Page 6 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
I know what he’s trying to do. If hescaresme enough, I would be willing to sell out my team to his lowest bid. I would get a slap on the wrist, maybe a book deal, and possibly a movie starring some washed-up, past-his-prime actor, and then I’ll do the travel circuit promoting it.
I’ll be like all white boys who sold out their team and rebranded myself as a better-looking Tim Allen. It’s a tale as old as time. The white kid could’ve done it, but those Black guys he was with? Now, they were the ones that were in trouble!
“Why on earth would I target an older lady?” I shrug. “Even you have to admit that doesn’t quite add up.”
“Power, and that’s all it is. You want power. The more power you have, the more others will be tormented by you.” Ethan chews his gum. “Why else would you do it?”
“You know, one could easily say the same thing about you being a cop?” I lean forward. “Why else would anyone become one? Not to clean up the streets because crime is getting worse. Not to protect and save because your fellow officers could’ve even been bothered to do thattwicein a few school shootings. But it’s to intimidate and keep order, right?”
Ethan stands up and hovers over me. We’re about the same size, so it could be an even match if we wanted to fight. We both hate each other with the same passion, so it’ll be a fight. We remain calm because we both know now isn’t the place, but it will happen.
“You see, by doing that, it’s clear you don’t want Taylor with me, and you’re willing to break us up at all costs. I respected the most about Lamont because I knew he didn’t like me being with his daughter, but he had enough respect to keep quiet about it. He knew Taylor was going to make her own decisions. You?” I meet eyes with Ethan for the first time. “You want to get as involved as possible. You think you’re doing Taylor a service by reminding her who I am and what I’m about every chance you get, as if she’s stupid to realize it. After all, the kidnapping plot washeridea, not mine.
“But none of that matters to you, does it? The little girl you have known since she was a teenager is dating the guy you’ve been hunting sincehewas a teenager. And you’re afraid I’ll somehow influence Taylor and corrupt her. So, what do you do? You’re trying to split us, and you know what? You might succeed. I’m sure once I’m released out of here, Taylor will need her space from me.
“So, you got what you wanted,” I stand up, and Ethan follows my lead. Within a second, many officers and my attorney are between us, “and now it’s time for me to get what I want. So, the question begs itself: what does Cameron Page want?” I chuckle and smile at Ethan. “I guess you’ll have to wait for the next episode.”
Three
Cameron
The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy; they come when the mind is still.
I wish I could say I didn’t know what happened, but I know better. Someone set Que and me up. They intentionally used our names, and it’s not a surprise; they just happened to be our races.
They were sloppy, in any case. They messed up on the details, and that’s where everyone will get you. The most delicate information, and that’s it – no one will buy your shit.
I got word that Taylor was discharged from the hospital and went straight to Granny’s house. Fucking yikes. That’s the last place I want her to be, and I’m sure her Granny would be less than thrilled to see me there. I will have to deal with her, no matter what. Taylor and Mia aren’t staying there if I can help with it.
I gave up the life for her, and Taylor still left me on read. I love Taylor and want to be with her. She also just had my baby. I need them both in my life. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get them back.
I walked outside in the blazing Atlanta heat and hopped into the awaiting Escalade, where Que was in the backseat.
“Someone is targeting us,” I lowly speak to Que as the driver pulls out, “I don’t know who yet, but it’s someone who’s trying to get our attention.”
“I have no idea who it could be,” Que shakes his head, “the usual suspects are dead or jailed unless they have people acting on their behalf.”
“And that could be just about anybody.” I shake my head. I left the game because it was getting too hot, and now someone is pulling me back into the frying pan. I glance out the window and look up at the sky. My only thoughts are of Taylor and Mia. Taylor’s not at our home, and she won’t be by the look of things for a while.
I know where she could be, but I must also play my cards right. Her Granny hates me, and I can’t say I blame her. Granny is a crucial link Taylor has to her family, and if I’m not good with Granny, I’ll never be good with Taylor.
Que’s burner phone rings, and he’s in deep conversation with another contact, and I just let him talk. He’s running things now, and I’m just along for the ride.
“Keep me posted.” Que gets off the phone and tosses it on the seat. “We got a problem.”
I keep looking out the window. “Oh?”
“Atlanta P.D. has a newfound interest in the Administration because of what happened to Jacqueline. No surprise she was fucking the police chief.” Que scrolled through his phone. “To say they’re a little upset with her death is putting it nicely.”
I shrug. The news didn’t surprise me; if anything, it was predictable. “Tell me why I should care.”
“She had a contact with the police department, who has a contact at the DEA….” Que trails off and pauses for a moment. I don’t rush Que because I know he’s trying to collect his thoughts. He doesn’t like to repeat himself and always makes sure he says something one time with enough explanation so no one could be confused about what he said. “…how close are you with your sister?”
Que asking me how close I am with my sister has nothing to do with love or loyalty, for that matter. He’s asking me in not so many words whether I would be okay with potentially murdering my sister, Jamie Page, for betraying me.
And honestly, I have to think about it. “Tell me everything you know in as much detail as possible now.”
Four
