“The same stuff we all take.”
We? “Are you still taking that shit?”Even after I told you not to?
“No.” Ty scrubbed a hand over his face. “You told me it was dangerous, but all the guys said…”
“Said it wasn’t and I was an idiot.”
Ty nodded. “Something like that.”
“You do realize I’ve spent over a dozen years in narcotics enforcement, and a few more… well, in the drug trade.” More or less. “I kinda know what I’m talking about.”
“I know. I just didn’t want to admit it.” Whether consciously or not, Ty leaned toward Lucky. “I’m ready to believe you now.”
“Good. Because the shit is gonna hit the fan, and I don’t want you getting caught in the splatter.”
Ty shrugged. “Not much of a way to avoid it. That splatter’s going a long way. Soccer, football, tennis… We’ll be lucky to have a school left.”
Fuck. Another thing to hold against Uncle Lucky if Ty took a mind to. “How’s this Greg? Is he okay?”
For a long moment Ty didn’t answer. Finally he said, “He’s alive, if that’s what you mean, and he’s not telling anyone what happened—what really happened. His parents took away his phone and won’t let him talk to the guys.”
Which meant maybe they’d let him talk to Lucky if he flashed his badge. Being official with the SNB had its uses.
Wrapping his arms around himself, Ty swayed back and forth. “I’m sorry I wouldn’t listen before. I talked to Todd, and he told me I was a fucking idiot.”
No need agreeing when Ty did such a good job of beating himself up already. Instead of speaking, Lucky slung an arm around Ty’s shoulders.
Ty laid his head against Lucky’s chest. “I’m sorry, Uncle Lucky. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Was there? The two agents posing as students hadn’t gotten anywhere. An idea took root in Lucky’s brain. Nope.“Bad idea”he heard in Bo’s voice.
Still… “I want you to do something for me.”
“What?”
Lucky sucked in a deep breath. “We’re going to have to tell your mother, because like hell will I involve you without her knowledge, but I’m going to need you to get more of those pills.”
He shuddered, anticipating Charlotte’s reaction.
***
Lucky rammed his hands into his pockets and approached the soccer field. Ty sat on a bench with the other players, back turned. Good. If he didn’t see Lucky, he couldn’t react badly.
Or not nearly as badly as Charlotte had for Lucky and Ty not telling her about the pills from the get-go. Brrr… She might be small, but damn, Lucklighter women were fierce.
Ty might be off restriction by the time he left for college.
Charlotte still hadn’t mentioned the length of Lucky’s probation. Whatever she decided, Bo would back her up.
He watched his suspect, a squarely-built man in his mid-fifties.
The coach paced back and forth in front of the bench, player’s heads swiveling to track his movements. He issued the usual spiel about teamwork, how they were the best, and how no one could beat them.
Yadda, yadda. At last the players left the field and trudged up a grassy hill toward the school. Lucky stepped from the shadows of the bleachers. “Coach Akin? Could I have a world with you?”
The coach paused mid-motion of turning up a water bottle. “Sure. What can I do for you?” He resumed lifting the bottle to his lips and chugged down half in one go.
Lucky held out his hand. “Rich Lucklighter. I’m Ty’s uncle.”
