The Feds
Erik
I have been out of the hospital for 15 days, and my leg is getting better every day. As the muscle regenerates, it becomes stronger. Thanks to a cane, I can support myself, however, only the rehab exercises are making a difference. Fortunately, nothing serious happened at the same time, I was dealing with the injury. The security in every one of my establishments has been increased, and my men are always alert.
My house is the one I am most concerned about. My mother lives here, and for security reasons, we cannot leave. However, she continues to complain from time to time. Even though she understands the situation.
The truth about Claudia, she already knows. Nothing is said. Nevertheless, the look in her eyes tells me that I have put us in danger by being careless. The person who put us in this position is me because I have no control over my desire. My only regret is not staying cool and not being smarter. All of this would not have happened. However, we must move forward because it is the research that my team conducts that is important. We have been waiting for the results for almost two weeks. Neither we know who Claudia was nor who she worked for.
I'm trying to remember our conversations. There's no way I wouldn't have blurted something out, or her. After sex, the talks were always comforting. There may be something she heard or saw while she was here. Moreover, I have dealt with organized crime during my meetings, and she was sometimes present. Some of my associates are familiar with her. Gonzalo is also included. I don't know if it is a good idea to notify him of this or to try to see to what extent I can solve this problem.
A loud bang jolted my office door open as I contemplated my situation. I drew my pistol and pointed it at the intruder. Thomas looked at me with an expression that spoke volumes. So, I set my gun down and shook my head.
“Get your lawyer to come right away!” Thomas pleaded, “You need to leave NOW!”
“What, but what are you saying? Speaks.” I grabbed my cell phone and dialled the lawyer while Thomas pulled himself together. The call was connected, and my lawyer answered, “Mr Costa, what can I do for you?”
“Come to my house immediately, bring your best team, now.”
“Yes sir, immediately.”
“Tomas?”
“Boss, you won't believe it, but the specialized team found information on Claudia, and you're not going to like it at all.” My eyes widened in surprise, and my jaw tightened. Thomas's attitude was not good at all. I attempted to calm myself and think about what I was going to do with the information I was about to receive.
“Boss, Claudia, she worked for the Feds.”
“NO, NO, it can't be.” I hit my desk with my fists. The Feds have been on my heels for years.
“AGRRRR, Claudia, you fucking bitch!”
“That's not all, boss. Our contacts in the justice department told me that today, they will strike. The arrest warrant against you will be approved. Not just that, but the search for this house and the properties related to you.”
He looked at me with desperation, “You have to run, boss.”
I leaned against the back of my seat. I need to think about what to do, I only have an hour or two maximum before the Feds show up. Not only that, but I need to wait for the lawyer. But meanwhile, I have to move.
“Thomas, get rid of any proof or document. We will not give them any more excuses and reasons to add more charges to the list. Now, destroy everything, destroy everything, move — now.”
“Yes, boss, I will gather our men and bring them up to speed.”
“Thomas, one more thing. Tell Raul to take my mother to the airport, heading to Venezuela. She will be safe in my territory. And until this is resolved, she will remain there, do you understand me?”
“Sure boss, count on me, Mrs Rosa, she will not be touched by anyone. I assure you.”
This man, Thomas, has always remained faithful by my side. Since the incident in Venezuela, when my father lost his life. He has been with me, demonstrating his loyalty to our organization. He has never failed me, nor has he cowered at anything. I owe my life to him on several occasions. Thomas, Raul and Daniel. They are my team, I don't trust anyone else, but them to handle my affairs. They've shown me time and time again, they got my back covered.
“Thank you, Tomas.” I nodded and waved for him to hurry. Meanwhile, I need to contact my spies, I need to know how much time I have before they come to arrest me. I thought about what Thomas suggested to me, running away, but that would not suit me, it is better to face this matter by showing my face.
The judicial system always has loops, in which an astute and good lawyer can take advantage. It would not be the first time that I stepped into a prison, but I swear to myself, this will be the last.
I, then, texted my contact. I put my mobile on the desk and waited for the answer. Those minutes seemed like hours, but I never took my eyes off it, until the light and the tone of the mobile indicated that I had received a message.
I opened the app and read what it said, “The SWAT team already has the judge's order. All units are preparing for the arrest. You have about one more hour for the operation to begin. Good luck.”
One more hour is enough time. I got up from the desk and went to where I had all my important documents. List of clients, suppliers, contacts, weapons, etc…
In the next half hour, I got rid of everything that could incriminate me. My office was clean. By then, my attorney was already with me along with his team. I was bringing him up to speed on what he needed to know.
All we needed now was the reason for the arrest. What information did Claudia give them? That is what I would like to know. With my mother out of the house, my lawyers with me, and the evidence destroyed, the only thing left to do is wait.
Fifteen minutes later, my door was knocked down. My property was surrounded and a specialized team of agents pointed their weapons at us. Among them, a man of about forty years of age stepped forward. He looks at me with hatred and revulsion. It's not the first time I've gone through this, so I'm not scared at all.
“Erik Costa, I am Captain Williams. I have an arrest warrant against you, everything you say will be used in federal court. You have the right to remain silent and if you do not have an attorney, the state will assign one to you.”
I remained completely silent, and let my lawyer take the reins. This was what he does for a living, and he knew what he was doing.
“Captain Williams, I am Mr Costa's attorney, may I see the arrest warrant?”
The captain handed him the document and my lawyer inspected it.
“The charges against my client are quite severe. Murder in the first degree, sale of illegal merchandise, corruption, criminal association, extortion. Lastly, money laundering.”
“These charges are severe, Captain. I hope you have proof to corroborate them since otherwise, we will fight back, don't have the slightest doubt about that.”
“Not only that, attorney, we have a search warrant.” The lawyer took the paper and read it, while the captain gave the order to his team to search all my property. I just watched with helplessness and resentment as these pigs destroyed my house.
But that was not all, the captain still had more to tell, and with a menacing look, he turned to me,“Mr Costa, the entire state is investigating the disappearance of a federal agent. I'm sure you know her, since the last time she was seen, it was with you. Her name is Special Agent Laura Jones. But you must have known her by the name of “Claudia”.”
I gave the captain a look, telling him good luck with his case, until my attorney intervened.
“Captain, my client is exercising his right to remain silent, any questions, please refer to me.” The captain was spilling poison from his eyes. It was evident that if it was up to him, he would have already taken this matter into his hands.
Probably, Agent Laura's relationship with him was not so simple, and this would become a personal vendetta.
I leaned close to my attorney's ear and whispered my thoughts about it. In these cases, my team investigates in depth the relationship between these two agents. And if we find that there was more than a professional relationship, this meant that the captain, working on this case, would compromise the operation.
My attorney nodded, taking note of everything.
Half an hour later, the agents who were raiding my house returned, “Captain, we found nothing.” I looked up and saw the captain. His eyes transformed like those of a beast about to attack. But my lawyer realized this and said, “I want the record that my client, now, does not have any marks of abuse or torture on his body. Except for a leg injury, which is in recovery. If my client is subsequently found with injuries of any kind. I will be filing a lawsuit against the state, in particular, you, Captain Williams. For torture and abuse of authority. In an investigation of this size, you must be aware of the consequences of what it means to become personally involved. Thus, I recommend that you do not touch him. It will all be documented in the files, regardless of what my client says to me.”
The captain narrowed his eyes, his hatred for me went beyond his police activities. His involvement in this matter was personal, I could tell. However, I have researchers who will determine just how personal it really is.
He raised his head and with an arrogant attitude said, “Take him away now. I want to avoid seeing that shit for one more minute.”
Without putting up any resistance, I allowed myself to be handcuffed and transported to the police unit outside my house. Three officers were tasked with this, not very kindly. They threw me in the back of the van, chained me, and secured me to a metal ring on the ground.
On the road, I managed to see my house from where I was handcuffed. People coming and going, it was the last thing I saw before the agents closed the doors.
∞∞∞
“Erik Costa, you have a visitor.”
The security guard on duty approached my cell and opened the door. As a protocol, whenever there is a visitor, I have to be shackled hand and foot. I'm used to this by now, and deep down inside, I know it will be for a short time.
The guard led me through the corridors of the prison to the visiting area, and behind the glass that separated me from the rest, was my lawyer.
I sat across from him and took the intercom.
“Erik, I have news of the appeal. Due to the lack of evidence against you, of four crimes that you were charged with, they managed to reduce your sentence, from five years to three. This is good because, with good behaviour and community work, your stay here could be shortened further.” The thought crossed my mind, so I nodded.
“Among other things, I have also forwarded your regards to your mother. Although she is sad about not being able to see you, she assures me that she will resolve the pending issues so that she can come for a visit.” Well, that's the news I've been waiting for.
“I understand, lawyer, I understand perfectly. Let my mother know that I'm anxiously awaiting her arrival. Tell her I need to see her urgently. While I'm away, I need her to take care of the house.”
The lawyer nodded, “Your mother will be delighted to learn that you are well and that you send your best wishes.”
All of this is code, I can't have the luxury of letting them know what I am doing, and this is the way to instruct Thomas on what I want.
“My case is in your hands.”
I stood up and turned around, signalling the security guard that I was done, too.
He escorted me back to my cell, but before leaving, “Damn rat, If it weren't for your expensive lawyer, you would rot here for the rest of your life. People like you disgust me.” Spitting in my face, he turned and left.
I wiped the spit with my shirt sleeve, wondering how long this would last. This is every day, regardless of what it is, they always find an excuse to insult me. But I'm just counting the days to get out of here, and when I do, I will get revenge on them. And the one who spits in their faces at the end of the day will be me.
∞∞∞
The days in this place go by slowly, and I got used to the routine. It has been eight months since they locked me up. My life has not been easy at all, there is a price on my head among the prisoners. Someone is paying them to kill me.
There have already been three attacks in such a short time. Fortunately, my physical abilities have saved me from death on those occasions.
After looking at my situation, I knew someone will succeed eventually. So, I put my men to work. Outside of prison, all these bastards have families. The prison is run by gangs, and each of the bosses has the power to make everyone's life miserable if they don't like you. But in this case, there is money involved.
The strategy with which I avoided more attacks was brilliant. My specialized team collected information from all the leaders, taking photos of all their relatives. Sons, daughters, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, or sisters.
My men sent correspondence to each one of the inmates, with their photos. It was a clear threat. From that moment, no one dared to touch me. In fact, the opposite happened. They are now at my service. They are the ones who protect me from some guards.
Now they no longer spit on me or insult me every chance they get. I am becoming more accepting of this situation every day.
∞∞∞
It has been another year since I have been here. The captivity is becoming unbearable, and I desperately need to get out. But I must remain strong, my good behaviour depending on whether I am able to get out sooner. My excellent performance and the social work I have been doing, have given me points before the justice system.
Despite being locked up, I still run my empire from the shadows. The power I own has not diminished. Fortunately, I was capable of working with the coverage that came with my status. It would be impossible to accuse me of anything because I'm behind bars.
On the day of the arrest, Thomas, Daniel, and Raul followed my instructions and escaped. They are more valuable out there, handling my business in my absence. I am satisfied with the reports I've received from my attorney.
Money has been flowing in, and more orders have been placed. Suppliers have not thought twice about sending me goods, just because of their confidence in my abilities. Everything is fine, so far.
And regarding the agent Laura Jones, alias “Claudia?” Her case is still open. Captain Williams has been a tough nut to crack, but everything in life has a price. We managed to remove him from the case, providing evidence that his involvement, in this case, was putting the operation at risk. His motives became personal and professional ethics were being violated. But he refuses to resign, as my spies have seen him investigating behind the back of the police department.
My men have marked him, and we keep a close eye on him. He is a very tough man, which makes him even more dangerous.
His superiors had no choice but to transfer the case to an agent we knew very well, he is one of us. I can trust him to take it upon himself to divert attention from me, in some other direction, fabricating evidence that will eliminate me as a suspect.
∞∞∞
Another year passed, and I was lying in bed in my cell, looking at some pictures, from the reports I receive each month. I watched them carefully and with apprehension.
My emotions were out of control every time that I looked into this. It was hard to see. I wanted to have what he had. The envy was poisoning my guts, burning from seeing them. It was as if he had taken from me what should have been my life. Something of mine was in his possession. But I swore, in due time, it will return to me.
For the last almost three years, I have had all their information. Like the photo that I have in my hand, of him hugging her. The next image shows him pulling her by the hand, leading her to the sea, on a beautiful summer day. In the next one, she is lying on the beach, sunbathing. Her beautiful body was exposed to the gaze of all around, only covered by a thin cloth.
As he watches her with eyes full of lust and passion, I also see something else, love. There's no question about it. The next photo shows her kissing him, her lips moving to the rhythm of desire. They are devouring each other. I caressed her face with my fingers. “My wife,” I whispered.
Soon I will leave here to claim you as mine, again, Nora.
This story will continue in the next book, “Nora and Erik: When Our Souls Intertwined.”
