Chapter 67: Their Respective Pasts
Chase away Luna, the clerk named Pete, and put the vial that Luna had taken back on the shelf. Thinking about it, it felt inappropriate, and put it in a cardboard box at his feet. This medicine bottle was originally in the box, and today in order to count the number, it was temporarily placed on the medicine shelf, but I didn't expect to be almost recognized, and it was a girl in her early 20s.
Pete's hand shook a little, and the vial slammed into the edge of the cardboard box, almost letting go. He scrambled to put the bottles in cardboard boxes and hurried into the pharmacy office.
It was a small house of less than 60 square meters, and the only two windows were curtained and the lights were not turned on, making it dim. The store manager, Marne Hahnd, a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard, is pacing anxiously with one hand on his waist and his phone in his ear with the other. His brow furrowed, his lips pursed together, and he walked around when he suddenly slammed his phone on the table.
"Damn, the phone keeps turning off! What the hell do you want!? β
Marne cursed, turning his head to see Pete.
"What happened outside?"
Pi Zhi fixed his mind: "There is a woman who said that the medicine in our store is mixed with drugs, and she will not be relented." Later, two men came, saying that it was her brother, and took her away. β
"Could it be that she saw it?"
She did take a few bites, but that wasn't likely...... But she said it firmly. β
Marne was already upset, and when he heard the news, he was even more restless. Many of the drugs on the outside are integrated into the RX6, but they must be separated by a special method to find them. But even if the girl guessed blindly, it would be too coincidental, right?
He calmed down for a while, picked up his phone to see that it wasn't broken, and sat down on the table.
"Go to the warehouse and call Horry."
"Yes."
Looking at the number on the screen that had been dialed more than a dozen times, Marne couldn't help but become anxious. He secretly has a relationship with the Black Forces, helping them store RX6s, and the only ones who know about this are Pete and Horry. Unlike Trickev, he volunteered to serve in the Black Forces.
Marne regretted that he had invested the money he had left behind from his father's death to open a pharmacy six years ago. He heard that Akiyama City has been vigorously promoting the development of the pharmaceutical industry, with many preferential policies such as reducing taxes and providing a special trading platform. But he forgot that opening a pharmacy is also a business, and he is not that material at all. In the first year, the pharmacy only made a profit of 100,000 karma, the second year it fell to 60,000, and in the third year it simply lost money.
Ma, who felt that the momentum was not right, did not adjust his business strategy and did not want to reduce costs, but adopted a simple and crude way - selling counterfeit drugs. He found a few counterfeit drug dealers and "made a fortune" by relying on cheating. In the fourth year, his store did not keep a profit and loss count. The Akiyama Bureau of Commerce caught him currently. Coupled with the previous two tax evasions, the accumulated huge fines were enough for him not to think about making money for more than ten years.
Marne spent a year in prison and was released bankrupt and in debt. When he was desperate, he met a loan shark, and the two talked well. Knowing that Marne was anxious to get out of his current predicament, the man introduced Marne to a "familiar big brother" to him. A few days later, the two met.
Marne and the big brother talked a lot about it, and when he heard that the other party was looking for a secret and safe place to hide some items, and promised to pay a high storage fee, Marne volunteered to help. He set aside a space in the warehouse for his eldest brother to stock, and fenced it off with old shelves to make it look less conspicuous.
Later, he learned that the eldest brother's name was Baird, the owner of the number he had just dialed a dozen times.
"Boss, are you looking for me?"
Horry and Pete walked into the office together, and two lean young men stood side by side, waiting for Marne's instructions.
"Is the car ready?" Marne asked.
Horry replied: "Ready, it was all filled with gas yesterday and the cargo compartment was cleaned." β
"What about the 'black foam'?"
Black foam is the colloquial name for RX6 powder, and this question is answered by Pete.
"Most of them are dissolved in glucose EP solution, and there are still some left."
Marne nodded: "Hurry up and get the rest ready." Now the situation is not good, and we have to transfer these things on our own. Regardless of the women, the two men must be strips. β
"But boss, if it's really so dangerous, can't you just dispose of it?"
Horry made constructive suggestions, but was scolded by Marne.
"Fart! Do you know how much they sell for? After paying off the debt, there are still hundreds of thousands left! If you have time to talk nonsense, don't get out of the way! β
The two said yes again and again, hugged their heads and ran out. Ma En's anger did not subside, but at this time the mobile phone rang, he grabbed it and looked at the number on it, and immediately pressed the answer button.
"Baird! Why do you keep shutting down? β
On the phone, Baird's voice seemed to have not woken up: "I just got off the plane yesterday, and the jet lag hasn't been reversed." What's so in a hurry? β
"Tell me more! Didn't you tell you last time that we let the police target us, didn't you also promise us to send someone to receive the goods? β
Baird thought about it for a moment, and suddenly pulled the long note in realization.
"Ahβthat's the thing. Why, didn't the people go? β
"Tell me more! Your accomplices were all beaten away, and one was said to be seriously wounded. And then you forgot about me? The police came to search for me today! β
Marne hadn't forgotten that Baird had promised him that someone would go to Akiyama City in the next few days to do some errands and take things with him by the way. As a result, he received a phone call last night, and Baird had all the helpers he had said he had been withdrawing, and his own business was thrown aside.
"I haven't forgotten, it's just that my companion did get into trouble yesterday and can't go if he doesn't leave, so our countermeasures are about to change." Baird said slowly.
"How?"
"What has changed for me is ...... Leave it as is. β
"What?" Marne was stunned.
"It means that I really can't send people here."
Marne was utterly enraged. "Are you letting me do it myself?"
"I'm sure you can do it."
"it! Tell Baird, if I go in, even you will confess! β
"Anything, come on."
The last two words made Ma En thunderous, and he shouted more than a dozen swear words into the mobile phone in one breath, and only after scolding was tired did he hear the busy sound of the mobile phone long ago.
"!"
This time, the phone was thrown to the ground, and the light on the screen disappeared all at once. Marne stomped a few more times, as if Baird was inside.
Things are going for the worst. Ma knew that he was just bluffing, he had met Baird a few times, and he didn't even know what kind of organization the other party was, whether the name was true or false, he was really caught, and he was unlucky.
It's just a matter of trying your luck.
*****
The room Akeya chose was on the third floor of the hotel, facing the pharmacy downstairs, and you could see every move in front of the door. There is a garage on the west side of the pharmacy, which is also under surveillance. He pulled the curtain halfway up and moved a chair to sit behind it.
After booking a room, Akya went around the pharmacy, and he couldn't trust Leo and Andora at all. Sure enough, when he was scouting, he saw the two of them in a small alley, chatting with a strange girl, and their eyebrows were fluttering. Akeya didn't say anything, and seeing that the pharmacy didn't have a back door, he immediately returned to his room.
Until Leo and Andora returned, Akeya remained silent and sat still. The task of this kind of surveillance, for him, is not a task at all. As for those two, they are dispensable.
Akeya's move was exactly what Leo wanted. He had been playing with his phone since he entered the house, holding a position that did not move, just like Akeya. Only Andora was idle and had nothing to do, and no one in the room spoke, so there was silence for ten minutes.
Andora took a glass of water and approached Arkya. "Let's have a drink."
"Thank you."
Akya took the glass and drank it down, returning it to Andora and continuing to watch.
"You've been watching it for a long time, I'll take care of you for a while."
"No, you don't."
Akya calmly refused. Andora was a little reluctant, he knew that Akya had a lot of opinions about Leo, but Leo added fuel to the fire at this time.
"Rest Andora, he can do it alone."
"Leo!" Andora rebuked, a little angrily, "Don't say that kind of thing. Since we are now a collective, why don't you think about it for others? β
Leo was a little embarrassed and put his phone down. He couldn't stand Andora's accusations, which were even harsher than his father's accusations in his memory. After all, Andora is a person who usually doesn't get angry, and once she annoys him, she can bear it.
He walked towards Akeya, but when he saw the sideways figure staring intently out of the window, he swallowed all the words back in his mouth, and it was Andora who helped him round the field.
"Why don't we tell each other about our past experiences? Akeya, can you tell me how you got here? β
"What's the use of saying this?" Akya replied.
Andora insisted: "Since we are going to work together in the future, we need to get to know each other. The most effective way to do this is to share past experiences. In the past, all the archaeological teams I participated in were like this, and in order to escape from dangerous environments, trust in each other was indispensable. I know you have an opinion about us, but we are not familiar with you and you are not familiar with us. β
"But ......"
"Of course I won't let you say it in vain, I'll talk to Leo. If you really can't say it, don't force it. What do you think? β
Akeya was suddenly interested. Those photos, the police that didn't go away, maybe a good opportunity to learn about these contents.
"I'm okay with that."
Andora smiled and asked Leo again, "What about you?" β
Leo shrugged his shoulders and replied absentmindedly, "Whatever." β
"Then Akeya, you talk about it first."
"I see."
His eyes were still looking at Akeya outside the window, and he began to speak slowly. From the plague in his hometown, the death of his parents and older brother, to the appearance of Colonel Karp and Tokar, to the Silver Wings and "Nameless". And most importantly, a series of things that happened in the Alpha region last year.
He was not a good verbal person and was not very fluent in words, but the twists and turns of the experience still captivated two listeners, especially when he talked about shooting Lily.
"I'm sorry, I'm a little ...... Sentimental ......"
Akeya was glad he was staring outside, so he didn't let Leo and Andora see his reddened eyes.
"It doesn't matter, after all, everyone has a bit of a past. Isn't it, Leo? β
Andora said and looked at Leo, which clearly meant "it's your turn." However, Leo didn't seem to grasp Andora's eyes, and hummed twice with a blank face.
"Hmm...... It turns out that you are also a person with a story. But I don't think you need to feel guilty, do you? β
These words swept away Akeya's sad mood just now, and was replaced by a little burning anger. He turned halfway around, one eye fixed on Leo.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Literally. You did that, and there was nothing wrong with that. β
Akeya suddenly bounced up from her chair and nearly lifted her pistol. The look on his face was telling the other two that he didn't like it very much.
"I ...... too It's been a long time! But I ......"
"You should be thankful for your decision, or you wouldn't be standing here talking to us."
After two or three steps, Akeya rushed up and grabbed Leo's collar, his enraged eyes staring directly into Leo's face.
"You're saying Lily's death deserves it? Is it a must!? β
"Or else? Do you have a way to save her on that occasion? β
"Bastard!"
Akeya swung her fist, and Andora stepped forward and pulled them apart so hard that it didn't hit Leo in the face. Akeya glared angrily, but Leo still responded with a cold expression.
"Okay, okay, calm down. Leo, don't be so heartless when you talk. And Akya, don't hit anyone if you're angry. β
Akya immediately sobered up, but she was still unwilling in her heart. The man in front of him didn't understand anything, and he dared to speak disrespectfully about Lily's death?
"I'm done, isn't it your turn, Captain?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not interested." Leo waved his hand.
"Then I'll tell you," said Akeya, "you were found covered in blood on June 5 last year, and you must have been in a pretty terrible battle, didn't you?" β
As soon as these words came out, Leo's face twitched visibly, as if a scar had been forcibly revealed.
"Where did you hear that?"
"Police dispatch records from the police station. There were only a few photos and a few lines of text, and there was supposed to be an investigation after that, but it was over with nothing. β
"What does it have to do with you?"
"Even the mayor doesn't know what I just said. I'm sincere in communicating with you, captain, you also show a little sincerity, how about it? β
Akeya was reasonable, and Andora on the side also looked at Leo, but Leo ignored it.
He turned and pulled the door open, and took a few steps into the hallway.
"I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood."
With that, Leo closed the door, and the footsteps outside the door faded away. Akya stood for a moment, returned to the surveillance position, and continued his work. Embarrassed, Andora sighed and said sorry to Arkya.
"Leo, he used to be like that, don't care."
"I don't care."
"That's it, it's kind of a tribute to you. I can tell you how Leo got to be like that. β
"You killed a lot of people, right?" Akya hurriedly said.
"He killed more than fifty people in one night, and these people ......"
Andora's expression was more serious than ever, ready to announce something important.
ββ¦β¦ It's all his relatives and friends. β
Akeya's eyes widened and she looked at Andora in bewilderment. Andora found a place to sit and pointed outside.
"I can't say any more, work and work."
*****
The time of the day is gone. During this period, the three of them took turns to monitor the pharmacy and did not relax for a moment. The only difference was that there was no sound of chatting in the room. Maybe the topic they talked about before was too sensitive, and the three of them didn't say a word to each other except for the handover of work. This atmosphere lasted until just over 10 p.m.
"Look, the lights in the pharmacy are out."
Leo, who was in charge of surveillance, pointed outside. Akya and Andora leaned over and glanced out the window to see the pharmacy turn off the last light, the room was pitch black, and the garage was still lighted.
"They're probably going to make a move, Captain, we should go down." Akya said.
"I'll go down with Andora, Akeya, you stay just in case, and contact Ruvier by the way, so that he can come quickly."
"Got it."
The three of them started to move, and the three of them were all in place. They loaded forty cartons into the cargo compartment of a light van, Horry waited in the driver's seat for departure, and Marne checked the cartons, where all the RX6s he had were on hand, mixed in glucose EP solution. Pete double-checked his office to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything important, and he ran into the warehouse.
Marne jumped out of the cargo compartment: "It's all over, Pete?" β
"It's over."
"Okay, let's go now!"
Pete opened the warehouse door and climbed into the car with Marne as the roller shutter slowly rose. And when the roller shutter door was fully opened, the three people in the car were all stunned - under the light of the headlights, they saw two people standing at the door of the warehouse.
"Boss, what should I do?" Horry asked.
Marne didn't want to make a big deal out of it, and the ending of murder and drug trafficking was different. But now, no matter who it is, don't try to stop yourself from running for your life.
"Drive! Kill him! β
"But ......"
"I told you to drive!"
"Wait boss, they seem to be the ones who came to the store during the day!"
Pete's words calmed Marne quickly. "Are you sure?"
"It's a little hard to see, but it should be."
Marne's eyes rolled and he thought about it.
"Drive the car out slowly, and if he's going to stop, stop."
It was Leo and Andora who stopped at the door of the warehouse, and when they saw the truck slowly approaching, Leo stretched out his hand to signal the other party to stop. Horry cooperated and pulled over to the side of the road.
"Sorry to interrupt." Leo walked over and said, "There's something going on, I'd like to ask for your cooperation." β
Ma En, who got out of the car, put on a complaining expression: "Who are you?" What are we going to do? β
"It's nothing, the police are coming in a while, and I'm in charge of keeping you behind."
"What right do you have to do that? Even if the police handle the case, they have to say one, two, three, right? β
"You can keep that and tell the police, they'll be here later." Andora said.
Sure enough, it's a strip of people, Ma thought. After checking it during the day, I didn't give up, and I wanted to carry out a surprise attack. But it doesn't matter, they can't find out any reputation, and they can take the opportunity to make another profit.
Thinking of this, Ma En calmed down and even smiled.
"Then let them come, hehe."
He turned around and pulled Pete and Horry aside, his voice lowered.
"Get your guns ready."