“Then leave it alone, Twig,” Jules cautioned gruffly.
“Come on!” Jimmy crossed his arms furiously. “This guy could testify that Marco Luchesi was a total freakin’ creep. This is important.”
“No.”
“Fine!” Jimmy held his head up high. “We’ll go without you.” He started walking down the sidewalk with no clue as to where he was going, waving for Maury to follow him. “Come on, Maury!”
“I ain’t walkin’ there,” Maury huffed stubbornly. “We’ll take a cab.” He brushed by Jules, snapping, “Move aside, you fuckin’ gorilla. We got fuckin’ business to handle.”
“You guys are not seriously goin’,” Jules groaned in frustration. “I got orders. I gotta keep your little ass safe or Cold is gonna be really, really pissed.”
“Do not give in, Price,” Jerry tutted. “This is a ruse!”
“Nope! We’re going! Bye!” Jimmy waved, having to slow down his dramatic march a bit so Maury could keep up.
“So long, suckers!” Maury said cheerfully.
Jules growled, snapping furiously, “Fine! You two, get in the fuckin’ car. We’ll go talk to Holliford. If he’s got dirt, we’ll take him to Cold. Got it?”
“Got it!” Jimmy cheered, quickly turning back around and hopping into the limo.
Maury was panting by the time he joined him, and Jimmy could hear Jerry loudly sighing, “Oh,MonsieurPrice, you poor weak-minded fool. WhateverMademoiselleQueen sees in you, I shall never understand.”
“Shut up and drive, you ass-licking creep,” Jules growled before shuffling into the back with Jimmy and Maury.
Jerry mumbled in French before he complied, driving them away from downtown and toward the industrial area of the city. Jimmy didn’t question how Jerry knew exactly where to go. He was too excited that he was going to be able to help.
If they had their own witness to contest the prosecution’s witness, there wouldn’t be any reason to kill him or her.
Maybe.
Possibly.
Shit. Doubt was creeping in, and Jimmy wondered if this really was such a good idea.
As if reading Jimmy’s mind, Maury clapped his hand on his shoulder and grunted, “Hey, kid. This is either gonna go one o’two ways. Either Holliford is gonna fuckin’ talk or he’s not. That’s all there is to it. Even if he won’t, at least you fuckin’ tried.”
“Thanks, Maury.” Jimmy tried to remain optimistic, and he turned to watch the city roll by as they drove to Holliford’s.
The limo was hardly inconspicuous in this part of the city, and Jimmy was glad he had Jerry and Jules here. Many of the buildings were abandoned and run down, trash littering the streets, and Jimmy could feel people watching him even from inside the safety of the tinted glass.
Jerry pulled up to one of the dilapidated buildings, and Jules warned firmly, “Lemme go first.”
Jimmy nodded, watching him exit the limo and survey the block for a long moment. He could see Jules’ hand hovering at his hip briefly, and he felt a little queasy. When Jules’ hand dropped and waved at him to get out, Jimmy relaxed.
Maury stumbled onto the sidewalk, and Jimmy followed behind him, Maury leading the charge into the building. The smell of old moisture and rotten garbage hit Jimmy’s nose, and he had to swallow back the urge to gag.
Jules nodded at the first door, grunting, “Make it quick, Twig.”
Maury took the initiative to knock, and Jimmy took his place beside him as they waited. Jerry stayed by the front door, looking casual but ever watchful while Jules stayed right behind Jimmy.
The door opened to reveal an older man with long curly hair. He stared at Jimmy and Maury, screamed, and promptly slammed the door.
“What the fuck?” Maury blinked, raising his hand to knock again. “Hey! Holliford! It’s fuckin’ Maury! Open up, you fuckin’ tweaker! We’s just wanna talk!”
The door opened again, Holliford’s expression completely calm as he said, “Right! Sorry, man. I didn’t know if you guys were real or not.”
“We’re plenty real, I swears,” Maury promised.
