Page 71 of Switch
“What’s he talking about?”
“You saw Evans?”PJ’s voice rings with equal parts hope and disbelief.
“Didn’t get a name.”The kid shrugs.“Thing is, Mom’s medicine costs a ton and we don’t have insurance.There’s a new guy in town looking to grow his territory.The pay’s real good, so I took a job.This Evans or whoever, I think he’s working for him.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” PJ says to nobody in particular.
The kid only shrugs.“Look, I don’t know details, but this guy your friend’s working for is not to be fucked with.All the ’stenders talk about him like he’s a ghost.Like I said, I shouldn’t even be here.I didn’t tell you anything.”
PJ nods absently.“Wait.When did you see him?Evans.”
The kid nods his head in the general direction we walked from.“Maybe half an hour ago, give or take.The old warehouse district, across the old railroad tracks.New guy’s set up at that closed-up peach canning factory.That’s where I was when I saw your friend.After you gave me that card, I figured you must come here a lot, so when they let me go for the night, I came down here.Figured I’d leave a message inside or something.”
He looks around again, eyes fearful.“I really gotta go, though.I’m in for it if this guy hears I said anything.”
“You could’ve gone to Brennan.For work,” PJ says.
Who the hell is Brennan?
The kid shrugs.“From what I hear, this guy pays way better, especially if you’re willing to do less savory shit.He’s got his fingers in pies Brennan would never touch.People are willing to get in with him for the pay.”
So Brennan’s a criminal.And PJ knows him.I don’t know what to do with this information.
Is this the universe testing me to see how committed I am?At this point I’m certain I’m losing it.
I reach into my wallet and pull out some cash, handing it to the kid.I may not understand what’s going on here, but I do get that the kid took a risk in coming to PJ with information.He thanks me and disappears into the shadows again.
When I turn back to PJ, he’s already tapping away furiously at his phone.“I have to go check this out.I have to.”He’s pacing as he talks.“I’ll get you an Uber back to my place and you can?—”
“PJ, stop.”I grab his shoulder to halt the pacing.“Breathe.You need to breathe.”
“You don’t understand.If this guy’s information is correct?My missing best friend, who I thought might be dead, could actually be alive.”
He’s vibrating with excitement.Part of me is thrilled for him, but part of me is…not pleased.Am I the jealous one now?
“If I don’t understand, then explain it to me.”
“I will, I promise.I have to check this out.Go back to my place.I’ll tell you everything when I get home.”
“You’ll tell me everything on the way.I’m coming with you.”
Whatever’s waiting in that factory, PJ and I will face it together.He’s not going alone.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Fallon
“I’m only takingyou as far as the old church,” the driver says from up front.“Everyone knows better than to cross the old tracks these days.”
“What does everyone know about them that makes people stay away?”I am not everyone.I want to know what we’re dealing with before we walk in blind.
“You must not be an east ender.The whole area’s been rotting away since they built the new tracks, further into town.’Bout a year ago, this guy moved in from up north.Started putting the new product on the street.Supposedly like sextasy, only stronger.Addictive shit.Pressed some of the local kids into selling.Got ’em hooked.He’s spreading lots of cash around, which the East End needs, only he’s got his foot soldiers doing all the dirty work.They call him the Ghost because nobody sees him, and if you do, you die.”
That’s… Jesus.
I look over at PJ, who’s rigid in the seat next to me.His walls have gone up, and his demeanor from our first date is back.My rough but attentive Keeper is gone, replaced by the prince whose kingdom runs on rage.
It only heightens my sense that we’re walking into danger.I want my Keeper back.
