Page 11 of Absinthe Dreams
Enforcer 2: Malice
Secretary: Warden
Treasurer: Brewster
Road Captain: Chicory
Tail Gunner: Hurricane
Member: Crash
Member: Panhead
Member: Roman
Member: Vandal
Member: Crow Dad
Member: Everclear
“You sure that’s Crow Dad and not Crawdad?” Bennie asked when the second-to-last member of any kind of merit was written down.
“I’m sure,” Hex declared. “That’s what Temperance said, and she made sure of it.”
“Fuckin’ weird,” Cypress said, and there were some chuckles around the table.
“There’s round about forty-some-odd members total,” LaCroix intoned.
“But these are the ones we were told we needed to pay attention to the most,” Hex finished.
“Why’s that?” Axe asked, and I was curious too. But I knew if you waited with your questions long enough, most of ‘em would be answered to the point you had none of ‘em left. If you did have any left, well, then was the time to ask.
“Because these are the ones closest to Ruth, the ones climbing the ladder so to speak,” Saint answered.
“We ain’t too worried about anyone with ‘Member’ in front of their name,” Hex said. “Just pretty much be advised we take any of his cabinet out, they’re likely the ones gonna take their place.”
“Got it,” Collier said and leaned back in his seat with a grunt, folding his arms over his chest.
“So, where to begin?” Axe asked.
“Here.” Hex circled Strychnine’s name.
“Whoo, we’re skippin’ right to the good part right here,” Cypress said with a savage grin. I nodded.
“He got a wrecking crew?” I asked.
“You know it. Ain’t none of the upper cabinet making moves without at least two members with ‘em,” Saint said, and I nodded, expecting as much.
“So, what’s the word, then?” Bennie asked.
“They’re expecting us to gun for ‘em,” I said. “Not sure it’s the right play.”
Hex snapped his fingers, tapped his nose, and pointed at me.
LaCroix smirked. “So, where you wanna hit ‘em?” he asked.
“Where they least expect it,” I said. “What’re they into? Where is it at? Let’s put a stranglehold on their cash flow and really kick the hornet’s nest.”
