Cash Out by Greg Bardsley Page B

options?
    â€œBecause this guy yesterday? This guy who’s after you?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œI got a positive ID on him, I think.”
    â€œYou’re kidding me.”
    â€œAnd if he’s who I think he is, he’s not some everyday dude.”
    â€œWho is he?”
    He chuckles. “Well, hold on, partner.”
    I look away, shake my head. “Unbelievable.”
    He says, “First, I want you to understand where I’m coming from.”
    I sit back in the seat, fold my arms.
    â€œLet me give you a little background.” He looks down, and his face tightens. “You see, partner. I’ve been working my ass off all these years, barely making it.”
    Long pause. “Okay . . .”
    â€œAnd I just sit here every day and watch you kids run around with your money. All you cocky little pricks who’ve done nothing, just worked a few years, and then you’re set for life.”
    I look away and shake my head. “I’m not like that.”
    â€œAnd all I’m saying is, I want my shot.” He sounds almost like a kid. “I want my fucking shot at the action.” He’s yelling now. “Been working all my life, serving the community, barely making it, watching kids like you skip right into the millions, just being at the right place at the right time, and all I’m saying is, I want in.”
    He turns and looks at me.
    â€œI want in. I want a shot at making a little money. I want to pay off my mortgage. I want to stop worrying about the bills for a change.”
    We look at each other for a long time. There’s pain in his eyes, hope in his brows.
    â€œI don’t want your money, partner. I just want a shot at the action.”
    I look away and think about it.
    Crazy Larry is watching us, his head cocked in bewilderment, like he’s a cat and I’m a new windup toy.
    â€œSir, I don’t know about any ‘action.’ I have no idea why this guy is on me, and I’m not involved in any big deal or anything.”
    â€œBut you have to be.”
    â€œBecause of this bald guy?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œAnd you’re not going to tell me who he is, are you?”
    He shakes his head no. “I don’t have to tell you. I can proceed with my investigation without telling you a thing.”
    â€œBut if I decide to tell you everything I know?”
    He nods. “Then I’d be more than happy to tell you everything I know. All you have to promise me is, once we figure out what’s happening, I have a chance to get a cut. Like, if it involves insider information, I get a chance to invest accordingly.”
    â€œFine. But why are you so sure there’s any action to be had?”
    He folds his arms and smiles. “With this guy? Your friend from the sandbox? This guy doesn’t get involved unless there’s money to be had—a lot of money.”
    My stomach weakens.
    He whispers, “Okay, partner. You first.”
    So I tell him. I tell him everything.
    And he tells me.
    And I realize I’m in way over my head.
    â€œW hat was that about?” Kate is holding Ben, soothing him. “You guys were out there for like an hour.”
    I push my hair out of my face. “We were just trading information.”
    I can hear Rod and Harry laughing in the boys’ room.
    â€œYou look pale.” She studies my face. “Are you okay?”
    I look back into her eyes. Damn, she’s beautiful, and warm, and I wish we could go back to that time when everything was so easy and natural between us, when I could wrap my arms around her and she’d smile to herself and fall into me. Of course, life was so much simpler back then—before kids, before corporate, before we dove headfirst into the rushing white waters of our new life.
    â€œNot sure.”
    Light tapping on the front door. Kate and I glance at each other, then at the door.
    From the other side: