Page 31 of Brick

"Why would we go after one junkie? Chances are she'll come back to us anyway. You both know that."

"Because Wendy had some information we think you all would rather not have been in anyone else's hands." Brick searches through his phone and opens up the video he downloaded from the thumb drive before he hands his phone back over to Dutch.

I never thought I would physically see someone shitting metaphorical bricks, but the instant Dutch sees what was on that video, he does.

"Where the fuck did you get this? Who was fucking taping us?" Dutch asks, agitated.

"I don't know the who's and the what's. All I know is Wendy had a copy for insurance, and now she's missing. If you look further into the video, you'll see some of your people griping about your leadership abilities as well as plans to come take the Brutal Chains out. Now, I may not know much about anything else, but I promise you my people don't take kindly to threats. You all may think you are about this life, but I guarantee that all my men are. We've got the records to prove it and the graves to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Yum.

Dutch just stares at him, and I can tell that smug look he had from before is gone. So much for the Brutal Chains just being another group of old guys.

"So what are you saying? You think having this is supposed to put the fear of God in me or something? It's not going to happen." Dutch shakes his head.

"No, we just want you to get a handle on your men. Figure out what the fuck is going on and either fix the shit or get the fuck out. We'll deal with them if we have to."

Dutch's jaw clicks; he's clenching so hard. "Yeah, and what's stopping me from just putting a bullet in the two of you? From putting a bullet in your whole group?"

"You could do that, but then that little video is on its way to every authority in the country. There's nowhere you can hide. I know you, Dutch. You play gangster, but you've never been to prison. Never had to hold your own when all of gen pop is ready to beat your ass. There's no seven-oh-sevens to watch your back inside. Take it from me, you're not going to make it."

Dutch stares at Brick for a second, and I swear I can see them mentally battling each other. I'm not sure I've ever witnessed a dick-measuring contest like this before, but I'm impressed.

"Fine, I hear you, Brick. So, I say we keep this between us right now. Can I trust you not to let this fall into anyone's hands?" Dutch slides the phone back to Brick. It's the smartest thing he's done all day.

"Yeah, it's under lock and key and encrypted, so no one is getting it. I'm going to need her sister, though." Brick gestures in my direction, but Dutch simply shakes his head.

"Sorry, my man. I can't help you."

"Bullshit!" I bark louder than I should. "You have to know something. She's mixed up with your people. You have to know where she is." Even I can hear the desperation leaking from my voice, but I can't hide it. I am desperate to find Wendy.

Dutch stands and shakes his head again, "Sorry, love..."

"Watch yourself," Brick snarls at Dutch. I roll my eyes at his reaction to another man calling me a pet name.

Dutch raises his hands with a smirk on his face, "No disrespect, but honestly, I've got no clue where she is." Dutch steps away from the table, and just like that, all my hopes of coming here for answers to find my sister vanish. This can't be the end.

Brick must feel my body deflate because he drapes one of his arms around me to keep me from completely crumbling.

"You know what," Dutch speaks, and both of us turn to where he's standing by the door. "I surely didn't know that Daly was still alive. I'm going to handle that, but if your sister was mixed up with him, there's a small railroad car that he used to sleep in when shit got rough. I haven't been there in months since there was no need, but if he's got his hands on your sister, you might want to check there. I hope it helps."

"Good looking out, Dutch. Let me know when you finish cleaning house. I'd rather not have to keep looking over my fucking shoulder." Brick nods in his direction, and Dutch leaves the small shop.

Another rollercoaster of emotions. One second I think all hope is lost, only to be nearly blinded by possibility in the next.

We're going to find her.

We're going to bring my sister home.

Fourteen

Brick

That was easierthan I expected.

In fact, maybe it was all just a bit too easy.

Dutch isn't one to take slights sitting down. There's no telling what he's really planning on doing. I guess it all boils down to the fact that he thinks I'll really go to the cops with what I know.

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