This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,63
sorry you wasted your time—”
“I’m not here about shilajit.”
His brow furrows. “Then what is this about?”
“That day, two years ago, your guys loaded my trunk with illegal human growth hormone. I was stopped in a sting operation, and I went to prison.”
He’s on his feet at once. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only sell legal CBD and cannabinoids now. I don’t do illegal shit. You’ve got the wrong guy.”
I block him, smiling with my eyes. “Cool out, Clyde. It’s all good. I’m not here to bust you.”
“Why are you here?” His eyes move around my face. “You’re that kid from South Carolina. Why don’t you go home?”
“I was home. I just rolled back into town yesterday specifically to see you.” My voice drops, and I lean closer. “Let’s make a deal, Clyde Shaw.”
He studies me with twitchy hazel eyes, then looking right to left, he slowly lowers to the seat again, and I do the same. “What kind of deal?”
We’re across from each other, and every muscle in my body is tense. At the same time, I’m acting so relaxed, I should hire Scout’s agent.
“You’re the man with the connections, right? You know where to go for everything.”
Clyde hasn’t relaxed, and I can tell he’s not buying my line. “I don’t know what you mean by everything.”
“I mean just like last time, only I’ll be in on the joke.”
“Last time wasn’t a joke.” He stops, like he knows he almost said too much.
“Good thing, because I wasn’t laughing when the judge hammered that gavel and sent me to prison. Not a lot of peace and love there.”
“That’s not what I’m about.” He has the nerve to act contrite. “I’m not part of an organization. I had to deliver a package to Charleston. A fellow at your gym said he could collect it and take it the rest of the way.”
“Hey, no hard feelings, I get it.” I hold up my hands. I’m so close to having him on record. “You didn’t think I’d get caught. It was a mistake.”
“It wasn’t a setup.” He looks over his shoulder towards the front of the store, almost like he’s expecting the police to enter.
“Don’t be nervous, man. It’s just me, JR Dunne.”
His eyes flicker up and down my face. “I don’t understand what you want.”
“I want a piece of the action. You say you’re not part of an organization, but maybe you are. I’ve got a kid back home, an ex-wife to support. Times are tough. The gyms are closed… I need money.”
“Everybody needs money.”
“So last time, you gave me growth hormone when I thought I was getting supplements.”
“It wasn’t my idea.”
“But that’s what happened, right?”
He nods, and my jaw grinds. Nods don’t pick up on audio, and the camera isn’t on him. “What’s that? Are you nodding?”
“Yes. Hurry up.”
“I want to be in on it for real. Last time I didn’t know anything about what was going on…”
He doesn’t answer, but I wait. “What?” He’s impatient. I want him impatient.
“You knew that, right?”
“What?” He frowns harder.
“I didn’t know you gave me HGH last time.”
“Why would I tell you we were using you as a mule? You’d have been shitting your pants the whole way home. You’d have been busted at the first mile marker.”
“I would’ve said no.” I smile, but my voice is level. “I didn’t deal drugs.”
“Right, you were Mr. Straight-A, Captain of the football team—”
“I didn’t know anything about the drugs you planted in my car.”
“You already said that.” His voice rises. “Why do you keep repeating it?”
“It’s important to me to know you know.”
“Of course, I know.” He leans across the table. “You say you’re not a square anymore, but I’m not buying it. Taking a chance with you is a good way to get killed, and I’m not getting killed for you.”
I slide out of my seat, picking up my phone. “You know what, I think you’re right, Clyde Shaw. I don’t think I’ll fit into your drug ring after all.”
“That’s what I said, asshole. So quit wasting my time.”
“You’re Clyde Shaw.”
He stands and narrows his eyes, mocking me. “Yes, Hero-man. I’m fucking Clyde Shaw, and I run this town. Now beat it. I’d better not see your face again.”
I slip my phone into my pocket, praying to God I don’t delete this recording. I won’t get another chance.
“You won’t see me. You’ll hear from my lawyer.”
Turning, I stride to the front of the shop fast as he yells after me. Once I’m through the