Page 70 of The Karma Project
“Max.” There is a question in her tone, but she doesn’t prod, she just lets my name float in the dense oxygen between us.
“I-.” I start but I’m quickly interrupted by a car door opening and Drake's voice breaking the spell.
“All clear bosses.”
“Drake!” Zoe and I shout in unison, we both slightly jump making us look like we were about to engage in something a lot less innocent than the conversation I was about to have with her.
“Sorry? Did I interrupt something?” Drake asks, flushing with embarrassment.
“No.” Zoe’s answer seems to surprise her as much as it does me, but she corrects her expression. “Let’s get this over with.”
I groan to myself, trying to hide my disappointment at once again needing to share her attention with someone else.
The warehouse seems in tiptop shape, everyone seems to respond well to their new overseer, and I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Zoe slowly made her rounds behind each worker, stepping close behind them and I can see each of them showing obvious anxiety at her close proximity, but that was to be expected. It’s no longer a secret who she is and who she belongs to. But nobody stands out until I see her whispering with someone. She glances my direction and gives a stern nod; curiosity makes my ears perk up.
The young guy stops what he’s doing in his assembly post and starts to walk in my direction. On instinct my hand falls to the pistol in my front holster but he puts his hands up and approaches slower as if he’s confronting a wild animal. I couldn’t find it in me to say he’s wrong for that.
“Mr. Karma.” He nods with respect and with a jerk of my head I give him permission to come closer.
“What?”
“I have some information that I think might interest you.” He whispers.
“What makes you think I’m interested?”
“It’s about the Cambions. I know of a big job that’s happening in about a month.” His admission brings both a chill and excitement to my spine.
I signal to Drake to keep an eye on Zoe, and I pull the kid by his arm to bring him closer to the doors and out of ear shot.
“What do you know? And how do you know it?” I jump to the point.
“I overheard it at a bar on the southside. I almost got killed when they saw that I overheard so I need to know I have your protection if I tell you.” He spills, obviously anxious.
“Those are some balls on you demanding protection. What’s your name?”
“T-Travis.” He stutters.
“Well, Travis.” I say with clear disdain. “I’m not a very patient man. And I can guarantee The Sparrow over there is a lot less patient than me. Tell me what you know.” I make a show of grabbing at my pistol again and he cowers slightly. Very good.
“Okay, okay.” He yields. “I heard that they will be at the abandoned rice factory in Kelso, about two hours out of Seattle. In just three weeks from today. They are doing a big pick up of girls, and I heard that K.H. will be there.” Travis explains. “They said it’ll be at midnight.”
I nod along, absorbing the information. “You overheard all of that?” I ask suspiciously.
“Yes, they tried to come after me, but I sped off on my bike just barely getting out alive. I lost them when I got back downtown.”
“And how do I know that I can trust this information?” I ask.
“Max. Can I call you Max?”
“Absolutely not.” I grind out, hating the way my voice sounds from his mouth after hearing how sweet it can be coming from Zoe.
“Okay. Sorry.” He chuckles. “Mr. Karma, I have been working in this warehouse since before you were leading this operation. I worked for Kahl for years before that. I have never had any problems, and I have nothing to lose other than my life telling you. Hell, I almost risked my life trying to hear all these details.”
I cross my arms and tilt up my chin, observing him from head to toe. He’s older than me but still young. Thirty-five maybe? Short. With dark brown hair, thick eyebrows and dark colored eyes slightly magnified by his thick framed glasses. His posture is tense but not in a way that portrays a lie. He keeps his eyes on mine and there are no physical tells giving a sign of deception. I don’t know if I can trust the information, but I do know I can trust that this is what he heard.
“Fine.” I nod and look back over to Zoe. “We’ll be sure to have some guards keep an eye on you and your place, thank you for sharing this with me. If it turns out to be true, you’ll find yourself compensated very fairly.”
I watched him as he let out a sigh of relief, releasing a breath I knew he had been holding since the start of the conversation. “Thank you, sir.” His shoulders drop as he physically relaxes, but he tenses back up as soon as I respond.
