We all fall silent, we're recalling all the information that was given to us.
The Falcons have had months, years to consider a plan and all their weak points. And here we are not able to take them, even after all this time. What does that say about us?
And I don't think even with our friend within the force under the table would help us in this case especially as big as the Falcons. They’re becoming an infestation.
Either my brothers and I are overthinking this or the Falcons have actually perfected everything.
But then Memphis starts to smirk and snicker.
“You got something to share there, brother?” I turn my focus to him. and the damn fool just smiles brightly. Either this man is high on shrooms or he's got something up his sleeve.
“What other businesses are there?” he asks.
We look at him like he’s got three extra heads. “I assume businesses that employ them just like we have businesses that employ us.”
Memphis gently shakes his head, “It's no wonder that the ladies don't trust us in this.” He claps his hands on his thighs as he stands up and stretches.
“What businesses have employed them?” he asked the question again.
“Even between Coda and I, we’re not following,” Joaquin burst.
Memphis shakes his head, looking down at the floor before turning his attention to us, “We've intercepted their shipping before so why not take over their businesses and take everything underneath the rug from them,” he tries to simply put it.
“Because that takes time and apparently to a certain ‘ol lady she thinks we ain't got time for that.” Rawlings grumbles.
“Respectfully, watch it Prez,” I warned him. As much respect as I give the man there's just some boundaries you don't want to cross.
“We have enough members and we have enough prospects as well. How many businesses are there that utilize the Falcons?” Memphis poses more questions.Take back the businesses, pull the rug from underneath them.
“Go get the kid, maybe he can be useful.” Jackson instructs one of the prospects to go find them.
Cedric emerges from the hallway coming to sit down next to D.R.
“All right dude, time to talk,” Coda says.
It hasn't been long since we've gotten Cedric but at least there's a little bit more life in his eyes than when we found them.
Out of the corner of my eye I see a blur of blue leaning over the counter bar. Topaz sneaks her way into the conversation.
“I can do my best,” he says.
“Do you remember all the businesses that were used as a front?” Rawlings bluntly asks.
Cedric nods his head. “They had me memorize it but not write it down.”
“Well it's a good thing we got our own pen and paper here then,” Joaquin rushes to his room to grab a notepad and a pen.
Cedric hesitates for a moment as he tries to pick up the pen that lies in front of him, “How do I know that once I give you this information…”
He means how can he trust us to allow him to live or be protected once he gives up all his leverage of information. I understand the mistrust and I think most people would.
“My friend, by the extension of your teacher, you are considered family here. And we're not completely like the Falcons but we honor that oath, we protect our own.” I explained to him.
Cedric starts to scribble down names of businesses, taking his time and thinking back to all the businesses. He pauses, thinking again. There’s more hesitation in his movements. “What did they do to you kid?” I asked him. He starts to look around as if he's waiting for someone to burst through the door.
“Don't worry, whatever is said here is not going to make it back to her,” I say to him. He knows who I'm talking about because she's the one person he doesn't want to disappoint again.
Topaz comes swaying her hips towards the table giving him a stiff drink. She gives him a gentle nod, “Go ahead, sugar you can tell him,” Her sweet melodic voice rings out. I give credit to the woman, she can be very sweet but double cross her and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or so they say.
