The detailed report came back quicker than he expected.It included addresses, phone numbers, and not surprisingly, a criminal record.Joseph’s eyes went wide.This was more than speeding tickets.Felonies and misdemeanors were listed.This was worth every penny he’d spent.
Obviously, either no one had done a background check on Torres or one of his cronies had covered for him.No matter.Joseph had what he needed now, and he was ready to confront hiskaaway.Torres hadn’t counted on Joseph’s tenacity when he made Joseph his enemy.
* * *
Joseph had never been a violent man, but right now, he wanted to knock out the son of a bitch in front of him.He needed to smash that cocky look off Torres’ face for so many reasons.Not just for targeting Reed.God knew, he must have cheated so many others in his lifetime.Joseph would be doing them all a favor.Somehow, he kept his calm.He needed information.
“Why?”
Torres smiled.“That’s a silly question.Why did you take the photos in the first place?Why do we do anything?You’re just like me, Joseph.It’s all about the money.”
“I’m nothing like you.I admit I took the pictures, but in the end, I couldn’t go through with anything that would hurt Reed.”
“Bullshit.You don’t care about that pompous ass, only what he can do for you.”
The insults made Joseph see red.He felt his pulse rise, his heart started to beat faster.In an instant, they were on each other.Torres blocked every blow.
Finally, Joseph connected with Torres’ glass jaw, and the creep went down with the force of the blow.He looked up at Joseph with glazed eyes and licked blood from his bottom lip.Joseph hauled him up by his shirt and slammed him against the wall.He curled his hands into fists, but Joseph pulled him away from the wall and slammed him into it again.
“Who the hell do you think you are, you fucker?You won’t get away with this.”
Torres spat blood.“Who’s going to stop me?You?”
“You’re a criminal.I know about your record.”
“So what?It was a long time ago.The guy who hired me didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”
“How much did you pay him to hide the details?”
“We made a few bucks together.You can do the same.”
“Damn you.You ruined my life and you don’t even give a shit.”
“I did you a favor.Your boyfriend doesn’t want the world to know he’s fucking you.He’ll pay up and he’ll be my cash cow.I expect he’ll generate a steady income for years.”
Hopelessness made Joseph’s shoulders sag.He let Torres go and stepped back.The bastard was right.Reed would never acknowledge Joseph as anything more than a booty call.In all likelihood, he would pay Torres, and continue to pay him, rather than fess up.
Torres turned away and opened a liquor cabinet.“Come on.Let’s sit down, have a drink, and talk like men.”When he turned back to face Joseph he had a bottle of Don Papa Rum in one hand and a gun in the other.“No worries.It’s just a little insurance to keep you calm.”
Joseph put on a brave front, but inside he trembled.“Duwag.You know you won’t win in a fair fight.”
“I’m no coward.I just don’t see any need to fight.There’s plenty of money here for both of us.”Torres’ lips creased in an evil smile.“Tell me, you’re not really a sissy boy like the Amerikano, are you?You just fucked him for the money, right?”
Joseph had become angrier by the minute and those words set him off.Torres had the advantage, but he didn’t give a damn.Overcome with rage, he threw himself at Torres.
The bottle fell to the floor and the gun went off.Adrenaline masked the pain in Joseph’s leg.He laid his arm across Torres’ throat and pressed hard.The creep grabbed his arm and tried to pull it off, but he wasn’t strong enough.Breathless and choking, he started to go limp.
Lost in his fury, Joseph hardly heard the voices behind him.Suddenly, strong arms pulled him off Torres.Someone had called the police.
Gasping, Torres fell to the floor and tried to suck air back into his lungs.Then he lay on his back and closed his eyes playing possum.The police didn’t fall for it.They grabbed him under the arms, heaved him to his feet, and walked him out.
Another officer shoved Joseph out the door.He tried to explain about the blackmail, but no one listened.A crowd of angry neighbors watched as they were taken away.
* * *
Conditions inside the jail were horrifying.The medical unit was a joke.Joseph received minimal care for his wound before being thrown into a dorm, the air thick and foul smelling with the sweat of too many men crowded into a space not meant for them.
After a day inside, Joseph came to welcome the time spent outside squatting in the unrelenting Manila heat.Mostly, he kept to himself, but one of his fellow inmates befriended him and they talked.
