Cop Craft – Dragnet Mirage Reloaded - Book 3: Chapter 1: (12)

「Well, yeah, that’s true… but it’s not the kind of stuff you’re looking for. Have Colombians run out of middlemen already? I’m not buying it. Go ask your brothers or something. They’ll cross the entire ocean and bring the stuff for you anyways, right?」 「A lot has happened, you see. The route we take to bring coke from South America to San Teresa has seen a large increase in both DEA and military presence recently. You may not see it in the news, but the policemen dealing with drugs all know it already.」 「Ah… so that story about the big shot of the Reboro Cartel being captured was true after all.」 「Well, yeah, pretty much.」

Matoba let out a sigh and clicked his tongue, trying to make it seem like it was all news to him.

「No wonder then. That other bastard that was always smuggling coke was also looking pretty pissed, just like you. And the market price has also gone to shit. Stuff like only 40 grams? You can’t sell that.」 「It really is unfortunate. Who would that other bastard be?」 「That lanky Garcia guy.」

Matoba mentioned the name of another dealer that was famous in San Teresa. Garcia was actually a man that for a long time had been selling and doing business all over the place, but recently he had become a collaborator for the authorities.

「Doing business with that guy isn’t a smart idea.」 「How so?」 「40 grams aren’t nearly worth the effort within this industry. Garcia was pretty much eating you alive, Mister Manobe.」 「Hey hey, are you insulting him?」

Matoba shrugged his shoulders

「That guy watched my back a lot back in prison. I got to enjoy both some tobacco and guys’ asses thanks to him.」

Matoba said, and then Mendoza laughed and clapped his hands

「He’s fucking gold, huh? That faggot. So he was your pal from prison, huh?」 「We go way back. To his days in the district prison of Turfa.」

Tilarna, who was standing at his side, was casting him a painful gaze. O’Neill and Kenny were both trying to reassure her by saying things like “this is something he does often” in a quiet tone, but still she appeared to have taken a big shock.

Don’t be surprised, you idiot. This is all obviously a lie. I don’t have any experience with guys’ asses. I mean, same thing for girls but still…

「I like you, Mister Manobe. Ah, no no, I’m sorry, I did say “like” but I don’t mean it that way.」

Mendoza laughed again

「Don’t say such dangerous things! You’ll worry the girl.」

Matoba replied, and then he hugged Tilarna in an overly familiar manner. He could tell her back was trembling with fear, but he couldn’t just tell her that it was all an act to calm her down.

Fortunately, Mendoza didn’t seem to have noticed Tilarna’s reaction.

「Ah, you’re right, you’re right. But well… you know, the coke issue is a pity, but I think there’s still a possibility that we might be of use to each other.」 「Well now that would be good.」

Complained Matoba grumpily. But truthfully he was mostly just putting on an act to check whether Mendoza had already taken the bait

「Hey, Manobe. We’re having a lot of shortages lately. I’m sure that Goblin Powder of yours will at least make our customers happy.」 「That’s just some casual stuff. It’s not at all like the Fairy Dust that’s also made out of Semanian produce. It’s not too hardcore. Do your customers have any use for that kind of stuff?」 「They do, of course.」 「Hmmm…」 「The kind of client that buys from my turf usually tends to prefer the more casual stuff. I just didn’t have connections that would bring some Semani stuff over. But now this situation is more than welcome.」

Was Mendoza talking about wealthy clients?

「And where exactly would that be?」 「Where the rich people live.」

He was a profoundly cautious bastard. There was no doubt he was talking about Queens Ballet, where Sherwood High was located but he just wasn’t going to say the exact name of the neighborhood.

「Well, when talking about that part of town, I can’t say I don’t get it, but have you actually gotten any good results? Are you saying that you actually have some clients that pay you on time and everything?」

Mendoza stretched both his arms in an exaggerated manners

「That’s not a problem at all. I have plenty of well mannered young kids. You could even call it an entire “franchise” of sorts.」

A franchise. So he finally mentioned it.

「And what exactly even is that “franchise”? You’re kind of making it sound like you’re giving away flyers with your number, and do deliveries like a pizzeria.」 「Well it’s not like we actually have a door to door delivery service or anything but… it is a pretty safe business that makes use of the neighborhood’s elites. Well, anything more than this is a secret of our business though.」 「Hmmm…」 「How about 30 grams, based on market price and purity? If you can get about 2 kilos ready within three days, then feel free to add another five percent to the price.」

Matoba showed a contemplating expression. Mendoza was using “well mannered young kids” in Queens Ballet, and distributing his merchandise there. But even then, that was a large neighborhood. Matoba still couldn’t say for certain that this man’s products were being directly sold at Sherwood High.

While it was true that cocaine caused Norune’s death, Mendoza was currently put on a chokehold by the cocaine shortage. Maybe if they had been planning seasonally, there was a possibility that they still had some coke left in stock, but considering he was willing to negotiate with Matoba on their very first meeting, even that was doubtful at the moment.

Well then, what now?

Was it better to move on with the deal and keep investigating slowly, or to stop it altogether and look for a lead somewhere else? Preferably without capturing him.

Mendoza wasn’t stupid, and he had not a single time stated directly anything like “I’m selling drugs”. If he were to defend his position as a distributor of sweet sodas in trial, he could probably maintain it. Even though “coke” had been used as a slang for cocaine for more than 30 years, even in cop films and dramas… it was all nonsense.

Tilarna who was sitting beside him, came up close like a spoiled child, and almost as if she were about to say some sweet words, she caressed his ear and whispered

「Catch him right now. If you don’t he’ll figure it all out.」

Ah, so it wasn’t that she was finally starting to get into her role and playing her part, that was what she wanted to say.

「Hey hey, cut it out. We can have some fun later.」

He whispered in an effeminate manner.

「Mister Manobe. Leave your flirting for later.」 「Ah, sorry. It’s just that she’s the type that finds this kind of talk boring.」 「… so, what are you going to do? Are you in or not?」

He had made up his mind. He was going to stall, so the negotiations would go on

「I’m in, Mendoza. But only for 35 grams.」 「Oh ho, hold it.」 「My product’s purity is over 80 percent. And you want two kilos within just three days. And I will also be taking care of the transportation, so 35 seems rather cheap actually.」 「What are you even on about? I won’t be making any profits that way.」 「Well you won’t be losing money either. And besides I’m also barely making enough myself. You can have some bonds for your first time customers and move your business like that anyways, can’t you? And if a new route appears eventually, I’m sure costs for both of us will go down, and profits will stabilize, so I’m sure there will be plenty to celebrate later on.」

Matoba was smiling boldly

「… 33 grams. Don’t make me go any higher than that, Matoba.」 「34.」 「I can’t. 33 with no decimals or anything.」 「Well, I guess that will do. I’ll settle this time for a useless deal like this, but next time it won’t be a meager 33.」

Said Matoba with a bitter expression. Mendoza, who was finding Matoba’s attitude of doing a favor quite unpleasant, pointed a finger at him and suddenly raised his voice.

「Hey! Don’t get too cocky. The fact that you said you’re even going to be able to have it all ready was suspicious to begin with. If you’re bluffing, I will have no mercy.」 「Don’t make such a scary face, Señor. If you want to see a sample, then I have it right here.」

After the little joke, Matoba stretched his hand into his pocket. Mendoza’s bodyguard reacted right away at the gesture and pointed his submachine gun at him.

「Don’t freak out, you monster. Look.」

He pulled out a small vinyl case, about the size of a rosebud, and held it between his fingertips. And within that semi transparent case there was a black powder. It was called Goblin Powder by suppliers on earth, but it actually was a Semanian drug.

While the Semanian fairy dust resulted in a strong feeling of ecstasy and divine bliss, this drug provided a heroic sense of exaltation and might. To put it shortly, it was one of the higher level drugs on the casual scene that, even without a high degree of purity could be enjoyed, and at a considerably low price. Compared to Fairy Dust which was produced with very rare fairy extract, Goblin Powder was made from fungi and minerals found on the other side. It was only natural that their prices would be very different.

「This is a memento of an acquaintance. Take good care of it.」

He threw it hastily on top of the table in front of him. Mendoza took it with extreme suspicion and muttered

「I will examine it thoroughly.」 「Of course. If that were me, I wouldn’t pour the reagents carefully or anything that bothersome. I like to scoop up a bit with my little finger and smear it below my tongue. It’s best to have a little fun and enjoy.」 「I don’t play with my products. That’s the kind of shit junkies do.」

Mendoza said, as he folded both of his veiny arms.

「You’re more of a muscle training kind of guy. Well, you know, to each their own.」

Matoba stood up once again as he cast a fleeting glance at his watch.

「Well then I’ll send two kilos over the day after tomorrow. I will contact you with the specific plans by tomorrow at noon, so if you have any complains, then tell me as soon as possible.」 「Understood.」 「Well then, it’s up to you, señor.」

Matoba seemed to be going for a handshake, but just as expected, Mendoza refused

「Let’s leave the handshake for when the deal is completed.」 「You are correct… Come on, we’re going.」

Matoba left Mendoza’s apartment dragging O’Neill, Kenny and Tilarna all looking extremely bored, behind him.

~o~

Just as they were leaving, they heard the bell ringing. Mendoza’s underling answered and they heard a short exchange

「It’s the kid from the phone.」 「Ah, let them in.」