Page 198 of 4 Corinthians

I grilled Tulane, not wanting to keep talking to him, then turned to Mr. Stone. “Please don’t bring him back here,” I said, shaking my head.

“I won't,” Mr. Stone said, and I nodded. “But he isn’t fully wrong.”

“Mr. Stone, I have never felt anything but hatred for Robert.”

“I understand that, and I’m not denying it,” he said, nodding. “But he isn’t wrong about Robert paying attention even more now. That statement and picture are no doubt on his radar. My son may have killed them, but he isn’t going to be the only person he comes after. We might need your help.”

“I’ve done my part,” I said, shaking my head. “Just like I told you on the phone and told Amethyst in person. I’ve done what I’m going to do. I don’t want any part of what your son has planned for Quincy. My concern is how Robert will respond. Quincy is his problem.”

“He can't find him,” Mr. Stone said and nodded.

“Not my problem.” I crossed my arms. “Amethyst doesn’t know how dangerous the Kilmores are. Or more so how strong their connection is to Robert. You need to talk to him. Tell him what he’s against. I’ve told him my part, or some of it at least. You’re letting him walk around blind, and that’s dangerous.”

“I know,” Mr. Stone sighed. “And I plan on it.”

“Do it soon,” I told him. “Before something happens and it’s too late.”

“Robert isn’t going to do anything anytime soon,” Tulane said, shaking his head. “He has to regroup, figure out who’s who in his inner circle. He lost a big part of his team with the Kilmores being dead. All he has is Quincy’s crazy ass.”

“Tulane, are you slow?” I asked him, trying to figure out if he was or if he intentionally tried to piss people off.

“Slow?” he repeated, and I nodded. “No.”

“You sure?” I questioned him. “Because I think you might be. Especially if you think this shit is just going to blow over because the Kilmores are dead.”

“It’s not just the Kilmores,” he laughed. “Someone killed the Franklins, too. Robert is scrambling.”

“No, someone didn’t kill the Franklins,” I said, shaking my head.

“A few years ago, they were killed,” he smiled. “I’m pretty sure Four did it. You might want to ask him about it. No one knows where the bodies are.”

“I didn’t kill them,” Uri’s deep voice echoed through the shop. I looked at the speaker in the corner of the room, then at the security camera next to my booth.

“He’s been listening the entire time?” Mr. Stone asked, and I nodded. We were talking before they’d walked in. I knew Uri was still listening; I just didn’t think he would say anything.

“I should’ve known he wasn’t too far away,” Tulane said. He put his hands in his pockets.

“I’m not,” Uri said. “And this conversation is over. Cori said she isn’t helping. Leave her be. She’s done enough. The announcement is circulating. I don’t agree with that shit, but she made her decision.”

“Four-“

“Let it go, Tulane,” Uri said, cutting him off. “Micah, we can talk if you want, but I’ve already said respect my woman’s decision.”

“I’ll call you later,” Mr. Stone smirked as he nodded. He turned his attention back to me. “I’ll talk to Amethyst; you’re right. He’s running around here blind, and he shouldn’t be.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding. “Have a good night.”

“You too,” Mr. Stone said. He tapped Tulane on the arm and nodded towards the door. “Let’s go.”

They walked to the door to leave.

“Tulane?” Uri called out.

Tulane turned towards the speaker. “Yeah?”

“I didn’t kill the Franklins,” he said again. “But I know where the bodies are.”

“How if you didn’t kill them?”