“I told her to just stay with me, but she said she didn’t want to pull me into it. Said she was gonna go where no one would ever think to look for her. Go to where the ghosts are,” Tariq said. The swagger of Mr. Get Down was all gone. All that was left behind was heartbreak.
“Where’s that?” Buddy Lee asked. Tariq raised his head.
“She said the people chasing her were killers,” Tariq said.
“So are we,” Ike said. Tariq leaned his head back.
“Look, what happened this morning. I was trying to protect Tangy, ya know?” Tariq said.
“You tell us where she is and all is forgiven,” Ike said. Buddy Lee snorted. Ike shot him a look. Buddy Lee shrugged. He was getting used to Ike’s looks. Tariq slumped in the chair.
“She told me I talked a good game but I was just a shook one. That I was a social media gangster. And she was right. Mr. Get Down is just a nerd from Huguenot High School who learned how to work a drum machine and a keyboard. Y’all the real thing,” Tariq said. Ike didn’t respond.
“Cousin, you ain’t got no idea. Now where this girl at?” Buddy Lee said. Tariq put his face in his hands.
“If you find her, take care of her, okay? Promise that.”
“We got her,” Ike said. Tariq nodded.
“She went home. Back to Adam’s Road. Back to Bowling Green,” Tariq said.
“What’s her real name? I know Tangerine ain’t on her driver’s license,” Buddy Lee said.
“I don’t know. All I ever knew was Tangerine,” Tariq said. His face shuddered like he had bitten into a lemon.
“You lying. You know her name. You done come this far; don’t hold back now,” Buddy Lee said.
“Pliers and ice picks,” Ike said. Tariq’s eyes went from bestial to haunted.
“Uh … I … shit. Her name really is Tangerine. Tangerine Fredrickson. Are we cool now?” Tariq pleaded. Ike rolled his shoulders. They were still sore.
“We good,” Ike said.
“If it was up to me I’d feed you your hand until you shit fingers, but I guess we good,” Buddy Lee said. Ike shook his head.
“Let’s go,” Ike said. They turned and headed for the door.
“We even now. Remember that. All debts are paid,” Slice said. Ike stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Slice was still scrolling through his phone.
“Sure,” Ike said.
* * *
“Bowling Green is about an hour away if we take 301,” Buddy Lee said once they had gotten back in the truck.
“Yeah. You think he was telling the truth?” Ike said.
“I kinda believe he was. He got one of the worst tells I ever seen in my life. I hope he don’t play poker. Besides, he scared shitless of your friend. He ain’t lying,” Buddy Lee said.
Ike started the truck. “He ain’t my friend, and he should be terrified of him.”
* * *
“See, that wasn’t so bad. Riot must have put the fear of God in you the way you was going on,” Slice said.
“Those guys, they not gonna hurt her, are they? They not gonna hurt me, either, right? I mean we partners. They know that,” Tariq asked. Slice raised his head from his phone.
“Devonte, take this baby back to its crib.” Devonte grabbed Tariq by the arm and half carried him, half dragged him out of the barbershop. Slice touched the home screen on his phone. His call was answered on the second ring.
“You calling to pick up them MAC-10s?” Grayson asked.
“My mans told you they too hot right now. Can’t move those things nowhere,” Slice said.
“Then to what do I owe the pleasure?” Grayson said. Slice waited a beat before answering.
“Remember about a month ago when you was sweating everybody and they mama about a girl named Tangerine?” Slice said. Grayson breathed deeply but didn’t speak.
“Oh, I got your attention now, Sons of Anarchy?” Slice said.
“You got my interest. You tell me something I can use, you’ll get my attention,” Grayson said. Slice laughed.
“First, let’s lay down what this piece of information is worth,” Slice said.
“How much blood I gotta lose to get this info?” Grayson asked.
“Not enough for you to miss it. I’m looking to diversify one of my revenue streams,” Slice said.
“Aw, shit,” Grayson said.
“What’s that about?” Slice asked.
“Nothing, you just sound like somebody I know. Get to the point,” Grayson said.