Shake Down by Rosamilia Armand

Author:Rosamilia, Armand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rymfire Books
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SEVEN

Xavier had grown up in the ‘09, living in several areas as his family moved from apartment to apartment: Magnolia Gardens, Moncrief Park and Edgewood Manor. When his father landed a decent job in real estate and finally opened his own office, the family had moved out of 32209 and into a nice rental in Neptune Beach. Xavier had gone to Fletcher High and was a standout in football and baseball.

He always had that ghetto chip on his shoulder, though, and it had served him well in later years. Xavier Romo took no crap from anyone. His mother always said he could turn that 32209 attitude on and off at will.

Today was a day to use it and get some information.

Xavier stood in the parking lot of the apartments Walt Bass had lived and died in. He looked up and down the street, expecting to see kids out playing and their mamas watching from a window or the steps. It was quiet this late at night, though. He could hear music and a television from the apartments. The muffled sound of voices. A little girl laughed somewhere.

He knew people were watching him behind closed curtains. If he stared at the windows, he’d see a flash of light behind them as they took a peek. Sizing him up, seeing who it was at this hour.

Nothing good happens after midnight, Xavier’s father would always say.

Xavier couldn’t argue it then and certainly not now.

Since no one was hanging out to talk to, Xavier took a walk to the next set of apartments. He knew his friend, Austin, would be home. Playing video games. Smoking weed and drinking beer.

Austin answered on the third knock and frowned when he cracked open the door. “Man, you damn fool, I thought you were the police. Five-oh busting me for something I didn’t even do.”

“You know damn well you did something wrong. Let me in.” Xavier pushed past Austin and took an exaggerated sniff of the air. It smelled like lavender air fresheners.

“Come in. You want a smoothie? I was just about to make one.” Austin slapped Xavier on the back and led him into the kitchen.

Xavier noticed Austin, who had always been on the bigger side since he’d known him, had lost a lot of weight. The apartment was clean. No fast food wrappers scattered on the kitchen counters.

“What kind of smoothie? Xavier asked. He wasn’t going to sit and drink anything with alcohol or drugs in it. “I’m on duty.”

Austin chuckled and opened the fridge. It was mostly filled with fruits and vegetables. Bottled water. A case of Diet Coke. “What, you're a cop now? On duty. Listen to you.”

Xavier and Austin had made a pact as kids to never lie to one another, especially when they were on the street. They had each other’s back.

“I’m working for the FBI. Kinda. Need to look around an apartment,” Xavier said.

Austin grinned and looked at Xavier sideways. “You want strawberries or peach in your smoothie, or both?”

“I guess you’re not drinking anymore.

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