Free More Money for Good by Franklin White Page A

back at Tavious. “He has a way in.”
    Tavious grimaced when he put the ice back on. “What do you mean?”
    â€œWhen me and Lauren went to the club to check on Rodney’s lead, I ran into my old partner in crime—”
    Rossi interrupted. “Card game, big night, too—”
    I cut Rossi off before he started to embellish the night. “Long story short, we went out to dinner. I told him everything and he is pretty sure he can find out information on who Amara had been hanging out with.”
    Tavious took the ice off. “Well, let’s do this.”
    â€œI want in,” Rossi was very blunt. “I understand there is some money involved and when there is money involved in the streets, I like to involve myself in the game.”
    â€œMeaning . . . ?” Tavious wanted to be clear.
    â€œMeaning, I know you want the police off your back; and if I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet you still want your two million dollars you’ve been waiting on for over twenty years. Now, I’ve done time, not as much as you, and I can tell you this: when a man gets out, he wants what he wants.”
    Tavious gave me a look then back at Rossi. “This is your man right, West?”
    I slapped Rossi on the back. “In the muthafuckin’ flesh,” I let him know.
    â€œCool, what’s your price?” Tavious questioned. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

Chapter 19
    Rossi and Tavious decided on a cool $200,000 if Rossi helped to deliver the money in his hand. When they closed the deal Tavious turned to me and let me know he was now upping my take from one hundred to two hundred Gs along with Rossi to keep things even and to show his appreciation. Rossi was out the door soon after and let us know he would be in touch after he made contact with a few people of interest who were down with TQC.
    We were still in the garage and Tavious was still nursing his bumps and bruises. “Man, I have to get out of Grand’s place. Those cops already let me know things are only going to get worse and I don’t want to worry her.”
    And I believed every word of what they told him. Especially if they had been trained by Captain Stallings of the APD. He was one of the most ruthless people you’d ever want to meet. They would stop at nothing to make it as uncomfortable for Tavious as possible. He was now on their bad side even though they didn’t have any type of evidence that he had killed Amara.
    â€œAny ideas?” I asked.
    Tavious sighed. “I’ve called three places already and everyone wants to know about my rental history, and you know where I’ve been laying up.”
    Tavious hadn’t caught a break since his release from prison and my empathy for him was growing minute by minute. “So, why don’t you take my spot above the garage? Two bedrooms up there, nice living space and kitchen; it’s like it was made for you.”
    â€œWhat? You mean like, live there?”
    â€œYeah, why not?”
    â€œAre you serious?”
    â€œMight as well. It may be the best thing for you because now those freakin’ cops can’t track you in and out of here. You just walk down to work every morning and back up when you get off.”
    Tavious saw the light. “Not a bad idea, man. I’ll have to tell Grands, but I’m sure she’ll understand.”
    â€œOf course she would. Hell, she’d be happy for you.”
    Tavious took the ice from his face. “Done, let’s do it. How much is rent?”
    â€œDon’t worry, it’s on me,” I let him know.
    â€œI couldn’t just live up there rent free,” Tavious said.
    â€œYes, you can. Just try.”

Chapter 20
    Later the same night, Rossi came over with Rita after his card game. As usual he was nonstop about his evening card game. I was almost to a point where I wanted to ask him if the gambling bug hadn’t attacked