Page 13 of Benga's Rise
His smile is real and clear of pain. “The way I keep getting shot at, that’s a comfort, Brother.”
I laugh. “We have enough Enforcers to run. You just like the action.”
“I do.” He laughs but stops quick. “Seriously. If something happens, you need to keep the As out of sight and safe. Rex, Ant Irma and Seren know what to do for them. Just keep them safe, Raid.” His voice has the skin on my body shrinking.
I keep my eyes on his so he sees I got it and try to lighten him up. “Roger, Cort. Now that that’s answered, I got a memo to write and shit to do.” Like get him a new jacket so I’m not ever getting the details of shielding the As and Web.
“The Presidents are pissed at their trainees and may show.”
Great. “I’m sure I’ll see them.” I walk out wondering why Web is under that shield.
I get the memo out to the Clubs that have training already scheduled and send it to the Officers so they can answer if they’re ever asked. Then text for the wording to show on the training website.
Major is my first call in. He’s laughing about the memo saying we’ll shoot their trainees. I send him the feed and he’s pissed, but glad Freedom showed why she’s a trainer. He’ll be down this weekend for the party so he’ll talk to Cort then. I didn’t need to know that but hang up glad he’s happy.
My phone rings with more shit from Clubs so I send the video to everyone and stop all that, then get Cort’s jacket ordered and get to my real job.
The six Printer shops are doing good. We only have two run by Brothers. The liquor stores are doing better. I had Paul fix them up and add lighting inside and out so they aren’t drawing drunks that piss in the coolers. I had no idea that it was a real thing. When Cort gave me Jinx to help me out, I handed the Liquor stores to him. He seems to like them, of course, now they look a little more upscale and no one has pissed in the cooler while he’s been overseeing them. At ten of I close everything down and go to the meeting room to meet the infamous Pooh-bah that is hidden better than the As.
Listening to them trading quotes I’m smiling. Cort loves his quotes and has that big smile on his face when I sit down at his nod. The Mason Pooh-bah acts like Crow did, with weird words and a calming presence. When Banks shows, I realize they know each other from the steakhouse shit that went down. He likes Banks’ idea of a Credit Union and may have someone to run it. I just shake my head. Now we’re into banking. He’ll let his order know about the scam. They have lawyers that can help. Banks gives him the list of people that Reynolds bought the mortgages on so he knows who to warn right now.
I’m surprised when the Pooh-bah asks what we're doing to get the people back in town. Cort leans forward just a hair, but it tells me he’s got an idea. “I want them back. Some kid lost his father then his home. He was selling drugs on a street corner, got beat if he went to school. His mother works full-time and doesn’t have help. We’ve started something in the gang’s town to help them, but this kid and his mother don’t belong there. I want them back. I’ll get Paul to build houses or another condo unit. There are more.” He looks at Banks.
“I’ve got eight bought mortgages here and three in the village. Three of the eight in town are still empty. One I know is in repo. The others I think are Masons.” Banks gives him a list.
Cort looks at Pooh-bah. I like that name better than Dan. “Can you confirm the five?”
Pooh-bah Dan looks pained telling me some are Masons. “Four are Masons.”
I put my hand out for the list. “The last is a Brother from eastern Texas. He’s MC Badass, patched in last month.” Typing his name on my phone, I show them his profile.
Cort shakes his head. “Good job, Raid. I can’t say I remember them all.” This surprises me and tells me he’s not looking at lineups.
Banks smiles. “I should have checked before I came in. Thanks, Brother.”
“So, we potentially need five houses. Banks, get on them and find out if they want back in. We’ll make the payment the same or lower than their last mortgage.”
“On it, Cort.” He doesn’t look up from his tablet. Web must have hooked him up before me, he’s way good on the tablet.
“Once we know what we need, we’ll get them back into town, Dan.” Cort smiles. “I almost called you Brother.”
Pooh-bah Dan smiles kindly. “I understand you have a couple of Officers that asked for information on our order.”
Cort looks at me. “I know of Falcon and I would guess Trask.”
“Falcon would be a good addition. He’s loyal and honorable. I’ve only known Trask for a year or so, but he’s another that I find honorable.”
Pooh-bah Dan looks interested. “Falcon is military I understand. We have needs for a sec...”
Cort puts his hand up. “Banks, did you have anything else?”
Banks stands with a smile. “No. I’ll call and let you know what they say.”
“We have seven houses finished in the village. All are three bedrooms. If they are needed, by all means, offer them.” Pooh-bah Dan smiles.
Banks nods. “I will, thanks, Dan. It was good to see you again.” He looks at me. “School?”
“All village kids are transported here and the charter high school in B. I think that’s a tech school.”
