“What’s on that?” I ask because it looks strange.
“Caramelized apple coleslaw and salted onion chips.”
I grimace.
“Want one?”
“Absolutely not. You coming?”
“No, I’m gonna tail your girl and do some other work.”
“Yeah? What other work?”
“You know her other friend who wanted to buy a van? I think I’m going to meet up with him here.”
Anvil’s head jerks up. Trick has our complete attention. We’ve been looking for Dennis Sanders for days. The guy’s been in the wind. If there was any doubt at first about his involvement in the van robbery that died with his concerted effort to hide whenever he’s not at the Palermo house.
“I thought he was busy.”
“He is for most people. But there’s a girl he likes.”
I stare at him, my gut tightening. I know Trick would not suggest using Zoe as bait, so I don’t know what he’s planning.
“Yeah?” I ask. “How would he know to show up around here?”
He takes a bite of the dog and chews slowly. On purpose. Anvil lets out a string of curses in two languages.
“Killed two birds with one stone,” Trick says with a smirk.
I stare at him, waiting.
“I cloned her phone.” After a beat, he says, “Your sexting game is nonexistent, by the way. Would not have guessed that, C.”
“Why would I sext with her, Trick? I’ve been fucking her while she’s been living in my house.”
“Fair point.”
“Get back to the plan!” Anvil barks. “I want to hear when and where about the van guy.”
Trick finishes his hot dog before answering. “Lots of texts from interested parties over the past few days. And by now, Big Daddy Frank and Denny Rob both know she’s in Boston. Not from her. But your boy Nico Rico posted all over social media that his favorite Latina dancing queen is coming to town for a girl’s night, along with a picture of her performing at Langs and a selfie of the pair of them from backstage on opening night.”
I can’t find the words.
Trick deadpans, “I’m looking forward to watching the live stream of them drinking mojitos later.”
I hold back a river of curses. I made her swear she wouldn’t post a word on social media about being in Boston. How could she not have warned the guy she was staying with?
“Get it over with,” I say.
Trick smiles his golden boy smile. “No need to say I told you so.”
Anvil flings his door open and gets out. “What do you want to do, C? I can go up and get her. Or you can park, and we’ll all stay.”
“I’ll park the car,” I say. “Let’s see how this plays out.”
Trick’s grin widens. “Just so you know, C. We’re going to lose our G cards over this. Following a college girl and her friend around the city? By morning we’ll have all the street cred of Dora the Explorer.”
I crack a smile because this is one hundred percent Trick in his element. His childhood was every bit as dark as Anvil’s and mine, but when things are at risk of going sideways, he plays like everything’s a joke. This, I’ve decided, is how he survived some very black nights back when he was powerless to keep his old man from getting drunk and beating the shit out of him or his mother.
