Justin: "Right now, we have a not-so-accurate na, Heisenberg. There's a rumor he's the one who invented this blue th, but after investigating, we found that the surna Heisenberg isn't uncommon, so we can't investigate everyone, and it might not even be his real na. You know, in the underworld, it's normal to use aliases."
Jimmy nodded. The clues they had were obviously not enough for the bounty hunters to offer the full reward, and even with official ans, investigating based on these clues would require significant manpower and resources, sothing neither the DEA nor any other agency would approve a large budget for.
However, it did sound quite challenging. Jimmy was sowhat curious. In today's society, there's a lot of surveillance, particularly with the authorities having the powerful tool of communication surveillance. Finding one person isn't easy, but tracking the origin of drugs, especially if they're dostic, should theoretically allow for at least a rough location to be pinpointed.
Jimmy: "Alright, if the opportunity cos, I'll keep an eye on it. You said this blue th has already reached New York?"
Justin: "Yeah, that's the word from the hotels. Right now, several high-end clubs have a fair amount circulating. The price is much higher than the trash drugs on the market and it's very popular."
Jimmy: "I'll keep an eye out. Justin, you know how much I hate drug traffickers. I don't care about others, but I hope you stay clean at least."
Justin nodded, "I never touch that stuff."
Jimmy: "Good, take care of yourself." He raised his glass, clinked it with Justin's, downed his drink, and left the small room, heading straight out of the bar.
The next morning, Jimmy first went to the bathroom to clean up, then checked the wounds on his body in the mirror before getting back in bed and pulling out his phone to call Steven Goz, an agent from the DEA Albuquerque office.
The call connected, but before Jimmy could speak, Steven was already talking, "Hey, Jimmy! Long ti no talk. Are you in Albuquerque again?"
Jimmy: "Oh, no, Steven, I'm out of town. How's everything going?"
Steven: "I'm doing alright, you know, things are pretty quiet on our end."
Jimmy: "Good to hear. I heard soone at your office was ambushed by the xican cartel, so I called to check. Glad you're okay."
Steven's tone dropped significantly, and he sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine, really. But Hank was shot."
Jimmy's relaxed deanor quickly turned tense. Hank was a decent guy—chatty, but likable. "How is he? Is it serious?"
Steven let out a slight "Hmm," "Pretty serious, but not life-threatening. He's out of the hospital and recovering at ho now. Oh, I've been reassigned to the El Paso office, but with Hank injured, I might be transferred back."
Jimmy: "Oh? A promotion? Congratulations. But I still need to ask, how's Hank doing?"
Steven paused for a mont before continuing, "He can't walk yet. He injured near his spine and is going through therapy."
Jimmy: "Damn it, he won't be paralyzed, will he? In a wheelchair?"
Steven: "No, no, his lower body has regained nerve response. Doctors believe with long-term therapy he can recover fully. But it'll take ti and the therapy is quite painful."
Jimmy paused, "I'd like to visit Hank, is that possible? Help check."
Steven: "Of course, he'd be thrilled to see you. But... since the incident, he's changed a bit, so... "
Jimmy: "Oh, no worries, I'm aware. Thanks, Steven, give him a call for ."
Steven: "Alright, I'm heading into the office. We'll talk later. Goodbye, Jimmy."
Jimmy hung up the phone, sitting idly on the bed.
The one ambushed was Hank. When he first heard the news yesterday, he really thought it was Steven Goz, as Steven had a brother possibly linked with the CIA and potentially handling Juarez-related business. If the brother offended the xican cartels or drug dealers and was targeted for revenge, it would make sense. But it turned out to be Hank.
Jimmy had been ambushed several tis before but always managed to turn the tables and ensure his safety. Hank was obviously not as formidable as Jimmy, who knew well how ruthless xican assassins could be—just look at the intensity of the Juarez drug conflicts. Hank must be seriously hurt.
Besides, his relationship with Steven and Hank wasn't particularly close—more of a professional acquaintance. Every visit to Albuquerque involved so face ti, so he didn't get any calls about Hank's injury. But now that he knew, not acknowledging it would be a disgrace.
After considering the situation, he needed a few more days before going ho, at least until his wounds healed enough that bandages and changing dressings were unnecessary. Even if Nia worried, it had to wait until things blew over. Going ho like this would surely earn him scolding, maybe even keep him from holding the kids. So visiting Albuquerque should be feasible.
With a decision made, Jimmy began organizing, first eting up with Jas Kage to say hi, then booking a flight to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque was a great place; Jimmy had several unexpected gains here, even keeping a safe deposit box at a local bank with so private finds—not easy to cash in, though.
Steven called back. Hank was at ho resting and in therapy, so Jimmy was to go directly there as he knew the address. But nightti wasn't an appropriate ti. Jimmy checked into a hotel downtown and looked around a rehabilitation center, picking out a gift for Hank.
The next morning, ard with a gift box and flowers, Jimmy knocked on Hank's door. But Jimmy clearly arrived at the wrong ti—he could only see soone sitting by the bedside, leaning against the wall, engrossed in sothing, with no one else in the house.
Jimmy saw the person in bed turn and shout sothing but made no attempt to get up. It had to be Hank, which was awkward. With Hank's mobility issues and Mary not ho, Jimmy set the flowers aside and called Hank on the phone.
Fortunately, Hank answered. Once he learned Jimmy was at the door, Hank apologized, saying Mary went grocery shopping and would return shortly. Steven Goz only called saying Jimmy would visit—it wasn't expected he'd show up the very next day from New York, so Mary wasn't ho to greet him.
Jimmy was exasperated. His luck was really down. Luckily, Hank knew how to let Jimmy in; otherwise, he'd be stuck outside. Yet, who climbs through windows to visit a patient, Jimmy mused, grumbling as he moved to the rear, entering through an unlocked window.
Hank didn't exactly treat Jimmy as an outsider. After all, Jimmy had traveled a long way to see him—sending Jimmy back without eting was unthinkable.
Jimmy walked into the bedroom and almost didn't recognize Hank. Hank had clearly gained weight, albeit from lack of exercise, his facial stubble suggested a while without grooming. He looked quite haggard and downcast.
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