David Robbins - Miami Run

The night was perfect for a sacrifice.

A brilliant full moon illuminated the Everglades as the party of 13 robed figures and the woman in the blue dress threaded a path toward the grove on the island 50 yards ahead. A cool, moist breeze stirred the red robes of the 13 and caused the woman to shiver. Her fearful green eyes locked on the island and she stumbled.

The scarlet-robed figure to her rear stepped in close and gripped her left arm to prevent her from falling.

She regained her balance, but she recoiled defiantly at his touch, jerking her arms from his grasp. Her wrists were already hurting from the tight coils of rope binding them behind her back. Dont touch me! she snapped.

We wouldnt want you to fall, the figure responded, his features enshrouded in the hood of his robe.

I didnt know you cared! she stated sarcastically.

We care, Carmen, the figure said. We care about keeping you clean for the Masters.

Stuff the Masters!

The red-robed figure sighed. Such a childish attitude will only make it worse.

What could be worse than dying? Carmen retorted.

You have no one to blame but yourself, the figure noted. You deliberately violated the Precepts of Dealership. The consequences are inevitable.

Carmen glanced at the grove of trees and began chewing nervously on her lower lip as they moved nearer.

You always were too smart for your own good, the figure commented.

You thought you were better than everybody else.

I was, Carmen replied. I was the best damn Dealer in the Dragons, and you know it!

Your distribution network was superbly organized, the figure conceded. And your enforcement procedures were carried out to the letter. You had everything worth living for. Wealth. Power. Prestige. And you blew it.

I was framed! Carmen declared.

You were stupid, the figure responded. You werent satisfied. How did you expect to get away with cutting your own deal? Did you really think the Masters wouldnt learn about your deception? The Masters know everything.

Carmen snorted. They dont know crap!

They know you were cheating them, the figure said. They know you were diluting the Powder of Life, then selling the watered-down bags at full market value. You were skimming some of the Powder to sell on the side and make yourself richer. He paused. You were greedy.

Lies! Its all a bunch of lies! Carmen insisted.

Please, the man said. Dont insult my intelligence. Your hearing was fair and square. The evidence against you was overwhelming.

What evidence? Carmen retorted. You took the word of a low-life junkie over mine!

Four complaints were lodged against you, the figure mentioned.

Three were from middle-echelon distributors. Only one was from a street junkie.

That damn Harlan! Carmen muttered.

Harlan did the right thing. He knew he wasnt getting his moneys worth, and every customer is granted the right to petition the Directors for a hearing.

I was framed! Carmen repeated.

Suit yourself, the figure said. But the thirteen of us listened to all of the evidence and rendered the only possible verdict. The Masters had advised us to keep

They what? Carmen interrupted.

The Masters knew of your deception before Harlan and the others brought their formal complaints, he detailed. The Directors were advised to keep an eye on your activities.

You were? Carmen asked in disbelief.

We were, the robed man confirmed.

But how? Carmen queried.

The Masters have their ways, he replied.

Carmen looked to the right and the left, gauging her chances of escaping. They were nil. The path to the island was the only solid strip of ground for hundreds of yards, surrounded by the mucky, peat-filled, treacherous soil of the Everglades submerged under a foot or more of water.

Dont even think about it, the man advised, as if he could read her mind.

The party reached the eastern edge of the island and started up a slight incline. Wax myrtles and willows lined the path.

Carmen gazed toward the top of the rise. I thought we were friends, Arlo, she commented.

Thats a cheap shot, Arlo said.

You can get me off the hook with the Masters, Carmen stated. Theyd listen to you.

Be serious.

Carmen licked her lips. I am. Talk to them for me. Intercede in my behalf.

I cant, and you know it.

Please!

Dont beg, Arlo said. It doesnt become you.

They climbed steadily higher.

Tell them Ill straighten up my act, Carmen said. Tell them Ill turn over a new leaf.

Are you finally admitting your guilt? Arlo questioned.

Carmens slim shoulders slumped and she expelled the breath in her lungs. All right, she declared. I admit it. I wasnt framed.

Surprise, surprise, Arlo said dryly.

What if I make a full confession?

It wouldnt do any good, Arlo told her. The execution verdict is final.

I can always try, Carmen said.

I expected better from you.

Carmen glanced over her left shoulder. All she could see was the tip of Arlos angular chin and his nose protruding from his hood. What else can I do? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

I would never allow my ego to supplant my better judgment, Arlo remarked.

I dont want to die! Carmen declared bluntly.

Who does?

Carmen faced the path, a feeling of utter helplessness welling up within her. Her resolve faltered and her courage flagged. A sensation of weakness engulfed her legs and she slowed.

Dont drag your heels, Arlo admonished.

Carmen looked at him and mustered a feeble smile. Weve been through a lot together.

Arlo didnt respond.

We organized our distributorships at the same time, Carmen mentioned. We rose through the ranks together. Hell, we were even appointed as Dealers on the same day.

It wont work, Arlo said. You cant expect me to change my mind by recalling the good old days. Those days are long gone. Weve been out of touch in recent years, and the fault wasnt mine. You set yourself up as a queen in your district. You lorded it over everybody. Where are all your other old friends? Ill tell you. They dont want to have anything to do with you. You alienated everyone with your ambition, Carmen.

I always treated you with respect.

Only because you had to, Arlo stated. As a fellow Dealer, I was your equal.

And now youre more than my equal, Carmen said bitterly. You were selected to become a Director. I was overlooked.

You would have been selected as a Director someday, Arlo observed.

Someday! When? Carmen demanded. I was tired of waiting! You became a Director over four years ago. Why wasnt I given a Directorship? My qualifications were as good as yours.

The Masters didnt think so.

The Masters have had it in for me since the beginning, Carmen maintained.

Have you been snorting your own sneeze? Arlo inquired.

Up yours!

They reached the rim, the 13 forms in red fanning out. Arlo took Carmen by the right shoulder and led her toward the middle of the large clearing crowning the island.

Carmen gasped. Please! No!

Be brave, he advised.

The clearing was man-made, 20 yards in diameter, and bathed in the additional glow of a half-dozen braziers positioned at regular intervals around the edge. Flickering embers drifted skyward from the metal-receptacles. Flat, knee-high granite pedestals encircled a low marble slab situated in the center.

Carmen tensed and halted.

Theres no resisting, Arlo stated, pulling her toward the marble slab.