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“Finally,” snaps Arthur.
“Sorry, I was in a meeting,” I offer feebly.
“And it was so important you couldn’t answer the damn phone?”
“It was on silent,” I mutter.
Arthur rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I’m starting to feel nervous,” he says. “I need people around me who have their eye on the ball.”
“I do,” I say.
He arches a brow at my blatant disrespect. “You’ve lost that sassy attitude, Red. Without it, you’re not as appealing.”
“What are you saying? You don’t wanna use my services?”
“I’m saying get your shit together,” he says firmly, staring me down.
I nod. “Noted.”
“Sit,” says Albert, and I do. “I need you on the streets watching out for these,” he tells me, placing some photographs on the table. I glance at the surveillance pictures of a group of youths. “They’re trying to move in on our patch.”
I scowl. “That’s not my line of work. Ask Ghost.”
He slams his hand on the table, and I jump. “Your line of work is whatever we tell you it is.” I eye him angrily. The sudden change in his attitude towards me is pissing me off.
I take a calming breath and arch my brow. “I think you’ll find my work is tailored to specific skills.”
“Are you telling me you don’t watch your victims before you land a kill?” he asks.
“I’m telling you I don’t follow kids around because they’re selling drugs on your streets.” I stand. “Feel free to put a bullet in me if you’re done with me. You’ll do us all a favour.” I leave the office, slamming the door behind me.
ALBERT
Archer presses his lips together and taps his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Should I just . . .” He nods at the door.
“What meeting was she at?” I ask.
“Her son’s school.”
“And she took you along?”
He nods. “She needed back-up. That teacher was a dragon.” He rises to his feet and heads for the door. “Yah know, she’s struggling right now. It might be helpful to know that before you yell at her. You know what she’s like when she gets pissed at the world, we’re all in danger.” He grins and leaves.
I turn to my brother and sigh heavily. “We never should have started using her, Art. She’s a fucking liability.”
He smirks. “In or out the bedroom?”
“She doesn’t do anything she’s told to do.”
“That’s what I like about her, Bert. It gets boring being surrounded by yes men. Anyway, why do you want her watching the streets? We didn’t discuss that.”
“I got a feeling her kid’s in trouble. He was on their turf a few days back. Rosey had to pick him up when his mates did a runner, leaving him alone. He looked scared, and he knew that wasn’t our territory yet.”
“Have you taken it to Mav?”
I shake my head. “She asked me not to. She seems to think the kid’s just having a bad time. She thinks she’s got it in hand.”
“And you don’t agree?”
