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“No,” Sasha answered, reaching for my hand, and gripping it hard. “The kids don’t know. They didn’t see.”
“Shit. See what? Was he hit by a car?”
“No. Someone fucking cut his head off and placed it in a bag on your front porch.”
“What!?”
“Yeah. You know why someone would do that?” Sasha sounded worried for Gina. “Are you in trouble?”
“Fuck,” I heard Gina whisper. “I don’t know. Maybe. I borrowed some money and I haven’t been able to pay it back yet.”
Sasha closed her eyes briefly and then glanced my way, biting her lower lip. “How much?”
“Ten grand. I wanted to clear my debt and build credit so we can get out of that apartment and into our own place. Half is for a down payment or it was supposed to be but I got stuck with some extra bills and it’s all gone.”
Gina’s voice trembled and I could tell she was scared.
“Hey, we’ll figure this out but I think you should come home and stay with the kids. Rev and Liv need to know Buttons is gone and I think it should come from you.”
“Okay. I’ll be home in half an hour.”
“What was the favor you needed?”
“Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t matter now.”
They ended the call and Sasha slouched, sigh
ing loudly. “She’s in trouble. I know she is. Why else would someone kill her family’s cat?”
“You’re right. Once she’s home, try to find out more info. I can’t act without all the facts.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Once Gina arrived, Sasha made a pot of coffee in the kitchen and talked with Gina while I slipped outside to have a smoke and meet up with Rael and Patriot. Shadow was carrying bags of trash to the dumpster next door as I stood on the sidewalk, observing both places at the same time. The front door was replaced and I knew he had spent the last few hours cleaning up the place.
Rael sauntered over, his face smeared with the remnants of his paints. Made him look fucked-up in the morning light. Like some kind of serial killer from a horror movie. Bet if I told him that shit, he’d love the comparison. I didn’t but only because we needed to talk.
“I sent Patriot home. He’s got shit to do for Grim.”
Nodding, I inhaled a long drag and let the nicotine soothe my anxiety. “We’ve got another problem.”
“I hate those fuckin’ words,” Rael admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What’s the matter?”
I had thought the exact same thing only yesterday so I understood his meaning.
“Gina and her kids live here. She’s in over her head and borrowed money she can’t pay back.”
“From who?”
“That’s what Sasha is trying to find out.”
He scratched at the stubble on his chin. “Got to be connected to the Scorpions or Chamuco. Made it too easy to hist both places at the same time last night.”
“Agreed.”
“Grim called church for noon. Better wrap up here with Sasha. I’ll meet you back at the Crossroads. You want Shadow to stick around?”
“Yeah. Have him watch both places for the day. I don’t want any more surprises.”
