“Now what?” I pour myself more coffee and come to the conclusion that my diet today is going to be all liquid.
“Well, someone broke in.” I nod and set my mug down.
Yup. It’s time to switch to whiskey.
“Let’s roll then.” I grab my keys and head for the door.
“Um, Cable?” I turn to look at him in confusion.
“Dude, you ain’t dressed.”
Fucking hell.
I jog up the stairs to the sound of his laughter and a comment that I can’t fucking argue to save my life.
“Damn, if that’s what good pussy does to a man, then I need to get me some.”
13
JOEL
“The place is trashed!” Screw throws a hand towel he’s been twisting in his hand as he shows me through the shop that was once immaculate.
Now it looks like someone threw a pipe bomb of nails and glass inside, then brought in a stampede of elephants to flatten anything not destroyed by the first blast.
“What the fuck did all this damage?” I rest my hands on my hips, waiting for an answer I know won’t come.
“How much are we talking?” I look over at my road captain, Julian "Screw" Moore.
“Half a million at least, and that’s just on the equipment.” Fucking hell.
“Insurance?” I glance at Bars, and he nods.
“Fully for ten million, but it’s dependent on the claims adjustor and police report. You know the new Captain has a hard-on for you.” Don’t I fucking know it.
“Leave Marissa to me.” The guys start talking as I make my way outside to make the call to my sister’s ex-wife.
“Joel,” I can feel the ice coming through my phone.
“Marissa, how have you been?” I roll my eyes as I ask, but I need to play nice.
“Swell, what do you want?” Fine, I guess the pleasantries are over.
“One of my businesses was vandalized overnight.” I hear the sound of papers rustling, then a heavy sigh.
“What about it?” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“When can we get the primary report to start the insurance process? The longer it takes, the more work we lose, and these guys have families to support.” I try to sound like the concerned employer I am without being self-centered about it.
“Hard to launder money through a business that ain’t open, huh?” I grind my teeth at her assumption.
“You got any basis for that false accusation? Should I call the chief to file a complaint? I called you so I wouldn’t have to deal with that kind of harassment. I guess I was wrong to hold you to a higher standard than a beat cop that believes every fucking rumor they hear.” I let my temper get the better of me, but to my surprise, she sighs softly and whispers an apology I barely fucking hear.
“Come again?” I say as Twister approaches me with a flyer that’s still smoking.
“I said you’re right and I’m sorry. Look, I can’t make any promises to grant you any special treatment, but for old times’ sake, I’ll push the report through for you. Now, if it turns out that those rumors are true, I will forget that we were ever family and slap the cuffs on your ass myself. Are we clear?” I chuckle as I take the paper from him.
“Thanks, Marissa, I owe you one.” I hang up before she can say anything else.
