Chapter 54. Public Enemy

The guy who had Foster’s painting was a shady dude who looked like he ripped off college kids for a living, perhaps selling knock-off designer products or sold-out concert tickets and backstage passes. He looked shaggy with a head full of hair, thick eyebrows, and an unkempt bush around his mouth.

Carlos had agreed to meet with him at a restaurant, a chain owned by the super consortium and run by one of the members in the lower rungs with a good hand for business. A Friend of the Family.

He watched the guy devour a double burger. The man had pulled out all the stops when Carlos told him he was paying. Now Carlos watched him attempt to stuff a table full of food in himself. Carlos didn’t think it was impossible. There was a mustard stain on the man’s black shirt, and he did not seem to care.

Carlos had not dressed to be imposing; he had dressed to look important enough that the guy would want to sell quickly and take his money happily.

After waiting for the g