Chapter 17
DIEGO
I pull up to the law firm Monday morning to scope out the situation. Lucky for me, it just looks like I’m doing my routine weekday run. There are cops everywhere.
I don’t get nervous, so this is easy. I start my jog at the other end of the complex to look clueless, earbuds in, pace steady.
They pay me no mind as I keep time on my watch. I scan the lot, the doors, the uniforms. Until my eyes catch on her wavy blonde hair. Goldilocks.
She’s standing in front of the building, being interviewed by police. One of the officers is towering over her, too close. She looks nervous and scared, arms wrapped around herself.
Fuck. I want to be next to her so he has to take three steps back and let her breathe. I’d love to just breathe her in.
They are wrapping up as I get closer. I watch him close his notebook. They took down her information.
Do they think she knows something? Did she see more than I thought?
I can’t risk any of them seeing or questioning me, so I turn on my heel and jog the other direction, cutting back toward my truck. My mind races as fast as my legs.
Should I follow her home after she’s off for the day?
There’s this insatiable pull to keep an eye on her. Especially after Friday.
I reach my truck and my phone buzzes in my pocket.
“Aye,” I answer Raul’s call as I slam my truck door and hit the lock.
“Where you at, DJ?”
“The firm, but parked on the other side of the complex. Any word?”
“Yeah, come over.”
“Aight, on my way.”
I pull up to Uncle Ernie’s and go to knock, but the door swings open before my hand can make contact. Raul grabs my arm and yanks me inside with a spring in his step. I haven’t seen him this giddy since we were kids.
He drags me through the rundown trailer.
Panels are peeling off the walls, the floor creaks under our feet.
I make a mental note of everything I could fix if and when I have the time, and if I wasn’t busy being a fucking hitman again.
We turn the corner into the kitchen.
Piles and piles of cash are stacked on the table, rubber-banded and messy, sitting next to several unmarked pill bottles and bags.
Just like that, I’m reminded exactly what kind of mess I’ve pulled Harvee into, and how far I’m already in. Fuck.
“I got the cash, and I already exchanged some of it for more to push as well.” Raul motions to the drugs spread out on the table.
“I only want the cash, cuz. I don’t want the drugs.” I shrug, but my jaw’s tight.
“I know, I set aside your cut, but I’d love for you to help me out here if you’re open to it.” He hands me a canvas tote, heavy with cash organized by rubber bands.
“Aye - this is for your mom, before I forget.” He tosses me a bottle. The pills look similar to what she’s been taking, but a knot forms in my gut. I make a mental note to inspect every last one before they get anywhere near her.
“I’m gonna bring the rest of the stuff to the storage units to disperse,” he adds, like it’s nothing.
I picture the storage facility my uncle’s had in his name for decades. Massive, old, damp. Rust, mold, the smell of rot. I wouldn’t store furniture in there, let alone something people put in their bodies. But people will. And they’ll pay. And that money will help both of our families.
“Thanks, cuz. We really appreciate this. That-” I nod toward the panels peeling off the wall, warped and soft from moisture, “can be one of the first things we fix with this money.”
Raul rolls his eyes. “Fuck, when?”
“I’ll be here Wednesday with the panels. Be sober and let’s take care of your pops, yeah? Since you guys always take care of Ma.”
“Aight, fine,” he sighs. “See you then.”
On my way out, I tighten my grip on the tote, the bottle of pills rattling in my other hand.
I hate how easy it is to fall back into this life. I hate how good the money feels when I know exactly where it’s going.
I peel out of the driveway and head back toward the firm. It’s almost lunchtime now. Perfect. More foot traffic, more chances to see her, less chance of being noticed.
I park, take a long swig from my water bottle, and settle in to wait.
I can’t clean up the whole mess I’m a part of. But I can make sure my family is taken care of. And I can make sure Goldilocks doesn’t get swallowed up by it.