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“For my foolish behavior.” Shepardpassed the case to me.
“Not bad, Shepard,” I said, picking the gun up and then a knife. “This is a good start to saying sorry.”
“Does she like dogs? Shepard asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m thinking she’s going to need one,” I said, an idea forming in my head as I worked on my apology when she got out of my basement. She wasn’t going to make it easy, and I wanted to be prepared.
Chapter 23
King
One week went by, and every lead we had, went cold. I walked around Christmas Town before they opened, the weather was picturesque. It was the week of Christmas, and the town had been getting busier and busier each day.
Boogie and I had completed two more deals without Ally. Arthur was growing suspicious of us, and at this point, Ally had stopped speaking, or even looking at us. I rubbed my chest at the constant ache that was there, and I started to wonder if this was the stupidest idea I'd ever allowed to happen.
After those first two days, we had no leads, we went down to speak to her and that didn’t go well. Boogie left with a black eye, and I left with a knife in my shoulder. A very stupid part of me thought two days would let her calm down, but I should have known better.
I checked on all the concession stands, and with a few of the workers, making sure everyone was ok before the rush of people came in. I had changed a few things that Ally had been doing, making things a bit more efficient and found a better Santa, since the last man quit. The old man needed the work, and he didn’t give off creeper vibes.
Christmas Town filled quickly with happy families and children, excited to see Santa. I grabbed a hot chocolate as I waited for a few new people to arrive, and a shipment of drugs from a new supplier that Ally had found with the approval of the Mayor, and new party favors.
I was nervous dealing without Ally, but Boogie was coming in later and Arthur was helping us with the deal. It was the last big thing before Christmas, one of the biggest sales that went overseas sold to a man named Saint. It was the only time we could get away with it, and our European buyer only bought premium items.
Once I was tired of the cold, I walked back inside to get ready for the shipment. I sat in Ally’s office looking at a few logs, wishing her office still smelled like her.
“I think Ally needs to be here for this shipment,” Arthur said, coming into the office.
He had been getting pushier and pushier the last few days. He was getting on my nerves. Boogie was starting to believe something was going on with him since all of our leads were fizzling out to nothing.
“She won’t be here, and we will be fine,” I said, dismissing him.
“Should I be worried?” he asked. “She should be here, why the hell isn't she here? I haven’t even been able to speak to her.”
I looked up at him. “The attack hit her very hard. Doc said her head injury is worse than we thought. We can barely get this place filled with men to protect her and Boogie can't even get a hold of the triplets yet. So, she’s not coming home until she is ready and I can ensure she won't be attacked again.”
He stood up, leaning over the table.
“Can you ensure her fucking safety?” I growled.
“You and Boogie?—”
“Can you ensure her fucking safety?!” I snapped.
“No, but you… you?—”
“She’s not ready to come home, and when she is, you will be the first to fucking know,” I said grabbing him by the shirt. “Next time you question our authority, I will fucking gut you, got it?”
He sneered at me before he schooled his expression. I studied him, wondering if Boogie was right and we were looking in the wrong place.
“I will speak to Boogie about seeing if she can make it tonight,” I said, letting him go as I cultivated a plan.
“Ok, as long as she’s feeling better,” he said, taking a deep breath.
“I’ll let you know,” I said, sitting down.
He left the room quickly and I pulled out my phone seeing a text I wasn't expecting in a group chat with Boogie and me.
Roman: I think I found Lance.
