“Wow. That’s vulgar.”
“This is why we’re selective with who can be here and who we trust.”
“Why keep it a mystery? Why not tell people how to survive? There has to be other, more humane research firms.”
She gave him a look that chilled him. “No one tells us what to do.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m trying to understand who you are. That’s all.”
As quick as her temper flared, it settled. She let it go. “Limetech isn’t going to move aside. Besides, nobody in my house wants to be the next Henrietta Lacks.”
“Who?”
She almost rolled her eyes, but she was letting things go. “The first immortalized human cell line. It’s still being used for medical research today. No consent. No compensation.”
“She was black.” It wasn’t a question.
“She was. Do you know how toxic the crumb rubber is on the playgrounds in black schools in Maryland and D.C.? Did you know, many black hair-care products have unnecessary chemicals that are known to cause cancer? But they don’t write that warning on the labels.”
“What you’re saying, clearly, is you have valid reasons for your mistrust and lack of cooperation with the corporate status quo.”
“With any status quo, corporate or otherwise. Rain was born from a supremacy issue. An unforgivable supremacy issue. It’s still alive and we have to be vigilant.”
He pointed his finger between them. “Like, there’s a Klan chapter who won’t approve?”
“Your friend was jailed over a silly flag.” She sneered. “Do you think the Klan would survive here?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what to think.”
“For all the obvious and excellent reasons, my family does not trust Caucasians. We don’t cater to you guys. We don’t cooperate with you guys. As a rule, we don’t do anything you want and nothing you say...which is why this,” she waved a hand between them, “should not be happening.”
Dylan had seen evidence of it, but it still felt off. “Your family is prejudiced against white people?”
“Not at all.” She took a sip of Zin. “We don’t trust white people. We can’t afford to. Every bad thing that happens here...happens to us, because of some Sonny-type trying to run, ruin, or destroy our lives.”
He measured his words. “And...you blame us all?”
“No. That’s why we have a very strict, very tight selection process for our inner circle. Rain isn’t like the rest of the world. We can’t afford white privilege on any level.”
Again, he measured his words. “Would you call that a kind of...privilege?”
“You’re asking if having authority over our own lives, to the point of not allowing people to interfere, is somehow a privilege?”
That’s not what he was asking...well, yes...it kind of was... “What I mean is, your family has control over white people. Maya’s family, now us. Is that not the same thing? Whatever went on here hurt white people too.”
“My family doesn’t have control over anyone, nor do we want it. We’re not hoarding some secret-serum. We found a way to deal. Other people can find their own way to deal if they want. We didn’t create this circus. We’re not stopping anyone from doing anything except taking advantage and hurting us.”
Dylan finished his wine and refilled their glasses. “Obviously, I’m missing the point. Maybe a lot of points.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“So what’s the plan?” Sonny had been sitting still for too long and itched to get out.
“I have the rest of the day off,” Toni said. “We could go over to the game park, or whatever.”
Maya frowned. “He wasn’t meaning a double date. What are we going to do about the fact the Bishops are angry?”
“Talk to them. Apologize. All the usual things, I imagine. You have experience in that arena. What do you suggest?” Toni flashed an imitation smile.
“Why not?” Jake asked. “Can’t hurt to try.”
“Yes, it can,” Maya told him. “Sonny is an absolute repellent. Sorry, Sonny,” she said. “Don’t take it personal. They are particularly wary of openly aggressive men.”
“Little dicks lack confidence.”
Toni giggled.
Maya checked to see if Jordan heard him.
Jordan and Ernest left. Only Sidney remained. He passed the time chatting with JB and his son, Eddie, while he waited on his girls.
“Don’t worry about me. You two kiss the proper asses,” Sonny told Jake and Maya. He leaned over and kissed Toni’s cheek. “Why don’t we make it a date? I’ll pick you up around seven and we’ll go to that game park.”
She flushed, flipped her hair, and grinned. “Okay.”
He stood up and gave her his phone. “Put your number in. I’ll call you.”
Toni’s finger flew.
With Sonny’s departure, Sidney said goodbye to his brother and nephew—who were also leaving—and came over. “You girls about ready?”
“I am,” Toni bounced up.
“With your permission, sir,” Jake said, “I’d like to speak with Maya a little longer. I’ll bring her home.”
“Suit yourself.” Sidney led his younger daughter out.
SONNY WAITED ON THE cemetery road near the factory. He pretended he was adjusting his bike. It didn’t take long. JB and Eddie pulled up beside him.
“You need some help, son?” JB made a show of inspecting the Yamaha.
“I need some answers,” Sonny talked low.
“We don’t have any to give you,” JB talked low too. “It’s shitty what they did to you boys. But we’re working on a plan to get you some help. You keep quiet about us and we’ll take care of you.”
“Good.” Sonny stared them both down. “Because we’re not dying for you. So, yes, get us some help.”
Eddie said, “Here’s the thing. We don’t know exactly what it is they do, but we’re hawking them.”
Sonny laughed. “We don’t need to know what they do. We just need to be strong enough to force them to do it.”
“What are you talking about?” JB asked.
“Nile has a recipe. All we need to do is grab her and make her share it.”
The simplicity of his thoughts connected with JB. “Make her share it.”
Another vehicle carrying workers came down the road. They also stopped.
“Hey, JB. Eddie,” the driver called out. “You need some help?”
“No. Thank you.” Sonny waved. “These pros solved my problem.” He got on his Yamaha. “Keep in touch.” And rode off.
“What’s he talking about?” Eddie followed JB to their truck.
“I don’t know. I don’t care. All we have to do is keep the idiot happy and quiet until he gets too sick to talk.”
“Shouldn’t take too long. If Jordan is smart, he’ll take him out first.”
“Agreed.” JB started the truck. “But I doubt Jordan is that smart.”