“No! Listen, there’s more. I started searching Eastwick like super hardcoreMatrix-style and after acting apparently didn’t pan out, he became a freakin’ federal agent. He got some big time commendation a few years ago for his work in Perry City. For his work with a drug sting. Like, undercover work. Huge blow to the Luchesis and—”
“We have to tell Rod! We have to tell everyone!” Jimmy hissed frantically.
“I tried calling Cold, he didn’t answer. You’ve gotta get the hell out of there! He could be listening to everything you’re saying, like recording it and reporting it all back to his superiors!”
“Okay, okay, okay!” Jimmy dragged his fingers through his hair. “I’ve gotta get back to Rod. Like, stat. I’ll try calling him. Maybe Jules. Somebody!”
“Hurry up, man. This rat has gotta be dealt with.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” Jimmy gasped. “Isn’t that mafia talk for, you know, permanently depriving someone of oxygen?”
“I dunno!” Dario squealed. “Look! I don’t wanna know! I’m just, ugh, I’m saying we have to do something!”
“Rod will know what to do,” Jimmy said confidently. “If he doesn’t answer his phone, I’ll just go back to the house and find him.”
“Don’t let Charlie Eastwick whatever his name is know that you’re onto him or he’s gonna run. Or like, arrest you or something.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong!” Jimmy griped. “Come on!”
“I don’t freakin’ know! He could plant something!”
“Okay, just keep cool and I’ll call you later.”
“And don’t tell Rowena yet,” Dario added quickly. “She might stab him.”
“She’s wearing flats today.”
“You’re in a restaurant. There are knives.”
“Good point.”
“Remember. Just play it cool. Call me as soon as possible!”
“Thank you, Dario,” Jimmy sighed. “You’re the best.”
“I know.” Dario managed a weak laugh. “Team Jimmy, man. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye!” Jimmy hung up, taking a deep breath and trying to steel his nerves. While it still felt good to know that he had been right, he felt sick to his stomach. He didn’t know what Cold would do to an undercover federal agent, but it probably wouldn’t be anything good.
He had to tell him, he knew, before this situation got out of control.
Head held high, he hurried back out to their table. He did his best to remain confident and calm, but Rowena zeroed in on his obvious discomfort the moment she saw him.
“Jimmy?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”
“I think I ate too much,” Jimmy lied weakly, hating how her intense stare made him feel two inches tall. “It’s starting to get late. I mean, not really but I need to go. I need to be getting back to Rod.”
“Aww, you poor thing,” Rowena cooed sweetly. She obviously didn’t believe him, but she wasn’t going to call him out. “Are you sure? We’re almost done!”
“We can finish later,” Jimmy said hastily. “Rowena, do you wanna come with me?” He all but nudged her with his elbow. “Come see Rod with me?”
“I’ll be fine here,” Rowena assured him. “After all, what Rod has planned for you is just for the two of you. I can finish up here if you’d like.”
“We can always reschedule,” Charlie offered, his expression curiously blank. “We don’t have to confirm anything now—”
“No, go ahead!” Jimmy insisted. “We don’t have a whole lot of time left, and there’s so much to order and confirm and all of that. Rowena knows what I want, so, yeah, go right ahead. Please, seriously, it’s fine.”
“Of course, sweetie,” Rowena said, standing up to kiss Jimmy’s cheek. “I do hope you get to feeling better. Call me when you get home?”
