Baja California, Mexico
Photo by Anton Sulsky on Unsplash
The trail led past high pine trees and landscaped hedges to reveal the twelve thousand square foot Spanish colonial mansion's grand entrance.
A party of black sedans lined the front entry way where Mexican guards stood watch, conversing amongst themselves, smoking. Their semi-automatic weapons holstered over their shoulder like man purses, showing not the least bit of worry of attack. Because in all honesty, who in their right mind would do such a thing here, at this house... his house.
Photo by Orlova Maria on Unsplash
The interior screamed of luxury. It was a home made for a king, but royalty did not live here.
The glass of whiskey
rested on the balcony rail overlooking the ocean. Don Beto picks up the cigar and takes a puff as he listens to the daily report from his lieutenants.
Photo by Matthias Jordan on Unsplash
LIEUTENANT 1 (Spanish)
Our loads continue to get seized along the north route access of Hermosillo. Ernesto is spreading the word across the villages to rise against us, and the people are listening. With each truck the Bandidos take, more join the fight.
LIEUTENANT 2 (Spanish)
The delays are hurting us too. Many of our buyers are looking elsewhere. Last three months alone set us back fifteen million.
LIEUTENANT 3 (Spanish)
What about re-routing? Going through Ensenada? It will add time, but it will get the trucks there.
LIEUTENANT 1 (Spanish)
Time isn't the problem. To do that, we'd have to go through the Mexicali Cartel. We have no quarrel with them, but they’re close to SDR. And if they find out we're crossing their territory, it could get very expensive, or very bloody.
LIEUTENANT 3 (Spanish)
Pinche Soldados. We should send the entire army at them. Wipe them out completely.
LIEUTENANT 1 (Spanish)
We can't go to war with SDR. Pedro has just as many allies in Mexico as we do now. The moment we wage war, is the moment we tear our country apart. We’ll be on everyone’s radar. The Americans are already looking at what to do with Pedro. Let them take care of him. We should focus on the task at hand, the Sandpits. By now, Nathaniel and the partners should be putting the final touches on the agreement. When that happens, everything will change for us.
LIEUTENANT 2 (Spanish)
But until that happens, our immediate problem takes priority. We have the Bandidos on one side and the Soldados del Rio on the other. What do we do?
They look to the boss who says nothing. Don Beto takes a sip of his whiskey then ponders, his eyes never leaving the glass. He feels their eyes glaring, but he didn’t care. He knew all too well the situation.
It's no secret
La Creacon has been targeted by the Soldados del Rio Cartel, also known as the SDR. Two years ago when SDR’s leader, Pancho Medina, was found dead, everyone suspected Don Beto as the conspirator, but there was no proof. There was no proof that anyone killed him. Pancho could very well have committed suicide, but no believed it. Especially Pancho's son, Pedro, who sought revenge. SDR turned Mexico into their own murderous playground, with Don Beto as their targeted bully.
The war brought an increase in murders, many of who were innocent women and children caught in the crossfire. With no answer from the Mexican government, the uncontrollable violence pushed Mexican citizens to rise up and create their own authority, Los Bandidos led by Ernesto Salazar.
Ernesto was a family man who worked hard to support his wife and four-year old son. One day, while at a party, SDR targeted a man they believed to be working with a rival gang. The drive by shooting killed more than eleven people. One of the victims was Ernesto's son.
The attack made headlines and people began protesting the violence in Mexico with their famous, "Mas Amor Por Favor" movement, but for Ernesto, it was more than that. He dedicated the rest of his life to bring down the gangs who killed his son and brought nothing but death and destruction.
Bandidos hit where it hurt most, their pockets. They seized cargos filled with massive drugs and money. All money recovered was shared with the local people. To show their stand against gangs, the Bandidos burned any drug confiscated, recorded the spectacle and distributed online.
Ernesto took his Bandidos town to town growing in numbers, showing gangs and the government that they were not afraid.
Photo by MCML ➖XXXIII (steal my _ _ art) on Unsplash
LIEUTENANT 2 (Spanish)
Don Beto, with respect, we must address the issue before it gets out of hand.
Don Beto takes another sip of his whiskey. Suddenly, the door opens and Alfonso hurries through towards Don Beto’s side. He whispers in his ear. Almost instant, Don Beto’s eyes widen and his face grows cold.
DON BETO (Spanish)
Get out. All of you.
The men exchange looks, then get up to leave, except one.
LIEUTENANT 3 (Spanish)
Don Beto we have a lot to discuss. This can't wait.
Don Beto slowly rises from his chair, glaring at him all the while. The others walk out. The lieutenant swallows hard, then follows the rest. The doors close.
DON BETO (Spanish)
When did this happen?
ALFONSO (Spanish)
A couple hours ago sir.
Don Beto balls his fist.
DON BETO (Spanish)
Elena?
ALFONSO (Spanish)
She's fine. Valentine has eyes on her.
DON BETO
I want her here now. No one leaves this house.
ALFONSO (Spanish)
Yes sir.
Alfonso walks away.
DON BETO (Spanish)
Wait.
Alfonso turns.
DON BETO (Spanish)
Where's Jamie?
San Joaquin County, CA
The sun blares down on the roof of the Jeep Wrangler. In the passenger seat, team leader Jamie keeps his eyes focused on a man near an abandoned motel sign in the distance, nervously pacing back and forth.
A voice comes through his earpiece.
EYEBALL
Area’s clear. Waiting your cue.
JAMIE
Standby.
Felix, his second-in-command, chuckles behind the wheel.
FELIX
Son-of-a-bitch’s panicking.
JAMIE
He’s been made. Everyone's after him now.
FELIX
He’s making this too easy. Out here, in the open.
JAMIE
People do stupid things when they’re scared.
Felix checks his watch.
FELIX
Coming up on the hour. You wanna wait?
Jamie keeps his eyes on the man. He shakes his head then speaks into his throat mic.
JAMIE
Take him.
A distance away, the nervous man, known as Manolo, presses the phone against his ear. The ringing goes to voicemail. He curses and dials the number again.
MANOLO
Pick up damnit!
Just then, out of nowhere, a giant of a man, Tank, appears behind him.
MANOLO
No! Please!
Tank knocks him out. A car pulls up beside them. Tank shoves Manolo inside. Almost instantly, the car vanishes, leaving a cloud of dust behind.