THE THREE ENTERED THE STINKING BUILDING, turned right and followed the stairs that led underground. Benedetti didn't go down, he stayed next to her, leaning against the wall, trying to look like a junkie, while Tom and his boss went down to the supposed informant's depressing apartment.
The hallways were very dark, which helped Benedetti stay disguised and hide his gun, on the other hand, any criminal could also benefit from the shadows. Just two knocks on the door and the young black man, dressed like a rapper and with a bandana on his head, appeared, carefully opening it and saying melodically:
— You're here fast, man!
— Just at the appointed time — Tony replied, without much patience.
The truth was that Tony hated people like him. Without any organization or purpose, they ended up becoming, due to their incompetence, stumbling blocks on the path of those who walked seriously. Kid, however, seemed to be the center of a web of contacts with the potential for Tony to play his game. Trading information with him, as he used to say, was a necessary evil.
Kid saw Benedetti at the top of the stairs and asked in a low voice:
— And that one over there, is he with you?
— He's not coming in — Tony said in a monotone.
Leone entered first, positioning himself in a place where he could see every corner of the apartment, like a guard dog. Tony followed him. The smell of mold and humidity bothered him, but not as much as the smoke, which seemed to be part of the walls. The man was more of a drug addict than a criminal; he would not be fit to be part of Tony's group under any circumstances.
As the two entered the uncomfortable apartment, Benedetti looked for a lost cigarette in his pocket, leaning against a wall in the darkness. He was careful to keep his weapons well hidden under his jacket.
Downstairs, the conversation began:
— Is there anyone else here? — Leo asked, threatening to look into the other rooms.
— Don't worry, bro. I'm the only one here, but that's rare, I always bring some chicks to have some fun! — the man replied, smiling, amidst gestures inspired by music videos.
— Do I look like your brother? — Leo asked, in a threatening tone, making him retreat and cautious.
— Hey, underground everyone is the same, man!
— You bring women here to this dump? — Tony asked, bothered by the filth of the place. — A fifth-rate motel would be an unbeatable option...
— Did you come here to listen to me or to humiliate me?! It's humble, but it's my house, you know? — B.Boy replied, annoyed.
And he said, in a whisper:
— White guys...
Tony immediately took the floor:
— Let's get straight to the point, I've already done a lot by coming here. What's so important that made me come and listen to you in person?
— Here's the thing, I heard about a... a shipment that's going to arrive on Friday, a big deal, they're looking to go all out! It seems they've made a deal with some guys from... Hong Kong to mess with everything here.
— And where is this shipment going to arrive? — Tony asked.
— Well, a... a container full of parts is coming here, and that's... that's it.
Leo noticed that the stranger was stuttering a lot, he seemed a little nervous when talking about the subject. Although he didn't know him, he suspected that it wasn't normal.
— Why are you nervous, Kid? — he interrupted him.
— Come on, brother, calm down... — the man replied, clearly confused.
— It must be the effect of the smoke... — Tony said with disdain.