Page 89 of Sapphire's Gem
“Let the community get to know you for who you really are instead of hiding. And while you’re doing that, claim Wylde. Cassidy said at first he was hopeful you’d come around, but now he’s moping. He won’t be passed over for promotion or whatever fears you had. Take a chance, Sapphire.”
“It’s not as easy as you make out. Wylde will be judged for being with me, and his every arrest will be questioned. The community will turn against him,” I retorted.
“We’ll see. But as his superior, I can tell you, Wylde does have friends. Think about what I said, Sapphire. By the way, there’s a meeting tonight. Attend it.” Hatton packed away the laptop and got to his feet. “You’re not a bad person, Sapphire, tightly strung and you’ve a stick up your ass, but not evil. Maybe you ought to consider that.”
Damn, I think Hatton just schooled me.
???
I sat in the back row with my sisters and watched, amused, as an old lady took apart a city councillor over the drug paraphernalia in local parks. She had caught my eye when shegot up to challenge them, and now, she turned to the councillor with a sneer.
“Then tell me how come all parks within a two-mile radius of the Royal Harlots clubhouse lack any!” she snapped at him.
“Mrs Deacon…”
“Nope, I wiped your ass, boy, as a baby. Don’t try to patronise me. Those parks are free of drugs and shit, so why aren’t the rest of them?”
I spluttered with laughter at the look on the guy’s face. Mrs Deacon had put him firmly in his place.
“We can look into it—”
“Oh, shut up. Why don’t we ask them why their parks are clear?” Mrs Deacon snapped at him and turned to me. “Well?”
“Well?” I replied suddenly, not liking being in the limelight.
“What do you do, girl, to keep drugs off your patch?” Mrs Deacon demanded.
“Um…”
“Speak up, child!”
Shit, what did I say?
“The RHMC patrols the parks without announcing we’re going to. Any drug dealers are urged to move elsewhere, or the police will be alerted. We tend to film them as well and have sent lots of footage to the police,” Sparrow said. “Drug dealers have learned they can’t sell around us. We don’t approve.”
“Interfering with your sales?” someone called out, and my head snapped in that direction. Ah, one of the do-gooders.
“That is slander. My club does not deal in drugs, and we truly despise them. We have worked with the local law enforcement and sent several dealers their way,” I retorted.
“Yeah, because that then left you open to deal,” the woman sneered.
“Actually, Mrs Print, you’re wrong. The two miles around the Royal Harlot clubhouse have the lowest usage of drugs. AndSapphire is correct; the Royal Harlots have turned over no less than thirty drug dealers in recent years. All of which resulted in prison sentences for dealing and other related charges,” Hatton said from his place on the stage.
Mrs Print huffed and sat down.
“Then I think the PPD needs to speak to the Royal Harlots and understand what they do so well that our law enforcement can’t,” Mrs Deacon said. She looked happy with herself as mutters rose amongst the audience.
“I want to raise the issue of these thugs going around threatening businesses. One even used a bomb,” a man called out.
Several other voices joined him in agreement as the mayor called for order.
“We would like to know what you’re doing about it,” the guy said.
“Mr Fiddle, that is a current—”
“Don’t bullshit us. A woman died, a schoolteacher who was merely shopping. We’ve heard it was aimed at the jeweller and florist who had refused to pay protection money to this gang. What are you doing about these gangbangers?” Mr Fiddle cut the councillor off.
“The PPD is investigating and following all leads. If anyone here has further information, please speak to me after the meeting or call the tip hotline,” Hatton replied.
