“Well?” Jimmy sneered, spurred on by his friend’s encouragement. “What is it? What could we possibly have to freakin’ talk about?”
“About why you were in Roderick Legrand’s hotel room last night,” Augustus replied with a heavy sigh.
Oh, crap.
“I wasn’t... that...” Jimmy stuttered, his face turning bright red immediately. He had always been a terrible liar, but especially to Augustus. That stern glare made his insides turn to jelly, and he stumbled to find the right words. “Th-th-that’s none of your business.”
“As one of the investigators on a homicide case where Roderick Legrand is the lead suspect, yeah, it is,” Augustus replied gravely.
Homicide? Jimmy gulped.
“How did you know I was there?” he accused, a new spark of anger giving him strength to bite back. “Are you having people follow me?”
Augustus shook his head with a scoff. “No, Jimmy. But I got plenty of people watching Legrand.”
With a huff, Jimmy retreated until his back hit the counter. He felt Maury’s hand clap on his shoulder and squeeze lightly.
“Unless he’s under arrest, he ain’t got nothin’ to say to you,” Maury snarled. “I think it’s mighty strange you only came lookin’ for Jimmy when you think he might be useful t’yous. How about you step off, Augustus?”
“I don’t know what kind of trouble this crook has gotten you into with Roderick Legrand,” Augustus said, his eyes tearful as he jerked a finger at Maury, “but I can help you, Jimmy. Whatever it is, just be honest with me, please.”
“Help me?” Jimmy scoffed in disbelief. “I asked you to help me get my dad out. I asked you for access to the case files so I could look into it myself. I asked you... I asked you for money when I was hungry, and you...” He was angry and overwhelmed, snapping, “I don’t need any help from you!”
“Jimmy,” Augustus said, taking another step forward. “Please. If you just answer a few questions, I can help you out—”
“Oh!” Jimmy practically shouted, laughing bitterly. “There it is. There, that’s why you came here. You don’t want to help me. You wanna use me!”
Augustus’ nostrils flared, arguing, “That’s not true. But whatever shit you’ve stepped in, you’re gonna need to give a little if you want the police to protect your ass.”
“Protect me from what?”
“From Boss Cold when he finds out you’ve been talking to the cops,” Augustus said with a little shrug.
“But I haven’t been,” Jimmy protested, eyes wide in shock. “I’m just talking to you...” Realization ran over him like a bucket of ice water, shivering as he bit the blood out of his lip to hold back a snarl. “Oh, my God.”
“Fuck you, Augustus,” Maury raged, slamming his fist down so hard the plate rattled. “You wouldn’t fuckin’ dare put that on the streets, you fuckin’ pig. What the fuck is wrong with you! Jimmy ain’t no fuckin’ snitch!”
“Augustus...” Jimmy’s heart was shattered, as he deflated against the counter.
“I will do whatever I have to if it means keeping you safe,” Augustus said softly. “Please. Just think about it, okay? I don’t want to force you—”
“But, oh, if you think it’s what’s best for me, you’ll just go on and do it,” Jimmy said bitterly. He stared at the floor, hugging his arms around himself. “Get the fuck out.”
“Jimmy, I have no idea what you were doing in that hotel with Legrand, and frankly, I don’t wanna know,” Augustus tried again, pleading, “but you’ve got no idea what you’re getting yourself into, son. Now, please—”
“I’m not your fucking son! I’m not your fucking anything!” Jimmy shouted, throwing his hands out in frustration. “Just, just get the fuck out!”
Augustus finally relented, taking a deep breath. Jimmy’s words clearly hurt him, but he said nothing for a few moments as he tried to gather his thoughts. He nodded shortly finally, saying, “If you change your mind, and I really hope you do, you know my number.”
“Yeah, well...” Jimmy stuttered for a big finish as Augustus walked away. “The joke’s on you ‘cause I don’t even have a phone! Ha!”
Maury cringed as the front door slammed, shaking his head. “Nice, kid. Not really, but you know, good try.”
Jimmy was shaking all over, turning around to grab Maury from over the counter and hugging him tight. “Oh, ffffuck.”
Maury gently patted Jimmy’s back, soothing, “Hey, it’s all right, kid. Forget about that prick.”
“Do you really think he would do that?” Jimmy asked nervously. “Do you think he’d tell people I was a snitch? There’s nothing to even snitch! It’s not like Cold is telling me all his nefarious, evil plans while we bang! Jesus, Maury. Cold is gonna have Jules Price set me on fire. Jules will do it, he’s crazy. He really likes burning things!”
