He shrugs and hands me my phone. “If you say so.”
He’ll learn one day.
I punch in the number for my connection at the jail and bring the phone to my ear. After a few rings, shuffling fills the line before he says hello. “Mike.” I do my best to sound cheerful even though CO’s are nothing more than wannabe cops. “I have a favor to ask.”
He goes silent for a beat, then releases a heavy breath into the receiver. “What is it?”
“First, is this a secure line?”
“It is.” I can hear the nod he gives in his voice as it dips.
“I need you to send a gift to a friend of mine.”
“Do you have his inmate number? And what do you want to send to him?”
I list off the number. “Full care package.”
“Full? Are you sure? That will cost you, Seb.”
I roll my eyes at his pathetic excuses of trying to be friendly by shortening my name to a nickname that doesn’t even sound good. “Tell me what you want, Mike. I’ll send it first thing in the morning so you can handle the care package.”
“Five racks, plus double my normal purchase.”
“Fine. I expect to have word my package was delivered by tomorrow evening, got it?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I hang up before he can speak anymore. The sound of his voice alone annoys me.
“Miguel!” I yell. He rushes back into the room. “Desi is handled. Now, let’s go see my friend.”
We pull up to Angel’s front. It’s an old restaurant in the worst part of town, but it’s a good place to push his money through. He doesn’t do anything other than sell info which is always needed by someone.
I step out of the car as Miguel follows and walk across the dirt pathway all the way into the restaurant. Cracked linoleum covers the floors as tables sit with dust maybe an inch thick. Empty salt and pepper shakers adorn their tops along with bullshit menus.
“Can I help you?” a woman asks, exiting the back where the kitchen sits.
I bow to her and remove my hat. “I need to see Angel. I’m an old friend.”
“What kind of old friend?”
I chuckle. I already know she’s asking if I’m someone who needs info or someone who wants to kill him in the most roundabout way possible. “I need some information about someone in the states.”
“Ah.” She nods and hurries away, letting the kitchen doors slam behind her as she goes.
“Is he really a friend?” Miguel asks.
I flash him a quick smile as Angel walks out, then whisper under my breath. “You’ll learn soon that no one in this world is your friend. Someone will always want something from you, you just have to choose who will make it worth your while.”
“Sebastian. It’s been a long time, mi amigo.”
“Sí,” I agree. “I came to see if you’ve found anything out about the person I asked you to look into a few weeks ago.”
“I’m assuming he’s important if it warrants an in-person visit.” He grins.
I roll my eyes. I’ve been in this game far longer than Angel, so for him to think I don’t know what he’s doing makes me want to laugh. “I’ve given you payment, now tell me what you’ve found.”
He tsks. “I think more payment is needed.”
I cut my chin toward Miguel, who lifts his shirt, showing off his piece. “I think not, amigo.”
“I have an address. Nothing else.”
I smile when he doesn’t try to fight. I’m glad he knows better. “Great. I’ll take that and be on my way.”
He pulls a folded-up yellow piece of paper from his pants pockets and hands it to me. Miguel snatches it from him and shoves it into his own pocket.
“Pleasure doing business,” I say as we turn to walk out of the old run-down restaurant.
I was hesitant to trust Charlie, to let her lead the way and tell me what she wants, but after we finished last night, she curled into my arms and slept. She didn’t wake crying or screaming, like Carl said sometimes happens, so maybe this is what she needed. She needed to erase all of those memories of Teddy, even just for a moment.
I look down at her sleeping face snuggled into the bend of my elbow before gently pulling away, hoping I don’t wake her. Slowly I move inch by inch. When I’m finally free, I stand from the bed and look down on her. I’ve always thought Charlie was beautiful, but now she has a certain glow to her. As I’m admiring her sleeping form, I hear the front door open and close.
I never heard Julius leave last night, so immediately my mind goes to an intruder of some sort. I ruffle through my discarded clothes and find my gun, then slip my slacks on before padding to her door stealthily. I crack the door open and let the barrel of my gun lead the way. It’s early morning, so the sun is barely peeking above the horizon, shining little light inside.
A dark figure moves around the kitchen, almost unafraid and like they know the place. I stay close to the wall and move down it until I hit the light switch. I flip it on and raise my gun higher, ready to shoot.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Julius laughs, shielding his eyes from the light.
I lean my head back and roll my shoulders. “Dude, you almost got killed. Why are you sneaking around and shit?”
“I’m not sneaking. I’m being considerate because I assumed you both were still asleep. Just trying to be quiet.” He shrugs.
“What were you doing outside, then? I heard you come through the door.”
He points to the fireplace that is barely glowing. “I was grabbing more firewood. Do
