Chapter 123

Four NYPD vehicles blared along the road to the house of Raymond Dantley. The winter clouds had been dissipated by the sun and the morning dew soaked the tarmac. The cold winter breeze still blew and the men wore their police jackets and sipped hot coffee – their bosses swallowed bottles of gin in their office.

The four vehicles came to a halt in front of Ray’s compound and instructions were given. Five cops, armed with a rifle, surrounded the perimeter of the house while the rest three made their way in. The truck loaders who were sniffing some of the drugs they stole were the first criminals they caught.

“This is the New York state police department,” one of the officers recited with his rifle pointed steadily at them. There was no escape. “Your hands where I can see them.”

Another police officer cuffed their hands from behind. He inspected the substance. “Codeine.”

“Take us to your boss. A single mistake and I’ll blow your brains out.”

***

Stephen watched from afar as the four poli