2000 – Pleasant Conversation

“Alright, I’ll be by in an hour,” Cabrón told me.  “Oh, and I’m gonna bring Eula with me.  I want you to talk to her about the EBT thing.”

“What EBT thing?” I asked, frustrated.  “I don’t even know what’s going on!”

2000 – Lyad         

That evening, Pierre started off the briefing by informing me, “We’re ready, we’re serious and we have spreadsheets.”

2000 –  Transfer      

“Alright, Hopeton, let’s stop talking in circles,” Bolo, the king of circular logic, said.  “You flew in to tell me something.  What is it?”

2000 - Work-Around  

I have a legitimate business in New York that’s operating as a cover for something highly illegal. 

What if I cut to the chase, eliminate product from the equation and just start moving money?

2000 – Gun Down

I had to give Mundo credit. 

The one thing I’d been subtly spending years pushing Bolo towards merely considering, this kid did, successfully, behind everyone’s backs.

2000 – Repackaged

“You did the right thing getting Mundo to Panama,” I said.  “But he needs to stay there.”

“Oh, Olmando is staying in Panama,” Téo agreed.  “I will have my boot up his ass if he even sets foot in New York.”

2000 – Pivot Number Two

“Now is not the time to grow a conscience, Bolo,” I pointed out. 

2000 – Real Life

I needed a break from the PanStar solar system. 

There had to be something else to focus on.

2000 – The Kids Self-Select

“Hopeton!” Pierre yelled into the phone.  “Eula’s crib got raided!  Biz just hit me on the BlackBerry!”

“Alright, just slow down,” I told him.  “Hit Biz back and tell him to get over to PanStar as soon as possible.  I’m on my way just now.” 

2000 – Triage Part II

By this point, Téo had surrendered to the fact that his life was no longer unimpeachable.

And it was his own son who was responsible for the change in status.

1984 – Flashback To My Future

My time in Cornwall hadn’t been a waste- I’d actually been able to pick up solid skills in book-keeping and accounting. 

But without formal certification I'd never be able to get a legitimate job as a book-keeper.  And there was no way I’d ever be able to become an accountant. 

2000 – Leveling The Field

I gave Prentiss a call and asked if he was planning on firing up the jerk grill later that afternoon.

“I could do,” he said.  “Grab a loaf of hard dough on your way over.  Maybe something to drink.  White rum.”

2000 – Under Mi Sleng Teng

“What’s this?” I asked, looking confused.  I placed the envelope, unopened, on the table.

“It’s a five percent finder’s fee for putting me onto the buyer for the Brownsville property,” Pierre replied.