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As we pull up to Omar’s house, I glance to Charlie. Her chin is held high, but her knee bounces uncontrollably. I’ve laid so much on her within such a short amount of time, and she’s taken it in stride. Nothing has broken her. Being raised the way she was, I was skeptical that she would follow me so willingly, but I guess that’s what happens when you want something bad enough. Everything you believe in goes out the window and you morph into a new person. She’s hungry for answers and the truth, something I said I would bring to her, something I promised her dad. I just hope when everything is said and done, she still stands high and sees the bigger picture of why I have to do things the way I am.
I open the door and step out, reaching behind me for Charlie. Once her hand is in mine, we walk across the dirt drive and up the steps of Omar’s home. His place isn’t as nice as mine, but with what he does for a living, he likes to keep a low profile.
I grab the metal knocker and bang it against the door a couple times. An older woman opens the door and urges us inside, mumbling in Spanish. Every time I make a trip here, I fall more and more in love with it. The hospitality everyone in the town shows me is incredible, and the rich culture is something I want to learn more about, but not right now. Right now, I have to handle business and show my woman how it’s done.
We’re escorted to a sitting room to the right where Omar and his wife sit. His arms stretch across the back of the leather couch, one resting on his wife’s shoulder. “Hale, it’s been too long, my friend.”
His thick accent makes everything he says sound friendly, when I know that isn’t the case. Omar is a gun dealer and drug pusher. Only unlike the cartel, he doesn’t sell on small scales. He sells in bulk to the cartel and people like them, and in turn, they take it to the streets for their own profit. I know I’m not his only client, and I know if the cartel’s money speaks louder than mine, he’d set me up in a heartbeat. Cedric always said keep your enemies close, so that’s what I do. I buy more product than I would ever need and throw extra money his way, to stay on his good side.
Omar is a powerful man in this business. He knows something about everyone and keeps their secrets as ammo, which is one of the reasons I don’t trust him. Knowledge is power, and he has a lot of it.
“It has, hasn’t it?” I smile and pull Charlie into my side. “This is my wife, Charlotte. She’ll be handling all of my deals in the future, if I’m not available.” Charlie nods to him with a smile.
He tilts his head and stares into my eyes. The small smile on his face tells me he knows something is up, but he won’t pry. “Well.” He moves his head toward Charlie while keeping his stare locked on me. Questions burn in his eyes before he snaps them to Charlie. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She nods again as we sit.
Omar leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, what do you need from me?”
“The usual,” I state, not wanting to drag this meeting out longer than it needs to be. I only need to be here long enough for him to see Charlie.
“Well, I already have trucks ready and all the right people paid off to get across the border. I can have them to you in a few days. Is there anything else you need?” He grins, and I know exactly what his sinister smile is implying.
“You know I don’t fuck around with that shit. Keep the smack for the cartel.” I wave my hand.
“Come on, Hale. Consider this an invitation to take on some more responsibility. The cartel is slacking. They’re not buying as much product which is cutting into my funds.”
“Then why do you still deal with them? If it’s that bad, drop them.”
“You know I can’t do that. If I say fuck ’em and cut them loose, then I’ll lose your business too. I know you have a connection in Europe who supplies everything I do, but you choose to come here instead. Why is that?” He smiles like he already knows the answer. “Oh!” He claps his hands together “It’s because you think I can give you information, right? Maybe a name?”
I suck my teeth and clench my fist, trying to remain cool. “Who is it, Omar? You give me the name of the one barking orders to the Morenos and everyone else running that shit, trying to take my territory, and I’ll handle it. Your hands will stay clean.”
“You know I can’t do that, Hale. It’s bad business.”
I huff and let out a laugh. I can feel Charlie stiffen next to me. I know she’s aching to open her mouth and ask all of the questions she can, but unlike her, I know Omar can’t be trusted and most of what he says aren’t facts. Nothing he says will bring us any closer to figuring out who is running shit. It won’t help us find her dad’s murderer. He’s an instigator who gives you just enough so you know he has answers, but he will never spill them.
“You can’t try and plead silence when you’re already spilling secrets,” Charlie states with a look on her face that could kill.
“Well, girl, nothing is a secret in this business. You have to fight really hard to hide things you don’t want coming to the light. It’s unfortunate that some people happen to fight harder than others, now isn’t it?” He looks to her with squinted eyes.
He opens his mouth to talk again, but before he can, I stand and pull Charlie up with me. “I think we’re done here.”
Omar follows suit and reaches for my hand over his coffee table. “Next time keep the woman at home. I don’t do business with cops’ daughters.” He seethes.
I leave his hand dangling in the air as I walk away, trying to hide the shock on my face.
I trek down the steps and across the dirt drive again, pulling Charlie behind me. Once we finally get situated back in the car, I release a breath.
“What the fuck was that about?” she asks, looking at out the back windshield as we drive away.
I rub my fingers over my temples. “That was him showing us he knows more than we think.”
