Page 117 of Stabby Little

"Their customers are career criminals and bank robbers. They don't record sales in case of a raid."

"I should invest in this fucking shop. It sounds like a terrific business."

“They're not taking on new partners."

Michael grits his teeth. "How the fuck do you know Kobe Bailey purchased this nose?"

"The surveillance tapes match the images from Rock."

Michael studies the stills. He nods.

What Michael doesn't know is that I edited the boy in the pictures. The stills from Rock were too grainy to discern his identity, but the ones from the special effects shop are crystal clear. I took the liberty to muddy his face in a photo editor and extend his jaw. I cast a shadow over his eyes to prevent Michael from discerning their true color. The outline of his face is the same, but the details are incomprehensible.

I must protect this boy's identity. I don't believe Kobe Bailey murdered Xavier Sanchez or Gordon. Twenty-one-year-old Ivy League animal science students don't kill vicious sex traffickers in bar bathrooms. My gut tells me to throw Michael off his scent.

Michael sneers. "This is all you got?"

I hand another photograph to Michael. "This is him exiting the shop. You can see he's the same height as the boy at the wedding."

Michael balls his fist. "I don't know how fucking tall Crystal's date was."

"He must be in a video somewhere."

"We had a strictno videographypolicy. My brothers and I didn't want our men on camera."

"Like Khalid."

"Exactly."

I inch forward. "I apologize for bringing Khalid's actions to your brother's attention once again. I shouldn't have done it."

"You're goddamn right you shouldn't have done it. You're the reason Anton murdered my best man."

"I didn't know you valued his skills over his loyalty."

"It wasn't your prerogative to teach him a lesson. It was mine."

"I apologize."

"I'd already reeducated him for his past crimes. He proved his weight to me infinitely more than you or Jagger ever did."

"Your brothers didn't feel that way."

"My brothers don't know how to run our operations." Michael claws back his drink. "They think our side businesses run themselves. Well, they fucking don't."

"I don't know what you mean."

"I answer calls when our clients are fed up with our wares. I'm the little brother of the family, so Anton and Zaire pass that off to me. Angry clients would've cut my balls off by now if Khalid hadn't assisted me."

"I only meant to teach Khalid a lesson. He shouldn't have stolen from the family."

"Maybe I don't fucking care he took Anton's jewelry," Michael snaps. "Maybe he took it for me."

"I'm not sure I believe that."

"Believe what the fuck you want. Khalid was my most loyal soldier and I wouldn't give a fuck if he took Anton's wedding ring for all I fucking care. Anton has enough money to replenish his jewelry supply while he sleeps."

"I understand that now, sir."

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