I leaned forward, my eyes locked onto theirs, my voice firm and resolute. "Tell me, where can I find the Kingpin?" I demanded, my words echoing through the room. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with anticipation.
But instead of fear, instead of submission, they unleashed a torrent of curses and threats. Drew's face twisted in rage, his eyes blazing with hatred. "You'll never find him," he snarled, spittle flying from his lips. "He'll kill you before you even get close." His voice dripped with malice.
Frankie chimed in, his voice laced with venom. "You're just a stupid fool, thinking you can take on the Kingpin," he sneered. "He'll crush you like the insignificant insect you are." His words were laced with desperation.
Their curses and threats continued, a futile attempt to hide their own fear. I listened, unmoved, my expression unyielding. Their rage was palpable.
"You'll pay for this," Drew spat, his face reddening. "The Kingpin will make you suffer." Frankie joined in.
"The entire city will hunt you down," Frankie threatened. Their curses and threats mingled.
But I remained unmoved, my focus fixed on my goal. "Empty threats," I said, my voice firm. "You're in no position to make promises." Their rage intensified.
Drew's face purpled. "You'll never leave this city alive," he hissed. Frankie's eyes bulged.
"I'll make sure you rot in hell," he added, his voice trembling. Their threats hung in the air.
Hollow and meaningless, they echoed off the walls. I smiled.
"I've heard enough," I said.
Their curses faltered.
"Time to talk," I said.
Their heavy breathing filled the silence.
I raised my gun, its cold metal glinting in the dim light that filled the room. Frankie's eyes widened, his face frozen in terror as he realized his fate was sealed. A split second passed, and I pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the room, a deafening crash that left Drew reeling. Frankie's body slumped forward, lifeless, his head jerked violently to the side, and his limbs went limp.
Drew's eyes went wide, his face ashen as he stared at Frankie's lifeless body, disbelief etched on his face. The reality of his situation hit him like a ton of bricks. He couldn't comprehend how things had escalated so quickly. Just hours ago, they were celebrating their latest score, and now his partner lay dead, and he was staring down the barrel of a gun. His mind racing, Drew struggled to process the events unfolding before him.
I turned to Drew, my gun now pointed at his head, the barrel inches from his skin. "Your turn," I said, my voice cold and detached. Drew's eyes locked onto mine, fear and panic warring for dominance. His breath came in short gasps, and his entire body trembled. He knew he was running out of time.
"Talk," I ordered, my voice firm and commanding. Drew's lips trembled as he struggled to form words. His eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape or a glimmer of hope, but there was none. "Wh-what do you want to know?" he stammered, his voice barely audible. I leaned in, my face inches from his.
"Everything," I growled, my voice low and menacing. Drew's eyes darted wildly, and he nodded frantically. "Okay, okay!" he exclaimed. "I'll tell you!" His words spilled out in a frantic rush. "The Kingpin's operation is massive," Drew began. "He controls the entire city, from the docks to the streets." I listened intently, absorbing every detail.
"Where is he?" I demanded, my gun still pressed to Drew's temple. Drew hesitated, and I could see the fear in his eyes. "I-I don't know," he stuttered. My grip on the gun tightened. "Think carefully," I warned. Drew's eyes went wide, and he nodded. "I remember!" he exclaimed. "There's a meeting tonight. At the old warehouse. On 5th and Main." I nodded, committing the details to memory.
"Who'll be there?" I asked, my voice firm. Drew's voice shook. "The Kingpin. His top lieutenants. And several other key players." I smiled, a plan forming in my mind. This was the break I needed, the key to bringing down the Kingpin's empire.
I leaned back in my chair, a sarcastic smile spreading across my face as I gazed at Drew. "So, Drew, tell me about your family," I said, my voice dripping with mock interest, each word laced with sarcasm. Drew's eyes widened, and his face paled, his skin taking on a ghostly hue. He looked like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. His eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape or a reprieve, but there was none.
"What about my family?" he stammered, trying to sound brave but failing miserably. His voice trembled, and his words were laced with fear. I could see the terror building inside him, the desperation to protect his loved ones. But I wasn't interested in his feelings. I was interested in information.
"Oh, come on, Drew," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm, each word cutting deep. "I'm sure they're just lovely. A wife, two kids, right?" Drew's eyes darted wildly again, and he nodded almost imperceptibly, his head bobbing up and down. I already knew about his family, had done my research, gathered intel on every aspect of his life. What I didn't know was where he was hiding them, keeping them safe from the Kingpin's reach, and now, from me.
"Where are they, Drew?" I asked, my voice cold and calculating, devoid of emotion. Drew's face contorted in fear, his features twisting in anguish. He knew what was at stake, knew that his family's safety hung in the balance. "I'll never tell," he spat, trying to sound defiant, but his words lacked conviction.
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism evident. "You're willing to die for the Kingpin, but not for your family?" Drew's eyes flashed with anger, a spark of defiance igniting within him. But it was short-lived, extinguished by the crushing weight of his reality. He knew he was trapped, caught between loyalty and love.
"You don't understand," he growled, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Kingpin will kill them if he finds out." I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "I'm not interested in harming them, Drew," I lied. "I just want to know where they are." Drew's face twisted in desperation, his eyes pleading.
"Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Don't hurt them. They're innocent." Innocent? I laughed inwardly. With a father like Drew, involved in the Kingpin's operation, they were anything but innocent. But I didn't voice my thoughts.
"I'm sure they don't know anything," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, each word cutting deep. The silence hung heavy, punctuated only by Drew's ragged breathing.
"I'll give you one last chance," I said, my voice firm. "Tell me where they are." Drew's jaw clenched, his resolve evident. "I'll never tell," he repeated, his voice firm.
I nodded.
"Suit yourself."