Sofia:I’m filing for divorce! I’m packing my stuff and leaving tonight. Belle said I can stay with her. Cheri and Addie offered too. Tigger texted me & said he’s coming home tomorrow nite.
A jolt of happiness shot through Wheelie.
Wheelie:I got some shit I gotta take care of, but after that I can come over later to help u move.
Sofia:I’m just packing my things today. U can help me move tomorrow morning. R we going to see each other tonite? I want to.
Wheelie stared at the text for a few seconds as his brain battled with his feelings.
Wheelie:K. We can go for food. U wanna meet me at Le Crystal. Do u know it?
The restaurant was on the outskirts of town, nestled in a valley. It was known for its discretion and was the go-to place for clandestine meetings.
Sofia:Yeah. What time?
Wheelie glanced at the time: 11:00 am.
Wheelie:Does 7:30 work?
Sofia:Perfect!
Wheelie:Whatever u do, don’t tell Tigger or any brother about u leaving. Especially Tigger.
Sofia:I won’t. The lawyer told me not to do it either. I better get packing. See u at 7:30.
Wheelie:Later, babe.
Wheelie tapped in Axe’s number and doodled on a blank invoice while he waited for him to pick up the phone.
“Yo,” Axe said.
“Hey. I need your help. Do you still have a decent supply of oxycodone?”
“For private use or for sale?”
“To get rid of fuckin’ scum.”
“Are you talking about that asshole who’s gunning for you?”
“You got it. He’s staying at the Manor Inn, and I don’t want to have the fuckin’ badges up Judy’s ass. I thought about bringing him to the club, but I think forcing him to drink a lethal cocktail makes it all cleaner. How many milligrams you got?”
“I got them from ten… to a hundred and sixty mgs.”
“They go for about one or two bucks per mg, right?”
“No worries. It’s on the house. What do you need?”
“Give methreeone-hundred-sixties. You have free car washes for a year. Thanks, bro.”
“I can bring them over. I’m passing by your shop. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“I’ll see you then.”
***
A 1950’s styledmotel, the Manor Inn was timeworn but charming. It sat back amid a cluster of pine and evergreen trees, almost hidden to the old highway that ran parallel to it. Smokey walked back from the office, a bright orange keychain dangling from his fingers.
“Room 24. It’s the last one on the right. Judy would rather we use the key instead of kicking the door in.”