“I’m Carmen Morales, and this is my partner Helena Peabody. We run a major load of drugs back in Miami, basically we own that fuckin’ town.” Shane smiled and nodded. “We’ve heard of you through some people, and we want in on your operation.”

“How do I know you two are good for it? How can I trust you?”

“As my father told me—don’t trust anybody.”

Shane looked at Carmen and smiled. “I like that, you can’t trust anybody in this business.” She leaned over to Alice and whispered something in her ear. Alice nodded and walked off. “Do you ladies want any drinks?”

“I’ll have a beer.”

“I’ll have one too.” Helena chimed in. Shane whistled for the bartender, and she walked over. Shane told her two beers and stuffed some money in her bra. The bartender smiled and walked off.

“So tell me something about your business.”

“My father ran the business back in the eighties, and I took over when he died.” Carmen entwined her fingers and looked at Shane. “Helena came in later to help with the money and shipments. We run cocaine, meth, acid, ecstasy, you name it—we got it.”

“Why did you come out here to Los Angeles?”

“We wanted to venture off and make partners in the major cities.” Shane nodded at Helena. The bartender came back with the beers. She handed them to Carmen and Helena, and they took a drink. Shane’s phone rang, and she answered it.

“Talk to me,” Shane looked at the two women.

“Hey, they’re both clean.” Shane nodded. “Carmen de la Pica Morales—listen to this, she was the daughter of the infamous Jose de la Pica Morales. He was a big drug lord in Miami, but he was killed in a drug bust. Miss Morales has been busted for battery with a concealed weapon, theft, assaults and drugs, she went to jail for a couple of years. She took over her father’s business when she got out.” Shane continued to stare at the two women as they enjoyed their beers. “Helena Peabody—she’s the daughter of Peggy Peabody.”

“Who’s she?”

“She’s a fuckin’ bitch—I’ve met her before. Helena here is from a rich British family, but she isn’t a saint. She’s been arrested for battery, burglary and drugs. She spent three years in jail and after, she went under Miss Morales’ wing as her partner. You should keep them, they’re legit.”

“All right,” Shane hung up the phone. She smiled at the two women. “We’re in business ladies.” She clapped her hands together. “Meet me at 1640 St. Lawrence Street at eleven o’clock. Don’t be late.” Shane got up and walked away. As Shane walked away, she kept her eyes on Carmen, and Carmen saw her. Shane winked at Carmen, and Carmen looked away. Helena got closer to Carmen and sighed.

“We’re in,” Carmen wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“That was too easy.” Jenny watched the two women as they got up. She walked up to Shane as they walked out of the club.

“I don’t trust them Shane.”

Shane shrugged. “Alice checked them out too—they’re legit.” She put a cigarette to her mouth and lit it.

“I don’t know what it is, but I have a funny feeling about them.”

Shane exhaled. “If it makes you feel any better, keep an eye on ‘em all right.” They both climbed into the back of the Denali and pulled away from the club.