“Read him his rights,” the detective said as he pushed the criminal against the desk.

“Hey, do you mind?”

“Actually no,” Salini muttered. “Rome is a little safer with you off the damn streets.”

The sergeant glanced at his watch as the thief was checked in.

“It’s gone ten sir.”

“That’s the end of our day then Giovani. See you in the morning.”

Elsewhere that night, a young man was frantically dancing at Nero’s nightclub with two friends of his.

“Fancy another short?”

“No thanks. I’ve had quite a few ta.”

The eighteen year old was a well-known kid who had everything to live for really. As his dancing became frenetic, he suddenly keeled over and went into a series of violent convulsions.

“Someone call an ambulance.”

By the time the medics arrived, the young man was quite dead.

The following morning, the two officers found themselves at the city morgue as the pathologist carried out his routine autopsy.

The detective disliked this part of his job, but managed to put up with it.

“Find anything doc?”

“He certainly took speed Salini. However it’s of a type that I’m quite unaware of.”

“That drug is common enough,” the sergeant pointed out.

“This is far more potent,” the pathologist said. “It’s as if it is supposed to kill.”

“That’s rather disturbing,” the detective said.

“Whatever this is, the quicker it’s off the streets the better.”

“Okay doc, we’ll see about that. Come on sergeant.”

“Where to now sir?”

The detective thought things over.

“Let’s speak to that friend of his eh? We might just learn something there.”

They found the modern home easily enough and the youth was more than willing to talk.

“I was with him all night sir. There is no way that he could have got hold of speed.”

“Perhaps he took it before you met him,” the sergeant suggested.

“He could have done I suppose. Though I find that difficult to believe. He wasn’t into that.”

As they sat inside the squad car, Salini had a thought.

“Obviously his mate has been kept in the dark.”

“Which means he bought the drug from a dealer sir.”

“You know this city Giovani. Who’s the local supplier?”

“A chap by the name of Pedro sir. I know where to find him.”

“Let’s do that then.”

The creep had long dirty hair and had just concluded a deal when the car drew up.

“Morning Pedro,” the sergeant said stepping out.

“What do you want?”

“Just a word son,” Salini said. “Search him sergeant.”

The officer pushed him against the wall and patted him down. He
quickly pulled out a small bag of white powder.

“Heroine sir.”

“Oh dear me,” the detective muttered. “You’re nicked son.”

As they tossed him into the rear, the car set off towards the station.

“What can you tell us about a new drug on the streets?” the sergeant asked.

“What new drug?”

“Let’s call it super speed shall we?” the detective suggested.

“I don’t touch that man. My clients trust me.”

“So you were approached?” the sergeant asked.

“Yeah, by some African geezer.”

After booking him in, he was tossed into the interview room. As he sat waiting, the questions continued.

“So who was he?” Salini asked.

“I don’t know man. Not from around here anyway.”

“When was that?” the sergeant asked.

“About two days ago. When do I my phone call?”

The officer slammed a clenched fist down upon the desk.

“When I say so.”

“Possession with intent to supply has a four year term,” the sergeant reminded him.

“Who says that I supplied anyone?”

“Your pouch was too full to get away with that one,” Salini said.

“What do you want?” he said at last.

“As much info as you can remember,” the sergeant replied.

“At least we got a description,” the detective said.

“It’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack though,” the sergeant said. “Rome is full of such low life.”

“What we need is a sting operation sergeant. I think we know who can help there.”

As they entered the strip joint on Berto Street, the proprietor smiled at them.

“A drink on the house.”

“No thanks we are on duty,” the detective said.

“Is this official business?”

“Kind of,” Salini said. “A new and lethal drug has already claimed
one kid and I’m desperate to stop a second.”

Don Juin smiled.

“You need my help of course.”

“On an unofficial basis,” the sergeant added.

“Of course. What do you have in mind?”

Salini smiled.

“I rather think a sting operation would do the trick. Could you let it be known that you want to buy a hundred worth of speed?”

The boss smiled.

“I can certainly do that. I don’t like drugs either. So I’ll be happy to help.”

“Let us know eh?” Salini said as he went to leave.

“Pop in anytime detective. Life time membership of course.”

Back inside the squad car, the detective hissed.

“Never thought I’d need his help.”

“He has his uses.”

The detective grinned.

“One day Geovani I’ll pin something on him.”

As they drove off the sergeant smiled.

“I wish you luck sir.”

As night fell across the city, the new drug claimed two more young lives. Around noon, the detective received the waited call.

“We’ll be there.”

“It’s arranged sir?”

“Yes Giovani. Near the airport of all places. I’ll arrange the back up. We collect at ten tonight.”

The two officers sat in a blacked out vehicle, watching the warehouse closely through binoculars.

“It’s been over an hour sergeant and nothing seems to be happening.
Don Juin had better not be leading us up the garden path.

“He may be a crook sir, but on this occasion I thought that he was sincere.”

The detective hissed.

“Hold it a moment, a car is drawing up.”

A long estate car had indeed pulled up outside the darkened building, and two gents stepped out. As the officers watched, the warehouse doors were pulled open and they stepped inside.

“At long last.”

Salini took his radio and barked, “All stations, go!”

From trucks parked nearby, armed officers crept out and advanced toward the suspects. The two officers drew their weapons and joined them.

Salini saw the half moon deployment and was handed a megaphone.

“Come out, you are surrounded.”

At first there was silence followed by the door sliding open once more. Then the deadly rattle of automatic fire filled the air.

“Damn it!” the detective shouted.

The armed officers returned fire as Salini scanned the enemy.

“This was the last thing that I wanted.”

Two officers dashed behind some barrels and sprayed the front entrance. A criminal yelled and went down, as the second group of officers ran across the tarmac firing continuously. Once they reached the entrance, stun grenades were tossed inside before they dashed inside.

A volley of fire rent the air until silence fell once more.

“Come on sergeant.”

They dashed into the building and surveyed the scene. Two riddled bodies lay upon the floor and the gang were lined up against the wall.

A number of crates had been stacked in the centre of the warehouse and to these the detective marched over.

Peering inside, he saw the deadly cargo.

“We got them banged to rights. Take them to the station, we’ll speak there.”

Back inside the interview room, one of the gang sat nervously.

“So how long have you been importing drugs?”

The African suspect leered at Salini.

“Longer than I care to remember.”

Salini smiled back.

“Three have died because of your actions. Were you aware of their potency?”

“Our South American clients simply said that they were a new batch.”

“You didn’t test them?” the sergeant asked.

“Of course not. I’m not responsible for that.”

“Who is?” Salini asked quietly.

“We do have a chemist.”

“He tested them?” the sergeant asked.

“I was there mate. He gave the all clear.”

Salini slammed the desk.

“Some chemist. He must have known how deadly they were.”

“He has never made such a mistake before,” the suspect replied.

“Where can we find him?” the detective asked.

“Pello Street. He runs that pharmacy.”

“How much of the drug is on the streets?” the sergeant asked.

The suspect smiled.

“About two grand worth.”

The detective hissed.

“Damn it! Come with me sergeant.”

Once in the corridor, the detective leant against the wall.

“I want public warnings issued and this chemist picked up tonight.”

“I’ll do that sir. Do you think we got the entire consignment?”

“I just hope so mate.”

The detective led the team to the pharmacy and the suspect was rudely tossed out of bed. The detective pushed him against the wall roughly.

“We are closing down your operation mate. If you can’t even grade speed, you are unfit to practice. Take him away.”

By the break of dawn, the newspapers and media were running warnings in connection with the new drug. As the detective headed home to his pad, the sergeant was smiling.

“Only three deaths sir. We caught this in time.”

“We both know how it works sergeant. By next month, another consignment will arrive through other channels. We can only hope they are weaker in strength.”