"Perfect timing," Carlos declared. "We'll take over Troy's routes while he's too busy fighting for his inheritance."
Carlos Suarez lit a cigarette after draining his half-filled glass of whiskey. He was a self-made merchant who abandoned his family to build his trade from scratch. After years of trial and error, he had finally mastered a few tricks of his own. Now his ledgers showed profit rather than deficit.
The other merchants seated at his table listened intently to Terry's stories. Their expressions were mixed—some believed while others doubted. It cost them nothing to listen—Carlos was footing the tab. They were small players who depended on the giants for a slice of the pie.
Troy Mendez's empire, once untouchable, was bleeding out.
