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“When was this?” asked Rory.

“About a year ago. Right after Snow came into town, making waves,” said Levon. The two older men stared at him, frowning. “You don’t think he had something to do with their death?”

“I don’t know,” said Rory, “but it seems awfully convenient that it all happened around the same time. What does he want? I mean, what does he really want? He’s done this before. Bought land, destroyed properties, built shitty buildings, then just leaves after it’s burned to the ground. Why?”

“I never asked,” said Levon, lowering his head. “Daddy would be disappointed in me.”

“What would happen if you gave him the money back?” asked Zeke. Rory looked at his friend and smirked.

“I don’t have that kind of money. I’d owe him around seven hundred and fifty thousand. I might have two hundred thousand in the bank still. I can’t afford to pay him back.”

“But what if you did?” asked Rory.

“You’re asking me to jump from one frying pan to another,” said Levon. “I’ve regretted my decision every minute since I made it, but I knew I couldn’t turn back. For the kids.”

“We understand,” said Rory. “Let us tell you who we are.”

Thirty minutes later, Levon was leaning back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

“God Almighty, what have I done? Are y’all gonna hurt me?” he asked.

“Levon, if we were going to hurt you, it would have been done. We want to help you. If we give you the money, as a donation to the Mays family fund, will you retract your vote?”

“Damn right, I will,” he said, nodding at them.

“Alright. We’ll have our friend, Jean, come and talk to you tomorrow with the money. He can help you set up a budget for the kids, college funds, and trusts.”

“I don’t know what to say. I just never figured anyone would help me. I mean, a thirty-year-old man with sixteen siblings doesn’t have a lot of prospects.”

“You never know,” smirked Zeke. “Talk to Jean. He’s got fourteen siblings.”

“Seriously?” smiled Levon.

“And then some,” grinned Rory.

They left Levon, waving at the wet children still laughing and playing. Back in the car, Rory looked at Zeke.

“What do you think?”

“I think Snow is going to be seriously pissed off when he gets his money back and his vote is gone.”

The home of Roger Thoms was very different from Levon’s. It reeked of old New Orleans money. The three-story mansion in the Garden District had wrap-around porches, massive French doors all around each floor, huge columns, and gardens that would make Buckingham Palace cry.

“Why do I get the feeling that this one won’t end the same?” asked Rory.

“Because I think you’re right,” said Zeke. “Remember. We can’t kill anyone.”

“This job is starting to suck.”

Before they could even knock on the door, they heard screaming and yelling coming from within. Someone broke a dish or vase, and the cussing was impressive, even for two seasoned warriors like Zeke and Rory.

Suddenly, the door opened wide and a woman carrying two bags came out.

“…and another thing! You tell your whores that if they touch anything that belongs to me, I will not only sue them, I will cut them into little pieces and flush them into the Mississippi River!” She stepped outside and stopped, staring at the two men.

“Let me guess. You want my soon-to-be ex-boyfriend because he owes you money. Well, have at him. Break every damn bone in his body.” Zeke raised a brow with a smirk.

“Uh, no, ma’am. At least not yet. We’re not here to get money from your boyfriend, but we do have some questions for him about money he received.”