Page 73 of Visions in Blood
“All three of the snitches were rounded up and driven out to the state line and dumped.They can find work in Reno or grab a bus for Vegas.Either way, they won’t be back.”
Word of their betrayal and punishment would have spread faster than a grass fire.No.They wouldn’t be back.They’d been in a tough spot, but in the end, they’d made a bad decision and would have to live with it.They’d find other crews, and hopefully they’d be more loyal.But some never learned.
When the silence became deafening, Harlow tapped his empty beer bottle on the arm of the chair.The soft thuds shouldn’t have bothered me, but for some reason, I wasn’t sure how to take the next step any more than he did.After hearing the snitch was really one of our own, it kind of took the wind out of a person.
Trudy seemed to be the only one not stressed, but she’d scrunched up her brows as if finally remembering something.“So, what happened to you?”
“Ah, man.”Harlow stood and picked up his empty bottle before striding into the kitchen.
“It’s a fair question.”Trudy raised her voice as if the kitchen was down the hall rather than fifteen feet away.
When Harlow was seated again with another beer, he picked at the label.“Was it bad?”
I nestled back in the sofa, pleased that the worst was over.“I woke up in a catch cage after he kept me drugged for a couple of days.Then he traded me off to clear his own debt.”When they both looked sick, I eased their worry.“I can’t complain about where I ended up.”As angry as I’d been with Devon the last time I’d seen him, our separation made a perfect salve for wounded pride.It grated that I actually missed him.“I’m working off my debt in a decent place, and I’m protected.”
“And how exactly are you working off that debt?”Trudy’s smile was all evil and mischievous.
I reached over and slapped her knee but couldn’t hold back the grin.“I had the same conversation with Ginger.”
Harlow burst out laughing.“How is my girl?”
I laughed.“She’s living uptown now.At least temporarily.The boss wanted her someplace safe.”
Trudy whistled.“It sounds like you bounced to a better place.”
I shrugged.“The work is dangerous.I’m basically the house thief, but I have to admit, I don’t miss the old apartment.”
When silence descended a second time, I got to the heart of why I was there.Ginger would be expecting me soon.“Who’s your new hacker?”
Trudy stretched back in her seat and placed her boots on the table, her hands behind her head.“Go ahead, you tell her.”
“A lovely lass by the name of Roxie.”
“Who’s all of twelve.”Trudy was holding something back, but all she did was smile at him, her eyes brimming with humor.
“She’s twenty-three, or something like that.”He glanced at me but pointed his beer at Trudy.“She’s just jealous Roxie is smarter than her.A real sweetheart.”
Trudy shook her head and leaned toward me.“The first job, Harlow tripped over his big feet, or so he says, and ends up staying upright by grabbing Roxie’s boobs.”
I laughed.He’d done the same thing with me.It was comforting to see he never changed.“How did that go over?”
“She punched him in the face.”
This time I barked out the laugh.“Oh my, I think I’m going to like her.”
“It’s a good thing she’s fucking good at what she does.”Harlow’s mutter was said with a scowl, but there was amusement behind his hawk-eyed gaze.
God, I missed this motley group.“How’s Jamal?”He was our driver and backup muscle.
“He’s good.Seeing that waitress from Donna’s.”
I finished my drink and set the bottle on the table.“He always had dreamy eyes for her.”
“Who would have thought it would take so long for him to ask her out?”Trudy gave me that look that said it was time for me to get to the point of my visit.
“I might be in need of a crew over the next few weeks.Maybe more than one job.I can’t give you any specifics at this point, mainly wanted to see where we left things.The only downside is the short notice on the jobs.”When the two eyed each other, I figured they wouldn’t just jump in.“I’m not looking for a commitment, just a show of interest.”
Harlow studied me.No joking, no easy smiles.All business.“Is it dangerous?”
