Smokey

I paced back and forth in P-Nut’s garage, debating on exactly what I needed to say. I was convinced I needed to say nothing, but I knew resolving the situation on my own was impossible.

“What in the fuck, Brother?” P-Nut asked. “When was the last time you came by at 1:00 in the fucking morning? Hell, you never come here.”

“Just give me a minute.”

Sitting on the steps that led to his house, he took a drag off his cigarette. “Ed’s okay, ain’t she?”

I paused and turned toward him. “Yeah.”

He blew the smoke down at his feet and then looked up. “Sandy okay?”

“Yep.”

I started pacing again.

“New baby healthy?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Smoke, you’re making me itch.” He stood, scratched his forearm, and let out a half-assed growl. “What the fuck’s going on?”

I stopped, took a long breath, and then looked up at the ceiling. “Shut the garage door.”

Concern covered his face. He stood, pushed the wall-mounted button, and the garage door closed.

I looked at him and let out a sigh. “Tank. The prospect?”

He nodded. “What about him?”

“He’s a federal agent. ATF. His name’s Special Agent Brickman. He was investigating Meathead for a felon in possession tip that the ATF got from one of the Savages, and after he busted Meat, he just kind of fell into my lap.”

He started scratching his head. “I fucking knew it. Cocksucker.” He looked at me with crazy eyes. “How you want me to take care of it?”

“We need to think. Make a plan.”

He pressed his hands to his hips and shot me a glare. After a long pause, he shook his head. “You’re fucking scared.”

“That’s not it.”

“Face your fears,” he said. “You say that shit all the time. Face your fears. If you’re scared, just say it.”

“That’s not the case.”

“The Smoke I been knowin’ would be on the road right now, ready to whack this cat into pieces with a hatchet. Something’s stoppin’ you.”

I stood and stared, not quite sure if he was right, or if I simply needed to make a plan.

He looked at me with narrow eyes. “How’d you find out?”

“Got a tip from an outsider. Checks out, though. Even saw pictures of him from the academy and all his credentials. It’s legit.”

He nodded. “All I need to know.”

I considered what he said. Taking care of the situation without a plan would be a recipe for disaster. “We can’t just do it. We’ve gotta watch our backs. And, we need to give it some thought. Serious thought. If we just kill this prick, they’ll come for us. We need to make it look like something else. Fuck, I don’t know. Set it up and make it look like an accident.”

“We ain’t doing shit, Smoke. I’ll take care of that cocksucker.”

I shook my head. “He’s not your problem,” I said. “He’s mine.”

“Beg to differ with you, Brother. Your problems are my problems.”

“Not this time.”

He crossed his arms, and looked me up and down. “This time more than any other time, motherfucker.”

“Just take it easy. We need to think about this. Last thing I need is this prick setting me up on a crime.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. You got Eddie, Sandy, a new baby coming. Shit, Brother. Last thing you need is some rotten fed planting a hot piece in your bags or putting a kilo of crank in your house. Rotten pricks. I’ll take care of this.”

“We’ll take care of it.”

“Okay. Sounds great. Draft up a plan, and have your people get with my people. We’ll do lunch and decide when we can get it scheduled,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

“What are you saying?”

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “We’ll figure something out.”

“I’m serious, Nut. I came here to get your opinion. The last thing I need is you going solo on this deal, and end up doing something stupid.”

He shot me a look. “Now I’m a dumbass, huh?”

“Didn’t say that.”

“You think all I do is dumb shit?”

“Didn’t say that, either.”

“I’m smarter than you give me credit.”

“You’re the most solid fucker I know, Nut.” I let out a heavy sigh and looked right at him. “But you’re fucking nuts.”

“No shit,” he said with a laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“We need to give this some serious thought.”

“Go home and get some rest,” he said. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

I was exhausted. He was right. I needed to get some rest, wake up fresh, and think about it. “My mind’s going a hundred miles an hour right now.”

“Mine too. Get some rest, Brother. Think about it. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Nervous as fuck, Brother.”

“Makes two of us. Glad you found out, though.”

“Makes two of us.”

“I’m gonna hit the rack,” he said. “Too much for one night. I’m itching all over.”

“I’ll head out.”

“Shiny side up,” he said.

“I’ll do my best.” I turned toward the door. “Open the door?”

He pressed the button. “Give them gals a hug for me, would ya?”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Will do.”

I tossed and turned all night, getting very little sleep at all. It bothered me that Nut thought I was scared.

By the time morning arrived, I decided he was right. Not completely, but partially.

I feared losing everything that I had spent a lifetime unknowingly searching for.