They turned around and shook hands with Felipe’s men. Their connection with the Garza Cartel was already proving to be valuable. It was Felipe who had located Ace, and because of him, at that very moment, the federal judge presiding over Carter’s case was being paid off handsomely. Without Ace, the feds’ case would be too weak to convict, and when Carter’s lawyer requested a dismissal, the judge would oblige.
Chapter Nine
“Yeah, I know you’re a Diamond, Mecca. Me and everybody else in Miami knows!”
Making the trip to Mexico the second time was bittersweet for Zyir. He was eager to begin their business relationship with the Garza Cartel, but he was upset by the fact that he missed Carter’s last day in trial. He would soon have his freedom, and Zyir wanted to be there to congratulate him when he walked out of the prison walls. He knew that his task in Mexico was more important, however. Carter had groomed him well, and he knew that above all else, the money was always first priority. They could celebrate later. Today, Zyir had three tons of cocaine to pick up. Nobody dealt in quantities that large, and with that much access to the product, it was only a matter of time before they were the largest drug cartel in the nation. Miami was only the beginning.
When Zyir pulled up to the Garza estate this time, there was no hesitation. He had already established a level of trust with Felipe, and was granted access with ease. He was greeted by Felipe, who stood waiting with open arms.
“Zyir, my friend,” Felipe said as the two men embraced briefly. “I have something to show you.”
Zyir followed Felipe around to the back of the estate, until they came upon two Mack trucks.
Felipe pulled up the back of one of the semi-trucks, and his eyes widened as he took in the beautiful sight before him: rows and rows of neatly packed kilos. There were so many bricks that they gave off a sparkle. Zyir had never seen so much work in his life, and the sight made his hands itch, because he knew that soon a lot of money was going to flow.
“There are three tons between the two trucks. I have the entire first shift of border patrol on payroll. You and your people will be able to drive straight through without being stopped,” Felipe stated.
Zyir quickly added up the total worth of the cocaine in his head. Three tons equaled three thousand bricks. They would easily go for twenty-five a pop, and even after splitting the take with Felipe, The Cartel stood to profit almost $40 million. It was a big payday for everyone, and as long as everything went flawlessly, there were many more lucrative deals to come in the future.
“Cat got your tongue, Zyir?”
Zyir turned around and saw Illiana standing behind him. Her tanned skin glowed flawlessly, and she hid her mysterious eyes behind large Dior sunglasses. Her voluptuous body was displayed in the designer two-piece bikini and matching cover-up she wore. Every part of her appeared perfect as Zyir took a quick glance, admiring her top to bottom, taking in everything from her pedicured feet to the seductress red stain on her lips. “Illiana,” he acknowledged. He kissed her cheek quickly before turning his attention back to the task at hand.
Felipe put his arm around Zyir. The gesture was too friendly for Zyir, and he had to bite his tongue quickly so that he did not react. He had never let another man “son” him in his life, and although he was young in age, he was wise in years, something that Felipe would learn in time.
“I am aware of The Cartel’s recent financial troubles, so I am willing to extend these kilos on consignment. However, this is too large of an order for me to just entrust them to you. I’d like to send one of my people to Miami with you to watch over my investment,” Felipe stated.
“That won’t be a problem,” Zyir replied. “We fully understand your position, and Carter extends his assurance that this partnership will be beneficial for all involved.”
“I’ll have to meet this Carter. My brother Garza speaks highly of him. After his legal affairs are handled, I would like to invite the two of you back down here. No business… just a meeting among men. I’ll have to show the two of you a good time.”
“I’ll be sure to extend the invitation,” Zyir answered. “Who will you be sending to Miami?”
“Illiana,” Felipe replied.
Zyir stopped walking mid-stride, as if he had heard Felipe wrong. “Illiana?”
“She will not get in your way. She will simply be my eyes and ears. I hope that you will put her up temporarily,” Felipe suggested.
Zyir looked back at the seductive Illiana. He knew that her presence would only mean trouble.
“Of course,” he said as he turned back to Felipe. Illiana would be a beautiful distraction, and he would have to stay focused on his hustle to make sure that things remained professional between them.
Carter sat reserved behind the defense table, completely confident as he sat poised and attentive. It had not been a good day for the defense. After losing their key witness, they were grasping at straws to keep the case alive. Carter’s defense was all over it. Beckham was definitely earning his keep as he demolished the federal prosecutor, making Carter look like he was a saint, while discrediting the federal agency that had made his arrest.
“Your Honor, it is clear that without the key witness, the federal prosecutor has no leg to stand on,” Beckham stated.
“No, Your Honor, the only thing that is clear is the obvious witness tampering involved in this case. My witness was murdered in cold blood.”
“The witness was in protective custody and was rushed to the hospital because of food poisoning,” Beckham shot back. “It is on the official State of Pennsylvania police report that the ambulance transporting the witness lost control and crashed. That is how the witness died. My client, who was hundreds of miles away and locked in a prison cell, could not have orchestrated such events!”
“And the bullet holes in his body were just there for decoration!” the D.A. shouted sarcastically. “Your Honor, you can not let this man-this gangster-make a mockery of the law.” The prosecutor stood to argue more, but was interrupted by the impatient banging of the judge’s gavel.
“Does the State have any other evidence to present besides the witness?” the judge asked.
“No, Your Honor, but-”
“I move for immediate dismissal of the case.” Beckham was a shark. He did not even give his adversary a chance to finish his sentence.
All the while, Carter sat back unscathed as he watched the amusing charade go down. It did not matter how much protesting the prosecutor did; he was getting off. The amount of money that the Garza Cartel had put up to make it happen ensured it, and as the judge looked his way, they shared a knowing glance.
“Motion for immediate dismissal granted,” the judge announced The courtroom erupted in mayhem as Carter shook his attorney’s hand.
Before Carter could celebrate too much, the prosecutor stood. “Your Honor, the defendant has a new charge pending. He was involved in a prison brawl that resulted in the injury of one of his fellow inmates. We ask that he be held on this new charge that we will be actively pursuing.” Carter’s eyes burned holes through the white man as the judge approved the request. The government was doing everything in its power to keep him locked up.
Before Carter could even express his displeasure, Beckham leaned into his ear. “Don’t worry about it. That is just the desperate measures of a persistent D.A. You just made them look bad. Not many people are able to beat a federal conviction. They are pulling tricks out of their bag to delay your release from prison. I’ll make sure that the technicalities are taken care of immediately. You will be out by this evening,” Beckham assured.
“Ensure that I am,” Carter instructed as he allowed the bailiff to escort him away. He told himself that it was the last time he would ever be placed in handcuffs. Prison was not for him. Although he had gained a valuable new connection behind the wall, he had also had a piece of his soul taken from him, and he would die first before he ever allowed anyone to drag him back to hell.
