“The adrenaline burned his metabolism. He got too excited too fast. That will make Mackey’s blood kick in quicker. He needs cleansing.”
Delirious, but still fighting, Prince banged into the television, knocking it on top of JB. JB sat there stunned and winded. Prince threw-up again.
“Help him, please!” Pryor begged.
“Fuck him,” Jordan said. “You’re next, so fuck you too. Both of you.” He took hold of Nile’s hand and led her out.
“We can’t, Jordan. He’s in pain.” She pulled back.
Dylan grabbed the case, pushed her forward, and closed the door behind them.
DYLAN MARVELED, LISTENING to Nile protest as they made their way to the front of the hotel. She was heartbroken she couldn’t help her abusers. No wonder she stayed out of the family’s politics.
Jordan largely ignored her. He dialed Tigris for the update. She, Ernest, and Mackey were waiting near the front entrance, but Limetech was inside.
They were at the lobby when Nile stopped talking. At the registration desk, two agents flashed their badges and demanded information. Dylan thought they may have a chance of sneaking by unnoticed.
Jordan wasn’t interested in trying. “You’re late.”
Both agents looked up and stared.
“Mr. Bishop, I presume.” The older of the two recovered first. “I’m Special Agent Malroy and this is Special Agent Goins. May we have a private word, please?” Agent Malroy didn’t offer his hand, but moved to the far side of the lobby, expecting everyone to follow him.
They didn’t.
“Please, Mr. Bishop,” Agent Goins said. “It’s in your best interest.”
Dylan analyzed. “They won’t make a scene.”
“Whose adviser are you?” Jordan asked. He glanced out the front window where he could see his family waiting. Then made the decision to cooperate.
“You must be Mr. Spegal.” Agent Malroy did extend his hand to Dylan. “I met your brother.”
Dylan knew better than to shake it. “It was his unfortunate mistake to get involved.”
Malroy swallowed his offense. “On the contrary, Mr. Spegal. We are offering a lucrative business deal. A chance for everyone involved to come away satisfied.”
“We’re not interested,” Nile said.
“But you haven’t heard it.”
“Because we’re not interested.” Jordan’s tone was thick with authority.
Goins, the younger agent, had less patience than his partner. “Look. We already have what we need. This is a courtesy. Sit down and listen.”
Nile and Jordan were experts at blank expressions.
“You already have what you need?” Jordan repeated.
“How so?” Nile asked.
“Don’t play dumb. We have your sister, your cousin, and all the blood we need to study,” Malroy told them. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t interested in making a deal with us.”
First Jordan, then Nile took seats across from the agents.
Dylan wasn’t sure what was the bigger wonder: That no one had updated the agents, that they were arrogant with their misinformation, or that Nile could be confused with...anybody. Sure, Tigris was beautiful, but Nile was unforgettable.
“What deal do you want to make?” Jordan sounded curious.
The twins didn’t give anything away. Dylan recognized this game of chicken was beyond his ability. He also accepted what needed to be done. “I’m not my brother. This isn’t my conversation.” Cutting his eyes to Jordan and avoiding Nile’s, he continued, “I know she doesn’t drink coffee, but I’ll get some for the rest of us.” He went to the coffee table still clutching Mackey’s blood case.
Nile didn’t react. Of course, she drank coffee.
The coffee table was around the corner. Dylan was thankful. He didn’t know if he could do it without his hands shaking. Pour, stir, cream, sugar...Dylan reasoned, Limetech was ultimately responsible. He hoped his effort would pay for Jake and Sonny’s mistakes. He prayed God would have mercy on his soul. He called Sonny a murderer...what a hypocrite. He didn’t excuse himself, but he accepted he did it to protect Nile, and not much else seemed to matter.
He returned to the group and made a show of setting the styrofoam cups down. “I don’t know your preferences. This one has the most sugar, this one has the most cream, this one is about even, and this one doesn’t have much of anything.” Agents Goins reached for the sweet one. Agent Malroy helped himself to the one with the most cream. Jordan got the one with not much of anything, and Dylan grabbed the even cup and took a big gulp. His eyes warmed when they touched on Nile. She lived a dark life but had a pure soul. And here he was—a golden child—embracing death.
The conversation lasted the full six minutes it took for both agents to finish their drinks.
Malroy talked about the Bishops serving a greater good, saving countless lives by working with Limetech, and the money they would make developing a grocery-list of pharmaceuticals able to combat a laundry-list of diseases. “Think about it. Cancer. Heart Disease. AIDS...share this miracle. Don’t make us take it.”
“It’s going to happen anyway,” Goins said. “You can’t keep the fountain of youth secret forever.” He tried a different approach. “Have you talked to your sister? She’s already onboard.”
That lie was a bit much for everybody.
Dylan took it as a sign. “It’s done.”
Nile arched a questioning eyebrow.
Jordan laughed and stood up.
“Pardon me?” Agent Malroy said.
Dylan said, “Everything you want is in that coffee cup.” While they processed, he helped Nile to her feet.
Jordan said, “My sister isn’t anything but bored waiting for us. However,” he added, “there are some people down the hall...room 10, I don’t give a shit. They’re giving a live demonstration on what you can expect.”
Caught off-guard, the agents didn’t know how to react. Stunned, they watched the trio leave.
On the way out, Dylan picked up the blood-case he intentionally left on the coffee counter.
Agent Malroy wondered how they missed it. Agent Goins was too panicked to care.
Chapter Thirty-Four
When they got to the Bentley, Tigris hugged Nile tight.
“I’m fine,” Nile assured her. “If you want to know the truth, it was more annoying than anything. Mackey had it under control.” She smiled at her baby.
“Always,” Mackey grinned. “I could have gotten away a hundred times, but I wasn’t leaving you.”
“That’s why you’re my hero.”
“Are we done here?” Tigris asked. “We have to get your hero home. Aunt Earlene won’t quit calling.”
“Yeah, we’re good.” Jordan climbed in the front seat.
“Is anyone coming after us?” Ernest turned his car on.
“Not anybody smart.”
“Can you drop us off at my bike?” Dylan asked.
“Us?” Tigris pursed her lips at Jordan taking over her spot. “What’s this ‘us??’” She feigned surprise.