Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 70106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
And I have to leave right now, or I won’t.
I’ll irrationally bail on the meeting and give his ass a pounding on the stairs we could both appreciate.
Which would be irresponsible.
And immature.
And further make me feel like my ass is back in my twenties when I’m far from it.
After swinging by our local police station to ask our sheriff, Elijah Post, to check the note Bunny found for any sort of evidence to give us a clue to its origins – in an off the books execution – I head over to meet Garcia at Uova al Purgatorio, an upscale brunch place, in Spike Village.
Traffic is practically nonexistent during the drive, something that allows me to make great time and not dwell on the fact I hate having to be this far away from them.
But it’s necessary.
And I’ll always do whatever’s necessary for those I love.
I hope they know that.
I really need them to know that.
With valeting being the only option at the restaurant, I find myself grateful Garcia advised me to put on nicer clothing than I had originally planned.
I don’t own an actual suit anymore, so this was the closest I could get.
Forfuckssake, the only reason I even have this is because we stocked up a bit on nicer clothes for dates with Rabbit, a little fact Posie has been bragging to everyone who will listen about.
There’s really no fucking reason Fred Athie, the town doctor, should be second handedly recommending the best types of ties for the best situations to me.
Finding my oldest friend in the Italian themed upscale environment isn’t difficult because it never is.
Because all you gotta do is follow his fucking cologne.
He practically bathes in the shit.
Upon my arrival, the long-legged brunette he was flirting with, politely dismisses herself with a less than subtle wink and stroke to his neck, a combination of actions that gets me smirking. “You fuck her last night or is she the plan for tonight?”
“The latter.” Garcia arrogantly beams back while reaching for his glass of bourbon. “Although, I am always open to something better.”
“Good to know some shit never changes.”
“And good to know that some shit does.”
His reference to my relationship with The Kid and Rabbit extends the lifespan of the grin I’m sporting.
Despite Kipp not knowing about him, he knew about The Kid.
How I worked with his old man – who Garcia warned me about.
How I started looking at him differently when he made the transition from snot nose Hot Wheel lover to true gearhead in his twenties – which Garcia pointed out.
How Jolene was trying to make me choose between the two – something Garcia told me was gonna come when I first started hooking up with her.
Part of me thinks he knew before I knew that Kipp was mine.
And if he did?
Fuck him for not telling me sooner.
What kinda friend does that?!
Small chitchat is made in between him explaining the weird name of the establishment – Eggs in Purgatory when translated – and how they serve practically every type of egg imaginable. Post ordering – both me a drink and each of us a meal – I steer the conversation in a more important direction.
“Updates?”
Garcia casually nods and puts his glass back down. “Woods’s case is slow but fairly open and shut. The dude he put down had defensive wounds on him – as though he had been in a fight – as well as gunshot residue on hands from recently firing the weapon he was killed with. Add those facts to his criminal record, which included but was not limited to charges of assault, harassment, and intimidation, and the shit’s basically a done deal. Woods actually did the world a heroic act. They might even give him a medal.”
“They won’t.”
“But they should,” my poker pal laughs off.
“What about my case?”
“Official complaint filed with the court on Monday – thanks to the amount of incompetence in this city I basically have a fucking template for civil suits – and we will be witnessing said complaint served to The Chief today.” He casually points a finger over my shoulder, wordlessly telling me to turn around to see the man who doesn’t know it’s coming. “That’ll happen around the time our check arrives here rather than at the precinct courtesy of that beautiful woman you saw me flirting with earlier. He’s been eye fucking her since he walked in here like I expected.”
“Isn’t he married?”
His head tilts condescendingly. “Aren’t they all?”
Rather than pull at that loose lug nut, I push forward for more information. “What about Davis and Northwood?”
“Clean.”
It’s me who suddenly displays a sarcastic look.
“Okay, dirty, but clean for them.”
“Meaning?”
“Northwood’s been known to let people off for small shit like speeding tickets or public intoxication or possession of a substance for a handful of bills while Davis has a similar relationship with quite a few number of high-class sex workers hence the reason his wife left him.”