Page 54 of More Than a Hero
Jacko snorted, a low, humorless chuckle. "Y’all serious? Shit’s all over the news, bro. Some dumbass got jammed up runnin’ weight through the Shore. Word is, a Blood got caught sittin’ on a trunk full of dope, lookin’ like a damn piñata waitin’ to get cracked open." He smirked, flashing gold in his teeth. "Lemme guess—y’all were the ones that made that play?"
"We just happened to be nearby. Now we need to know everything we can before we sit down with him. Blood ink on his knuckles and shoulder, set tags all up his neck and arm."
Jacko shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Stupid motherfucker. Walkin’ round flagged up like he got an S on his chest." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. "Mind if I light up?"
"Yeah, I mind," Pete snapped. "I don’t want my car smelling like that shit."
“I’ll roll down the window,” Jacko tried to bargain.
“Then we’ll smell like smoke and garbage.”
Jacko huffed but didn’t argue. "Fine, fine. Hit me with the questions so I can get back inside before my boss starts thinkin’ I ran off with the cash drawer."
Pete pulled a photo from his jacket of Lashawn, handing it over. "You seen him before?"
Jacko barely glanced at it before shaking his head. "Nah, but remember, I got me a legit job now. Not cruisin’ for you.”
Pete slid another picture in front of him. Jacko let out a sharp laugh. "Now this dumbass kid? Yeah, I seen him round. Think he lives over at them apartments, runnin’ with the wrong ones. Ain't tight with nobody real. Just a kid with thoughts of living grand. He’s nuthin’ but a crash dummy."
"You ever see the Bloods sniffing around him?"
Jacko exhaled through his nose, his expression tightening. "Not heavy, but yeah, I seen a few come through. Ain't like they floodin’ the place, but I peep a ride pull up, homie hop out, post up with someone for a minute. Ain't no hand-to-hands, though. Just talkin’."
"Recruiting?" Pete asked.
Jacko shrugged. "What else? They ain't in the charity business. Either they tryin’ to stack soldiers or gettin’ they money up some other way—dope, tricks, whatever. The block too dry for ’em to be out here for fun."
Pete leaned forward slightly, his voice steady. "Keep your eyes open. I want names, times, plates. If they so much as sneeze near those apartments, I wanna know."
Jacko smirked. "You askin’ a lot. Might have to bump up my hazard pay." He let out a rough chuckle, only to break into a coughing fit.
Pete waited until the coughing eased. "Make it worth our while, and we’ll talk."
Jacko nodded, then slid out of the car, stretching his arms over his head. He glanced back once. "One last thing—some of them boys comin’ through? PA tags. My guess… Philly mostly.”
“So now we gotta worry about them,” Jeremy muttered under his breath.
Jacko nodded. "Few locals, some Maryland, but a bunch of them whips rockin’ Pennsylvania plates. Philly’s a grimy-ass city, man. Ain't no surprise they lookin’ for softer ground." He snickered, then wheezed, the laugh rattling in his chest.
Pete narrowed his eyes. "Stay safe, Jacko. And that includes getting yourself a nicotine patch."
Jacko shot him a lazy salute before heading back toward the store, disappearing inside without another word.
Jeremy shifted into the front seat, shutting the door. Pete started the car, pulling back onto the road. The air between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, but they both knew one thing—this wasn’t over.
Later that morning, Pete and Jeremy found themselves sitting at a table across from Lashawn Jeffries. Pete’s gaze moved to the tattoos on his fingers that read Blood when his knuckles were visible, which Pete noticed was all the time. Elaborate tattoo lettering on his neck said Ciao.
“Ciao?” he said.
“Yeah, man. Ciao. That’s my name.”
“I’ll stick to Lashawn.”
“Whatever. You wastin’ your time, man. My time, too. Didn’t say nuthin’ to the others. Not gonna say nuthin’ to you.”
True to his threat, the prisoner said nothing. He sat, his gaze hard and his eyes staring at a spot on the wall behind Pete’s shoulder. Closing the folder, Pete and Jeremy stood. Lashawn looked over and grinned. “Givin’ up so soon?” he taunted. “Man, I’ll sit in jail and rule. Be like a king.”
“Not wasting our time with you,” Pete said.
