They both stayed in their cars and waited. As expected, Ox exited his.
“Aight, Mace,” he roared. “You got me. I was followin’ you, but I got a good reason.”
Cannon grabbed his gun and got out of his car. “I can’t wait to hear this shit,” he said. Mace got out of his car next, and he was also carrying.
Maddox turned around. The fear only passed his face for a second. After the second, it was replaced with faux confidence, but Cannon already saw what he needed to see—Ox was still a punk.
Casually holding the gun at his side, Cannon said, “You stalkin’ niggas now, Ox?”
Ox chuckled, trying to appear in control of things. “Look, Cane. I already know that you know about me, so why don’t you just say what you gotta say?”
Cannon was silent for a moment. Nahla had definitely told Mr. Hill about Darius Laston andBarrett Performance Solutions. Those must have been the pieces of information that shook the sheriff up enough to hold another press conference.
“Nah, I’on know enough,” Cannon said. “So how about your punk ass start at the beginning.”
“I’m a punk because I’m makin’ a livin’? Everybody’s gotta eat.”
Cannon kissed his teeth. “You’re a punk ’cause you’re eating off stolen land—off the backs of retired civilians, . . . among other reasons.”
Ox laughed. “That’s what this is about, huh? Let’s just go ahead and address the real issue. You’re still cryin’ ’bout the past, ain’t ya? Look, you swung on a superior officer. You’re lucky you didn’t end up in jail behind that, Cane. I did you a favor.”
Cannon raised his gun. Pointing it at Ox, he took a few steps toward him.
“I don’t give a fuck what you tell yourself about that shit to make you sleep at night. I’on wanna hear none of that, bitch. The only thing I wanna hear from you is every detail of your involvement with this Lyle shit.”
“Calm down with the gun, Cane. It ain’t even that serious. Only reason I followed Mace was that I was offered a bonus to give them your location. I’m really not involved like that.”
“To give who my location?” Cannon asked.
“You know who—Lyle’s Sheriff. I don’t know if he’s running it, but he’s who I talk to. I’m just a contractor. I handle seized propertyafterit’s confiscated, and I’m paid for it. I have nothingto do with taking the land from people. It’s not my business whose land it once was. I just do the job I’m paid for.”
“Aye, Cane,” Mace said, “how the fuck did we ever think we wanted to be like this nigga?”
Cannon chuckled. “I was wonderin’ the same shit.”
“Look, man. I got involved in this because I was approached when I really needed the money. I honestly never meant to be in it this long. It’s just not that easy to get out of business with these people,” Ox said, having the nerve to sound sincere.
“Man, whatever. None of that shit matters to me, because you are a part of the system that’s threatening my woman’s life.”
Ox frowned. He looked genuinely confused. “Wait, the reporter is your lady? I was told that she hired security. They told me who it was, and I never let on that I knew you. Anyway, since I live in Jasona, they said they would give me more money if I could find where you were keeping her. I haven’t told them shit, though, Cane. I swear.”
“Only ’cause your sellout ass don’t know shit. What else can you tell me about this?”
Looking conflicted, Ox shook his head. “Honestly, I’ve already said too much. I really can’t?—”
Cannon rushed him quickly. Once he had Maddox hemmed up against the car with one arm to his neck and the other placing the gun to his temple, he spoke again through gritted teeth.
“I don’t give a damn what you were about to say, Ox. I don’t care about shit but my woman. I already don’t fuck with you. Nahla is the best reason I got for pulling this trigger on you, but I promise I’d do it for less. Now answer the got damn question.”
Ox stared into Cannon’s eyes for the longest time, and Cannon stared right back. Ox must have seen the truth behind Cannon’s words, because he started spilling information at that point. He told Cannon all about the parts of the operation he was familiar with. He called several names that Cannon had heard orseen in paperwork and some that weren’t familiar, and he had Mace type them out in his phone.
By the time Ox was done speaking, Cannon was excited to go home and tell Nahla that he had connected the last missing piece.
Cannon released him.
Ox sighed. He wiped some of the sweat from his brow and said, “Cane, man, I’m sorry. When they told me you were involved in this, I told them I couldn’t do it anymore. After everything that happened, the last thing I wanted to do was cross you again.
“Them folks ain’t give me a choice. They threatened my family and me if I pulled out of this. At that point, it wasn’t even about the money; it was about survival.”
