Page 55 of The Escort

“So it was Trace Morton? He killed Reacher.”

“I guess you could say that.” He shrugs. “He caused him to hit his head.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I clench my hands, trying to remain collected as anger swallows me whole. “Why didn’t anyone say anything?”

“Couldn’t do that.” He drops his cigarette, crushing it into the ground with his sneaker. “Not in juvie.” He scopes out the alley. “You snitch on someone, and you’re as good as gone.” His beady eyes make it back to me. “Hey, we were just kids trying to survive. No need to worry, though. Trace got his five years later. They found him dead on Wright Ave—a well-deserved bullet to the head. What comes around goes around. Ya know?”

“Did Lix know Trace killed Reacher?”

“Slick Lix. Ya, my boy, he really liked Reacher.”

“Yes. But did he know Trace caused his death?”

“Fuck no. If I told Slick Lix, he’d go after Trace, and that guy was bad news. Them two got history. We all used to run together, selling drugs in the West Skilard District. Trace tried to set Slick Lix up with Otto Adamson, the dude who ran the entire operation. He was one mean son of a bitch. Trace nearly got my boy killed on the streets. Reacher must’ve got word of what was happening because he came and picked up Slick Lix and brought him to juvie just before Trace could execute his plan. Reacher saved my boy’s life.”

“So, Lix, he never knew the truth about Reacher?”

“I didn’t say nothin’. Later that year, Slick Lix was released from juvie. Went to live with his brothers. Probably saved his life.” He pulls another cigarette from his pack. “We kinda lost touch.” He lights his smoke. “But word on the streets was the day before Trace was found dead, people said Slick Lix was in town.”

“You don’t think?” Is he saying Lix killed Trace? Oh my God!

“Fuck! I don’t know. If Slick Lix heard Trace was responsible for Reacher’s death…” He shakes his head. “Who knows? We came from a hard place. Lived a rough life. Half of us are in jail or dead. Slick Lix got out. Those brothers of his, they did right by him.” He scans the area. “Can I get my money now?”

“You’ve told me everything you know?”

“Yeah, lady. That’s all I got for you.”

I stare at him, dying to ask more about Lix and his childhood. This kid spent time with him and knows all his secrets. “Okay. Wait here.”

I walk over to Selina and lift my hand.

She holds the envelope in the air. “You good?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right back.” I deliver the money to Finch and head back to Selina.

“Did you get what you were looking for?”

“Yeah. Hey. Didn’t you say Jenson Collins was in jail for running drugs in the West Skilard District?”

“Yeah, he was the kingpin for a few years. He took over for Otto Adamson when he was killed in a drive-by. Did Jenson Collins kill your uncle?”

“No. Trace Morton did.”

“Trace Morton. He’s dead, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So you got your answer.”

“Yeah,” I say, but now I have more questions.

Like who killed Trace Morton? Not that I can tell Selina that. She’s a cop, and I’m not ready to blame Lix for the death of his old rival. Not until I find out the truth for myself.

And not only do I need to find out about Lix’s past, but I also need to determine what I feel for Felix Daxon.

I might be falling for him.

Chapter 21