Page 48 of Cash

“Only a little. It really was an accident.” Jules shrugged. “I didn’t wanna kill the fucker. I mean, not right away. Had some real good questions for his punk ass.”

“And that guy worked for the Finch family.” Brick paused. “Do you know about that Finch guy dying? I can’t remember which one. The third or the fourth?”

“The third,” Jules said. “The fourth is his kid.”

“Does that have anything to do with this?” Brick slurped at his wine.

Jules chugged.

“Like maybe he didn’t actually commit suicide and he was murdered because the angle of the bullet is wrong?”

Jules sputtered, almost choking. He had the funniest look of surprise, and he blinked a few times before demanding, “How the fuck do you know all that?”

“Trixie was right!” Brick gasped excitedly.

“The fuck is a Trixie?”

“My friend. She works across the street at the funeral home. She is convinced that Mr. Finch number three was murdered and the medical examiner’s office or whoever covered it up.”

“Huh.”

“So, she’s right?”

“Allegedly.”

Brick fixed Jules with an annoyed glare.

“Baby boy, listen. I know you want answers, and I’m doin’ my best to level with you. But there is just some shit I can’t tell you.”

“Fine.” Brick cut his eyes at Jules over his glass. “But the Finch family is involved?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You literally just freaked out that I knew Finch had been murdered and the creep that fell down my stairs works for the Finch family.” Brick popped his tongue. “So.”

“Mmm.” Jules let out a loud grunt, and he smiled hungrily.

“What?”

“All them looks and brains too.”

“I know.” Brick finished off his wine. “But you’re not going to distract me with flattery. I’m still mad as fuck at you for using my house as your own bad guy roach motel. And hey, why didn’t you set the alarm? Or was that on purpose too, huh?”

“I did fuckin’ set it,” Jules argued. “I just set it again now that those pigs are gone. I dunno why it didn’t go off before. Go on and check for yourself. ”

With a huff, Brick got up to do just that. He walked up to the panel so he could read the screen.

Ready To Arm

“It’s not set,” Brick drawled.

“The fuck it ain’t.” Jules stalked over to stand beside him, and he glared at the panel. “Nah, this is bullshit. Hang on. You type in the fucking code—” He started pushing buttons. “—and then you press the fuckin’ away button.”

The panel beeped.

Arming.

“See?” Jules pointed at it.

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