Chapter 5 Some jackpots come with body bags.

The COBRA was one of the three mafia organizations. Their illicit activities were leaked by mistake, prompting the NCA to pursue them. This same organization was the one responsible for the infiltration in the NCA office and was responsible for MR. Davis's death.

Their leader is someone who hardly comes out of his private chamber except it is important. He only show up when something goes wrong or when there is a case he needs to handle himself His name is Alexander Lopez. And every thing else is communicated through his assistant, Neo Devon.

"Are you saying you've lost the ball and the money?" Neo said.

"I kept it right there, I don't know how it got missing" Moore voice shivered. His hands shaking like a leaf, body gripped with fear.

"How did you make such a silly mistake, we are trying to get us out of the mess John put us into and now this" neo said.

A glimpse into the past....

John was one of his boy who made the mistake that got leaked and got into the hands of the NCA. He was a young poor boy who lost his parents when he was in high school, he had no money and nothing to continue his schooling. He thought there was no use in living anymore. One day, he was picking pocket on the street as usual when he came around Lopez, he tried to do the same but was caught.

"Young boy, what do you think you are doing?" Lopez said.

"Ahhh nothing, just passing bye" he said pretending like he didn't make an attempt to steal from him just now.

"Passing by trying to slip your hands into my pocket?" Lopez said.

"No sir"

"Would you want me to call the police on you"

"No sir, sorry sir, I'll just leave now" he said as he wanted to rush off.

"Wait young boy? What's your name?"

"John, John Simone"

"John my boy, instead of picking pockets and roaming around the street hopelessly, you could do a great job for me and get paid money, huge one. This is my card" Lopez said bringing out his card and giving it to him. "Call me if you are interested in working for me, but just know once you dial this number, they would be no way out again" he said and winked, then continued "But think, would you have yourself walking around the street with no future, no life, no hope or would you rather make tons of money regardless of what the job might be? Just think. I'll be expecting your call but if you don't, it's fine. I would know take that for no" he said as his lips curved with a crooked smile. He waved and gently started walking. John gazed at him till his shadow disappear.

He got to his house that very night, laid down thinking on how miserable his life has been since his parents died, he thought of the money he could make from what ever business it may be, he thought of the good life he could finally get to live and the peace of mind that comes with having money. He then decided to pick his phone, calling the number on the card.

"Who is speaking anWhat do you want?" said the person at the end of the phone, his voice was deep tone and quite brutal. John didn't allow himself to get scared by the intimidating voice, rather he just went straight to the point.

"My name is John and pass your boss this information, tell him I'm in" He said. He was starting to sound like one who was already in the business, he started to train himself to be one even though he had no idea of what the job could be.

John started working with Lopez, he was made a delivery man for the drugs they sold. He was careful with it, he avoided the police and he never got caught. It was a good pay, a massive one. He enjoyed the life, and the special treatment they all had once in a while.

Things kept going smoothly not until one day. The day John didn't know the bag he placed the company's card he was given before he decided to join the business was the one he use in delivering the drugs he was sent to. It was just a sight mistake, he didn't know would led him to his grave.

Unfortunately, that day, the man he delivered to was reported for sexual assault.

The police busted into his hotel room to arrest him and caught him red handed, sniffing weed, Double offense.

The bag was right beside him with the card in it. The police arrested him and took him out. One of the officers checked the bag and saw the card, they took it with them for investigation.

After questioning him based on the case that was reported, he was also questioned to know how he got the weed he was taking, who delivered it and where the card came from. He said everything not wasting a second because he was already in a deep trouble from the rape report.

The number on the card was dialed, the same person who picked John's call picked up the phone call saying the same statement. The moment he heard this is the police, and I am calling because this card was found in a bag in the hotel room of a person caught with drugs, he cut the call and reported immediately to Lopez. Luckily the line was encrypted by one of their hacker and cyber specialist so it prevented any form of tracking and interception.

Lopez however ordered that the phone be disposed and the security be tightened. He also summoned John. John admitted that he kept the card in a bag but he didn't know it was in that particular bag he used for delivery before he could apologize and plead for mercy, Lopez had already pulled out his gun sending a bullet straight to his chest like he wasn't their member. Showing no mercy at all.

The case finally landed into the hands of the NCA, and with that phone call, giving Lopez the impression that the authorities will be zeroing in on them.

Flashback ends. Back to the present....

"I would find it, I promise" Moore said.

"Pray the boss spears you" he said as Lopez was slowly stepping out of his Chambers to meet with Moore.

"Neo, get me a seat" Lopez ordered still being calm but cunny. Neo arrived place the seat for him

"Where is the ball Moore?" He said gently seating down as his hand rested calmly on the arms of the seat, his eyes was calm and still, his expression unreadable like he had no intention to cause harm.

"I lost it sir, I can explain, I know where I left -" Moore said with a shaking voice.

"Neo, hand me your gun" he said not even want to hear what Moore was spilling.

"Yes sir" Neo said.

"No sir, please give me a last chance, I'll find it I promise, I will search for it everywhere, please don't kill -----" As Moore was still on his words the bullet came straight to his head.

"You should have known better than to return here without that ball. Neo clear the mess, and come meet me when you are done" he said as he got up slowly walking back to his chamber with his walking stick he held loosely, moving alongside his steps.

After a while neo met him in his chamber.

"It is done sir." neo said standing in front of Lopez, with his hand crossed.

"I need you to go to that hotel, check the CCTV footage. I want to know who stole the ball and money. Bring him to me" he ordered.

**********

Waking up, she finds herself in a dark empty room, tied up and hanging. Everywhere is so dark, she couldn't even see anything, her mouth was tied too.

Suddenly, she hears footsteps, then a bright light shines. An old man standing dressed in black, face covered with a black hat, holding a walking stick stood some miles way from her. He wasn't too old though. He gave his guards a sign to untie her mouth and sat on the chair next to him, She could hardly see his face because it was covered with the black hat.

"You messed with the wrong person" he said, and his voice wasn't at all friendly. She was covered in fear and was so confused.

"Where is the ball?" He asked.

"What ball?" She summoned up courage to ask.

"The ball you stole from the hotel restroom, think and stop pretending"

"It was just the bag of -" she was saying till she stopped, had a rethink and remembered she actually did see a ball.

"Oh, I am so sorry, but I sold it, I thought it was nothing" she said in fear.

"Just one week, one week to find the ball young lady or your head for an exchange." He said brutally. "One week" he repeated. She was left speechless, so now her life is at risk all because of a ball.

"Let her go" he commanded his guard and he untied her, and blindfolded her. The other one lifted her and put her on his back, taking her to the car garage, putting her in the car and driving off to a lonely road where nobody could see him. He brought her out of the car and untied her hands only. Then he got into the car and left. When she heard his car had driven off, she loosen the rope which was used to tied her legs, and then to the cloth which was used to tie her eyes and then the duct tape that was used to seal her mouth. Immediately she was done with that, she took to her hills.

At the other hand, the news of the death of the most potential NCA officer reached the ears of every one, also the missing ball that led to the shut down of companies and businesses around the scene was not a secret. The other two mafia organizations now came to know there is something inside the ball. The ball then became a chase for the three.

The other two mafia groups investigated and found out a girl was captured by THE COBRA'S and later released. The cobra can be so careful of who they let in and out of their hidden place. If it's not a business, deal, an order, or an invite, be rest assured there is no coming out alive. So for a girl to be in and out of there unharmed, something is up.

The rest of the two organizations was now on the hunt, and the girl's fate was uncertain, every moment counting.

Would there be a chance at escape away from them, or would there be a chance of freedom after her involvement? If so, what would be the cost for her freedom?