Chapter 9 - The Meeting at the Docks
Pier 44 was shrouded in a thick, freezing fog. Julian walked down the wooden docks alone, the black briefcase in his hand. The wind whipped his expensive overcoat around his legs.
At the end of the pier, surrounded by a dozen cartel enforcers, stood Victor Sterling. He looked older, his face scarred, a stark contrast to Julian’s polished features.
Beside Victor, kneeling on the wet wooden planks, was Elena. Her hands were zip-tied behind her back. A cartel thug held a gun to the back of her head. Beside her, a closed, ventilated metal trunk held a crying Leo.
“Julian!” Elena cried out, her face bruised.
“I’m here, El. I’ve got you,” Julian said, his voice steady. He looked at his brother. “You look like hell, Victor.”
“And you look like a man about to lose everything,” Victor smiled, holding out his hand. “The papers.”
Julian set the briefcase on a wooden crate and popped the locks. He pulled out the transfer deeds and the signed confession.
“Let them go first,” Julian said.
Victor laughed. “Sign the papers, Julian. Then I shoot you. Then I decide what to do with her.”
Julian picked up the Montblanc pen from his pocket. He looked at Elena. Their eyes met, communicating a thousand words in a single second. She saw the familiar, dangerous glint in his eye.
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“You know, Victor,” Julian said, slowly signing his name on the bottom line. “You always thought you were the smarter brother. But you never understood technology.”
Julian pressed down hard on the top of the Montblanc pen.
