Page 46 of Cash

“I do find it kinda funny that a hired thug from one of our city’s oldest families just happened to break in here where you’re staying.”

“Yeah, it’s real funny ’cause I ain’t got no clue why he’d want to mess with me. I ain’t got no beef with nobody here, like I already told you.”

“Right. You’re here to invest in a catering business.”

“Yup.”

Brick knew Cutter didn’t believe Jules, and Jules knew it. They were both dancing around the obvious lie, and Brick was getting queasy from the tension boiling up between them.

“I hear catering can be pretty cutthroat. How about we keep the body count down while you’re here, huh?” Cutter raised his brow. “I really don’t want to get friendly, Mr. Price.”

“Trust me. Feeling’s mutual.”

“If you gentlemen think of anything that might be useful in our investigation, please give me a call. You got my card?”

“Yes, sir. Got it,” Brick confirmed. “Thank you.”

Cutter glanced behind him, eyeing Fanny’s ongoing photography session. He looked back to Jules and lowered his voice as he added, “The captain wanted me to pass along his regards to Mr. Legrand.”

Brick froze.

Mr. Legrand, as in Roderick Legrand, Jules’s big boss gangster brother.

If Jules was surprised, he didn’t show it. “He’ll appreciate that. He likes it when people are polite.”

“I’m sure he’d also like to know that you might want to check out the show at the Rialto on Friday night.” Cutter’s already grumpy expression somehow became grumpier. “Your friend is a real big fan, all right?”

Brick frowned.

The Rialto Theatre began life in Raleigh as a grocery store in 1936. It was renovated and rebuilt as the Colony Theatre in 1942. The Mousetrap, one of the first gay bars in the city, was opened up just two doors down in the seventies. The theater closed briefly in 1983 for renovations and then reopened as the Rialto Theatre, although Brick wasn’t sure what the story was behind the new name.

The theater was well-known for showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday night at midnight.

“Thanks.” Jules grunted. “I’ll be sure to let Boss know you were real helpful.”

“Yeah, sure.” Cutter’s smile was strained. “Enjoy your time here in Raleigh, Mr. Price. You be sure to get back on up to Strassen Springs real soon, all right?”

“Sure thing.”

“Mr. Brixton.” Cutter nodded respectfully at Brick. “You gentlemen have a good night now.”

“Thanks. Good night.” Brick held his breath while Cutter grabbed Fanny and herded him out of the house.

Fanny seemed a bit out of sorts to have his photo shoot cut short, and he argued with Cutter on the way out. “I just wanted to get one more—”

“You don’t want anything in there,” Cutter said. “Trust me.”

The door shut.

Brick stood, cautiously approaching the window and then peeking through the blinds. He saw Cutter and Fanny talking on the sidewalk, and Cutter was pointing emphatically in Fanny’s face. Fanny appeared distraught, but he retreated up the street toward a big black van. Cutter glanced back at the house, and then he walked to a dark-colored sedan.

“You okay?” Jules asked quietly.

Brick jumped, as Jules had somehow managed to sneak up right behind him. “Jesus! Yeah, I think so. Beyond ready for them to leave my house.” He stepped away from the window after he saw Cutter’s car drive off.

“Don’t like all the unexpected guests, huh?” Jules squeezed Brick’s shoulder.

“Yeah.” Brick turned to hug Jules tight. He held on for a moment, sighing heavily, and then he shoved Jules away as hard as he could. “You know what else I don’t like? Being used as fucking bait!”

---