The Smuggler's Gambit by DK Cassidy

Author:DK Cassidy [Cassidy, DK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pluvio Press
Published: 2018-07-25T16:00:00+00:00

We exit the building from a rear entrance in the hope that the person or alien watching us won’t notice. Staying close to the building, we inch our way to the front. I peer around the corner to get a fix on our target. Right there, standing behind the garbage dumpster, is Jupzi. Paralyzed by surprise, I point to him and ask Lucien a silent question by raising both my hands in the universal “what the hell?” symbol. He shakes his head, clearly unsure of what Jupzi’s doing here. There’s only one way to find out what’s going on: We have to confront him. In the time we were dating, he was never violent. I hope the same still holds true.

“Hey!” I yell at him.

Jupzi looks in the direction of my voice but doesn’t answer. Instead, he steps farther into the shadows. This time Lucien yells.

“Jupzi! What are you doing here?”

We walk toward him, hands out to show we aren’t armed. He begins to run away. We try to follow, both of us running, calling out to him. I’m sure we can catch up, but I stop dead in my tracks when I hear gunfire. That bastard is shooting at us! This is not the Jupzi I know. Or rather, knew. Not that I think I ever really knew him.

“What the hell? I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s supposed to be working with me,” says Lucien.

We hide behind the dumpster until the shots stop. In the distance, Jupzi’s footfalls fade.

“Let’s go back to my office. This is going to be another long night.”

“No, I think we should start up again tomorrow. This new twist changes how we should approach things.”

“You’re right,” I say. “Let’s meet here in the morning. Will you call Grant before you come over and fill him in?”

“No problem. Yes, I’ll call him. Before I leave, I’d like to ask you something.”

Now what? I’m way too tired for more bullshit.

“This has been a good partnership,” says Lucien. “Would you consider taking on a permanent partner?”

“Are you serious?” I say, my jaw hanging open.

“Absolutely! I’d also like to offer you a buy-in. I would pay you for half of the business. That way we can move to a better office, and you can be more selective about the cases we choose.”

I shake my head. “No buy-in. If we become partners, and I emphasize the word if, you have to work out of my current office. I started this business, and I plan on building it up the old-fashioned way, one case at a time.”

“Done.” He grins at me. “Should we seal the deal with a kiss?”

Really? “Not a chance. This is a business partnership, nothing else.” I give him a punch in the arm. “There’s your seal.”

“Ow.”

Despite my misgivings, I turn away and smile. I have a partner! Our first official case together is already more exciting than anything I’ve worked on. Finding Jennifer Spion and stopping the smuggling of maxxolonium isn’t going to be easy, but I hope she’s ready for me when we catch up with her.

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