Read Online SOUTHSIDE HUSTLE: a gripping action thriller full of suspense by LOU HOLLY - Free Book Online

quick.”
    “This product is pure, you fucking butt slug,” Trick replied, holding his ground. “Open it up and try it.”
    Starnes looked at Trick like he could kill him and pulled a knife from behind the bar. He paused, then made an L-shaped cut into the tape-wrap of the sealed kilo. He scooped out a generous portion, dumped it on the bar and started chopping the soft rocks and flakes with the knife. “Where’d this shit come from?”
    “Columbia,” Trick said evasively and shrugged. “What do you think?”
    “No, funny guy.” Starnes separated the cocaine into two generous lines. “I mean, where did you get it?”
    “Look … that’s my business.” Trick put his hand on the kilo. “Either you want these three or you don’t. I know damn well you could wholesale them just the way they are for at least twenty-five G apiece. You’d be ahead like a bandit. I know you have those kind of connections.”
    “Yeah, but you owe me moolah not drugs. I still have the risk of sellin’ this shit to get my money back.” Starnes snorted a line up his right nostril and pinched the bottom of his nose. “Oh yeah, that’s money.”
    “Come on, this is what you do. That tow and snowplow business is just for show, a way to pay some taxes so the feds don’t get suspicious. You’re a drug dealer. That’s how you got rich.”
    Starnes snorted the other line up his left nostril. His head flew back and his eyes closed. Composing himself, he said, “Even if I say yes, you gotta get this stuff outta here right now.”
    “What do you mean, if? I know damn well you wouldn’t pass up a deal like this. And, no, if I leave with this stuff, the deal’s off. I’ll break it down and sell it myself, give you back your sixty and walk away with a nice profit.”
    “This doesn’t smell right. Why don’t you sell it yourself? You tryin’ to set me up?” Starnes raised his voice. “After you leave I get a knock on the door?”
    “I quit the business, that’s the only reason I’m offering you this deal. I did my time and I’m not going back. If I have to jump back in, I’m jumping in with both feet. I could make some real dough on this. Whack it in half and re-rock it, break it down into ounces and make buku bucks. Walk away with over three-hundred Gs. But I can’t take the chance of being separated from my son again.”
    “None of this makes sense. Where did your broke-ass get the scratch to buy three kis? You steal this shit?”
    “I was in the right place at the right time, just sort of fell in my lap. That’s all I’m going to say.” Trick gulped the rest of his drink, stood and put the kilo back in the bag. “You’re not the only person I can sell this stuff to. I’m just giving you first crack at it because I owe you and I want to get this stuff off my hands quick. I’m leveling with you.”
    “Alright, take it easy. Sit down. You want another drink?”
    “No, I’m going.” Trick grabbed the handles of the bag. “With or without this stuff.”
    Starnes stood up and leaned forward on his knuckles like a gorilla. “If I get raided after you leave, I’ll have someone throw a stick of dynamite through your ex-wife’s front window while she’s watchin’ Johnny Carson.”
    Trick acted as though he didn’t hear Starnes’ last remark. “I want to hear you say this makes us even. That you’re not going to come back later with some bullshit about interest or street tax or any other catches.”
    “Yeah, even-steven. Square business.”
    “Good. You and I don’t have anything else to talk about.” Trick pulled the three kilos from the black bag and set them on the bar. “That’s the last threat I’m ever going to take from you. We’re finished.”
    Without another word or looking back, Trick walked up the stairs and out the front door with the empty bag, felling a great weight lifting.
    ***
    Driving to Reggie’s condo that would be his home for the next few months, something nagged at Trick but he