Page 50 of Carnage
“Yeah, I know it. When? Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Tomorrow works. We meet at night. I’ll hand Rue over as soon as you hand over the money and the boys. Keep the drugs.”
“You coming alone?”
“Do you think I’m fucking stupid?”
“I ain’t stupid either.”
Oh yes you are. “Obviously. You don’t cause no trouble, I won’t bring no trouble.”
“Same.”
“Nine o’clock?”
“See you then.”
I end the call and lean back in the chair. “What a piece of shit. He sold Rue’s virginity to get into some organization. That’s why he’s so desperate to get him back.”
“He gave you a lot of info. He’s either dumb as fuck, too trusting, or?—”
“On drugs. He sounded manic a few times.”
“Which could make him erratic.”
“Nothing we haven’t handled before.”
“True.”
“He’s bringing money and two guys with him to trade me for Rue.”
“I’m with you, and I’m sure some of the other guys can be available in case shit goes down.”
“Yeah. I have a feeling he won’t hand over the goods until he sees Rue, but there’s no way I’m bringing him.”
“Let’s have a morning meeting and get ideas on the best way to do this. We don’t get a lot of kidnapping exchange cases.”
“Or any?”
Whisper laughs darkly. “Not in my tenure.”
“Nope. We have a chance to get two people out of a mess though, and we should take it.”
“Absolutely. This Leon guy is trouble. How does someone sweet like Rue get caught up in that?”
“Bad decision. He’s new to the big city. He had no idea what he was stepping into.” I shudder. “Fuck, man. The shit Leon had planned for him is the stuff of nightmares. They probably would’ve either killed him themselves or just let him die. I’m gonna rip him apart.”
“And he’ll deserve it.” Whisper claps my shoulder. “We’ve got your back, brother.”
“I know.” Dragging a hand through my hair, I lean back in the seat. “Rue is… innocent. Naive. He doesn’t have the first clue about navigating a city like Mistone. When this is over, I’m not sure I can just turn him loose. They’ll eat him alive.”
“Maybe some time with us will be useful. He seems to have a bond with Colson too. That could help.”
“True. I know it’s not my responsibility, but what is all this worth if he just ends up in a bad situation again?”
Whisper nods. “Do you want to turn him loose?”
“Well, no, but I can’t just keep him here. We’re strangers, and I’m… me.”
