Free Philadelphia by Treasure Hernandez Page B

shit.
    â€œWell, get more niggas out there and make niggas talk.”
    Again, Stone bit his tongue. He didn’t see Phareed doing anything about the problem so for him to get a bug up his ass pissed Stone off. “Phareed, we start taking niggas off the corners it’s gonna hurt business.”
    â€œThe ones who stay on the corners have to sell more. So what? I want whoever this bitch is killing niggas.” Phareed didn’t want to hear excuses, he just wanted results and right now none were being produced.
    â€œA’ight. I don’t know if that’s the best play though. We’ll find out who it is. Someone is bound to talk,” Stone said.
    â€œI don’t care what you think. Make ’em talk sooner rather than later.”
    This did not sit well with Stone. It was a slap in the face to him. He was loyal to Phareed and had always given him solid advice. He hoped that Phareed wasn’t becoming too much of a playboy nigga. If that turned out to be the case he might have to reconsider his loyalties.
    â€œA’ight. That it?” Stone kept it simple. He didn’t want to keep talkin’ about this shit. He was doin’ what he was supposed to be doin’.
    Phareed changed the subject. “You talk to your man lately?”
    â€œNah. No reason. Said he’d call when he got anything new.”
    â€œYou need to call his ass. I had a visit from some gung-ho detective. Got all up in my grill askin’ me ’bout them murders.”
    â€œThat’s why you stressin’ this shit.” Stone shook his head, showing he understood. Now Phareed’s attitude made more sense to him.
    â€œNigga, I ain’t stressin’ it!” Phareed raised his voice. He felt that showing stress was a sign of weakness.
    â€œCool. I hear you.” Stone put his hands up to calm him. Stone didn’t want to escalate Phareed’s anger. He had a short fuse, and when he went off it took awhile to get him back to normal.
    â€œHolla at your boy and find out who this motherfuckin’ cowboy cop is. Tell him to get Lone Ranger off my ass.”
    â€œBet. I’ll holla at him. What this cop look like?”
    â€œHe’ll know who I’m talkin’ ’bout.” Phareed’s phone rang. “Yo,” he answered.
    He listened to the person on the other end with a scowl on his face.
    â€œA’ight. I’m comin’.” He hung up the phone. “I gotta bounce. Isis is trippin’ on some shit down at the Trap. Come with.”
    â€œNah. I’m gonna try and catch the end of the Sixers at home.”
    â€œNigga, you a lame.” Phareed smiled and shook his head.
    Stone agreed. “I like my crib. What can I say? I worked hard to get mine, and I want to enjoy.”
    â€œI hear that.” They slapped palms. All the tension that was between them before was gone. That’s how it was between the two men. They were like brothers.
    Phareed got into his truck while Stone went to open the metal door.
    â€œYo,” Phareed called out from his truck as he pulled up next to Stone.
    â€œâ€™Sup?”
    â€œTomorrow night you comin’ to the Pearl. I’m having some off-the-hook shit goin’ down.”
    â€œWord.” Stone smiled. He knew that when Phareed said “off the hook,” he meant it. Tonight Stone would chill; tomorrow he would rage with Phareed.
    Phareed smiled, then got serious and pointed at Stone. “Call your man. Fix this.” Phareed drove off.
    Stone got into his truck and made the call. When his man answered he said, “Meet tomorrow. The spot.” He hung up the phone.

Chapter 9
    Billie held the napkin with Stone’s number on it. She knew once she made this call there was no going back. The train would start rolling and would just keep on picking up speed. Was she ready? Hell, yes! She dialed the number.
    Stone answered. “Stone.”
    â€œHey. It’s . . .”