Dealer's Choice

By Christine Chianti

FBI agent Brian Moran is leading the war on organized crime. Heading his first major op, he hopes to take out a significant portion of the Black Mamba's drug trade. His sting snares several of the key distributors, but he catches more than he bargained for in his net.

Alexandria Cutter is not the rebellious teenager she appears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Lark Publishing
• Release date: May 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781946925039

Christine Chianti

Christine was born and raised in Western New York, and continues to make her home there.After high school, she studied physics and earth science at SUNY College at Brockport, as well as earning her NYS Teaching Certificates. Her graduate work was done at the University of Buffalo, where she received a Masters in Science Education.Christine spent 19 years teaching high school science, ranging from physics to forensics, in the Western New York area.Always a voracious reader, Christine began experimenting with her writing by penning several short stories while in high school. She dabbled at her writing until 2008, when she decided to commit to writing a full length novel.Enjoying the experience so much, she decided to pursue her writing full time in 2010, and left her teaching position.Christine is a member of the Write Touch Writers Group, Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America (pending), and Mystery Writers of America (pending). She is an avid aviation enthusiast, and spends her free time building her own plane.

Book preview

1

Special Agent Brian Moran leaned back in the uncomfortable vinyl seat of the van. I thought being on a stake out was a duty that we now regulated to the younger group, he muttered.

Only in our dreams, his friend and fellow agent Deke Kirkpatrick agreed. Course, I think people like Dom got it figured out.

Brian snorted. Sure. Dom’s got it all figured out.

Hey, is he sitting here hunched over in a van at, Deke checked his watch, two-twenty-eight in the morning? No. He’s at home sleeping the sleep of the just.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he doesn’t have to get up and come in in the morning either. Though, I’m not sure I’d want to be him right about now either. Did you see the way that his mom fussed over him and Bridgette when he was in the hospital?

Deke nodded, and looked down at the discolored skin on his hands caused by the fire that had nearly killed him and the last member of the three amigos, Dom Franchini.

Dom had dived through the fire burning in the hotel into hostile fire to save a fellow agent little more than a month ago. After two weeks, Dom had been able to return to light duty, but he was still having problems with his wrist which had been shattered during the rescue. He and his fiancé, Bridgette Mahoney, were currently up in Ohio visiting with Dom’s family and consulting a surgeon to see what could be done.

Have you heard how Bridgette’s doing? Deke asked.

She seems to be catching on to things pretty—

He broke off and raised the night vision goggles. Looks like we may have some thing. Got a black sedan just pulling in, no headlights on.

Deke nodded, keyed his mic, All units, be aware. Black sedan, looks like a Mercedes, just pulled into the parking area. Keep under surveillance, and make no contact.

Brain kept the goggles to his eyes and scanned the rest of the quad. Can’t figure out why Bobby B wants to always do business in the middle of college campuses. You’d figure that he’d get nervous with having the campus police always around.

You’re forgetting, Bri, that he’s likely got them on a payroll. Might be a bit easier to get a cop from a small time college who’d be willing to look the other way. Deke shifted in his seat. Can you identify who is in the car?

No, but here comes another one, Brian said nodding to the right where a small red VW Bug pulled in. Got two women in this one, it looks. He watched the two women sit in their car and talk. Actually, it looks like one older woman and a teenager. Sheesh. I really hate when people drag their kids into this kind of stuff.

Deke looked through his goggles and shook his head. Makes you want to throttle them, doesn’t it? I mean, what are they teaching their kids? Do they really want to tell them ‘Selling drugs is a good way to pay the bills’?

Maybe we can help this one out, Brian said with a shrug. If she doesn’t do anything illegal, maybe when we bust mom, we can get her out of the house and into somewhere safe.

Well, either way, Deke said, nodding to another approaching car, I think it’s about show time.

Brian nodded again. Looks like, it. He keyed the mic again, All units, stand by for my signal. Nobody moves until we have enough proof that they’re actually dealing with intent to distribute.

* * *

Shirley Fuller was nearing forty, but still dressed like she was in her twenties. She had been involved with the drug trade since she dropped out of school at the ripe old age of sixteen. Escaping an over-demanding father and a mother who couldn’t care about anything more than where her next drink came from had been her whole life’s plan.

In her mind, she’d done exactly what had needed to be done at each step. If that had meant spending a few years working as a prostitute, she was okay with that. When the opportunity had presented itself for her to work as a mule for one of the dealers, she’d made that choice. And when that dealer had found himself on the wrong end of a gun, she’d found herself with a whole shipment of stuff that she could sell.

Being an enterprising lady, she figured out how to set up her own shop, and for the last fifteen years, she had been supplying the local high school students with all the drugs they could buy.

Occasionally, when she saw something of herself in one of her customers, she would open an invitation to them to join her sales force, and give them a bit of on-the-job training. Most times she’d keep them on and let them make money for her. But on rare occasions, she’d find someone who had the drive to want to break into a new market. And the reward for bringing a new distributor into the game was better than having somebody schlep some stuff on the corner for you.

Shirley turned to the young girl seated next to her. You ready to take your next step, Sandy?

Alexandria Cutter looked to still be shy of eighteen, dressed in a tattered black jacket jeans and combat boots. The black lipstick and heavy eyeliner stood in stark contrast to the blond hair that was currently hanging in a braid down her back. She played with the ring in her lip while she stared out the window.

Sandy had started dealing with Shirley nearly two years before, making simple buys and working her way up. Over the time, she had farmed out a few other low level dealers, and had told Shirley that she was anxious to move up in the organization. Looking over to the other car in the lot, Any idea who they are? she asked Shirley.

Naw. Bobby B does business with a bunch of distributors. He sets up a time that we can meet, but ‘cause of the way the cops treat our product, you can’t have no warehouse or nothing. So, we tell Bobby what we want, he tells us where to go. And then he and sometimes one other guy will bring the stuff.

Is he gonna be mad that you brought me? Sandy asked.

Uh-uh. When I sent in my order, I told him that I had a new recruit and that you’d be making your first buy from him tonight. I told him what you wanted, so he’s expecting you. So long as you got the money, he’s ready to deal with you.

Excellent, Sandy said rubbing her hands together.

A Mercedes Sprinter van approached, Shirley looked up. Looks like this is Bobby B now. After the Sprinter had pulled into an open space and parked with its lights on, she nodded to Sandy, Let’s go.

Sandy followed Shirley towards the van, and noticed two guys getting out of a black Mercedes and heading the same direction as they were. Both men were roughly six feet tall, she guessed and both had their heads shaved. The only distinguishing feature that she could see was that the driver had a slight limp when he walked.

The back door of the van swung open, two men were silhouetted in the dim interior light. One was tall and wiry, with a scar on his right cheek. The other was beefier and had his long black hair pulled into a ponytail. Both men had a snake tattoo on their right forearm.

Hey, Bobby, the guy with the limp said.

The beefy guy nodded. How are things hanging, Jerry?

Business is good, man. Ain’t got no complaints. Seems C.J. here did a pretty good job with buying that county dude. The sheriffs ain’t been giving us no hassles for the last few weeks.

Bobby laughed, That’s real good. May they continue to keep out of our way. Got some prime coke this time, a little bonus for you guys.

He jumped down from the van and shook hands with Jerry and C.J. before he made his way towards the two women.

So, Shirley, is this my new account?

This is her, Bobby. Her name’s Alexandria, but everyone just calls her Sandy. Sandy, meet Bobby B. He runs the best distributorship in the east. If you want it, he can get it. Always done well by me in all the time that we been doing business together.

Bobby crossed over to Alexandria and pulled out a wand. Raise you arms, girl. I know that Shirley’s vouched for you, but we can’t take no chances that maybe you be wired, ya dig?

Sandy raised her arms and stood still while Bobby ran the wand around her quickly.

Okay, good. You’re clean, he pronounced. Now Sandy, Shirley gave me your order this time. You got the cash?

Sandy reached into an inside jacket pocket and pulled out a small envelope and handed it over.

Bobby opened it, thumbed through it and nodded. Looks like you just bought yourself into the business. Welcome aboard. Come on over to the truck, and Tony will get you all set up.

Alexandria followed Shirley to the truck, where Tony was already handing bags to C.J. and Jerry.

She wiped her hands on the legs of her jeans as the men turned to leave. Shirley stepped up, with Sandy following, and Tony gave them their purchases.

* * *

Dang it, she’s making a buy too, Brian muttered. Lucy? Do we have full audio on this?

Lucy Daniels crouched over her equipment. We’re five by five, Brian. Everything is completely understandable, and the recording is flawless. Video and audio on all parties, she said triumphantly.

Brian thought for a minute, studied the scene trough the night vision goggles again and sighed. We’re going to wait for the girl to finish her buy, and then we’re going to go in and arrest the whole bunch of them.

He punched in a key on the radio. Director? It’s Moran, we’ve got a total of six suspects. Full audio and video surveillance to corroborate. The bust will be going down in two minutes.

Assistant Director Fredrick Meyers’ voice crackled over the speaker, Roger. Keep me in the loop and let me know when you’re ready for transport.

Deke set his goggles down. How do you want to do this?

Brian shrugged. Figured that we’d all go in on the same count. The two patrol cars have already blocked off the exit routes out of here, so they’re not going to get far in the cars. The helo is orbiting less than ten miles out, again full IR video and audio. As soon as we go, they’ll be coming in with air support. All that’s left is for us to wander over and pick up the six bad guys.

Deke looked out the window. Why don’t I feel like it’s going to be that easy?

Brian watched as the teen-aged girl took possession of her package of drugs and keyed the mic once more. All teams, move in now!

Floodlights flashed on from several points around the parking area, and men could be seen running towards the six stunned people by the van.

This is the FBI, you are surrounded. Lay prone on the ground with your hands on your head, a voice echoed through the night.

The beating of the helicopter rotor sounded filled the air as another super bright light lit up the suspects.

Brian watched as the teenager dropped her package and lowered herself to the ground, keeping her hands up until she was completely on the ground. The woman watched her, before she looked around at the oncoming team and then she followed suit.

Deke tapped his shoulder. Look at the wiry guy. You think he’s—

Blast! He’s going to run! Brian nearly screamed.

Tony, looking at the oncoming team, seemed to take two deep breaths before he jumped from the back of the van and started running towards the tree line on the other side.

As he ran, his hand reached under his flapping shirt and came out brandishing a small pistol.

Gun! the word echoed through the speakers from several sources.

Brian wasn’t sure where the first shot came from, but he watched in horror as Tony’s chest suddenly erupted in splotches of red, and his body danced like a crazed marionette.

Walking the scene ten minutes later, Brian surveyed the damage.

They had five clean arrests, including Bobby B who had been running the east coast drug trade for the Black Mambas for nearly four years. If the estimates of the rest of their team were anywhere close, they’d confiscated nearly six kilos of cocaine, a kilo of marijuana and an assortment of pills which they had yet to identify.

But they also had one dead body.

Sucks that he tried to get away like that, Bri, Deke said coming up from behind him.

It was senseless. He had to know that we had him dead-to-rights. So why run?

Deke flipped a page in his notebook. Well, if our on scene identification is right, he’s Anthony Gilbert. He’s been a Mamba for nearly ten years. Suspected of two homicides, but in both cases either witnesses or evidence went missing. He does have a few other small convictions, a few for breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, that kind of stuff. But, this would have been a serious dent for him.

Brian rubbed his chin, Yep. And looking at his tat, he’s got a blood drop by the fangs, which makes him a full member. That means that he’s killed at least one person. From the sounds of things, tonight would have been at least his third strike, and with the amount of stuff that’s in that van, he easily he would have gotten intent to distribute. He was going away for the rest of his life, and he knew it.

What are you thinking? Deke asked.

Brian stared to where the coroner’s team worked on the body of Tony Gilbert. I don’t think he planned to get out tonight. Once he knew that we had him, he made sure that he was no longer in a position to be arrested.

Deke gawked at his friend. Ah, Bri? You think he intentionally got himself shot?

When Brian’s only answer was a shrug and a raised eyebrow, Deke continued. We got them all with possession with intent. Even that teenaged girl, he checked his notepad again. Her ID says she’s Sandra Elaine Kotter, age seventeen.

Brian grunted. Wonderful. We’d better call in child protection services. Have them meet us at the bureau in about three hours. It’s going to take that long to get things here cleared up and ready for transport.

Already done. I also put two women patrols on guard with her until we get CPS here to take over. I didn’t want any screw ups on this.

Good thinking, Deke. Thanks. Brian turned to look over the scene one more time. Do we have any idea who fired the first shot that took down Gilbert?

Deke shook his head. No. I’ve got three agents who said they fired, but no one is sure which one went first. He had a gun, Brian. It was a clean shoot.

Brian kicked at something that was lying on the asphalt. I know. I just hate doing all the blasted paperwork when somebody decides to commit suicide by cop. He let out a frustrated breath. Why don’t we go see who else we’ve got tonight?

Five cruisers sat in a line at the end of the lot, their lights flashing. Agents stood in a small group nearby the cars. Two women stood guard by the door of the last car.

Brian and Deke walked over to the first car in the line. Who do have? Brian asked the driver.

Gomer in the back is identified as Jerome Lansing. A quick check shows that our upstanding Mr. Lansing has ties to the Fifth Street Gang. We’ve already read them their rights. Did that as a big group thing before we put ‘em in the cars.

Brian nodded and opened the door. Mr. Lansing, you all comfy back there?

Jerry nearly snarled. Hey man. You got the wrong guy or something. I didn’t do nothing.

Really? So, what, you just showed up here tonight and Santa Claus was here handing out packages or something?

Man, he ain’t no Santa Claus. That dude drives a red sleigh, not a Mercedes. No, we was told that if we came down tonight, we’d get a little incentive, if you know what I mean, Jerry said with a smile.

So, then you had no idea what you were picking up, right?

Right, man. You know, the boss said go pick up the junk, and we did. And then you guys show up.

Who else came with you, Mr. Lansing?

What? No, no I came by myself. I ain’t going to get no body else in any trouble. I don’t want no trouble at all. Just want to get my things, and go home, you dig?

Well, sorry to rain on your parade, but it’s going to be a little while before any of that happens. We’re going to be taking a little ride, and we’ll talk later.

The stop at the second car was even shorter. As soon as Brian opened the door to Bobby B, Bobby said four words, I want a lawyer.

No problem. You can call when we get downtown. Have a nice ride, Brian said closing the door.

Gee. He wants a lawyer. There’s a surprise, Deke said joining him. I managed to talk to the other two adults. Neither has anything intelligent to say right now, but neither said anything about a lawyer, so we may have something that we can work with there.

Brian stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed. Well, let’s go see how the youngest felon is tonight.

At the last car, Brian looked in through the side window. The teenaged girl didn’t look scared, he thought, she looked mad. Mad enough to chew her way out, he thought.

She’s not saying much, the one female officer offered. All she’s been saying for the past ten minutes is that she wants her lawyer.

No one has tried to talk to her have they? Brain asked. "I don’t want anybody questioning her until CPS is on scene with her.

As the groups began to finish collecting evidence, the sun was just beginning to peek over the trees. Brian ordered the prisoners transported to the holding facility and for them to be kept separate. Since two had requested lawyers, directives were set so that they would make those calls upon booking.

He stood there watching as the cars drove off. As the last car past, an image embedded itself in his brain.

A pretty young blond, with ice blue eyes who looked like she wanted to kill him.

2

So, how do you plan to play it, Moran? Assistant Director Fredrick Meyers asked.

Meyers sat at the end of the long table, he was broad shouldered and had a chiseled jaw. Even though his once black hair now going gray, he still looked imposing.

Brian sat at the opposite end of the table and looked around the room at the other agents that were there. Deke and Lucy were the only two that had been on the op with him, but the other agents in the room had been involved through out the entire play, gathering the evidence and the Intel that had been key to the success of the op.

Brian forced himself to put the image of Tony out of his mind. He and his team had taken down five dealers tonight, and that was a good thing.

I think I want to start working them, round the clock essentially, Brian finally answered. The name of the game today is that they don’t get what they want. We go in, in pairs, he added looking around the room. Each pair stays with the suspect for, hmm, let’s say an hour. When we need a break, another team comes in and keeps pushing at them. When they give up the next few names on the chain, then we can talk about deals. Until then we give them nothing.

Meyers nodded, and stayed quiet.

What about our two that cried lawyer? Deke asked.

The lawyers can stay with them. We just keep going on our plan until we get where we want to be, Brian said before taking a long sip of coffee.

He was bone tired, and he knew it. He’d been on for thirty-six hours straight already, and he knew that it was going to be at least another twelve before he even got the chance to go home and see his bed.

You’re going to have to be mindful of the minor, Meyers finally said. She’s going to have her lawyer and CPS in with her. CPS is likely to demand a break for her. Meyers frowned, and tossed his papers onto the table. What in God’s name was she doing there in the first place? How does a seventeen year old get access to someone like Bobby B?

Heads all around the table shook.

Okay, people, Meyers said again to quiet the group down. Let’s work this situation, not make it any worse. Make sure you record everything, video and audio, make sure that the first team in reads each of these bums their rights. I don’t want these weasels slipping out because we stepped in something. Any questions?

Lucy looked around the room, Um, I was just wondering do we have any word on when Dom and Bridgette are going to be back? I’m thinking with Bridge’s computer skills, she’d be able to hack through a few of these backgrounds in no time.

Meyers snickered. You can relax, Daniels. Agent Franchini and Miss Mahoney will be back in the office before noon. I’ve already spoken to them this morning, and they’ll be ready to jump into the fray when they walk in.

* * *

He doesn’t look too tough now, does he? Deke asked as he and Brian were standing in Observation Room 2, looking at C.J. Townson.

Is it me, or does he look a little strung out? Brian asked. Maybe he’s not just a dealer. Maybe he likes his product a little too well. It’s almost a shame that we don’t have enough officers to get right in there right now. He’s just going to have to wait a bit longer.

Deke looked at the figure who was shackled to the table. Townson had his knees drawn up, with his arms wrapped around tight. But the tics were there. Deke felt a bit of sympathy for him, knowing that today was going to get a whole lot worse for him before anything got better. Where do you want to start?

"Let’s go see his buddy, Jerry Lansing, Brian answered.

After reading Jerry his rights, Brian sat in a chair directly across from Lanning. Okay, Jerry. Why don’t you run me through the events of last night?

Lansing smirked at the agents. "What’s there to tell? I went out for a drive last night. Picked up C.J. and we went cruising. Ended up going up by the college, you know hoping to score on some cute co-eds. But hey, you know, nothing. Seen this guy sitting in the lot with the truck, looked like maybe he needed some help, so we stopped in.

"When we approached him, he said he needed some help delivering some packages. So me and C.J., we tell him, sure. I mean I’m all for helping somebody out, ya know? Then you guys with your flashing lights showed up and drag us all down here.

I don’t even know why I’m down here, Lansing said with a smile before he leaned back in his chair.

Brain looked over to the corner where Deke was standing. What’d you think?

Deke walked over to the table slowly. Well, I’ll give him a four for improvisation. But only a two for the story. That things so full of holes, you could drive a truck through it.

Brian nodded, That’s about what I thought, too. He turned back to Lanning, who was still grinning. Look, Einstein, we’ve got you cold. You called Bobby B by name, he addressed you, also by name. He told you what was in the shipment as a bonus. But, you know what? You’re going to tell me I got it all wrong, right? So, I’ll tell you what. Why don’t the three of us sit back and watch a little video from last night, and then we can try it all again.

He pressed a button on the remote, and the images flashed on the wall screen.

Brian never took his eyes off of Lansing’s face, and knew the moment when Lansing realized how deep he was in.

Look, how about a deal? I ain’t never been busted before, can we work a deal of some kind?

That’s a possibility, Jerry, Deke said. But first, you need to show us that you understand what you were doing was wrong and that you’re sorry about the drugs.

Man, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about them, Lanning said.

Well, here’s the thing, Lansing. I know that you know that with this evidence, Brian pointed to the screen, and the evidence you had on your possession when you were arrested you’re looking at some serious time inside. Now, if you want me to help you, and maybe talk to someone about making that time less, then you need to help me now. He slid a yellow legal pad over. I want you to write down everyone in the chain that makes it possible for the Fifth Street Gang to distribute all of those horrible drugs.

Lansing’s face paled. Knows he’s in a pickle, Brian thought.

Deke had picked up on it as well. Hey, Jerry. Listen. You don’t want to help us? That’s fine. We’ll just toss you back in the pen and when we talk to the DA, we’ll let him know that you were most uncooperative.

Yeah, and you know, Brian picked up the conversation. DA Jacobs isn’t too happy right now with the gang issues. He’s trying to make a run for the governor’s office, and he’d love to be able to tell everyone how he’s taking the drugs off our streets and locking the dealers up for twenty years or more.

Brian pushed to his feet, and turned to the door. I’m not going to sugar coat this, Lanning. I want the information you have. You’ve got until I reach that door to make you decision. You want our help, give me the names. I reach the door first, no deal.

He’d taken three steps when a shaky voice from behind called out. Stop! Oh for Pete’s sake just stop. I’ll give you the names.

Brian flashed a quick smile to Deke before he turned around.

Jerome Lansing sat at the table scribbling down names as fast