“Yes, sir. Very much, sir.”
Hmm… I glanced at Jarvis who shrugged. Even my Capo was adjusting his tie, as uncomfortable as the thief. “I’m not in the habit of wasting time, Jimmy. If there’s one thing that troubles me more than theft of my property, it is a liar. That’s exactly what you’re doing.” When I held the gris-gris under his nose, not only did he recoil as much as allowed given the stronghold my men had on him, he also began to panic.
Jarvis’ heavy sigh was yet another indication he didn’t approve of my tactics. Jimmy wasn’t some master criminal. He was simply a low man in an organization someone wanted to infiltrate.
“I’m not lying. I mean I’m not trying to. I just…” He was terrified more of the curse I’d place on him than a fist or a bullet. “Please. I have a family.”
“Then you’re going to tell me exactly why you stole the money and why you felt it necessary to confess.” With the mystery kid Bobby suddenly losing his life, there was a glitch in mybrain reminding me that Jimmy could prove useful. If he didn’t continually shit all over himself.
He lowered his head, the strangled gasp having nothing to do with what he was facing. “I had to take it.”
“Had to. Fascinating. Why? Another woman? A gambling habit I don’t know about? Maybe your guilt is based on your wife finding out.”
“Oh, God, no.” The way he snapped his head up, now able to look me directly in the eyes meant he was appalled at what I’d said and willing to fight for his beliefs.
Even more interesting.
“What then? I’m growing weary of the bullshit, Jimmy, and that doesn’t bode well for your continued employment or ability to breathe.” I didn’t know much about the people I hired. I wasn’t in the business of making friends. If they were loyal and did their jobs, then that’s all I cared about.
“I’m a happily married man and would never stray. And money isn’t meant to be burned with frivolous activities.”
Jarvis was slowly shaking his head, but not out of disbelief. He was also thinking the same thing. This kid wasn’t lying about his circumstances or beliefs.
“Then talk to me.” I rolled the small bag between my fingers again, even bringing it to my nose and taking a deep whiff.
“Please, Mr. Prince. I’m a God-fearing man. The spirits are nothing to mess with.”
“Then tell me what I need to know.”
Now he tried to struggle, finally understanding what he could be facing. His deep sob didn’t catch me off guard. Nothing a man could do would faze me. Some begged for their lives. Others tried to laugh it off as if they were big and bad. Both disgusted me. Jimmy was expressing a genuine reaction. Not that I had a conscience and should care, but something told me his actions had been forced, not driven by greed or a vice.
“Let him go,” I told my men, who did so without question. Maybe I just wasn’t as much in the mood for playing games as I’d believed. “Jimmy, I’m not a patient man. Anyone who knows me will be happy to tell you that. I will give you one more opportunity, which is far too generous. I’m not in the habit of giving a third. Do you understand me?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.” He took a few deep gasps and where there was no wind before, suddenly a breeze floated across my skin, a slight howl emitted from somewhere deep in the surrounding trees. It nearly scared him to death. His entire body was shaking and he was finding it difficult to remain standing. Every few seconds, he scanned the dark crypts.
Did he really believe demons were hiding behind the concrete blocks? Maybe so, although he should fear what was standing in front of him before any evil spirit.
“Talk!” Jarvis snarled.
“Okay. Okay,” Jimmy yelped. “My daughter. She’s only five. She has cancer.”
Cancer.
If the bastard was playing a game based on the pain I’d suffered, he would wish the spirits had dragged him to hell. Bristling, I took a deep breath before continuing.
At least now, we were getting somewhere, although nothing that I’d expected. “And you needed the money for her treatment.” Again. Why hadn’t he come to me? Because I wasn’t known for my generosity. My father hadn’t been either.
“Yes. No.”
“Which is it, Jimmy?” The man was getting on my last nerve and that wasn’t a good position for anyone to be in. Memories plagued me at a time they weren’t allowed, yet shoving them aside was difficult.
“You don’t understand. I pay for my expenses. I’ve never taken any handouts.”
What did he want, a medal? The man had fucking stolen from me.
Jimmy licked his lips and Jarvis muttered under his breath. “I always pay for what I owe. I’m a proud man. But Jenny, that’s my wife. She works two jobs now to try and make ends meet and both were threatened. They were going to take her jobs away and blacklist her.”
“By whom?” If what he was telling me was accurate, even in my soulless world the party responsible was reprehensible.
