“Cala is very good at martial arts, as Lynn is,” Johnny said. “Even if caught alone somewhere, she will surprise the cave dwellers.”
Biff and Ray began to groan. Cala ran around to start the eerie music and begin the black light show of the walls shining torturous images beyond description. The Cleaner and Unholy Trio watched in anticipation as Biff and Ray awoke to a nightmare. Biff impressed Nick with his grasp of the situation.
“We’re fucked, Ray!”
“This is… some kind of new scare tactic,” Ray answered. “No one can do this to us! Keep it together! Hey! Anyone here? Okay… you’ve made your point. Let’s talk money.”
“This ain’t about money, bro,” Biff said. “We’re dead. They didn’t strap us on these gurneys in a room like this for the hell of it. They knew Fernando and who we are. We’re fucked.”
Although they had to be careful, the Unholy Trio donned their costumes with Cala recording the interrogation. They approached the gurneys with rehearsed ease. Nick patted Biff’s cheek before speaking through the voice altering mask. “Hi there, Biff. You’ve been given to the Unholy Trio. We want to know everything you know about Fernando Carone and his Mother Ship, ‘The Tempest’. You are right. You and Ray are in a nightmare of pain. I sense you understand the importance of telling us everything you know. Otherwise you’ll be experiencing this.”
Nick moved over to Ray’s body. He sliced down from his sternum to his groin with the scalpel. Ray screamed as his intestines bulged. “Apply the magic ingredient, El Kabong.”
Johnny moved into view next to Ray’s body and poured bleach along Ray’s evisceration. Ray stayed conscious for only seconds of hell before he passed out. By then, Biff gasped, howled, screamed, and begged as Ray’s body relaxed into momentary coma-like stillness. Nick moved into view in his Muerto disguise.
“I see in your face you recognize the fact you won’t live, but you could die comfortably. That in itself should be a comfort. I can supply you with a painless death, or you can watch your buddy, Ray. He’ll give you a preview of the way you’ll go unless I get detailed answers to all of my questions. Do you understand the consequences of playing with us, Biff?”
Nick noted the open mouthed stare of horror highlighting Biff’s features. He smiled. “C’mon, Biff. Use your words, buddy.”
Biff focused finally on Nick’s masked features. “What…what do you want to know?”
“We know your boss Fernando wants this area under his thumb for drug, extortion, and even human trafficking. We want to know every detail of the operation, including Panga boat exchanges, guards, weapons, and Fernando’s presence on board. Leave nothing out. I will let you talk because we know many details already. Choose your words carefully, Biff. If you don’t match what we already know perfectly this will be a bad day at black rock for you, pal.”
“Ah… what do you know?”
Nick chuckled which came out as an evil Darth Vader sounding amusement. “That’s for us to know and you to find out. Start talking.”
*
Biff relaxed backwards with a loose bodied movement indicating complete capitulation. He gave them everything about Carone’s ambitions in the area, including the fact no one had been sent yet to replace Jay’s exterminated crew. Biff began to sweat as he explained how Fernando recruited him and Ray in East LA from their enforcement job with the Zetas. He wanted to fuck these assholes over somehow. Ray’s torture unnerved him in a way he didn’t think was possible. If he could hold back something before they gave him a hotshot it would be worth a gamble. After he told them about the sleeping quarters for Fernando on board ‘The Tempest’, along with the number of guards watching the boat during the night, Biff fell silent. He pretended trying to think of something else he left out, repeating a detail about Fernando’s party habits he’d already mentioned.
“Not bad,” Nick stopped him. “I think maybe you earned a sleepy-time shot, Biff. I-”
Cala had been watching Biff closely. She rushed over to Nick, who approached Biff with a syringe Cala knew meant death. “Wait, Muerto! Biff is lying… or withholding a critical fact. He’s sweating although he is naked. Do not trust him. I have a feeling.”
Shit! Biff wrestled around in his bonds. Sweat stung his eyes. He glanced at Nick, who watched him with a smile. His ploy was dead and he knew it. “I…I forgot one thing.”
“You didn’t forget, Biff. Cala caught you. Nice one, Cleaner. I think a couple of incisions with a little bleach should get you on board.”
“Dickerson! He…he’s a lead cop Jay mentioned as being impossible to buy off in Pacific Grove. Fernando has a hit on him to take place tonight! Please… I’m sorry… I…I thought maybe-”
“Maybe nothing,” Nick cut him off. “Who did Carone hire and where’s he staying?”
“I don’t know where he is… honest to God! His name’s Fenric Ballesteros. He’s a pro. The contract is for tonight. That’s all I know!”