Page 34 of Misrule
“Stretch,” Cash said on a grunt. A moment later, he was pressing something against Knox’s chest. “You have one fucking hour. Probably less than that because this shit took longer than expected.”
Knox ignored whatever Cash was trying to hand him. “One hour for what?”
“You’re a stupid motherfucker, you know that?” Cash snapped in disgust. “It hasn’t dawned on you why all of this subterfuge is necessary?”
“Because Megan doesn’t want Outlaw to know she’s meeting me?”
“Jesus Christ.” Cash snorted. “Take this fucking money and walk until you get to Roxanne’s. The guards Mort has stationed there are waiting for you. Give them five hundred a piece.”
“Roxanne?” Knox echoed with cringe-worthy stupidity. He grabbed the money out of reflex.
Cash shoved him. “Go.”
The investigator in him wanted to ask more questions, but, instead, he listened to Cash and continued on toward Mortician’s property line, where Roxanne’s mother-in-law quarters were located. Once he cleared Johnnie’s land, it took another couple of minutes before he came upon the first of Mortician’s guards. The man stopped him immediately.
“Knox, you got something for me?”
“Yes,” Knox answered as the man held up a flashlight and shined it in Knox’s face. He raised the wad of cash, seeing a bundle of hundreds. Knox counted off five and held them out.
The guard grunted, then whistled and stepped aside. Knox went through this routine two additional times until he came to the last guard who stood watch on Roxanne’s door.
“If Mort find out, we in a lotta trouble, Knox,” the man said. “But Roxy cook us good meals and Meggie always got her door open to our old ladies. When Roxy tell you to go, don’t ask no questions. Just go.” He held out his hand. “My money please?”
Please? He didn’t know these men understood the definition of that word. Knox held the last bit of cash out to him. After taking the money, the guard stepped aside, allowing him entrance to Roxanne’s place.
“I can’t believe I only discovered this recipe,” Megan said to Mort as she poured him another glass of starbursts melted in vanilla vodka.
“Don’t drink all that, Mort,” Val complained, holding out his glass for Megan to pour him more.
“Meggie, all this garlic going to make my ass sing all night,” Digger called, adding more deep-fried jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, shrimp and garlic, onto his plate. “My ass will really be singing, too. Trumpeting. Farts for fucking days. I could probably compose an entire symphony piece.”
Bunny wrinkled her nose, but smiled at her nasty ass husband.
“I got to get up early tomorrow,” Digger went on. He stuffed food into his mouth until all the jalapenos were gone, then pushed his empty plate aside and stood. “I think we need to start home. Ready, babe?”
After exchanging a panicked look with Megan, Bunny smiled at Digger. “Er, babe, I’m going check on the kids.”
Digger frowned. “But—”
“I’ll be back soon,” Bunny interrupted.
“Damn, girl,” Digger said as Bunny hurried the fuck away, “your ass just got back from checking the little motherfuckers. Blame Meggie if my farts nauseate you.”
Bunny’s laughter trailed behind her but she didn’t stop. Frowning, Digger sat back down.
“Wait until you try my next snack, Digger.” Megan smiled at Mort. “I have another drink for you to try as well, Mortician.”
“Meggie, thanks, girl, but I need to get going.” Mort stood. “Something not right. Bailey didn’t even come here. She hasn’t called or anything.”
Megan opened her mouth to speak, then closed it.
Her panic and disappointment nearly killed Christopher, so he decided to step in. She was such a fucking novice at scheming.
“We need to fuckin’ talk business, Mort. All you motherfuckers meet me in my cave.”
“Tonight, Outlaw?” Val said with disappointment.
“Ain’t I just fuckin’ say that?” Christopher snapped. “Yo, John Boy, see to it these motherfuckers stay fuckin’ put ‘til after I talk to Megan.”
