Chapter - 109 - Number of zeroes

In the Visconti base, "Our dealer is ready to distribute the packages. Should I contact him?" asked Derrick. "Stop distribution in the old circle," said Rick as he dialed a number. "Caporegime here! Is everything ready?" asked Rick in Velarian. Derrick looked at Rick in confusion and waited for his order. After a few minutes, Albert and Ben arrived at the conference room. Ben switched on the laptop and sat across from Derrick. Albert passed a few papers to Rick and stood next to the podium. Rick hung up the call and looked through the sheets with a faint smile.

Albert moved closer to Ben and whispered in Velarian, "Is he smiling? Am I dreaming?" Ben shook his head. "He is smiling! What's wrong with, capo?" Albert shrugged his shoulders and moved near Rick. His phone rang again, and he signaled Ben. Ben smiled brightly and nodded back at Rick. "The packages will be there in two days," said Rick and hung up the call.

"Assemble the men now!" Derrick immediately called all the men to the room. "Last operation was successful, and I want you all to work in the same spirit for three more operations. The next mission is about delivering five tons of packages to various locations within two days. Your undivided concentration and unending effort are a must in this operation! Do you all understand?" asked Rick with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, captain!" shouted the men in unison. Rick nodded at Ben, and a slide appeared in front of all. "Stand according to this list," ordered Rick, and the men immediately regrouped. "Note down your delivery locations and the number of packages to be delivered IN YOUR MIND!" said Rick sternly and quickly glanced at everyone.

"I don't want anyone leaving any evidence behind. Take your time to memorise it!" The group started to memorise the address and quantity quickly. "Derrick, you are in charge of sorting the package, and Albert will overlook the process. The packages should be arranged by 11 pm." Derrick and Albert nodded in response.

"When the clock strikes 2 am, I want everyone to move to these locations. Familiarise with these rules and follow them strictly," said Rick and changed the slide. Derrick looked at the screen and read the sentences in a low voice.

"1. Use only public transportation. 2. Wear casual clothes and behave casually. 3. Plaster the packages around your waist and thighs. 4. Wear your earpieces for safety purposes. 5. Do not run or tremble if you face a police officer. 6. All the customers are men, and no women or children will be involved. 7. Do not drink or eat anything from the customers. 8. Do not engage in conversation with the customers. 9. Do not get separated from the team. 10. Do not return to the base."

"I am curious to find out how his brain works like this!" remarked Derrick. Albert chuckled and said, "He is our family's Mastermind." "Why?" "He is meticulous with his every plan. Even the consigliere consults him in certain situations." Derrick looked at Rick with admiration.

"Firstly, find a route which would take you at least one hour to reach the delivery location. Even if the location is just 15 minutes from here, I want you to reach there only after an hour by mixed public transport. Secondly, do not greet each other if you ever cross paths during the operation. Thirdly, once you plaster the packages to your waist and thighs, don't keep touching them, and don't sit in public places. Next, respond casually to the police officers if you meet them and give your identity cards without any protest."

"Then, if you find any women opening the door, find a reasonable excuse to walk away. For example, ask for a different person or ask about neighbours. Next, avoid conversations with the customers and only deliver the package. Do not respond even if they ask about me because no one is acquainted with me in this city. Deliver the package and exit from the location. Walk as a team, enter the locations with the team, and exit as a team."

"Do not carry any weapons. Lastly, take another route for another hour and enjoy the night anywhere you wish. Do not return to the base, no matter what! If any of you fail to follow these instructions, I will FIND you and KILL you with my own hands." Derrick and the men looked at him in shock. "Do you all understand?" asked Rick in a raised voice.

"Yes, captain," shouted the man in unison. Rick nodded and dismissed the men. "What about the payment, Capo?" asked Derrick once all the men left the room. Rick glared at him and said through gritted teeth, "Don't poke your nose into my business!" Derrick smiled awkwardly and left the room with Albert.

"The amount is higher than usual, and still they were ready to buy it, Capo?" asked Ben. "The drug is a rare item here. Also, don't you think we need to set a standard for the Viscontis and show who rules the world?" said Rick with a smirk. "Derrick is going to faint when he sees the total number of zeroes," commented Ben and laughed.

"Did the PERSES hack our system?" asked Rick. "I don't know, capo. PERSES never leaves a trace in the digital world, just like you in the physical world!" Rick chuckled and left for his room. "He is unusually cheery today! Why?" mumbled Ben as he typed on the keyboard.

The next morning, "Good morning, Lieutenant," said the police officers in unison. "What is the status of the druggie?" "He is off the radar, but I got hold of two customers. According to their intel, it's been more than two months since he had supplied them with 'the Third eye'." "More than two months? Are you sure about the information?" asked Mason. "I am, Lieutenant."

Mason scratched his chin and said, "Until we know who is the main distributor, everything about the distribution would just be a hypothesis. Let's gather more information about this druggie and catch him with a proper plan," said Mason as he dismissed the meeting.

"Why is the distribution halted for a solid two months?" mumbled Mason as he took out a red file.