Page 24 of Dare
“I’llgo if you want. I’ve got nothing going on today,” Jeremy volunteers. “We canhang out and drink a few beers, get to know the guy.”
“Soundsgood. Meet me out there about four?”
“I’llbe there.”
Iturn to Landon. “Justus told me about the new forum. You think you’vediscovered a trafficking ring?”
“Looksthat way, but we need a lot more info. If it is a ring, they cover their trackswell. I hacked in and lurked last night. Lots of talk about seasoning a newaddition who got caught reckless eyeballing.”
Christ.Seasoning is synonymous with torture, both mental and physical, to get thevictim to obey with questioning. Victims are instructed to keep their eyes onthe ground. If they make eye contact with another pimp, they can become hisproperty. Fucking crazy shit.
“Doyou need me back here tonight?”
“Nah,get the new guy settled. I’ll catch you up tomorrow if there’s any news.”
Tuckeris sitting under a tree across from my apartment when I return, and he hops inmy passenger seat when I wave him over. I pull into a gas station to fill thetank and grab a twelve pack of beer. “My buddy Jeremy is going to meet usthere. He works with ISH as well.”
“Howmany are in your group?” Tucker asks, as I pull back onto the highway.
“Four.I’ll take you to meet Landon one night. He has a genetic disorder and has tostay out of the sunlight. Plus, he has a new girlfriend.” I wave my hand.
Tuckerlaughs and nods. “Nothing makes a guy go MIA faster.”
“She’scool, though. She also knows what we do, but she’s the only one outside thegroup.”
Tuckereyes me for a few moments. “Are you seeing Ayda?”
Iguess I shouldn’t be surprised he noticed since he spends a lot of time in theparking lot. “We’re hanging out.” If you can count talking through a wall ashanging out.
“She’sa good girl. Had a hard way to go. She’s not exactly the type you just hang outwith.” There’s a warning in his voice. “Are you trying to hook up with her?”
“No.”He shakes his head. “I just don’t want to see her get jerked around.”
Itfigures the first time I’m actually interested in getting to know a woman andeven having a relationship, I get accused of being an asshole. “I’m trying toget to know her, but she doesn’t make it easy.”
“She’sa stubborn one,” he agrees, laughing.
Alight rain begins to fall as I park outside the farmhouse and lead Tucker tothe barn. “Pigs are the only animals we keep. There’s pig feed in those storagebins. Be sure to keep them closed tight or the mice and raccoons will tear itup. Just dump in five pounds of feed each morning and shovel out the shit.There’s a compost heap near the tree line where you can dump it.”
“Seemseasy enough,” Tucker grunts. His eyes meet mine, shining with a fierceintelligence. I haven’t been so closely scrutinized since I was in a courtroom.“Now, you want to tell me why you keep pigs?”
Nodding,I lead him around to the back where the industrial wood chipper is stored. “Thebodies of the perverts get run through here, then dumped into the trough forthe pigs to eat.”
Theonly perceptible response is a slight stiffening of his spine. “And am Iresponsible for that?”
“No.As I said, all you need to do is feed the pigs, keep the place up, grass mowed,etc. If we need the chipper, one of us will call. Most likely in the middle ofthe night. We’ll take care of the body, then bleach the trough and chipper tomake sure there’s nothing left. You never have to take part or witness any ofit.”
Hestares at the chipper silently, and the rain starts to pick up. “You can stillsay no if this isn’t for you. No harm no foul.”
Heblinks as if he’s just awakened or maybe walked out of a dark theater. “I’mgood. I mean, I can do it. No problem.”
“Great.I’ll show you the house.”
We’rejust heading back downstairs when Jeremy walks in holding a twelve pack. Tuckersticks out his hand before I can introduce him. “Tucker Long.”
“JeremyMartin, nice to meet you, man.”
“Samegoes.”
