Thank you for being a hophead. “When you do, let us know.” I call after him.
We’ll be screwed when Sadie sobers up, but by then, hopefully, we’ll have rescued Dad and Selkie and be long gone.
Chapter Thirty-One
Jonny Fry
I’m hanging around at the 311 Boys clubhouse now that me and Renfrew have bonded. Lots of outsiders hanging around. Renfrew likes that, having a roomful of people to bow down to him. He pretty much opens his door to anyone that fits his bill, including Blackbeards.
I’m playing poker with a couple of them and a few gang members with more money than talent. My heart is thumping though my face isn’t giving anything away. I’ve got a made-hand. I can’t be beaten, and there’s 20k up for the taking.
Lynch, one of the Blackbeards, is next to me, taking his time deciding whether to raise or call. I’m all for raising if he’s actually that stupid. Everyone else has folded.
Suddenly Sadie, another Blackbeard lurches from his chair. “Motherfucker!” The guy’s pissed and strung out.
I almost drop my cards as I grab the table from being upended.
“I know those fucking kids!” he bellows as he weaves his way towards Renfrew.
I watch as Sadie’s path and see what he’s seeing. Jesus Christ! I know those fucking kids too. At least one of them.
Heart hammering, I turn to Lynch. “Make a decision. I’ve got a bad prostate.”
Lynch looks at me, must see something in my face, probably pure panic. If it were me, I’d take advantage, but he folds instead. I scoop up my winnings and stand. “Gotta drain the anaconda,” I say to Jerry Can, my best pal. “Keep an eye on things for me.”
He nods with a grin. “Gonna feed me at Lulou’s, Jonny Fry?”
Fucker – it’s the most expensive restaurant in Reno. “Yeah. Maybe even buy you a drink.”
I duck into a bathroom, make sure that stalls are empty, then dial Selkie’s number.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Eight
Selkie and I are sitting in the parking lot of the Grand Sierra, brainstorming possible places Henri and Oscar might have gone, rejecting Kozlov’s suggestion that they went to the 311 Boys’ hangout.
“They’re not that stupid,” I say.
“Well, Henri might be, but Oscar will be the voice of reason,” Selkie says. We’re interrupted by the shrill ring of Selkie’s phone.
“For god sakes,” she exclaims when she looks at the caller ID. “It’s Jonny Fry.”
“Your dad?”
“Yeah. Why the hell is he calling? The family reunion is over.” Her finger hovers over the end button.
“Pick up,” I tell her. “See what he wants.”
She shoots me a glare. “Who the hell died and made you Master of the Universe?”
Life isn’t gonna be easy with this woman, but I knew that before we fucked. “He might know where the kids are.”
She rolls her eyes, but answers, putting it on speaker. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” she snarks.
“It’s your dad,” Jonny Fry whispers.
“Like that’s a newsflash. Why’re you whispering?”
