I stormed down the stairs in a rage towards the docks and rec area. Crews mingled freely between the half dozen pool tables, jukebox, and bar and I cut through them and stopped inside the door. Macy was over playing pool with Brion and a recruiter named Mingo that also ran for Jaeger. I came towards her from behind and Brion saw me but didn’t pay attention. Mingo stepped back and out of a direct line of fire with a smile. I snatched a beer mug off the bar on my way over.
Macy was concentrating on sinking the 7 ball when I came up behind her. I brought the mug down overhanded on the top of her head and she fell into the table, dropping the cue. As she started to stand and turn, I backhanded her across the face with it and the mug exploded. She sprawled against the table and I snatched the pool cue and swung it like a baseball bat. It connected with the side of her head and she fell into the floor. Someone grabbed the cue before I could hit her again and when I looked to see who it was, Brion landed a punch that sent me against the bar.
Macy had half pulled herself to a sitting position and was yanking a 12-gauge pistol shotgun free of a leg harness.
“Waste the Motherfucker!” she screamed and Brion began to pull his handgun. Some people dived for cover and Jackson the bartender yelled something like “Oh Shit”. Weapons came out of everywhere, tables crashed and I sighted in on the bitch’s face with both hands. Nobody moved.
I looked around and saw the bar was divided into three groups: my side, her side, and those that didn’t want to get shot without fighting back. Nobody moved and I fought to control my breath. Macy was literally frothing at the mouth, but didn’t start the fireworks.
“All right everyone. Lower your weapons! No shooting in My bar!” Jackson yelled in as calm of a voice as he could manage. “We’re all on the same side! Put them away NOW!”
We all gradually (grudgingly?) lowered our weapons, but I kept my eyes locked with hers. She was a still little disoriented and seemed surprised that I had the balls to come at her. The fact is that I was so pissed I could taste blood.
“The next time you send someone to kack me, you cowardly bitch, they had better get me. If they don’t, I’m coming for you.”
She was still too disoriented to respond and I backed away before holstering my pistol. I pushed Brion’s pistol out of my face and turned to leave. As I passed Ricky, Ruez’s brother, I dropped the cross on his table. I said “Her boy had it” and kept walking.
Later on, Jaeger found me at the truck as I was checking the tires and underbody. My shakes had been violent and left me a little unsteady, so I took my time.
“I heard that you trashed Macy in the lounge. Feeling better?”
“A little.” The truth is that I was still sore from Dieter’s beating and my jaw hurt thanks to Brion. I knew Jaeger wanted an explanation so I turned to him and looked him in the eye.
“She sent Dieter to kack me and he’s dead. It was either him or me.”
“That’s what I heard. Look, if something happens to Macy, that’s Sasha’s problem. But you know that she’s one of his best baggers and he’ll want a piece of you for it.”
“So you’re telling me to drop this?”
He leaned against the truck and looked around. “I didn’t say that. Both of us know that she won’t, so just watch your ass. If you gotta do the bitch, make it look like someone else is responsible.”
“I got it.”
“Right now, I’ve got another problem. Dieter started it and got what he deserved, I don’t have a problem with you over that. You’re my best bagman and I can’t afford to lose you, but now I’m another man short. That puts me running under on two crews plus the two that got spammed. That’s eight guys I gotta replace and two rigs inside of a week.”
“What can I do?”
“I need you to bring someone in to fill out the other crews and maybe find some more guys. I’ll pay you commission on it plus one and a half percent of their take.”
“Make it 3% and we’ve got a deal.”
“2%”
“2.5”
“Ok, you’ve got a deal. Can you do it? You know anyone?”“I know some people who could probably work out. I’ll feel them out then introduce them to you to interview, see what you think.”
“Thanks Mason, I knew I could count on you.”
He patted my shoulder then started to walk away, but stopped. “You know, I used to be like you. A high yield operator, then I got some distance. After a while the instincts get dull. Guess I kinda miss it sometimes.”“You’d have to be crazy to miss the rain, Shivers, and the Slops. But I understand. It’s kind of a rush.”
He smiled and walked away to let me continue the look over. Everything looked good and the tires were holding up well. I opened the passenger side door and was surprised to see Maab sitting there with her feet on the dash.
“So Jag is looking for some new guys?”
“Yeah. Did anyone ever tell you that it isn’t healthy to eavesdrop?”
“I didn’t mean to, I was here and you were talking so I listened. Look, I know some people that might work out if you want to meet them.”
I looked at her and wondered what kind of scam she was running.
“What’s your angle?”
“Half a percent.”“You sure are ambitious. I’ll do it myself since I don’t know your ‘friends’. If we accidentally bring a Slop into this, we’re dead along with him.”
“They aren’t Slops, I can vouch for them.” She dropped her feet from the dash and swiveled to face me. “I’m not stupid.”
“I know you’re not stupid, but I’ll do the recruiting myself.”
“But I want to help!” she said. She was back into that child-like mode that I haven’t seen for a few days. It was a little refreshing considering the grim cloud that had been hanging over me.
“You can. By doing your job and helping me rack up as many trims as we can handle.”
“But I want to do more!”
“You serious?”
“Yes!”.
“Ok. Here’s the list of supplies I need you to get from Wang. Load up on gelpacks and get ten or so of the buckshot beanbags. Also get a stack of manacles and tiewraps.”She blew out her breath, rolled her eyes, and hopped out of the truck with the list and the cash. Maab was only a runner and I wasn’ t going to encourage her into starting her own crew. She made a show of storming off with an attitude, but the playful walk told me it was an act.
A spark lit in the back of my mind and a chill ran up my spine. I couldn’t place my finger on exactly what her game was, but I knew it was coming.
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