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Chapter 5

Baratta

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After leaving Fiona’s, I head to the pet store that’s on the other side of town. Her new puppy will need all kinds of things. They are a lot of work to take care of just like little babies. 

I like kids well enough but I’m not too sure I would make a good dad. It’s a lot of responsibility that I’m not too sure I want in my life. To care like that for another human? It takes guts. Especially one that is completely dependent upon you.

After finding the aisle with all the puppy food, it took me nearly half an hour to make a selection. There are so many to choose from and I wanted to be sure I picked the one that is most nutritious. 

Just from looking at him, I can tell he is going to be a big dog, so I pick out not only a bed that will fit him now but I pick one up that is a bit bigger as well.

I find the aisle with all the collars as well as leashes. I get several different sizes for the one that has spikes. Fiona I think will love them. 

After making all of my selections, I head to the register but get side tracked when I pass by a toy section. Puppies like to chew right? So how could I possibly pass by all of that without getting toys?

“You must have quite a few dogs.” The cashier comments as she rings up my purchases.

“Just one.” I murmur.

She doesn’t say anything else but her eyes seemed to get big at the idea of buying so much for one dog. Its shit he’ll need, so I don’t know why that would raise eyebrows.

I just get back to Fiona’s apartment when my phone rings. Looking down I can see that it is Buzz calling from New Orleans. Hoping he has something for me, I answer it.

“I’m assuming you got some information for me?” I say as soon as I answer.

“Hello to you too Jackass.”

“What is it, Buzzy? Is my cousin still ignoring you?”

“Don’t call me Buzzy you fucker! And yes, she’s still ignoring me. I didn’t call to chit chat with you about your cousin. I got something on the guy in the picture you sent.”

“What did you find?” He has my full attention now by his tone of voice.

“I ran the name I found from the Expo and came up with nothing so I ran his picture through some facial recognition software. It got a hit but when I tried to open the file, it threw up a brick wall. I sent it over to a contact of mine within the FBI. I’m emailing you everything he sent back. You’re not going to believe what’s in these files man.”

“How bad is this threat to Fiona?”

“That’s just it. I know this guy and Fiona met during the expo but I don’t think he was there for her. I think he was tracking you.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck. I know your skill set so this is probably going to go in one ear and out the other but if you need me there, I’m one call away.”

“I appreciate it but for now I think I have it under control.”

“Well the offer still stands. I’ll keep trying to track his movements from here but I don’t know how much good it will do. He’s had the same training as you although he didn’t excel at it like you did. However, I think he’s a little more blood thirsty.”

“What’s the name in his file?”

“Harold Cache. Also known as the Mad Dog.”

The name causes me to go completely still. I’ve more than heard of him. I know him very well. How did I not recognize him? He must have done something to his face. 

We had gotten word through intelligence that he was working with other cartels that wanted to eliminate the competition. They were eliminating them alright, even the women and children. 

The things he did to them came straight out of nightmares. In this business you still have to have a code. No women and no children.