Shortly after dinner, Olivia announced that she was going to take a \u201clong hot bath\u201d. I knew what she meant by that. She would probably read in the tub and more than likely fall asleep.<\/p>\n
I saw this as an opportunity and jumped at it.<\/p>\n
I stood up from the sofa and lazily stretched my arms over my head. \u201cI\u2019m bored.\u201d I announced. \u201cI think I might walk down the street for a coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas nodded. \u201cThat actually seems like a good idea. It\u2019s been a long day. I could use a coffee\u2026 Do you mind if I tag along?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cNo, it\u2019s cool.\u201d I replied. \u201cI\u2019ll just go and tell Olivia, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas nodded, standing and straightening his glasses.<\/p>\n
I walked quickly down the hall and lightly knocked on the bathroom door. \u201cLiv? Thomas and I are going for a walk. We\u2019re going to grab a coffee\u2026 do you want anything?\u201d I offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks,\u201d Olivia answered from the other side of the door. \u201cBut thanks for offering!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo problem. We won\u2019t be too long.\u201d<\/p>\n
I left the door way and found Thomas already putting his coat on. I shoved my feet into my doc martens and yanked on my leather coat. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I have to stop someplace first. It shouldn\u2019t take too long\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, no problem.\u201d Thomas replied trustingly.<\/p>\n
We stepped into the elevator and rode in silence to the ground floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo where are we going?\u201d Thomas asked finally once we stepped out into the snowy street.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just have to stop in and see an old friend. I have to pick something up.\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, cool.\u201d Thomas replied, trustingly.<\/p>\n
I shoved my hands deep into the pocket of my jacket, hunching my shoulders against the cool winter wind that blew between the buildings.<\/p>\n
Thomas removed a pair of gloves from the pockets of his coat and shoved his hands into them. We walked for twenty minutes, before finding our way to an alley just off the main street. Thomas was looking around anxiously, confused at where we were and where we were going.<\/p>\n
I ducked into a doorway, and led the way up a narrow set of stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are we?\u201d Thomas asked finally.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll just be a minute, I promise.\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to get stabbed, are we?\u201d Thomas asked. I knew he was at least partially joking.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I answered. \u201cOr at least I won\u2019t.\u201d I replied with a smirk.<\/p>\n
Thomas swallowed thickly.<\/p>\n
I knocked loudly, three times on the door, until I heard the person inside grunt a \u201cCome in!\u201d<\/p>\n
I pushed open the door and stepped in, Thomas close at my heels.<\/p>\n
Jimmy was sitting on an old mattress on the floor, smoking a cigarette. There were empty beer bottles and drug paraphernalia scattered all over the tiny apartment floor.<\/p>\n
Pinkie was sipping on a bottle of beer and sitting on a stack of milk crates probably stolen from the Chinese restaurant below.<\/p>\n
Pinkie narrowed her eyes at me. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d She demanded.<\/p>\n
Jimmy grinned hugely, standing and swaying slightly. \u201cNow Pinkie, is that any way to treat a guest? What\u2019s your poison tonight, bro? Are you hear for some product?\u201d<\/p>\n
I could practically feel Thomas tensing behind me.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, actually. You and I have some unfinished business to attend to.\u201d I supplied.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo we don\u2019t.\u201d Pinkie argued. \u201cWe have nothing more to say to you. We don\u2019t owe you anything.\u201d She spat.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, on the contrary. I moved a lot of product for the both of you. I fronted you both money to keep you from having your legs broken by your suppliers. I sold more than half of your perks for you in the last year. And above all, I kept your ass out of jail.\u201d I turned to Pinkie and pointed an accusing finger. \u201cI kept your ass from getting kicked out of school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinkie rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh. \u201cWhatever. School blows, I quit anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jimmy\u2019s face hardened and he crossed his arms over his chest. \u201cYeah, so? I didn\u2019t ask you to do any of those things. You did them all on your own, man.\u201d Jimmy shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight. And I can also go straight to the cops right now and tell them about your little illegal operation going on here. I actually have a pretty good rapport with them right now. In fact, I\u2019ve been cleared of all charges and I bet my good friend Officer Locke would love to have someone to chase after now that I\u2019m in the clear.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinkie\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d She sneered.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh you bet I would. Unless we can come to some kind of an agreement\u2026\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo way. We aren\u2019t giving you one cent!\u201d Pinkie cried.<\/p>\n
\u201cPinkie.\u201d Jimmy warned. \u201cI\u2019m sure we can handle this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinkie plopped down on her milk crates, angrily crossing her legs and her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, what is it you want?\u201d Jimmy asked. \u201cHow about we go back into a little business now that your legal issues are over? We can split everything fifty-fifty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo deal, Jimmy. I want what\u2019s owed to me.\u201d I pressed.<\/p>\n
Jimmy sighed. \u201cAnd what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way I figure it, you should owe me at least five bones.\u201d I folded my arms over my chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo way. Absolutely not!\u201d Pinkie cried.<\/p>\n
Jimmy lifted one hand and immediately silenced her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo can do.\u201d Jimmy smirked.<\/p>\n
I growled, gritting my teeth. I dropped my arms and stalked over to Jimmy. I swung my right hand and my fist connected with his lower jaw. Jimmy reeled sideways from the impact and from being partially intoxicated.<\/p>\n
I shoved him hard into the brick wall behind him.\u00a0 I pinned him there. \u201cYou owe me. And I want what I deserve. I took a lot of heat for you. I boosted your sales and put myself through hell and back for you. And you did nothing.\u201d I growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Thomas argued. I turned briefly to see that his arms were wrapped tightly around Pinkie\u2019s waist. She was struggling to break free of his grasp and rescue Jimmy.<\/p>\n
I was surprised that Thomas had stepped in to help me. I was even more surprised that Thomas seemed to be holding his own.<\/p>\n
Jimmy struggled against me, but I held his arm tightly.<\/p>\n
He sighed. \u201cFine! Fine!\u201d He cried. \u201cI don\u2019t have your five grand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d better get it then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jimmy tried to struggle again, but I pressed him harder against the wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best I can do is two and a half. I\u2019ve got the cash, it\u2019s yours. Just let go and call us even.\u201d Jimmy argued.<\/p>\n
I considered this. I shoved Jimmy hard, one last time. \u201cFine.\u201d I said through gritted teeth.<\/p>\n
Jimmy straightened up and adjusted his denim jacket.<\/p>\n
I extended my hand to shake, and he glared at it for a minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t make me kick your ass again. I\u2019ll do it.\u201d I warned.<\/p>\n
Jimmy sighed, and stuck his hand in mine in a brief and hesitant shake.<\/p>\n
I glanced at Thomas and nodded. He slowly released Pinkie, who shoved him hard then stormed out of the room.<\/p>\n
I folded my arms over my chest and waited for Thomas. He straightened his denim jacket. \u201cYou drive a hard bargain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have places to go, Jim.\u201d I lifted my chin in the direction of his mattress. I knew where he kept his money.<\/p>\n
Jimmy\u2019s smile faded. He crossed the room and dropped down onto the mattress on the floor and dug underneath the mattress. He finally produced an old battered cigar box. He lifted the lid and produced a wad of cash.<\/p>\n
I heard the floor creak as Thomas shifted his weight from foot to foot.<\/p>\n
Jimmy surrendered the wad of cash to me. \u201cIt\u2019s all there. Do you want to count it?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cI\u2019ll trust you. I shouldn\u2019t, but this time I\u2019ll trust you.\u201d I mused, shoving the cash into my pocket.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re done here, Hanson. You do know that, right?\u201d Jimmy demanded.<\/p>\n
I knew immediately what he meant. \u201cYeah.\u201d I nodded. \u201cYeah, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned to Thomas and nodded.<\/p>\n
I made sure he went out the door first in case Jimmy decided to retaliate and come at us. I followed Thomas out of the room and shut the door behind us.<\/p>\n
Thomas led the way down the stairs and I followed him out onto the street.<\/p>\n
We walked down to the main street, passing shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n
Thomas stopped me suddenly. \u201cDid\u2026 Did that just happen?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n
I smirked. \u201cYeah, actually it did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2026. Were we just involved in a shake down?\u201d He asked, frowning.<\/p>\n
I chuckled. \u201cIf you want to call it that, sure.\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026 wait, what was that all about?\u201d He demanded. \u201cI don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I drew in a deep breath. \u201cBack when I was friends with them\u2026 I used to get high with them, and they would let me score for free usually. But eventually, I started out-sourcing for them\u2026 in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you sold drugs for them?\u201d Thomas asked.<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYeah. I\u2019m not proud of it, but I did\u2026 And they owed me. They owed me huge. They\u2019re lucky I let them off this light.\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
Thomas shook his head. \u201cAm I going to end up on an episode of \u2018Cops\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
I chuckled. \u201cNo, no. At least I don\u2019t think so\u2026\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
Thomas nodded. \u201cOkay, good.\u201d\u00a0 He clapped me on the shoulder. \u201cThen in that case, you can buy the coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n