Part 14 (1/2)

Howard could just about tell what she was thinking from the expression etched on her face. ”What you just witnessed and what you see...” He pointed to an empty crack vial. ”...is almost considered normal in this type of area.”

”This is no place for children to be.”

Howard studied her slender frame as she climbed the stairs. ”No one should be forced to live in an environment such as this, but unfortunately, this is the best some people can do.”

”Why doesn't the police force come through places like this and rid it of people like...that guy who tried to run me down? That way the families who are economically challenged, that must stay in places like this, will have a halfway decent place to live?”

”Addicts aren't the problem. They're part of the equation, but not the majority of the problem. Sure, we can arrest them on bulls.h.i.+t charges, which won't amount to nothing more than a county sentence.” He was really impressed with the way Nancy's long legs performed in her business skirt. ”From experience, my opinion is we shouldn't concentrate on punishment for addicts; we should direct that energy into getting them help. And crack down hard on the dealers responsible for poisoning these people-starting with the government.”

They stopped in front of Apartment 302.

”Here we go. Uh...Nancy...”

She looked into his boyish eyes.

”I know this is bad timing, but would you like to go out some time?”

Jewels tugged her door open and was headed to the store. She was startled when she found two strangers standing there making goo-goo eyes at one another.

Nancy looked at the huge, brown-complexioned woman, and the people camped out on the living room floor. ”Is Jewels Madison here?”

”Who wants to know?” Jewels became nervous when the uppity-looking white woman used her full name. ”If you're here to collect some money, she ain't got it. The b.i.t.c.h still owes me.”

”I'm Nancy Pittman with the Department of Social Services.” She extended her hand. ”This is Officer Howard.”

He flashed a badge.

Jewels eased the door up, blocking their view. She gestured toward Nancy's hand. ”It's against my religion to shake hands. Jewels ain't here. What y'all want?”

Secret opened the door before it could close all the way. ”Aunt Jewels, Mommy said bring back a dozen eggs, too.”

”Good morning, Secret. Remember me?”

She slid behind Jewels for protection.

Both men hushed themselves when the eyesore waitress wobbled to the horseshoe-shaped table with their meals. ”Can I get you anything else?”

Hector waved her off.

Well, f.u.c.k you, too. She feigned a smile because policy said so. But she was just about fed up with the customers-are-always-right cliche. Nine times out of ten they were wrong. And she was tired of dragging herself in to work every day to wait on ignorant people hand and foot. Not for one minute did she like plastering a smile on her face as if she approved of their rudeness their rudeness.

Being that Hector was right-handed, and his right arm was resting in a sling, it was a difficult task to eat with his left. He stuck his chewing gum on the edge of his plate of tater tots. ”If you would have let me waste Miles when I wanted to, the police wouldn't be breathing down our necks. I can't even take a whizz in peace.”

”Chill out, my friend.” Squeeze leaned forward. ”They don't have nothing; there's no way for them to get anything.” He spooned a mouthful of scrambled eggs, then rinsed them down with a swig of Sunny Delight. ”You act like you don't understand that citizens honor a different set of principles than criminals. It's no surprise that he went to the cops and told what he a.s.sumes. That's what law-abiding citizens do. Our tracks are covered. Relax and enjoy your food.”

Hector jerked a thumb toward the parking lot. ”Them cops tried to send me back to-”

”May I refill your drinks?”

Hector lost it. ”Did we f.u.c.king ask for refills?”

The collective chatter of conversations and knives and forks sc.r.a.ping against plates came to a stop. The diner full of customers zoomed in on Hector.

”Don't f.u.c.king bother us again unless I f.u.c.king ask you to.” He took a ten-dollar bill from his pocket and slammed it hard against the tabletop. ”This is the only reason you're proving to be a f.u.c.king pest. Take it and stay the f.u.c.k away!”

”Don't take it personal.” Squeeze looked at the wounded waitress. ”He hasn't taken his angry pills yet.”

And I'm supposed to smile. The customer is always right. ”Kiss my a.s.s.” She took her ap.r.o.n off, tossed it in a trash can, and walked out the front door. ”I'm not putting up with that bulls.h.i.+t anymore.”

Hector pushed his plate to the center of the table. ”I don't need Crutchfield watching my every move, looking for an opportunity to make me violate parole.” He glanced through the window with contempt at a dark blue Caprice.

”You're not gonna eat this?” Squeeze wasn't the least bit bothered by the detective's presence.

When Hector didn't respond, he pulled the plate to his side of the table. ”If Miles winds up on the missing list, the cops will really be on us. This here will pa.s.s if you let it. There isn't even the slightest possibility that they'll find j.a.p. It's a cold case.” He sprinkled salt on Hector's tater tots. ”Go home and f.u.c.k your old lady; relieve some of that build-up, then meet me tonight at six. Cutty has a Maybach he wants me to check out. Lifted it in Solon. If I like it, I need you to drive one car back.”

Hector grunted. ”We need to shake this nasty flea first.”

”Relax. He'll shake himself. The more I talk to you, the dumber it feels like I'm getting.” He cut away the last portion of meat from the T-bone. ”You have no understanding.”

”Understanding of what? Don't start with your philosophical babble.”

Squeeze laughed. ”You're giving Crutchfield exactly what he wants. He's f.u.c.king with you and you're letting him.”

Crutchfield walked directly to their table. ”Squeeze. Hector, I hope you're taking care of that arm. Mind if I sit down and ask you two hoods a few questions?”

CHAPTER 10.

The ruckus echoed throughout the narrow hall. Nancy struggled to hold on to Secret.

Kitchie tugged Secret's arm. ”Let her the h.e.l.l go, lady. What the f.u.c.k is wrong with you? This is my baby; you can't take her!”

”I a.s.sure you I can, and I am.” She got a firm grip on Secret. ”These children are custody of the state, and as it stands, you're harboring runaways.”

GP stepped between Junior and Officer Howard. ”Runaways ”Runaways, we're their parents. My kids ain't going nowhere.”

”f.u.c.k that s.h.i.+t. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Reynolds, put his hands on my baby.” Kitchie pulled up Secret's sleeve. ”You see these f.u.c.king welts? I don't whip her like this. I'll be d.a.m.ned if somebody else is going to do it. Bulls.h.i.+t!”

”Look,” GP said. ”Go back to your ideal worlds and get the h.e.l.l away from us. My kids ain't going nowhere. Not today.” He aimed his eyes at Officer Howard like a double-barreled shotgun.

Officer Howard unsnapped his side holster. ”Don't make this situation any worse than it is.”

”Get the f.u.c.k out of here, then. You're making it worse.” GP punctuated his words with his hands.

”Mr. Patterson, please-”

”Please, my a.s.s.”