Track 11 – What does a Snitch look like?

Back at his garage, Danny filled out release forms on a Mitsubishi Pajero SUV and handed the keys back to the woman who had brought it in.

“Come again, Mrs. Mueni,” he said, watching her get into the driver’s seat with a wide smile and drive off.

Happy customers, Danny thought.  He worked on impressing women like Mrs. Mueni.  She had a strong presence in the community, and all the women in her chamas ended up at his garage for service.

Stretching his arms up, to ease tense muscles, Danny turned back to the main floor of the garage and frowned.  His gaze moving from one mechanic to another.  The garage ran with the help of three major mechanics.

Danny respected all three guys, knew their families, their circumstances.  He would hate to imagine one of them was working for Anderson.

Dropping his arms, Danny glanced at the young man to his closest left.  His name was Teron Kitonyi.  Teron was fresh out of high school.  He had a head for mechanics.  Problem was, academics gave him hell.  Danny had offered him jobs on and off during his last two years of high school.  He hadn’t hesitated when Teron came seeking a place at the garage after his final exams.  Danny considered the kid an apprentice with a bright future ahead.

Next to Teron, working on rear shock absorbers on a two-seater, was Steven.  The man was over forty, had been a mechanic all his life.  Steven was a hard worker, didn’t complain, more like he didn’t talk much, but Danny liked the guy.  He was dependable.

Danny turned at the sound of the undercoating spray gun coming to life.

Holding it was Karie.  The man was a genius with paint and bodywork.  Karie loved to get a car looking good again.  He was fun to work with, fun to hang with, and a great friend.

Danny sighed, his mood plummeting.  This was Anderson’s fault, forcing him to suspect his crew, and turning him into a paranoid fool.

“Danny,” Jimmy called from the garage office, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“What’s up?” Danny asked, entering their main office and closing the door.

Jimmy held out the office phone.

“Anderson for you,” Jimmy said, when Danny took it with a frown.

Bringing the handset to his ear, Danny bit back a curse.

“Yes.”

“I hear you’re cutting me out,” Anderson said in greeting.

“From who?” Danny asked, stepping up to the door glass to look out into the main floor.  All his mechanics were busy working, none of them looked at him with interest.  Still his paranoia grew.

“Your sister is a firecracker,” Anderson said, making Danny close his eyes in exasperation.  “She doesn’t beat around the bush.”

Teresa was going to be the end of him.

“Leave my family out of this,” Danny warned.  “If you have issues, they are with me.  If you want to talk, you know where to find me.”

“Come on Danny.  I don’t want trouble either.  I just want to know why you want to cut me out of a good thing.”

“Call it protecting my interests.  Teresa is a large part of those interests,” Danny said.  “Do you have a problem?”

Silence greeted him and for a second, Danny thought the call disconnected.

Then Anderson sighed.

“Nope.”

“Good.  Let’s end it there,” Danny ended the call and met Jimmy’s gaze.  “Get someone to hang out at Terry’s place twenty-four/seven.”

“I can do it,” Jimmy said, a frown creasing his forehead.

“I need you free, and here at the garage,” Danny said.  “Maybe we can ask the guys from the dry cleaner next to her shop.  You’re buddies with them, right?”

Jimmy nodded.  “Good idea.  This is getting serious, Danny.  We need to deal with Anderson.”

“He hasn’t really done anything, yet,” Danny said, scratching his jaw.  “I’m going to meet the Sumani Chicks, Nic Mugera and Mikhail tonight.  Maybe one of them will have a plan.”

Danny placed the phone back on the desk and sat on the closest chair.  A meeting with the round table meant he wouldn’t get to see Jasmine tonight.

“Do me a favor,” Danny said, looking at Jimmy.  “Get Terry to go sleep over Jazz’s house.  Just in case.”

“Worried Anderson might try something?” Jimmy asked.

“I know he will,” Danny sighed.  “Shit this is going to be a mess.  We need to catch that snitch fast.”

“We will,” Jimmy said, his tone hard.  “Soon enough, then we can put that good for nothing out of our lives.”

***

Thanks for reading…To be continued!

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