Page 25 of Crown: Phase 4

In a flash, Preach was across the room, snatching Loki out of his seat. The sudden movement made Loki cough again, harder this time. So much so that his nurse rushed in to assist him. But Preach didn’t give a fuck. Normally, hearing that cough would have worried him. Today, he embraced it. Fuck the kidney failure; he was ready to take the nigga out himself.

“Ou pran m pou yon lach? You got me fucked up. I’ll put a bullet in them niggas, then turn around and put one in you too. Maybe I should do that for you dragging me into this bullshit. Truth is, yo’ sick ass done lost every bit of your fuckin’ mind. You got me doing business with these weak ass Ravens, then sit here and act like I’m the problem. You started this shit.”

Loki's face tightened as another cough broke through his breathing. Still, that evil grin slowly returned.

“Petèt,” he rasped. “That might be so. But you need to focus on what truly matters and finish it. Use that rage on something else, ti frè. Go get that shit back in blood.”

Preach gnawed on the inside of his jaw until he tasted blood. He shoved Loki back toward the chair, not giving a fuck that the force sent him into another uncontrollable coughing fit. One hand pressed against his chest as he struggled to catch his breath.

On the way out, Preach pulled his gun and shot the nurse in the head. He was livid. The little brother who had always cared for his big brother and followed his lead was long gone, replaced by nothing but rage. Behind him, Loki was proud. He had always embraced this side of Preach…

Chapter Nine.

The next morning arrived before Crown was ready for it. He leaped out of bed, quickly took care of his hygiene, and got dressed. After helping Nivéa and Nyla with their morning routine, he headed out the door. His destination was the clubhouse, where Pete and Spencer were already waiting for him alongside Danger.

“Was Maino brought in?” Crown got straight to it, slapping hands with his brother, not giving a fuck about greeting them. They were paid well for their time and resources, and that was all he had to offer.

“No. According to the report, Lawson questioned him at his residence for about thirty minutes. Maino never broke his story, so he had no choice but to leave eventually. There was nothing else to bring him in on.” Pete replied.

“What was his story exactly?”

“That Boe stopped by to support him because the anniversary of his mother’s death was approaching. He stayed a few days, then left, and he hadn’t seen or spoken to him since. When Lawson got back to the station, he confirmed that Maino’s mother’s death anniversary had, in fact, just passed.”

Crown nodded. Maino’s silence was the only thing easing his mind about letting him live. Smoky believed the nigga was solid, but he didn’t base decisions on someone else’s feelings…not even his best friend’s. So far, though, Maino had proven Smoky right. He had even been smart enough to provide something that could be verified. Crown peeped game.

“Is Lawson the type of nigga to let it die, or he gon’ keep pressing the issue? What you know about him?”

“I’m not sure. But what I do know is he is a lone wolf. No wife or kids, practically lives for the job. He’s known to be a real hard-ass. Once he thinks someone knows more than they’re letting on, he keeps digging. Maino holding his story might not be enough to deter him.” Spencer answered.

“Understood. So, you both sure Smoky never came up during the questioning when you read the report?” Crown asked.

“Not once.” Pete replied.

Spencer shifted his stance, his expression tightening as if something had been weighing on him since before their arrival.

“What the fuck wrong with you?” Crown asked, noticing the change. “You know something different?”

“Pete’s right. Smoky never came up in the questioning. But that strikes me as odd. When the Knights first came onto our radar as one of Preach’s buyers, everyone in Major Crimes was made to learn your faces. Especially those at the top. You, Danger, Smoky, and Mo.

There’s no way Lawson could have looked Smoky, the Knights’ sergeant-at-arms, in the eye and not recognized him. Yet he questioned Maino for a while and never mentioned Smoky being present at his home not once. He didn’t ask why they were together. Didn’t put his name in the report.” Spencer shook his head.

“That tells me something is off. I’m just not sure what that something is. Boe was an informant who mentioned all of you. So, seeing Smoky with Maino should’ve connected some dots for Lawson and had him questioning what that connection could mean. I believe he left Smoky out of the report on purpose.”

Crown went quiet, considering it. Spencer was right. That wasn’t sloppy police work. It was a choice.

“Aight, I need Lawson’s vehicle information. Whatever he drives when he ain’t in a department car. Make, model, color, and plate.” He said.

Spencer’s posture stiffened. “I can’t just hand over another detective’s personal information.”

Crown slowly cut his eyes toward him as Danger stepped forward. Never much of a morning person, he had stayed in the background, quietly listening and observing. Now, he stood just inches from Spencer, ready to slit his fucking throat with the blade he’d just pulled from his pocket.

“You’ll do whatever the fuck we tell you to do.” He said.

“O…okay.” Spencer nervously glanced at the blade in his hand. Feeling the tension in the air, he cleared his throat and took a step back before trying again with Crown.

“I don’t want any issues with you all. I’m just saying…this is different. Feeding you information about what we have on the Knights and other street guys is one thing. But I give you Lawson’s plate, and something happens to him, that’s going to eat at me. I would’ve helped you put your hands on a detective. Possibly helped you take his life.”

Crown pushed away from the wall and walked toward him.