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"How’s business?"
"It’s been a little slow lately, but hopefully it will pick up."
"How’s your other business?" Richards asked.
"What other business is that, detective?"
"The business you were in the last time we talked," Richards said.
"The last time we talked, you asked me about the death of two old friends. Then you told me some ridiculous story about me being at war with Mike Black," Stark said and laughed.
"I hear you and Black are like buddies now," Richards said.
"I’ve met Mr. Black on several occasions since then, but I wouldn’t call us buddies," Stark said.
At that point Kirk had had enough. "Let’s cut the crap," he said. "We’re investigating several drug murders. They were all execution style. You know anything about that?"
"No, I really don’t know anything about that, detective. And since we’re cuttin’ the crap, if I did know something about it I would tell you. Mr. Black speaks very highly of you. So anything I can do to help you, detective, I’m all over it," Stark said and smiled.
"You wouldn’t be going to war with anybody?" Kirk asked.
"Nah, things are all good," Stark said and they actually were. The word was getting around that Black was behind him. Kirk’s visit was proof of that.
"Ever hear of a guy that goes by the name PR?" Kirk asked. "It was his people who got hit."
"No," Stark said quickly and wondered if Kirk picked up on the apprehension in his voice. "But if I hear anything I’ll let you know."
Kirk stood up and handed Stark his card. "How’s the food here?"
"I think it’s pretty good. Larry makes the best ribs on the East Coast."
"I’ll have to come back sometime and check it out."
"Any time, detective. For you,"—Stark said and looked at Richards—"it’s on the house."
"I like to pay my way. But thanks for the offer."
Once they were back in the car, Richards turned to Kirk. "‘Mr. Black speaks very highly of you. I’m all over it, detective.’ What the fuck was that about?"
"Black thinks he owes me for clearing him on the murder beef."
"Are you kidding? He does owe you—big time. If it wasn’t for you Mr. Black would be doing life right now," Richards said and drove off.
"Whatever. But I think we have an answer to one of my questions."
"Which question was that?"
"There is at least an alliance between Black and Stark. I mean just look at him. How he acted, the way he was dressed. Black’s influence is written all over him. And did you notice the look on his face when I asked him about PR?"
"Yeah, he may not be involved in it, but he knows who PR is."
"So, let’s go talk to Black," Kirk said.
"Like you read my mind," Richards said and headed in that direction.
When they arrived at Cuisine, Black’s supper club, Lexi the informed the detectives that Mr. Black would join them shortly. Kirk and Richards took a seat at the bar and looked around for any familiar faces.
It wasn’t too much longer before Lexi returned and asked the detectives to follow her. She led them to the rear of the club to Black’s office. She knocked lightly and then opened the door to show the detectives in. There sat Black and Bobby.
