Page 116 of Rigid

He pulled the door open. “Come on in.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

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 hops 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.”