Yet, here she was making her way through the lobby, motioning to the cop behind the counter that she had a call and needed privacy. She stepped out the front door, looked back through the front window as if to reassure the cop that that was as far as she was going, and brought the phone to her ear.
Why was she even taking Jason’s call? Because she had to. She needed a fix. With all this shit going down, she needed a safe place. A place whose door could only be opened by a spike of heroin.
She had some but it was back at Reverend John’s. Well hidden behind the loose baseboard where she hid such things. She had left it behind, thinking taking it to the police station wasn’t a wise move. Thinking she could ride it out for a few hours if she had to. Chalk that up as her dumbest decision of the week.
“Okay, I can talk now,” Marla said.
“Where are you?”
“At the police station.”
A moment of silence, then Jason asked, “Why?”
“I’m not under arrest or anything. They want me here because they say those guys that killed Tommy are after me.”
“Yeah, they tried to pull that shit on me, too. I told them to fuck off.”
“Are they? After me?”
“No way.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because I talked with them and met with them.”
“You did?”
“Look, Marla, relax. They left. They’re headed back to Memphis.”
“Are you sure?”
“I waved goodbye to them.”
“Oh.”
“I’m the new guy here. I’m taking over for Tommy.”
“Is that smart? I mean with what happened?”
“Tommy was stupid. He tried to do some crazy stuff. I’m smart. They trust me.”
Marla ran that through her mind. Jason was now her only source. Maybe she could find another one. Where and who she had no idea, but there must be someone. She wasn’t sure she could keep blowing Jason for her drugs.
“So why’re you calling me now?”
“To see if you needed anything. They loaded me up before they left so I got plenty of everything.”
“H?”
“Oh yeah. Black tar. Very pure. Got a pocketful of bags right now.”
“I don’t have much money. Maybe only fifteen bucks.”
“Keep it. I just got a promotion and I’m feeling extra generous. I’ll give you a couple on the house.”
“Right. I know what that means.”
“As much as I love that, and I must say as good as you are at it, those days are gone. I’m the boss now.”
“You sure?”
“I am. Actually, I have a business proposition for you.”
“Like what?”
“Work for me. Sell for me. You know all the folks out there that need what I have.”
Marla said nothing, considering it. Moving into dealing was a big step. She wouldn’t simply get a rap on the knuckles if she got caught.
As if reading her reluctance, Jason said, “You can make a lot of money and get your own stuff for free.”
“Really?”
“That’s how it works. You think I pay for what I use? No way. It’s all in the profit.”
“I see.”
“Meet me. I’ll explain it all and fix you up. Get you well.”
“Let me think for a minute.”
“Not much to think about. It’s a win-win for you. Money and a free supply.”
She had to admit that was the best deal anyone had offered in as long as she could remember. But, could she trust Jason? None of her past dealings with him said she could. He’d been nasty and arrogant and made her do things. But, he was the boss now. Would that really change things?
She glanced through the window. The female cop was reading something, head down. She looked beyond, toward the hallway that led to the break room. What about Buck? He had helped her, even tossed her a lifeline. Could she grasp it and this time hold on? Or would it once again slip away and plunge her even deeper into this world? Leave her with no deal with Jason and open the door for his abuse even wider?
“Where?” she asked.
“The park. The usual spot.”
Another glance at the PD. Another hesitation, then, “Okay.”
CHAPTER 67
The rain, at least for now, had slid to the east and the clouds had broken, allowing a half moon to silver the trees along Main Street. Cain pulled The Rig into the PD lot just left of the entrance. Through the large front window, he saw Officer Liz Evans behind the reception desk. She looked up, stood, and walked around the counter. Her hand rested on her service weapon. Cain and Harper stepped out. Liz smiled, waved, and settled back in her seat.
“What do you think his next move will be?” Harper asked.
“Something aggressive.”
“You mean like storming this place?”
“It could happen.”
“I’m thinking not,” Harper said.
“Why?”
“He’d be at a disadvantage. Outnumbered and out gunned and on police turf. He’s lost three men so far. Dennie and Jessie are out of commission, and that Myrick guy Cassie took out is permanently deleted.”
“But we have several folks that can either testify against him or turn on him,” Cain said. “Buck can definitely ID him and Marla maybe. Dennie and Jessie are in his world. Jessie could break. He acts tough but he’s weak.”
“I agree. We can always play the self-preservation card.”
“Regardless, it means Dalton and crew have to get to four people we have locked down.”
“Hopefully, Jason will make it five,” Harper said.
“Guess we’ll see.”
Headlamps washed over them. Cassie pulled her Jeep into the lot and parked. She and Hack rolled out. No Jason.
“He wasn’t home,” Cassie said.
“We tried calling,” Hack added. “He didn’t answer.”
“Dalton got to him,” Harper said. “Made him an offer.”
“You sure about that?” Hack asked.
“Not sure of anything, but either he’s incredibly stupid or he’s on Dalton’s team.”
“Maybe both,” Hack said.
Cassie propped her fists on her hips. “Hack and I
