do whatever I can to keep ‘em straight.”

After hanging up with Derek, Garrett immediately contacts
Stagnoli to give him the fine details of Liliana’s death, hoping that he’s satisfied after hearing Garrett cover the story in depth.

“Long time Garrett, I thought you forgot about me. I received my down payment for your services back into my account along with the debt from Miss Washburn. Even see you included interest, nice touch. Isn’t $275,000 a bit steep for a detective these days… oh, that’s
right, you’re a rare breed, a very wealthy ex-secret service agent. Must have been quite an insurance policy you collected after your wife died, or was it ‘killed’?”

Garrett knew that
Stagnoli was just trying to goad him into saying something stupid, so Garrett just smiled as Stagnoli spoke and waited a moment before speaking himself.

“Mr. Ross, are you still there?” asked a confused
Stagnoli.

“I am Mr.
Stagnoli, I just wanted to make sure you were finished with your wildly thoughtful fantasies,” shot back Garrett with his calm demeanor, causing Stagnoli to laugh sarcastically at Garrett’s remarks.

“Very good, I’m so happy that you’re alive and well Garrett… oh, and I thought we were past the formalities… please call me
Geno.”

“Of course
Geno, I forgot how close we really are,” replied Garrett with a mocking tone. “Now, since you received all your money back, plus interest, I’m sure that you’re happy and will allow my nephew free passage.”

“You know, the money… it actually was a very generous gift that you gave me, almost as if you were fronting for someone you fell in love with.”

“I don’t follow.”

“
Liliana, I told you she was a smart vixen. She can make the smartest of us think whatever she wants. Must be that tight round ass of hers… or is it her incredible voluptuous tits that got to you.”

Garrett was not sure what
Stagnoli was getting at, so he just listened, hoping that in the end the story about Liliana’s death would stand.

“Too bad she’s dead, you know? I mean I really wanted a piece of that sweet ass myself. I’m sure she tasted like a delicacy, am I right?”

Thankful that Stagnoli believes that Liliana is gone, Garrett could not let on at all about his relationship with her, otherwise, their intricate plans to finalize the bogus cocaine drop to Stagnoli’s organization may be in jeopardy.

“I did seem to have her in my grasp, but not the way you think
Geno. She did possess one sensually amazing body, you’re correct, but I couldn’t let that hinder the work I was doing for you. I’m always too professional for side activities; you ought to know that by now.”

Stagnoli
suddenly was quiet as Garrett felt his story begin to take hold. “Right, well I just thought you might have had a change of heart after seeing what she could do for you. I mean since I didn’t hear from you for almost a week, I thought things had changed and your dick led you astray.”

“Again, way too professional to let a woman’s affections work me that way, no matter how sweet the pussy,” stated Garrett with strong inflection.

“Okay, but you know the $275,000 was unnecessary, we could have made a nice deal with Miss Washburn’s family, and of course, your nephew could have helped work off the money… but then you rode in on your white horse and saved everybody… what an amazing guy, always the one to help out.”

Garret became tired of the banter and decided to pitch the deal without further delay. The longer they threw sarcastic remarks at each other, the better the chance of suspicion to arise.

“One of the reasons I paid the $275k, besides freeing my nephew of course, was that I’ve decided to do a little extra-curricular business on the side, and your name was at the top of my list, that is,
IF
you are interested.”

“Interested? I’m always interested in hearing about something that could make me a lot of money. Tell me Garrett, what type of
mis-dealings do you have going on?

“It has come to my attention through trusted and viable sources that $100 million of cocaine is coming in through the Jersey docks. The package is on its way and will be in tomorrow evening.”

“And what exactly does this shipment have to do with me, I don’t see any money in this deal, in fact, cocaine is not something that I normally get involved with.”

“You will this time.”

“I will huh?… enlighten me Mr. Ross, I’m listening.”

“Well, the buyer for the coke fell through, and you know what type of complications that could create, or in your case ‘opportunity’.”

“As I said, I’m listening.”

“I was contacted this morning by some credible sources at the Jersey docks that they need an end buyer. You see, a swing buyer has been set up to take down the shipment, but an end buyer still needs to be in place, and this is where the opportunity presents itself. The swingman is purchasing at $20 mil and willing to resell at $30 mil to someone that has the funds proven and ready to go… and of course, I know you have the funds available to you.”

“Tell me, why don’t I just buy the goods directly for the 20m?”

“Because the swingman is someone that the seller trusts and is on the inside at the docks.
He will be able to get the package unloaded without any fanfare. The transfer to you can take place immediately and seamlessly upon the unloading, creating a very pleasant situation for all.”

“Sounds like you’ve got this thing figured out Garrett… you almost sound like a professional at the drug trade business.
You been holding out on me?”

“Just trying to make a nice commission from the swingman, that’s all.
Got to make back my $275k, you know?” answered Garrett.

“Sounds like you’ll make a lot more than that… but, how do I know that I’m not being set-up? This all seems a little too good to be true.”

Garrett knew that he had to come across strong; otherwise, he could lose the deal with Stagnoli, causing the plan to go sideways. “Look, I don’t care what type of paranoia you have, either say yes or I’ll call someone else.”

“Well, Mr. Ross, you’ve become quite the hard nose operator… I’m beginning to really like you.”

“So what will it be Geno?”

“This goes a little against my better judgment, but… alright, I’m in.”

“Excellent, I’ll be in contact in the next three hours as to where the drop will occur, including bank coordinates for the $30mil.”

“Wait! Before I let you go Garrett, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask for the name of the seller or at least the swing buyer… full disclosure, you know?”

“The swing buyer’s name will be given to you just prior to the sale… but rest assured he is viable and well known in the industry.”

“And the seller, what is his name?”

“The seller is huge, they go by the name of Steel Gate Landings. They have offices all over, but their main operations are out of Eastern Europe and Canada I believe, but do not contact them, otherwise, the deal on your end falls through, understand?”

“Of course Garrett, I understand. You seem to have a nice handle on this, and how could I ever mistrust you,” said a sardonic
Stagnoli.

“Alright then, seems we have a deal. I’ll call the swing buyer to make sure he’s on-board… wait for my call.”

“I’m already waiting Garret,” replies Stagnoli.

Garret hangs up the phone and goes back into the main office to speak with
Liliana. “Were you able to set up the website?”

“Flawlessly.
Did you get a hold of Stagnoli? You seemed pretty animated in there.”

“Yes, I was able to talk to him. It’s all set, he took the bait. I have him set up as the end buyer. Now, we just need to get
Barchano to be the swingman in the deal. My men have already put out the word, and there seems to be a lot of interest coming from his office. It’s time for you to turn on the charm and speak to Barchano directly. You are the coordinator for SGL… a Miss Fleming. My men have already prepped Barchano’s men for the call to take place, so just use your charm, and we’re off. Only thing is…”

“What’s that Garrett?”

“Well, the only thing is, you have to skype him… he will not talk on the phone. So you need to be in full costume, wig, colored contacts, everything… and, of course your most convincing voice and acting ability. Are you sure you’re up for this, cause if you’re not?....”

“I told you Garrett, I want to take these men down as much as
you, and I’m prepared to get the job done.”

“Great
Lili, that’s good to hear. Just wanted to make sure.”

“Let me study all the details for a bit, then tell your men to put the call in,” said a confident
Liliana.

“Very good.
I’ve got the full plan, all names, all contacts, all addresses listed out here. Your job functions are as listed, and your boss is this man, Andrus Puchak, someone known in the business but has not been heard from in years. In fact, my men have confirmed he’s dead, but his legend lives, and Barchano would never question his organization.”

“Understood Garrett.
You know, when you start talking all secret agent stuff like this, it really begins to make me hot…”

Garrett laughs
briefly, shaking his head at Liliana’s comic relief, then suddenly stops and gets very serious. “There’s plenty of time for that my dear, but right now you need to focus, and focus hard. Any waver in your delivery could set Barchano off, got it?”

“Got it.
Don’t worry, just give me a little more time and I’ll be ready to deliver the script.”

“Okay… I know you’ll be fine, but I just have to make sure you’re prepared. I’m going to be in the other room checking in with my men to make sure all is ready to go.”

As Garrett speaks to his men, Liliana takes a couple deep breaths knowing she is about to become a seductress to her own biological father. But as disgusting a concept as that was, at least it was only to be over the computer and not in person. While trying to forget her estranged ties, Liliana got into character and took her time to memorize the details laid out for her by Garrett. As she does, her mind begins to wander slightly as she thinks about the beautiful future they will have together once this is all over with. But before long, the fear begins to set in, as she’s still unsure if Garrett will forgive her connection to the man that’s responsible for his family’s death. Garrett is everything she has ever wanted in a man and she cannot stop thinking about how incredible her luck was to run into him, almost a divine intervention, she thought. As she cements her new identity, Liliana makes sure the wig and prosthesis are on properly and melded to her face; the colored contacts in and ready to go. Just as she feels prepared to move ahead with the call, Garrett finishes up in the other office and comes out to ask her if she’s organized and ready to engage Barchano.

“How does it all look to you?” asks Garrett.

“I’m ready as I’ll ever be,” answers a self-assured Liliana.

“Okay, I’ll let my man in Jersey know to inform
Barchano’s gang that the call’s coming. Just be straight, don’t say anything that’s not in the script.”

“Like I said Garrett, I’m ready.”

“I like the attitude, Miss Fleming.”

As Garrett contacts Jersey,
Liliana connects with skype and positions the camera to reflect the innerworkings of the office and not the outer business district of Rum Cay. For now, they need to keep things as clean as possible.

“Okay, the call is prepped. Here’s the number. I’ll be right over here, but do not look in my direction… you need to stay in character,” instructs Garrett.

As Liliana rings up Barchano, Garrett fumbles his fingers nervously for Liliana. But he knows that her womanliness may just be the trick, as Barchano has a strong penchant for sensual women.