Chapter 21

 Very little was open at the moment and there were not a enough people around to justify a business opening up anyway.  The few, that Leslie saw, were either city workers or probably just shop owners. A few had rolled up their outer doors and were cleaning, not selling or amusing as they would be later on in the day. The boardwalk area was just like that. Even now, closing in on lunch time, the place was just plain dead.

It was mostly a night life down here on the south beach. Only a few diehards were out on fisherman’s pier with a line. There was not a single surfer in the water and, only an occasional morning jogger was out on the beach. Leslie thought it was too bad. Those breakers looked sweet and she had an urge to get out there. Unfortunately, business came first.

China Bass was not so serene about the choice of venue, “Why are we down here?”

Leslie giggled, “I can’t believe you two. You hang out two blocks from the beach and you never come down here?”

Barry Bass seemed to like it a little more than his wife even if they both stuck out like a sore thumb. Black studded leather jackets were simply not the beach scene at any time of the day. He pointed to one of the arcades that had it’s door up, even if it wasn’t exactly open for business, and noted the games inside. He told them, “hey, I used to love skeet ball. Played that a lot when I was growing up.”

That drew a slap from China who was not in the mood, “ok Tatersall. You wanted to talk to us, ok. You wanted to do it in private, I think this is about as private as you could hope for. What do you want?”

Leslie wandered up to the walkway railing, next to the stairs that led down to the beach, and she took in the view and enjoyed the breeze. There were dark clouds out to sea. She remembered the last time she saw such a view. It had wound up putting her in the water for ten hours or better. It still looked pretty and it made the waves even more choice.

Leslie spun around to face the uglier side of life. She leaned up against the rail and said, “it’s really simple. You guys got work and I want in.”

Barry blew her off, “yeah, well, we ain’t exactly the unemployment agency, babe. We ain’t hiring right now.”

China was not so quick to respond. She thought about the matter and with crossed arms and an evil stare, she replied, “just cause you found out something about one of our jobs?”

“Well of course,” Leslie said, almost laughing at the woman. “You guys kicked over the hornets nest. I can keep them off of you for a while, let you finish what you mucked up.”

“We’re not that concerned with that little girl you’re talking about,” China replied with the same seriousness.

Barry added with his usual over exaggerated gestures, “yeah and we got stiffed on the bill with that one too.” His wife dug a heel into his foot after that comment.

Leslie let their little drama play out and then said, “that’s only cause you didn’t deliver. April May is still alive.”
“Course she’s still alive,” Barry said.

This time China shoved him and added, “would you shut up!” She was a bit more collected when she looked back to Leslie, “that’s not our job anymore and…” China held up a finger when Leslie tried to speak. Then China continued, “even if these Ranger’s of yours really exist. What do we care? What the hell have they done recently? I don’t even know who they are.”

“That’s why you should be worried,” Leslie added. “You don’t know who they are and they’re looking for you. Kind of gives them the advantage, doesn’t it?”

Barry’s next question actually seemed right on the point, “and you do?”

Leslie pretended to be throwing a basketball, “and he scores, woosh.” Then Leslie became a bit more serious, “I’m not asking for anything more than my fair share. I’m not trying to cut you out of your next collar. Just look at what I’m bringing too the table here. I got your mark. I can have your back. It means less complications and everybody goes home happy.” Leslie thought about that for a second and then added, “well except for April May but, with a name like that, it’s almost a public service.”

China came back with, “and as soon as you find out who the employer is, you cut us right out of the picture.”

“I don’t care China,” Leslie told her. “Don’t tell me who it is. Just pay me what you owe me and I ask no questions. The contract on little Miss May is still open, isn’t it?”

China remained silent and thought about it some more. Then she backed off Leslie and with a deep sigh she replied, “it can be.”
Barry then addressed his wife, “yeah babe but, we got that other job at…” She shoved him again. Barry stepped back, straightened his jacket, and then went, “all I’m saying is we got other things to do right now. You know that. What do we do with the prom queen in the mean time?”

Leslie saw his thumb tossed in her direction, “prom queen? Oh you have got to be kidding me. I grew up on Batiks Boulevard you little prick.

You wouldn’t have lasted five minutes down there. In that get up you’d be lucky if somebody didn’t turn you into their little sweetie.”

That caused Barry to bow up but, China back handed his chest and he withdrew. China made it plain that she was calling this one and, she did, “you don’t leave my sight until it’s done.”

“Just one thing,” Leslie replied, “who pulls the trigger? That kind of little detail has a lot to do with how the check gets split.”

China gave a polite, if not disingenuous, smile, “who said anything about pulling a trigger?”