Page 11 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
I look up at the starry sky as I contemplate my answer. The number has to be high enough that no one scoffs at it, and people will send in tips left and right to get a piece of the reward money. “Five hundred stacks.” Not five hundred dollars, kids.Five hundred thousand dollars.
Tesh raises an eyebrow, and she nods. “Somebody will most definitely talk.” She writes it down in the folder. “Leading to the arrest of Patrice’s assailants?”
“Yes,” I nod as I softly bounce Mia.
“And the conviction?” Tesh confirms. “Leading to the arrest and conviction?”
“No, just the arrest,” I turn towards her, “I’ll be the conviction.”
Seven
Cameron
“You’re going to call off that goddamn award.”
As I stop by and grab a coffee from a Fresh Espresso pop-up, I look up and see my old friend, Ethan, and his partner, Lisa. They just happened to be (read: they were following me) at Lenox Square. While I love to assume they are here to shop, we all know why they’re here at ten in the morning.
It’s a Tuesday morning, and the mall just opened. School is already in session, and everyone is getting ready for the bombardment of holidays that inevitably come: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and religious holidays.
More vendors have moved in, and the Atlanta economy has bounced like never before. People are working, happier, and most importantly, they spend a lot of money. I check in with every store owner and manager weekly to connect, see what they need, and solidify beneficial relationships.
It’s all politics, as I learned from my father.
Tell people you’re there for them and follow up on it. Walk the walk. They’ll set aside whatever unnerving feelings they have about you as long as you help them in a waythat’ll benefit themmore than you. You’ll have them in the palm of your hands forever.
It’s the oldest con game in the world, and more people should know it. It’s why Ethan could never get a leg up on me. Every time he thinks he has me cornered, life has a surprise for that ass.
“I will do no such thing.” I take a sip of the Bobby Womack. Black, strong, and with a bite that’ll make you announce you’re dating your best friend’s grieving widow at his funeral.
“You’re not fooling me, Page.” His tone is angry. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”
“And what am I trying to do?” I smile at him. “Your job?”
“You damn well know the first opportunity you’re going to get. That person is a dead man. Don’t even play with our emotions, bitch.” Lisa sneers, and I smile again. She’s a light-skinned Black woman who’s petite but could probably kick someone’s ass if they cross her. “Call off the damn award.”
“And then what?” I ask them with a slight cock of my head. “And what are you going to tell Patrice’s family? You demanded I call off the award so you can continue to do absolutely nothing about the case?” I walk, and they pursue me. “She has to be fitted for costly hearing aids because she can no longer hear out of one ear, but the cops are doing everything they can to solve her case?”
Ethan quickly walks in front of me, forcing me to stop. “You want a bloodbath here, and if you keep it up, you’ll get it. Do you want that on your conscience, Page? You just had a baby girl. What about her safety?”
I take a sip of the Bobby Womack and start thinking about his classic song, “Where Do We Go From Here.” I ask myself that every time I see Ethan. “So, about six weeks ago, when Mia was born, you couldn’t care less about arresting me on her birthday, but now Mia is your concern if you’re accusing me of doing some rather unlawful things.” I grin. “Which is it? Do you care about my daughter, or do you not?”
“Let us remind you you’re still under investigation for that mysterious fire last year where three dead bodies were found and an explosion at an ice cream parlor where several people were killed.” Lisa comes up to my face. “You do not want it with me.”
“Ooh,” I shift my stance, “I think I just felt a little tingle.” I bat my eyelashes at Lisa. “I didn’t think you swung my way. I thought box lunches at the Y were more your thing.”
“I wouldn’t suck your dick even if it had a Powerball jackpot attached to it,” Lisa smirks. “I’m more interested in seeing you rot in prison forever, bitch.”
“We both know that’ll never happen, but keep telling yourself it will be as you think of me while you overuse your vibrator tonight.” I walk past her, and they’re both quick on my heels. I swear these fucking cops are like roaches.
“We know you’re up to something, Page, and it’s better to stop any plans now while you’re ahead,” Ethan says. “If we get word of any murder connected to Patrice’s assault, you will be immediately arrested.”
I turn around and take another sip of my coffee. “Based on what? No, seriously, tell me. Based. On. What.” I emphasize every word.
“Based on the fact you run a crime syndicate, and it’s an open secret here. Everyone knows you’re not clean, Page.” Ethan folds his arms. “I know your game. Friendly with everyone so no one will dare to turn on you. You think you’re doing people a favor, but you’re leading them to slaughter.”
I nod my head but am not in agreement. “So, let me get this straight: you’re more concerned about the possibility Imightdo something than you are investigating a crime thathappened?”
“We got the word you took care of Patrice’s medical bills and household expenses,” Lisa replies, “she has a state-of-the-art security system installed, and she wouldn’t be able to afford that on her pension.”
