The Cabbie and the Cop - 4

Vergil sat slumped at the bar in Frankie’s, a beer by his elbow, his eyes half closed.

“Rough night, pretty boy?”

Without turning, Vergil nodded. “Very, but I got what you wanted.”

“Let’s see.” A huge, tough-looking man with scarred knuckles and a nose which had obviously been broken more than once sat down on the stool next to him.

“As soon as I see what you’ve got.”

“Don’t trust me?”

Vergil smiled wryly. “About as much as you trust me.”

The man chuckled, ordered a beer and when he had it he suggested, in a tone which brooked no argument, they go into the office. Vergil shrugged, stood, picked up his own beer bottle and followed as the man crossed the crowded room.

Once the door was closed, the man went to a battered desk and opened a drawer. Taking out a thick envelope he dumped the contents onto the desktop.

Vergil masked his feeling of disgust and loathing as he thumbed through the photographs. With a sharp nod of his head he said, “These will do but you promised…”

The man took a box from the drawer, handing it to Vergil. It contained videos which Vergil knew contained the same types of child pornography as the photos.

“Now let’s see what you got in exchange,” the man rumbled, glancing down to the photos as if he couldn’t keep his eyes off the images.

Digging into an inside pocket in his jacket, Vergil retrieved a small packet which he laid on the desk. The man used his pocket knife to slice it open, smiling as a dozen perfect diamonds rolled out. Taking a jeweler’s loupe from the top drawer the man examined each one before nodding. “This should cover it.”

Vergil smiled wickedly as a gun appeared in his hand. “Mitchel ‘Mitch’ Wilker, you are under arrest for the illegal distribution of…”

Vergil got that far before Wilker decided he didn’t want to be arrested. He took a swing at Vergil with one fist while pulling his own gun from behind his back. The fist would probably have done major damage to Vergil’s face if it had connected, but Vergil was already beside Wilker, his fingers wrapped tightly around Wilker's gun hand. With a swift twist he pulled Wilker’s arm up behind his back, forcing him to his knees. The gun ended up on the floor. A hard kick sent it halfway across the room at the same moment that Vergil pressed his own gun to Wilker’s temple.

“Now, as I was saying, you are under arrest for possession of child pornography with intent to distribute. You have the right to remain silent…” He gave the man his Miranda Rights then ordered him to stand. When Wilker didn’t he found himself summarily dragged to his feet by the much smaller man and cuffs snapped around his wrists. Then Vergil called in to tell his lieutenant he had Wilker in custody.