side. “You’re right. This is a fine choice, and all the weapons appear to be in pretty good shape. What did the purchase run you?”
Greene pulled a handwritten invoice out of his pocket and gave it to Payne.
Payne glanced at the sheet and smiled. “What kind of a street dealer writes out receipts? Does he have a return policy if we’re not completely satisfied?”
“Actually, I wrote the stuff down so I wouldn’t forget. I’m not that strong with numbers.”
“Me, either,” Payne admitted. “That’s why I try to avoid them at work.”
“Oh, yeah? What do you do for a living?”
“I’m the CEO of a multinational conglomeration. We specialize in everything from new technologies to clothes to food products.”
Greene laughed in a disbelieving tone. “Okay, whatever. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. Besides, I’m too hungry to worry about it. Why don’t we get out of here?”
Jones agreed. “Sounds good to me. Should we take one car or two?”
“Why don’t we take two?” Payne said. “There’s a good chance that we’re going to be putting ourselves in danger before the end of the night, and I’m not comfortable asking Levon to help us any more than he already has. It’s one thing to ask him for guns and a place to stay, but it’s entirely different to put his life in danger for two guys he barely knows.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Jones seconded. “Things could get a little bit nasty if we meet up with the wrong people.”
“Come on, D.J., let’s put our stuff in the back of the Mustang, then we can follow Levon to dinner.” Jones nodded, then walked toward the car with a handful of weapons.
“Hold up a fuckin’ minute!” Greene roared. “I can’t believe you had an entire conversation about me and didn’t bother to ask my opinion. What kind of Yankee bullshit is that?”
“Yankee bullshit?” Payne muttered. “I don’t remember talking about baseball.”
“I don’t think you did. He must’ve misheard you. The acoustics down here aren’t that great.”
“Enough already! Would you guys please shut up before I’m forced to use a Glock on your ass? Damn!” Greene shook his head in disgust as he walked toward Payne and Jones. “Listen, I realize that I don’t know you guys very well, but I’ll be honest with you: This shit intrigues me. When I was still playing ball, I used to live for the adrenaline rush that I got on game day. The crowd calling my name, the speakers blasting my Bob Marley theme song, the feel of a quarterback sack. Man, those were the days.”
Greene’s eyes glazed slightly as he thought back to his All-Pro seasons with the Bills.
“Unfortunately, that shit has changed. Since Barker blew out my fucking knee, I haven’t been able to get too excited about anything. I’ve done my best to rehab and run and lift, but the truth is, my career is probably done.”
“So, what are you saying?” Payne asked.
“For the first time in almost three years, I can feel the adrenaline pumping again. When you called and told me that you wanted me to round up some weapons, I nearly got a hard-on. Then, when you told me the reason for your visit, I got even more excited—an excitement I haven’t felt in a long time. Anyway, I guess this is what I’m saying: If you don’t mind, I’d like to come along for the ride. I’d like to help you find your girlfriend.”
Payne turned to Jones and grinned. He’d been hoping Greene would offer his services. “I don’t know, man. I just don’t know. D.J., what do you think?”
“Well, a New Orleans native with street connections might come in handy, and his nickname is the Buffalo Soldier after all.”
“Good point.” Payne smiled and shook Greene’s hand. “Okay, Levon, you’re on. But if at any time you feel like we’re leading you somewhere you don’t want to go, just say the word and we’ll understand.”
Jones nodded his head. “Yeah, there’s no sense getting killed in a fight where you have nothing to gain.”
“That sounds pretty fair,” Greene exclaimed. “But before we begin, I need to ask for one small favor.”
“You got it,” Payne said. “Just name it.”
“Well, since there’s a good chance that you might die on this trip, I was hoping you could pay me for the guns before you got killed.”
CHAPTER 17
ROBERT Edwards lay on the dirt floor of the small cabin, trying to hold back tears. He had never felt more exhausted in his entire life,