Evolution of a Killer

by Robert Ullrich

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Lazarus woke to the sound of his cell phone. He glanced at the number and checked the time: 5:30am. He answered the phone. “Good morning, Dantastico, mi amigo,” he said cheerily. “How’re things with the Grimsrud clan?”

  Dan laughed, “Dantastico? You must either want something from me or you got laid last night.”

  That got Lazarus laughing, “Neither my friend. I’m just surprised to hear from you so unexpectedly. So, to what do I owe the honor of your early morning wake-up call?”

  “You need to call my secure number on your sat-phone and then we can talk.”

  “Will do,” Lazarus answered, reaching for the phone on the charger, dialing Dan’s secure line.

  Dan answered on the first ring.

  “So, Dan, what’s up?” he asked.

  “You recall the gentleman that took umbrage with me, contracting your services back in ’06?”

  “Of course, I do,” answered Lazarus, now fully awake and on guard.

  “I’ve been keeping an eye on him. He left Cozumel last night, arriving in Corpus Christi around 5 this morning.”

  Lazarus processed the information rapidly, “Thanks for the heads up, Dan. I’ll look into it.”

  “Is there anything I can do for you, or need to know?” asked Dan, obvious concern in his voice.

  “No. He isn’t looking for me. Besides, the less you know the better, right?”

  “Right you are, Lazarus,” Dan agreed, “I do understand. Be careful and don’t hesitate to call if there’s anything you need. Watch your back.”

  “I always do, Dan,” Lazarus assured his friend. “Give my love to M.J. and let her know that I still hope to make it to Trajan’s graduation, but no promises.”

  “She’ll be glad to hear that and will understand if you can’t be there. Would you be coming stag, or bringing one of your bevies of beauties with you?” Dan asked with a little dig in his voice.

  “Bite me, Grimsrud,” Lazarus snarled. “You’re just gonna have to wait and see.”

  “Prick,” said Dan flatly. “Kiss my ass.”

  “I’ll pencil that in for the graduation buddy. Hopefully I’ll see you in June.” Lazarus ended the call without giving Dan another shot at him. He was grinning at the ‘kiss my ass’ comment. They’d come a long way as friends, and that was proof of it.

  Lazarus grabbed a pad and wrote down a list of things he needed done, prioritizing them accordingly. Torano in Corpus Christi wasn’t just a surprise, it was a complication he didn’t need. Ramon must have discovered someone in Garza’s bank had been stealing his money and he was here to deal with it personally. There was no other reason he’d risk entering the states. He knew it could put Angelique in danger, too. That complicated things even more. He’d never had to deal with an emotional factor before. These were uncharted waters for Lazarus. Lazarus spent an hour contemplating several options. Once he was satisfied with the contingency plan, he called Katsumi to get things rolling. Next, he called Garza. Both were taken by surprise but understood what was expected.

  *****

  Lazarus headed to the storage facility to swap vehicles before going to the La Quinta to change into ‘Cooper’. He entered through the back door, taking the stairs up to the room.

  Ramon Torano, in Corpus Christi, that was still sinking in. He wasn’t surprised Torano had pulled it off. There were several ways to get into the states unnoticed, if you knew them. Lazarus assumed he’d come by water, the easiest way to avoid border patrol and the Coast Guard, if you had the right equipment. Regardless, Torano was in Corpus and Lazarus was fully aware of what “El Corazon” was capable of.

  Lazarus was on the road at 8:00, Langston riding shotgun this time. He took old TX35 through Aransas Pass to Gregory. He hadn’t driven that way before, minimizing the risk of someone tracking him, doubtful as it might be.

  Thanks to Dan, Lazarus knew Torano was at Garza’s condo on Ocean Drive. He made a drive by, spotting two black Yukons parked on the drive - two men in the front seat of one, the other empty.

  Although Lazarus wasn’t expecting trouble, he was ready for it. He wore Kevlar under his fat suit, even on his thighs. It was one of the advantages of being the bulky Cooper Johnson. He had two Tanfoglio 9mm’s in down drop shoulder holsters, each with 18 rounds counting the one in the pipe, and six extra clips. Just for shits and giggles, Lazarus had brought a flash-bang and two hand grenades.

  Parking a block south, he approached the building on foot with Langston at his side, staying out of view from the occupied Yukon. He assumed the door would be locked but wasn’t concerned. He’d made a key for the property a couple of weeks ago. To his surprise, it wasn’t. Lazarus strode into the condo like he belonged there.

  Torano and his lawyer Shultz were seated on a couch across from Garza. Enrique looked tense, as was to be expected. Lazarus could see fear in his eyes and sweat on his brow.

  Langston sat down near the room entrance as Lazarus walked in. “Sorry I’m late, Mr. Garza,” he said without preamble as he stuck out his hand.

  Garza took his hand, replying as calmly as possible, “No problem Cooper. I know traffic can be a problem this time of the day.” Garza seemed to relax some, now that the big cowboy was in the room. “I see you brought Langston with you.” Lazarus nodded at the shepherd who came over to sit and shake with Garza. Langston lay down on the floor beside his chair.

  Lazarus turned to the two men seated across from Garza. “My name’s Cooper Johnson, gentlemen; my apologies for the intrusion.” Neither of them took the hand he offered. “Well, hell,” said Lazarus with a big grin, “I reckon we ain’t gonna be friends. No problemo. I got me plenty of friends.”

  Ramon spoke, a clear edge of annoyance in his voice. “Why are you here, Mr. Cooper?”

  Lazarus answered, “I was supposed to be here ‘bout an hour ago fer breakfast with Mr. Garza here. I had me a little car trouble though, so I was a runnin’ late. Damn battery was deader than a door nail. I had to wait on a wrecker to come gimme a jump. Then I had to git me a battery at the Walmart and put the sucker in.”

  Torano leaned back, not looking surprised by the information. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for the information, though it’s irrelevant. You need to leave, this is private business.”

  “Ain’t gonna happen, bubba,” said Lazarus calmly. “If anyone’s leavin’ it’s you and that Kraut lawyer of yours.”

  Ramon frowned at the response. “Since you obviously know who I am, you know what I could do to you?”

  To everyone’s surprise, and Garza’s dismay, Lazarus let out booming laugh. “Well hell, Ramon. I don’t figure they call ya ‘El Corazon’ cause yer big fan of Valentine’s Day.” Lazarus continued laughing as Torano’s face turned crimson.

  “You find this amusing, gringo?” snarled Torano as he leaned forward in his chair.

  Langston stood and moved to Lazarus’ side, although no one seemed to take notice.

  Lazarus’ laugh died as fast as it had started. “Fer the record, yeah, I do. Since accordin’ to yer phone call to the boss yesterday, you was gonna give him two weeks to wrap up his contract. Yet, here ya sit, in the mother-fuckin’ flesh no less, one god-damn day later. So yeah, I find this real fuckin’ amusin’.” Lazarus stared Torano in the eye as he spoke, showing no fear.

  “I should kill you right now for your insolence like the fucking dog you are.” Torano’s voice rose as he spoke.

  Lazarus leaned back on his right leg and before anyone could blink, he had a gun in each hand. One pointed at Torano, the other at his lawyer. “I don’t think so, bubba. I’d git you and yer shyster fuckin’ lawyer first. Next, I’d pop the two pendejos in the Yukon out front. I’d be gone before the last casin’ hits the fuckin’ ground. Whatcha ya say, amigo, wanna call me on it?”

  Torano sat on the edge of his chair, defiant as ever. “That’s a very bold statement Mr. Johnson, especially from someone who is alone.”

  “Langston, sur ses gardes,
” he said in French. Langston came out from behind Lazarus, hackles up, fangs bared and growling low in his throat. “I didn’t come here alone, Torano,” he said with a dark grin.

  Torano responded, “I have other men, too.”

  Lazarus laughed. “That’s what us folks up in the panhandle calls a load of horse shit. Ya prolly ain’t much of a poker player. Yer gonna have to try that bluffin’ shit on someone else. Ya got 2 in the truck. Ya shoulda brought more. So’s cut the shit and save the threats.”

  Torano did have another man. A third guard in the hallway, out of Lazarus line of sight. The guard’s only mistake was wearing hard soled shoes. Lazarus heard them against the laminate floor as he began to enter the room.

  Lazarus said firmly, “Langston, contenir.”

  Langston was on the guard before he was half way through the doorway, clamping down on his extended arm above the wrist. With three vicious shakes, he took the man down.

  “Langston, rapporter,” said Lazarus. The 110-pound shepherd drug the man across the floor like a chew toy. Once at his master’s side the shepherd stopped but didn’t release the arm.

  “You want I should have em tear that arm off?” Lazarus asked Torano. Lazarus was more than a bit pissed, but at himself. He should have assumed the other man was there. There was no way either Torano or Schultz had been driving the other Yukon. He filed that away for later.

  Torano was stunned by the speed and ferocity of the attack. It’d been less than 5 seconds since the guard entered the room. Now he was lying at Lazarus’ feet, the shepherd was growling and shaking his head slowly like he was chewing on a toy.

  It was Enrique who answered, his voice trembling with fear. “Cooper, there’s no need for this. Senor Torano is my brother. Please call Langston off.”

  Lazarus spoke slowly, the guns never wavering. “El Corazon here is yer brother?”

  “Half-brother; our father is not doing well. Ramon came here to speak with me in person. I assure you, I’m in no danger and he certainly doesn’t want to hurt me.” Garza was shaking in fear, his head turning back and forth from Torano to Lazarus like he was watching a tennis match. “Please, Cooper,” he asked again. “Call off Langston.”

  Lazarus waited a full minute before responding, “Langston, lâcher.” The shepherd released the guard’s arm and stepped back, blood dripping from his jowls.

  “Mr. Torano, ya reckon’ I done made my point?”

  Torano leaned back in his chair, a quizzical and angry look on his face. Two things crossed his mind. First, maybe Shultz was wrong about his brother. Second, and far more important, why was this Cooper person really here?

  Torano spoke slowly and clearly. “Mr. Johnson, apparently there’s been a misunderstanding. I may owe you an apology, something I rarely do, so I won’t.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not my way. I didn’t know you were an associate of the Chameleon, nor did I know my brother had enlisted his assistance.” He glanced angrily at Enrique as he stated the later.

  “I gotta admit we sure did git off to a piss poor start, that’s fer dang sure.” Lazarus looked down at the guard. “Someone oughta take a look at this boy’s arm. He’s bleedin’ like a stuck pig. I’d apologize, but he shoulda kept his ass out in the fuckin’ hall in the first place, and it ain’t MY way. He sure as shit shouldn’t have pulled that gun neither.” Lazarus looked down and said, “Langston, c’est la vie.” The shepherd lay down, hackles flattening out. “Good boy,” said Lazarus, pulling a milk bone out of his pocket and tossing it to the dog.

  Lazarus slowly holstered his weapons. “I reckon I best be gettin’ along then, but I gotta be callin’ the boss first.” Lazarus backed away to the corner of the room punching numbers, calling his own phone. He waited a few seconds before speaking, loud enough to make sure Torano could hear him.

  “It ain’t goin’ so good, boss.” He waited a few seconds more, “I used Langston on one a Senor Torano’s boys. It was gettin’ a little hairy and the boy stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong.” Lazarus waited another full minute, shifting his weight back and forth. He threw in a “Yes, sir” about every 15 or 20 seconds for effect. “Got it,” he said and closed the flip phone as he returned.

  “Mr. Torano, there’s a bit of an overlap here, but I ain’t at liberty to say no more. Yer gonna have to talk to the boss ‘bout that.”

  Lazarus turned to Garza. “No offense, Enrique, but my boss told me to tell ya, and I quote, ‘Why you contracted me isn’t to be discussed with anyone, period. That includes Ramon. Yer gonna comply with my instructions. Failure to do so will be detrimental to yer health.’ That there’s end of it, more or less jest what he said.” Lazarus watched Garza for a reaction, seeing something he didn’t like.

  “I’ll call the Chameleon and clear this up.” Torano looked at Garza and continued, “I am curious, however, as to why my brother has engaged his services.”

  Lazarus nodded. “I reckon you are, but that ain’t somethin ya need to know.” He looked at Garza and said, “That there’s between Mr. Garza here and my boss.”

  Garza had told Torano something. It was written all over his face. Lazarus assumed he’d put a spin on it. The most likely scenario, Garza discovered the missing funds, hiring the Chameleon to locate the money. There was nothing Lazarus could do about that at the moment. He looked at Torano, and saw the same thing in his body language, confirming his assumption.

  “Senor Torano, the boss says for ya to send him the bill on yer boy. He’ll cover it.”

  “He didn’t have anything else to say about all this?” asked Torano with a sweep of his arms.

  “Hell, yeah, he did,” said Lazarus, “but I’m supposed to wait a bit on that.”

  Torano stood up, his hands behind his back. He was still angry, but recognized the situation was too volatile to act. He was half expecting the CC police to come busting through the door and he needed to get out quickly.

  “Mr. Cooper, I must say I’m impressed with your behavior in what could have been a deadly confrontation. If you ever decide to leave the employment of the Chameleon, I’d welcome you and your canine to the family with open arms, double your current salary.”

  “That’s one hell of an offer, I gotta admit,” replied Lazarus. “I’ll damn sure keep it in mind. Don’t git me wrong, I like workin’ fer the boss, fer the most part. The pay’s damn good, but sometimes I git myself stuck in situations like this. I figure it ain’t right sometimes. My ass is in the crosshairs while he’s sittin’ somewhere safe, outta the shit.” Lazarus stood there for a minute, as though considering the offer before shaking his head.

  “Now, if’n ya’ all will excuse me, seems ya have family business. I done took up enough time, not to mention pissin’ off one of the biggest drug lords in all of Mexico. That prolly wasn’t one of my better moves, I gotta admit.”

  Torano replied, “Yes, you ‘pissed me off’, as you Americans say. However, under these circumstances the past is the past Mr. Johnson. As a business man, I can appreciate your actions and respect them. However, I do hope we never have another encounter along these lines.”

  Lazarus nodded his head, “I sure as shit don’t git paid enough sometimes, that’s for dang sure.”

  “Mr. Johnson?” asked Torano. “One more question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “How did your boss know I was here?”

  “The boss has a mess of people on the payroll, sorta like you do, keepin’ him informed and all. Seems ya got spotted at the marina last night by one of them shrimpers down on the t-head. I gotta admit, ain’t one damn government agency got a clue yer in town. Word of advice though?”

  “Go on.”

  “I’d lose the Yukons; too damn stereo-typical. Go for a Honda or a Subaru. Good dependable cars and they don’t look like feds or felons sittin’ behind the wheel. And lose the suits, too. Local Mexicans don’t wear fuckin’ suits sittin’ in a car.”

  Torano nodded and turned to the lawyer, “You getting this?”
<
br />   Shultz nodded as he wrote notes in his pad, “Got it, Hefe. It’s good advice, too.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Tell your boss I’ll call after dinner with my brother.”

  “Will do,” replied Lazarus. He started to turn, stopping short to look back at Torano. “Now here’s the hard part, Mr. Torano.”

  “The hard part?” asked Torano. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s the message from the boss fer you. I’m jest passin’ it along, and I dang sure don’t mean you no disrespect.”

  “I’m listening,” said Torano with a grim face.

  “Here’s what he said to tell ya,” said Lazarus, taking off the Stetson, turning it in his hands by the brim. “This here’s a direct quote: ‘I’m disappointed ya didn’t keep yer word. I’m going to assume ya know why Mr. Garza hired me. Regardless, you’ll give me my two weeks, or we’re going to have a major problem’”.

  Lazarus glanced at Garza who was white as a ghost. “Now, Enrique, don’t go getting’ yer knickers in a bunch. I ain’t gonna to say nuthun more to the boss about this. I don’t wanna see ya git hurt. I kinda like yer ass for some strange fuckin’ reason.” That elicited a laugh from Torano.

  Lazarus turned to the drug lord, “I’m supposed to tell ya the boss’s got a good line on who’s been stickin’ their fingers in the honey pot. Our man is pretty sure it’s a woman what was doin’ the skimmin’. ‘How do ya know that?’ yer gonna ask. Well, accordin’ to his boy, its them codes and locks or whatever the fuck ya call that shit. Anyways, he says the code is familiar. He’s seen her hacks before. He says most of them hackers leave a signature of sorts. Kinda like braggin’ where ya been. Bottom line, ya gave him yer word you’d wait, and ya didn’t. If’n you let his guy finish trackin’ the money, this’d prolly go a long way towards puttin’ this behind us.”

  Torano appeared to be mulling it over, when in fact he had already made up his mind. So, he lied, “I’d like an answer sooner, but since we’re apparently after the same result.” He glanced at his brother. “I’ll give him his two weeks. If he hasn’t found the hacker by then, we do it my way.”