by K. Walker
Brody didn’t need to be told – he pushed his chair back and stood.
“Okay,” the Detectives said and stood.
Taylor walked us to the door. “We’ll be in touch.”
I nodded as we walked back through the sea of eyes, examining us. Brody breathed a sigh of relief as soon as he was out the door.
“Jesus Christ,” he said as he got into the car.
I laughed. “They fucked up your head pretty good, didn’t they?”
“Not really,” he said and dipped his head to look at the building. “I just hate police stations is all. I have a little history with them.”
“I know, and that’s why I’m trying to keep you out for good. Keep your nose down, and out of shit from now on.”
“Hang on,” he said and shifted to the side and slid his phone from his pocket. His eyes widened when he turned to me.
“What? Who is it?” He turned the phone to me. It was Lin. “You need to code that name idiot, especially now that the cops are onto him. You don’t want his name in your phone.”
“Should I?”
“Why not?” I asked and leaned against my door to observe the conversation he was about to have.
“Hey man, what’s up?” Brody said. “Yeah. Nothing. Now? Okay, cool. Give me a couple of minutes.” He hung up and his shoulders sagged.
“So?”
“He wants me to come down there for a pickup.”
“So go,” I encouraged him.
He narrowed his eyes. “Seriously. Should we, like, go back inside and tell Taylor?”
“No,” I replied and started the car. “You want to make this look real, so you have to go in without a wire, and regain his trust for this to work. That way, when you go back, strapped and wired, he won’t think twice about it.”
“You’re right,” he said and pulled his seatbelt across his chest. “Glad you were there with me today, Chad. I owe you.”
“No, you don’t,” I replied as the car sped away from the precinct and towards Main Street.
Chapter 17
Chad
“What are you doing?” Brody asked when I got out of the car with him.
“Going with you. What does it look like?”
“Chad! No. Man, he doesn’t even like you. You’re just going to make this all weird and fucked up, and Lin’s going to be a jerk.”
“Relax, Brody. If I’m here now, then it won’t seem strange when I’m there for the sting.”
He sighed. “Fine!” he said and wiped his hand down his face. “But don’t say anything.”
“Now that’s going to look weird,” I grinned and walked off with him.
Brody rapped on the aluminum door and the slot opened. It slid shut again before a loud creaking was heard and the door started rolling up. It stopped about the halfway mark, and as soon as we stepped through, it started rolling back down.
I looked back. That was something we needed to let the cops in on – if they roll the doors back down, they need another way to get in or at least some way to keep that doorman from locking it after we get in.
“Where is he?” Brody asked as he walked towards the chop shop.
There were several cars out front, as always, giving the impression it was a body shop. They actually had mechanics on duty to give an authentic look and feel. It wasn’t a bad way to hide an illegal business – in plain sight.
“In the back,” the doorman replied in a gruff voice.
Lin stepped out through the thin door when we approached. He was brandishing a scowl and sniffing.
“Brody, what the fuck is going on?” he asked.
Brody glanced at me and clenched his jaws. “What do you mean?”
“What’s he doing here?”
“Relax, man,” I chuckled. “We were already rolling, and you called. So, here we are. Let’s just get whatever this is out of the way so we can get back to our day.”
Lin grinned yellow teeth and ogled Brody. “You sure about this?” he asked as he rocked back and forth. “Thought you didn’t want him knowing about this. And you? You hate this, don’t you? Especially after last time when you had to swipe some of daddy’s money.”
I sneered. “Lin, just get the fuck on with whatever you called him over here to do so we can get the hell out of here.”
Lin clapped his hands. “Alright, then. Right, this way.”
He took us into the cubbyhole he called an office and walked over to the tiny desk in the corner. He yanked it open and took out a brown paper bag.
Brody walked over to him when he held it to him. “What’s this?”
“You know, the usual. Molly.”
“You sure?” I asked and inched closer. “Not crack or meth, or anything heavy?”
Lin glared at me. “I’ve never given him any of that. But I could— you up for the heavy stuff?”
“No,” Brody replied and snatched the paper bag from Lin.
“What if I know someone who wants to get their hands on the heavier stuff?” I asked as an idea formed in my head.
“That’s interesting, coming from you,” Lin said and folded his arms. “Who could you possibly know?”
“You forget I know people,” I assured him confidently.
“Hmm,” Lin mused. “I’ll think about that. It’s no secret I don’t like you…but your money, now that’s a different thing. If your friend is serious, let me know, and we can set up a meet. But if this doesn’t play out well,” Lin said and walked closer to Brody, “you and your boy will have to make up for it.”
I could feel Brody seething next to me. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know. But, if we get you this connection, Brody’s free to…not work for you again.”
Lin laughed. “Look at this. Mr. Straight and narrow negotiating a drug connect.” He laughed so loudly the sound grated against my ear. “Well, alright, then. You get me that connect that can move my products and Brody can walk.
“Good. Come on, Brody,” I said and tugged at his arm. “We need to meet up with the guys for practice.”
“Nice doing business with you!” Lin cackled as we walked through the door.
The heavyset man was already rolling the shutter up as we approached and it shut with a bang once we were outside.
Brody grabbed my arm as soon as we were down the block. “What the fuck was that man? You don’t have a connect?”
“Don’t I?” I asked him and chin nodded to the car. “Get in.”
Brody’s eyes were wild and he turned to face me once we were inside. “So? Something you want to share?”
I started the car and drove off. “I just had an idea when we were in there.”
“You have a connect?”
“Not really. Well, sort of. You want to get out of this sting shit with the cops, right?” He nodded and kept listening as I navigated the traffic on our way to school. “Well, I was thinking, you only sell Molly and small stuff – party enhancers and shit, right?”
“Yeah. Sometimes weed, but that’s it.”
“Okay, so what if they get Lin in the act of selling heavy-duty stuff? Huh?” I asked and patted his chest with the back of my hand. “Then he goes away for longer.”
“I feel you, but still, who’s this connect? Because I sure as hell have no idea who you’re talking about.”
“Make one of the Detectives do it,” I told him. “You introduce one of them as a connect and then Lin gets caught selling him shit. You’re home scot-free.”
“Hmm,” Brody mused. “Not a bad move. If they go for it.”
“Or what. Get a lesser charge for bringing in yet another small-time hustler? Nah, they want big fish, and this way, they get it.”
“So, you’re going to be the one to tell them that?” Brody asked and scratched his head.
“Pussy!” I laughed. “I’ll tell them.”
The car pulled into the school’s parking lot. The other guys were already there. It was already 11:08, which meant we were an hour late.
“Come on, let’s
get to…” My phone started ringing. I checked and saw that it was Dad. I tightened my fist around the device. “Go on. I’ll catch up with you.”
“Okay.”
I sighed and swiped the screen. I had no doubts as to why he was calling me. “Dad?”
“Are you in trouble?” he barked.
“No,” I replied calmly. “I’m sure that’s not what Officer Sullivan told you.”
“Chad, I’m serious. You can’t be in any trouble right now. You know I’m trying to build a case that will benefit you.”
“Dad! I’m not in trouble. I just went with Brody to clear something up with some Detectives. That’s all.”
“That’s all? Clear what up?”
He was seething, and so was I. “Nothing.”
“Do you want to maintain that answer, or should I go and find out for myself?”
I fell back against the car as my eyes followed Brody to the field. I had to tell him, and it would be better if it came from me or the consequences could be grim. “Remember that dude from the accident? Wes Collingwood?”
“Yeah, go on,” he ushered.
“He tampered with evidence from that night, and they locked him up.”
“Yeah, and what does that have to do with you?”
“Dad, could you just listen?”
“Fine. I’m listening.
I heard his chair squeak, which meant he was home and in his office. I could tell that sound anywhere – I had heard it so often. “Wes, when he got locked up, told the cops Brody was involved with some drug dealer.”
“Is it true?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point,” I was quick to say. “The cops are willing to ignore anything on Brody if he will help them in a sting op to bring down Lin.”
“Lin?”
“Drug dealer,” I said impatiently.
“They can’t do that,” Dad said, concern raising his voice an octave louder. “He’s a minor.”
“I know, but I have an idea that will leave Brody out of the sting, but I’ll have to explain later. I’m heading into a practice session at school with the guys.”
“Okay. But we’re going to talk about this. And Chad…”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t let me hear shit like this from other people again.”
“Fine. But I didn’t think this was something you needed to hear about. It didn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Anyway, I’ll see you at home, and then we can talk about this plan of yours. And it better be good – I’m not letting you screw your life up over something that doesn’t even involve you.”
I hung up after that and stood for about five minutes, staring at the field. I could hear the shouts as the guys practiced the routine and gameplays. We had a championship game coming up close to Christmas, and we had to be ready.
That was all I wanted to be thinking about. But life had different ideas for me. I walked off and headed to the locker room, where I changed and joined the team.
“He’s finally here,” Deven said when he saw me. He threw me a ball, which landed square in my stomach.
“Watch it, D!” I shouted at him.
He grinned at me. “Thought you were the QB1.”
“Yeah,” I said and tossed the ball back at him. “Not the receiver.”
“So, where were you two?” he asked and eyed me.
“Nowhere,” I replied and glanced at Brody, who was on the field warming up.
“You expect us to believe you two just got here, and both of you are being so mysterious about it, for nothing?”
“D, this isn’t why we’re here. Just get back to practicing. I’ll holler at you later.”
He didn’t look satisfied, but there was nothing he could do. Clearly, Brody had kept his mouth shut. I still wasn’t sure if I should bring the other guys into the details of the sting op just yet – the less they knew, the better.
But now that my Dad had infused himself into the situation, it might be best if I tell them after all. I would figure it out sooner or later.
For now, I had a game to get ready for.
“Ready, Minor?” Coach Burns called.
“Be right there, coach,” I answered as I grabbed my helmet and jogged onto the field.
Chapter 18
Sophia
“Okay, how are you on the Christmas dance committee?” I asked Amanda as we met after school in the art room.
She was juggling a book and some party accessories under her arm. “It’s what girls with no boyfriends do.”
I giggled. “Come on, that’s not true. And don’t feel weird with us just because you’re not…you don’t, you know.”
She started to laugh. “I’m just kidding. It’s something I do every year. I do the Christmas dance, and Callie or one of her girls does prom or the official school dance…the cooler ones. I get stuck with Santa and his helpers.”
“Here, let me help you with that,” I said and relieved her of some of the items she was peddling.
“Thanks. So, nothing to do this evening? No, Chad?” she mocked and rocked into me.
I giggled. “Chad isn’t the center of my world, you know?”
She gasped. “Really?”
“Oh, stop.” I laughed harder. “He went surfing with the guys.”
“And you didn’t go?” she gasped again and turned to push the cafeteria door open by pushing her back against it.
“If you keep this up, I’m going to let you do this on your own,” I threatened.
“Okay,” she smiled. “But I must warn you…this isn’t a lot of fun.”
“I can imagine so,” I sighed as we set the boxes down on one of the tables. “So,” I asked and looked around the room, trying to visualize a concept, “do you have any idea what you’re going to do?”
The door clanged open and Liz and Stacey came pouring in. “Thought we would find you here,” Stacey shouted.
“Where else?” Amanda asked and started rummaging around in the box. “Okay,” she said and turned to eye the room. “I was thinking we could have the food station there, on the right side, where the food station is now.”
“The logical side,” I commented.
She stared slack-jawed at me. “Do you want to hear this or not?”
I held up my hands. “Okay, go on. My bad.”
Liz and Stacey tossed their purses on the opposite table and came over.
“Now, we can hang all the decorations on the walls all around the room, have the Christmas tree in the far corner, close to the stage, some freshmen art students dressed as elves who’ll be official servers,” she said and checked a notepad that was in the box.
“What about the fountain? Snowmaker?” Liz asked.
“Right,” Amanda said and tapped her lips with the pencil before scribbling down the idea. “Snowmaker,” she mouthed as she wrote. “Now, what else?” she asked herself as she got a spaced-out look in her eyes.
“Back away slowly,” Stacey whispered and giggled.
I did too and folded my arms as I watched Amanda. “That’s it?”
“No, I had something else, but it must have slipped my mind,” she said warily.
“Maybe the Santa we had last year in the kissing booth?” Liz suggested.
“No, that idea’s been played out,” Amanda replied without looking at her. “I want to do something interesting and fun.”
“Maybe we can have a Santa raffle?” I suggested.
They all turned to look at me.
“A what?” Liz asked and scrunched up her face.
“Santa raffle,” I repeated. “We used to do that at my old school.”
“Explain,” Amanda said as the light returned to her eyes.
“Okay, so it’s similar to an auction. We have some studs’ and hotties’ names in a raffle for students to draw. The winner gets a date with the chosen person.”
“Sounds interesting, but who’s going to go with that?” Amanda asked worriedly. “I’m not sure about that. What if someone
picks Chad? Would you be okay with him going on a date with some other girl?”
“Hmm,” I mused. “Okay, scrap that.”
Liz laughed. “And ain’t nobody kissing my Cody.”
“Ooh, I know,” Stacey jumped and raised her hand like she was in class. “What about…?”
She wasn’t able to share her idea. The cafeteria door flew open and Callie and the girls stormed in. We all groaned in unison.
“Who wants to go somewhere else with this?” Amanda asked.
“Nope,” Liz replied and glared at the group who were staring at us like we’d invaded their sanctuary.
“Me neither,” Stacey said grudgingly. “We were here first, and the cafeteria is big enough.”
“I doubt it,” Amanda said as she began to rock uncomfortably on her heels and toyed with the scraps in the box. “Just wait for it.” She glanced up at the ceiling and seemed to be holding her breath.
“Wait for what?” I asked naively.
The words were barely out of my mouth when Callie eyed us, said something to Zoe, who grinned and walked to the table where the other girls were waiting. Callie turned on her heels and made a beeline for us.
“Christmas party planning, I presume,” she said cheekily as she approached.
“And there it is,” Amanda said and I watched as her chest heaved and she slammed the notepad back into the box. She turned and crossed her arms and waited for Callie to get to us.
“I swear, she has no limit,” Liz grumbled.
“What do you want, Callie? Don’t you have cheerleaders to torment?”
Her perfect pink lips parted to reveal glistening teeth. She’d have so much more potential if she weren’t so mean – she was beautiful, with a perfectly sculpted body and long legs that models dreamed about. Instead, she used hers to trample on the self-esteem of the weak.
“I’m curious to know what atrocity you have planned for this year. Kissing Santas?”
Amanda looked over at me. “You know, if you hate what I plan so much, why don’t you do us a favor and stay home?”
“Or just have your own party at your house,” I said under my breath as I looked away.