What the fuck was going on? Officer Hackford knocking on his door, middle of the night, making threats. He knew Hackford was a tough cop—at least that was the scuttlebutt—but Jason had never really had any trouble with him. That other dude, Cain, was still around. Hadn’t he said they were looking for that missing doctor? Now that he had been found, he was still here, wandering around with the police in the middle of the night. Why?
Both of them said his life was in danger. That Dalton was going to kill him. Why would he do that? Didn’t they need him now? With Tommy out, wouldn’t he be their go-to guy? Or was he part of the house cleaning? That made no sense. Surely they weren’t giving up on this area. Tommy had said they made good money and liked what he did for them.
Well, until Tommy tried to hook up with that other guy over in Knoxville. Jason knew that was a bad idea from the beginning and he’d told Tommy so. What was it Tommy had said? “You stick to selling and I’ll handle the business.”
See where that got him? Dead.
Did Dalton and the big boss in Memphis trust Jason? They didn’t really know him. Would it be better to take him out and find someone else? Or better to deal with someone they already knew? On some level anyway. He was already connected to all the customers and knew the best places to do business while staying out of sight. No one else knew that. No, they wouldn’t kill him. They needed him.
If that was the case, why hadn’t they called him? Made contact? Set up new communication and distribution lines? Probably because their hands were full right now. Escaping from their hiding place, evading the cops, and all that. Maybe they were back in Memphis and this was all a bunch of nothing. Maybe they’d call him in a day or two and get things restarted here. Yeah, that made the most sense. Didn’t it?
He stood, paced, felt his heart rate increase. Was this simply wishful thinking? Was he really in danger like that Cain dude said? Or were they simply trying to spook him?
The not knowing was maddening.
When his cell chimed and vibrated on the coffee table, he jerked that way and picked it up. Caller ID revealed a blocked number. He hesitated, unsure whether to even answer or not, but curiosity won out.
“Hello.”
“Jason?”
“Who is this?”
“Your new boss.”
“Dalton?”
“Don’t use my name. Ever.”
“Sorry.”
“I have a couple of questions for you. Your answers will determine where we go from here.”
Jason’s senses ramped up. Was that a threat? A promise? “Okay.” His voice sounded weak and strained, even to him.
“Do you want to stay in business? Take over in this area?”
That one was easy. “Yes.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ll be loyal? Do what I say?”
“Absolutely.” Even as he said it, something uncomfortable niggled in his brain. A feeling that he really didn’t have a choice. He was sure that he would either work for Dalton and toe the line, or he’d be dealt with just like Tommy. Was this a step up the ladder or a web he could never escape? It felt like both.
“Look, we reward loyalty and performance. We do so handsomely, if you get my drift. But, step out of line, and, well, you see what can happen.”
“You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of things.”
And there it was. Jason had made his commitment. No reversing from here.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. So, here’s the deal. We’ll be pulling out of here soon. As soon as we take care of a couple of things and deliver you some product. Sound good?”
“Sure does. I can use more. I’m running low.”
“We don’t want that,” Dalton said. “This being a supply and demand business. So, we’ll hook up in the park and make the drop.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be there.”
“You need to bring someone with you.”
“What? Who?”
“The girl,” Dalton said.
“Marla? Why?”
“She’s the one that saw me over by the hospital. I can’t have her running around.”
“Come on. She’s harmless. She won’t say a word. I’ll talk with her.”
Silence.
“You still there?” Jason asked.
“Just wondering how loyal you are. Trying to figure if you’re the man we need over here.”
“It’s not that,” Jason said. “It’s just that she’s…harmless.”
“Not to me. It’s time to fish or cut bait. The question is—are you in or out?”
“I’m in.” Why not? He didn’t really have a connection with Marla. No loyalty there. Besides, the money was good.
“All right,” Dalton said. “We’ve got something to take care of and that’ll give you time to get the girl. Meet us in the park. Say in an hour.”
“If she’ll come out this time of night.”
“Convince her. That’s what we hired you for.”
The call disconnected.
CHAPTER 64
Cain and Hack walked along the row of cars in the parking lot until they reached The Rig. The rain had stopped though a fine mist still hung in the air. Cain had parked toward the far end, out of sight from Jason’s apartment. Both men stopped near the front grill and turned back that way, Hack hooking his thumbs in his belt.
“What do you think?” Hack asked.
“I think it’s likely he’s in the loop,” Cain said.
“Like Dalton’s contacted him?”
Cain nodded. “That’d be the best bet. Or maybe Jason simply hopes he will. Thinks that’s his future. So either he’s been contacted and reassured, or he has a ton of blind confidence that that’s what will happen.”
Hack looked at him. “He certainly didn’t look scared. You’d think that if he had heard nothing, particularly after the story and concerns you laid out for him, he’d have to at least consider he might be an expendable commodity. Be at a minimum nervous, maybe frantic.
