Hell To Pay

likenesses and they’re putting them around the neighborhoods. This isn’t your normal street beef where everybody keeps their mouths shut. The police aren’t the enemy in a case like this. A child was murdered. Someone’s gonna come forward soon and talk.”

“I want you to find them first.”

“And do what?”

“Gimme some names.”

“I’ve been working on it,” said Strange. “I’m planning on talking to Lorenze Wilder’s friends.”

“You got a list?”

“Somethin’ like that.”

“Sandra will help you narrow it down.”

“I’ve tried to talk to her. She didn’t seem to want to.”

“She’ll talk to you now. I just got off the phone with her before you showed. She’s waitin’ on you to come by when we get done here.”

There was a knock on the door. Oliver raised his voice and said, “Come in.”

Phillip Wood appeared as the door swung open but stood back behind the frame. “You got an appointment in fifteen.”

“We’ll be done by then,” said Oliver.

Wood nodded and pulled the door shut.

“There’s an example of what I was talkin’ about right there,” said Oliver to Strange. “That boy, Phil Wood? Boy can’t even read. But he’s drivin’ a Mercedes. He’s wearin’ twelve-hundred-dollar suits with designer tags. Young man is gainfully employed, Mr. Strange, ’stead of lyin’ around in his own pee, which is where he was headed if I hadn’t put him on.”

“Where you think he’s headed now?”

“True. We all know what waits for us. But we can’t be thinkin’ on tomorrow all that much, can we? The thing you got to do is enjoy the ride.”

“It’s all good, right?”

“No, not all. Take Phil, for example. I’m gettin’ near to the point, I got to be making a decision on his future. Phil Wood’s taken a fall two times. The Feds know this, and they’re lookin’ to see him stumble, ’cause the third fall is gonna be long time. And Phil can’t do no long time. He’s weak that way. I know it, and he knows it, too.”

“You’re afraid he’s gonna roll over on you.”

“He will. Fond as I am of that young man, he will. Gonna be one of those ‘You too, Brutus’ motherfuckers in the end. My very own Judas, gonna sell out Granville Oliver for his thirty pieces.”

“You comparing yourself to the Lord?”

“Matter of fact, the first example was out of Julius Caesar. I read a lot, case you haven’t noticed. But, nah, it’s just . . . You know what I’m sayin’. I got a decision to make. Just tellin’ you, you know, this ain’t all fun and games.”

Strange looked at his watch.

“Yeah, okay,” said Oliver. “So, we got ourselves a deal, right?”

“No,” said Strange.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t think I’ll be working for you.”

“You got a problem with my kind.”

“That’s right.”

“Forget about me, then. Think about the boy.”

“I am.”

“Don’t you want to see justice done?”

“I told you, the police will have this wrapped up quick.”

“We ain’t talkin’ about the same thing.”

“The cycle never ends, does it?”

“Oh, it’ll end, you do what I ask you to do. That’s my point. There ain’t no death penalty in the District of Columbia, Mr. Strange. You want to see those shooters go to prison, get warm meals, get to sleep real comfortable, maybe walk out in twenty, twenty-five? You think my son’s ever gonna get to walk out his grave? Gimme some names, like I said. I’ll make sure justice gets served.”

“You can’t trade a bad life for a good.”

“What’s that?”

“Something someone told me a long time ago.”

“I’m givin’ you straight talk,” said Oliver, “and you’re over there talkin’ proverbs and shit. Talkin’ about cycles.”