Adam was on the far corner across the street from the cathedral. He was far enough away that the crisp floodlights illuminating the statues of saints Antonio, Catalina, and Michael didn’t show more than the dark profile of his face. Most of Adam’s clients so far had been rail thin and in coats that were two sizes too big. They’d rocked on their heels and their hands jerked with need as they reached to accept a packet from the corner dealer. Callie would have recognized the tweakers hitting up Adam even if she were a dozen blocks away. Her shifts at the ER a lifetime ago had been filled with oxy addicts and meth heads looking for a fix in between hits. She didn’t want to compare them to Josh, but she could have done that, too.
A woman in knee-high designer boots, and a long, belted trench coat approached Adam. He shrugged her off. Her hands were flying wide. Even from this distance, it was plain the lady was pissed. Adam pointed her toward Dougie, and she headed toward the other dealer with a huff. Adam offered another, one-finger suggestion once the woman’s back was turned.
“I think we have our man,” Derek said.
“Why?” Callie didn’t take her eyes off the pretentious woman. She drew attention in front of the church, even stopping to give a quick curtsey and make the sign of the cross. She was buying drugs, and had no shame. “Is she a renter?”
“Huh?”
“The woman there. Does she rent from the Charmer?”
Derek paused, and Callie didn’t mind that the woman wasn’t memorable to him. “I don’t think so. Why?”
Now wasn’t the time for her to unload her feelings about the people who partook in their boss’s services, but Callie could offer a partial answer. “She likes attention, and doesn’t seem to be bothered that the priests inside the church might see her buying whatever. That cockiness is usually reserved for the people we make pay double.”
He nodded slowly. “Sure enough, doll.”
“So who’s our man?”
“Adam.”
“Why? I mean, he’s an asshole. So that makes sense for being Team Nate, but both of them are hawking at a pretty regular rate.”
“They’ve got the same number of customers, but Adam over there has pulled in ten times the cash. He’s been pulling packets from every pocket. He’s carrying a selection.”
“Dougie’s just passing out weed, isn’t he?”
“Maybe molly, too, but yeah. White-collar shit.”
“You think Nate would be closer with Adam because he isn’t handling the more widely used drugs?”
“It’s Gem City. Everything is widely used. But, yeah, Ford’s empire was built on selling expensive shit to people who were desperate. Potheads aren’t going to knock over a liquor store to pay for their habit, but meth addicts…” he trailed off.
“It’s fine. Josh pawned Zara’s TV once. Stole the diamond earrings my Tia Cheri gave me for my fourteenth birthday.” She didn’t look away. She didn’t hold back the pain scraping her throat. She wouldn’t be ashamed, and he needed to know that. To know she could handle this. “You’re right. Methamphetamines make addicts do desperate shit.”
He moved like he was going to hug her, and she tensed. He edged back into his seat. She’d loved his hands on her earlier, but the air was no longer laced with hope. Truth was stagnant in the car, and the only escape was to get out and score some answers. Fresh air and some progress could put Callie and Derek back at ease. At least she hoped so.
“Let’s pull the car over around the corner on Juniper Street.” Derek pointed to the street behind Adam’s corner post.
“Less likely to see us coming?” Callie asked.
“And closer if we need to book it.”
Callie took the long route around the plaza, and parked the car a block in the other direction. The streets were empty, and her car was the only one parked on this street, but she still took another darkened spot. She could see Adam from here, too. Lights were on in the cathedral across the street. Could the priests see these dealers outside their church every night? Did they not bother to minister to them? Maybe they had. Maybe that’s why Father Henry was checking on Callie. Could he know what Nate was up to? Callie shook off the thought. If Henry knew where Nate was, he’d tell his brother. He and Derek weren’t close, but she’d seen them together. Their animosity was cultivated from a profound love. You can’t ditch that easily. Family doesn’t forget what’s important, even if you don’t like their chosen path.
She killed the engine, tapped her pocket to confirm she had the flask, tugged the zipper on her coat a little higher, and then stepped out of the car. Even in her warmest jacket, the icy wind cutting around the building slapped her hard. She fought the urge to hug herself for extra warmth, but she needed to keep her shoulders back and head high. Even running on fumes, one had to play the part. Derek fell into step beside her. His fingers skimmed hers. Now wasn’t the time for holding hands, but the light touch was enough to help her focus.
“We don’t rent to Adam, but he’s got to be a soul user,” Derek said.
She was already so cold, Callie wasn’t sure the warning was necessary. She thanked him anyway.
“We going in straight?” she asked, realizing they should have talked about this in car where there was a heater.
“No point in playing a game. Adam’s smart.”
Callie raised an eyebrow.
“For a guy who slings dope outside the church, he’s smart,” he amended. “Anyway, he’d know who we are. I think Ford put out the word before everything went…the way it did.”
Even now, Derek couldn’t bring
