Rules are important. Everybody lives by a set of rules. Some more lax than others. Cowering by those of whatever feds think they run the world. My rules are simple. They keep my head on straight and out of legal jargon. Which is unfortunate that I had to break every one oh 'em to get my sister back.
RULE 1: Whatever you know is a lie and it won't help anyone if you tell.
Feds like to knock on doors. Anytime anything goes down the door gets a knock. Drug rings move, a knock. Suspicious screams, a knock. New graffiti art, a knock. Kidnappings within three blocks, a knock. So it was no surprise when the door was opened to McConrey and Miller.
"And here I thought I made it onto the unreliable information list."
"As much as I enjoy our preambles, Smith, this isn't a particularly joking manner."
"Please it's never a joking-"
"It has to do with your sister"
RULE 2: Don't get caught
This rule is one that got passed down. Not many manage to do that. Ellie had excelled at this rule most of the time. She liked to snoop 'round the old docks long after I went off to the ring. The first two times she got caught she was real young maybe 8. Little El had snuck off because her kiddie ears heard the ringin oh something oh other. Poor thing was scared outta her mind when we got her back. That's when she started building her rules. Don't get caught was # 1.
"Well, officers I'd offer you something to drink but waters off today."
"That's fine Smith we'd like to get any information you have on anything that might help."
"We also understand that you and everyone else here has it in your head that telling us anything is going to cause issues."
"Officer Miller, I understand that you gon be frustrated here but it's not the time for this because as you said it's not particularly a joking manner."
Rule 3: Don't talk back
This is the first one of the rules that I broke but you can blame me not when the dumb narc trying to demean me n my sister again. No, this time I ain't gon take it. Not while El is out there. Not when it's my fault. Not when those bastards down in the ring decide that one lost fight can cost a kids life.
"It was one loss"
"I'm sorry?"
"I don't have any information for you boys I'll call in if anything turns up here but get out oh my sight."
"Smith, please be-"
Rule 4: Get good with as many people as you can or be close to someone who is
Calling in the favors I was about to was gonna get me in a lot of shit lists real quick. But El is worth it. Grabbing up my phone and knife, I get out of the house and move along to my buddy Whaler. Whaler is connected to everyone in the city that matters, and I mean everyone if anyone would find El it was him.
"Whaler open up."
"Smithy since when did you knock."
"Every time to make sure you're decent back there, you know that."
"What do you need Smith."
"I need to find Ellie."
Rule 5:Keep your head clear
It was as if the world stopped. The dust in the worn-down warehouse stopped swirling the creaking of the wind on the supports just stopped. I didn't want to think that this is what it would be like without Ellie. I couldn't imagine what would happen to every one of her contacts. Ellie was better connected. Definitely more loved. This run-down neighborhood was her home. And those potsuckers were gonna get it if she didn't make it. If I fail.
"I- I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Whaler."
"Any heads to search for."
"Red."
Rule 6:Giving up is never an option
Panic began to surge through me, filled my senses, and blinded me as soon as I got the location drop. Nobody was gonna help me get her from there, nobody has connections there. They knew that they wanted me alone. They know that the cops won't help and they are just gonna mess everything up. All of it was my fault if only I won the fight I would have been left alone but I got tripped, I blanked, got too clear too fast and now El is as good as gone.
Sorry bout that Smith there's not much else I can do.
Rule 7: When all else fails throw out the rules.
It had never gotten to this point. I never had to funnel down this far but hey first time for everything. I don't have time to catch myself not anymore. One steep slope in the mess oh rain. I took a breath. One. Again. One more just to be sure. I picked up the phone.
"Miller, I know your boys got her I'll answer your questions just get her back to me."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Smith."
