I knew she heard the warning in my tone. She stood there a few seconds longer before making a noise and stomping off. The room was quiet, all eyes on me. I knew they’d never seen a chick act that way with me. I swear, her fucking attitude… Seth grinned suddenly.
“She be beating ya ass, don’t she?”
I refused to acknowledge that nigga or the low chuckles that met his statement. I wrapped up the meeting quickly, but, like Ihoped, Tex needed to talk to me. Trell had already ditched the burner he used to text Farrah, but he had information on the man whose wallet Jarell had lifted.
“His name is Saquin Bayer. I already sent somebody to his house, but he’s not there. But he had a card for Rivercrest Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation. Did a little digging in their system and he’s listed as next of kin to Aline Bayer. She’s his grandmother,” Tex explained.
I smiled at him. “Good work. What about what Jarmon told us? You see any sign ofRamónBlack yet?”
“Nah, nigga still ghost. I ain’t letting up though.”
I nodded, then thought about what he had just revealed. I suddenly knew where my first stop would be this morning.
Rivercrest Manor had the unpleasant, antiseptic smell of most hospitals and nursing homes. I frowned as I followed Aline Bayer’s slow, careful walk to her room. It was kind of sad–she was so eager for company that she had jumped at my half-assed explanation for being here. I hoped I never had to put someone I loved in one of these facilities.
“Now, you say you went to school with my Quin?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Uh, yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t remember seeing you around the house?—”
“I had one of those mamas who was real overprotective. Wouldn’t let me go nowhere,” I lied smoothly as I followed her into her room.
“I understand that. People act like these sick bastards won’t hurt little boys, too. ‘xcuse my language, baby.”
“Nah, you good. You telling the truth.”
I took her arm and helped her get settled in the recliner before I sat in the hard, little wooden chair near her.
“Now, what brings you by here? I’m always glad to have company, but I ain’t used to having such a handsome young man stop by,” she flirted, smiling.
She was a nice old lady. I hoped Saquin didn’t make me have to kill her.
“I couldn’t find him this morning, and I know he visits you every weekend. Thought I might catch him here.”
Tex had paid a couple of the employees here and found out more about Saquin and Aline Bayer. I knew that shit would come in handy.
“You right. He usually comes on Saturday mornings, but I haven’t heard from him this morning. Probably was out too late partying last night,” she fussed.
“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed politely.
“You tried calling him?”
I nodded. She frowned a little.
“I’on guess nothing wrong. Maybe I should call him. He never misses my calls.”
I bit back a smile. If the nigga wasn’t here, then letting him know I was with his grandmother was the next best thing.
“We can try that,” I said, not betraying my feelings.
She pointed at the nightstand where she had things arranged neatly. I saw the phone and grabbed it for her. I was surprised to see that it was an iPhone 16 Pro. My expression must have shown it because she smiled up at me.
“Old women like technology, too. Come on over here and let’s FaceTime him.”
I moved behind her and waited while she found his contact and selected it. Saquin answered almost immediately, a big smile on his face.
“Granny, I’m coming. Just got busy?—”
