THE INFORMANT "That name sounds familiar," the one who stood beside the van when Caleb climbed in was saying. "Really? How would you know when you've never had to work outside this port?" "Because I come from Mexico City, and that name might interest my rich uncle, Don El-Zaki." His colleague shrugged and asked Andrés why? But he refused to say anything further. Andrés Di-Maria was El-Zaki's nephew born by his only sister, Alicia. She unfortunately died giving birth to the boy and he was left in the care of his uncle till he was 18 years of age and went to join the police force - against his uncle's pleas. His father, Reuben Di-Maria, was in support of the dream and El-Zaki had no choice but to let the boy go. He always thought he would teach him the family business and when he came of age, he would partner with his son, Hart, to expand it when he was no more. The reason being his only son, although intelligent, never really had the grit for doing dirty deals. He could successfu
THE SPY Nathan, the Don's personal assistant, was yet to fully recuperate from the gunshot injuries he sustained on the night of the attack inside the factory, so El-Zaki could not send him to investigate Caleb. That left Pablo who was acting like a second-in-command to Nathan. The Don sent for him as soon as he dropped the call with Andrés. "I need you to investigate the whereabouts of Caleb Dezani," he spoke calmly as Pablo settled into the chair next to him in his private room. "Boss, he was last seen on the night of the factory incident I've been told." "Who has been keeping an eye on the Dezanis?" he asked, a bit surprised. He had given that job to Aguero his number-one hitman before he withdrew him to carry out another task, which led to the unfortunate incident at Cholula. "I have my ears to the ground," Pablo said not wanting to disclose his source. The Don knew better than to press on. If his men had their ways, who was he to not trust their discretion? "Right. But mak
A VISITOR FROM HELL "I like the surprise look on your face," Pedro began to laugh hysterically. He stood up from the chair he was sitting and the officers at the counter created room for him to move closer to Caleb. "How are you here?" Caleb mumbled unable to comport himself. He was so dazed that anyone would think he was seeing a ghost. "The same way you managed to get here. In a police van!" Pedro beamed with an uncanny look on his face. Caleb was terrified. How could the police release Pedro from jail? Or was he not locked up as they led him and Doctor Fernandez to believe? Stuttering he said, "You are meant to be in jail." "That's correct. Meant to be..." Pedro mimicked him. "But as you can see, I'm out and you are taking my place instead." "I didn't commit any crime that I should be locked up for," he said louder hoping the police will hear and become interested. "I was kidnapped by those two in there and kept hostage in their hideout." "Hahaha," Pedro laughed sardonically
THE INITIATION "How are you planning to get back your inheritance?" "That's why I'm asking you to join my team. Together, we can build a formidable Mafia group and we would be able to fight all our enemies." Caleb looked into his eyes at that moment and gave him his answer. "I am in," he said straightfaced. "Yes!" came the jubilant shout of Pedro with his right hand folded into a fist. "I knew you'd make the right choice.""So what's the next step?" an anxious Caleb asked. The question stooped Pedro's jubilation halfway."I've got this grand plan which I'm going to discuss with you." Caleb drew closer. "But only when we're out of here." Caleb looked a little skittish staring at Pedro, he was wondering at that moment whether he made the wrong decision. "Look, I know what you're thinking," Pedro said reading his mind. "But relax, we're now brothers!" Just then one of the police officers reemerged and made a sign with his head to Pedro, he nodded and stood up. Then Caleb was ta
YOU'VE BROKEN THE RULE The bowl of blood was passed from one person to another to take a sip from it. By the time it got to his turn, his eyes and the man's own met, and then the bowl fell out of his hands. There were murmurings in the room as the priest glared at Caleb in utter disbelief than disdain."Quiet everyone," he said. The room fell silent. He paced up and down and then said, "Never in the history of this brotherhood have we experienced this kind of thing, surely the culprit must have an explanation for his action."Caleb whose face had turned white in dispair was gazing at the floor, tongue-tied. He was praying Pedro would say something in his defence, but the silence that greeted the question was proof he had to face the music all by himself. "I, I'm deeply sorry," he muttered. Then someone spoke. "I'm sure we can excuse his behaviour on the basis that he was locked up in a cell for nearly a week." It was Pedro who came to his defence as expected, and he couldn't be a
THE PERFECT PLAN When he dropped his phone he looked pitifully at Caleb. "That was Don El-Zaki on the phone." Caleb was stunned. "What did he want?" "He said he wanted me to verify the information that you were locked up and..." "And do what?" Caleb moved closer to the bed. "And if it's true, I should put a bullet in your brain." Caleb looked around the hotel suite and suddenly felt trapped. Was this Pedro's plan with El-Zaki all along? He pondered. If yes, then he's been fooled. He has willingly walked into a death trap. One that he might not be able to get off easily - if at all.He started moving slowly towards the door, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on Pedro.But as usual, the mind-reader which was Pedro could see through him and reacted as calmly as if he didn't notice a thing. "For a brother in the struggle, you disappoint me.""Huh?" came the sound from Caleb."You heard me, man. I mean how can you even think of that?" Pedro asked still not getting up to try and st
YOU WILL HAVE YOUR DEAL Pedro finished answering the call from Don El-Zaki and threw his phone on the bed. He folded his arms across his chest and stood staring at Caleb. "I seriously hope you know what you're doing?" Caleb smiled. "Yes, I do. This is going to work way faster than you would have expected," he said reassuringly. Pedro heaved and sat down, saying nothing further. "I've been thinking though," Caleb spoke next after a few seconds had passed but Pedro didn't look up, "that if El-Zaki accepts the deal and you recover your inheritance, I will intentionally let you hand me over to him alive..." "What?!" Pedro sprang up from the bed. "Are you out of your damn mind? Do you know what that heartless man would do to you?" he was raising his voice. "Of course I do." Caleb acknowledged calmly. "I don't believe you do!" "Because you didn't let me finish first," he chided him. Pedro threw his two hands in the air in a mock surrender fashion and sat back down. Caleb continued
GET READY! "He has fallen for it!" announced Pedro on the phone as soon as he got back to his hotel. Caleb was still out of reach on his private line even though his phone was returned to him. He however contacted his family using a new number to let them know he was still alive and had managed to escape from his captors. "Since the matter is still being investigated by the police team that rescued me," he said to his mother when he spoke with her one day, "I have been advised not to make public appearances yet." He was lying to keep her and his grandfather from worrying too much. Lord Dezani, as expected, was not in the least bit comfortable with him staying away from home. He tried to talk him into coming back so he could give him protection, but Caleb insisted he was man enough to fight his own battles now. "Moreover, Grandpa, I shouldn't be getting you mixed up with my personal mess. If anything, I should be the one protecting you and Mama from harm," he asserted when he insi