“Your face said plenty.”
We sat like that for a while, trading the joint back and forth, letting the weed and the liquor and the cold air mix together into something that almost felt like peace.
Almost.
“I keep thinking about Zoo,” I finally said. “The way he was looking at Yusef. The way he was asking questions. He knows something, Prime.”
“He don’t know nothing. He’s fishing.”
“But what if he catches something?”
“He won’t.” Prime’s voice was calm. Steady. “Yusef lied without flinching. Zoo can suspect whatever he wants. Suspicion ain’t proof.”
I wanted to believe him. But that image of Zoo standing at the curb, memorizing Yusef’s face through the back window—that wasn’t leaving my head anytime soon.
I took another hit. Let the smoke sit in my lungs before releasing it slow.
“Mehar called me today.”
Prime glanced over. “Yeah?”
“She told me my father’s in the hospital.” I stared out at the water. “Told me somebody attacked him at his store. Beat him real bad. Crushed his throat—he can barely breathe on his own.”
The silence was heavy.
“I had to act surprised,” I continued. “Ask all the right questions. Meanwhile I’m sitting there knowing exactly who put him there.”
“Zainab—”
“I’m not mad.” I turned to look at him. “What you did… I can’t say it was wrong. Part of me is glad he’s suffering.”
Prime’s jaw tightened, but he waited.
“I need to see him.”
He sat up straighter. “See him how?”
“I need to go to that hospital. Look him in his face. Say what I’ve been carrying for twelve years.”
“Aight.” He nodded slowly. “I’ll take you tomorrow. I’ll wait in the car while you?—”
“No. I need to go alone.”
His whole body went still. “Alone.”
“Yes.”
“To Baltimore. By yourself. To confront a man who?—”
“Who can’t move. Can’t speak. Can’t do shit to me.” I held his gaze. “You made sure of that.”
“That’s not the point.” His voice had shifted. Harder now. “You don’t know who else might be there. His wives. His other kids. Somebody who recognizes you and starts asking questions?—”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Handle it how, Zainab?” He stood up, the electric blanket falling off his shoulders. “You gonna fight your way out if something goes wrong? You strapped? You got a plan?”
“My plan is to walk in, say what I need to say, and leave.” I stood, too, facing him. “That’s it. That’s the whole plan.”
