Death.
Johnnie had been involved in enough murder and body disposal to know the scent.
It invaded the sweetness of the flowers and ruined the savoriness of the food. Just like the apple orchard at his grandparents’ farmhouse, the serene surroundings hid violence and gore.
Johnnie grabbed a tamale, dipped it into his small bowl of aji, a spicy sauce that included cilantro, hot peppers, and lime juice, and bit into it. He’d miss the delicious food. An array of flavors burst over his tongue—cornmeal, peas, potatoes, pork, capers, carrots, garlic, saffron, and the slight sweetness of the banana leaves that Virtud, Grandda’s cook, used as a wrap.
“I have a proposition for you, John,” Grandda began, opting for a knife and fork to cut into his own tamale. He ignored the aji, taking his time to chew his food. After he swallowed, he sipped his drink. “Hear me out before you decide.”
Whenever Grandda uttered those words, whatever he said next usually pertained to Christopher. Johnnie bit off another piece of his tamale, glanced at the corner where Paz stood and winked at her. She was in the shadows of the terrace, hidden from the light of the lanterns, but her giggle warmed him.
“This is important! Pay attention,” Grandda ordered.
“I want to spend my last evening enjoying your company. Let’s leave Christopher out of this.” They hadn’t mentioned him for the entire week, and things had been fine. “He’s not concerned about us, so why should we discuss him?”
Grandda’s lips tightened. “Always so loyal to that demon,” he spat.
Johnnie’s words sounded quite fucking neutral, if you asked him. Of course, Grandda disagreed. Healwaysdisagreed when it came to Christopher. “I love Christopher. I also love you. I’ve discovered the best way to keep the peace is to not discuss him with you.”
“As if he wants to hear about me.”
“He doesn’t,” Johnnie confirmed. “But, if I want to tell him how much I miss you and Grandmother, he listens.”
Grief crossed Grandda’s face and Johnnie regretted bringing up Elmira, even in passing.
It still shocked him he’d left the farmhouse to take his cousins, Zoann and Ophelia, to pick up food and then swing by the club to see Christopher and expected to return to sit and talk with his grandmother. Instead, Aunt Patricia had led them into the bedroom and screamed because Grandmother was dead. Her mouth and eyes wereopen as if Death had arrived unexpectedly and stolen her away.
He’d called Big Joe, who’d told him to stay with Aunt Patricia and the girls while he went to the orchard and got Logan.
“Elmira was a good woman.” Tears thickened Grandda’s voice. “Always willing to do whatever I asked of her. I did good when I chose her. She was young and ignorant. The younger a woman, the easier it is to train them.”
Johnnie chose silence over arguing.
“They want to please you at all costs. You are their god. Their minds are more malleable and open to trying new things. Older women are too set in their ways.”
“I prefer a woman who has full autonomy, Grandda. Full agency over her thoughts and actions.”
“Because you know no different.”
“I do,” he insisted. “I’ve learned from Christopher. He has a great respect for women. Girls. The fairer sex.”
“Fuck him! He’s worthless! You’re better than he’ll ever hope to be. You have more knowledge in your pinky than he has in a hair follicle.”
Johnnie stiffened. “Let’s end this conversation now, Grandda. I don’t want to leave angry.”
“When was the last time he complimented you? Rewarded you? Offered more than obligatory nonsense about a good job or whatever he knows how to say?”
Never. Not that it mattered. Johnnie didn’t need worthless words. Christopher’s genuine care came through in his actions and how he always looked out for Johnnie and took up for him.
“Word has reached me he’ll be elected treasurer next year. He’s already served as enforcer and secretary. He’s the current sergeant-at-arms. Next, the treasurer? You’ve never been elected toany position.”
Johnnie shrugged. “Christopher tapped me to run his new lab.”
“He got you out of the way,” Grandda scoffed. “He’s afraid of your talent and power. You’re the heir! The prince. How dare he brainwash you into being his lackey.”
“Make up your mind, Grandda,” Johnnie snapped. “Either he’s a Svengali who hates me or he’s an ignorant fucker who isn’t worth my time.”
“He’s ignorant garbage who has you under his spell.”
