The Desert Lion's True Colours by Ikechi Hayden Read Free Book Online Page B

other in silence. Jay was hoping he touched a nerve because he knew Leon was good at his job, - probably the best undercover agent in the whole FBI. It took a lot for him to get where he was and Jay did not think his lifelong friend was willing to throw that all away.
    ‘In answer to your question, I don’t have to.’
    Jay was unsure what his partner meant and was about to ask him to explain but before he could say anything Leon cut back in, ‘Yo, I’m hungry. This was supposed to be a lunch meeting right?’
    Jay did not take kindly to Leon’s change of subject and more importantly felt there were way more pressing things to discuss other than food. However, seeing Leon’s smiling face, Jay gave way to Leon’s suggestion and called the waiter from behind his station next to the bar.
    While they ate Leon gave Jay the uncut version of what went on the night before; this morning’s surprise visit from the Chief and the inner workings of a relationship that started out as a bull-shit facade but turned into a connection that surprisingly could be the best thing that ever happened to him. Jay in return told Leon what he had missed for the last two days, what he really felt about Kevin Carter O’Neal – the new guy on the team and the extra commotion caused within the office due to the upcoming arrival of some high ranking personnel.
    Jay adjusted himself in the chair and started fixed his clothes so they looked more in place. Then wiped the corner of his mouth with the side of his hand and took the last swig of Red Stripe beer from the bottle in front of him.
    ‘Thanks for filling me in.’ He said after letting go of what he would call a gratuitous belch.
    Leon knew he was not talking about the food and replied ‘Nahh, thank you for listening. I appreciate you being there for me man. You’re my brother.’
    Jay was about to reply but was interrupted by Leon’s phone vibrating across the table. Leon waited for it to pulsate a few more times before taking a look at who was trying to contact him. With no real interest in actually answering the call Leon reluctantly picked it up – happily the same time the phone stopped its relentless vibrating. The phone’s LCD screen said ‘P’ and the line underneath said: ‘1 missed call, 1 message’.
    Leon smiled. ‘I think it’s that time.’ He said excitedly.
    ‘Aren’t you going to listen to the message?’ enquired Jay
    Leon shook his head. ‘I know where to meet him. He had some lady call me this morning with the address.’
    Jay sat up straight in his seat, pulled a very neat wad of money out of his pocket and peeled off $300 for the food, plus what it cost them for meeting at an informant’s restaurant at such short notice. Dean placed his PRADA sunglasses over his eyes, cleared his throat and said ‘Well let’s do this. I’m ready to go make that paper.’
    Right away Leon realised his friend was now back in undercover mode. Dean had left the building and Jay had just punched back in and was now on the clock.
    As they walked out the restaurant to their respective cars Leon paused, looked at his watch and smiled. ‘Yo before we head over to P’s, follow me to mine so we can pick up the money and you can park your ride.’
    ‘No worries.’ Jay replied.
    The two friends got into their individual cars and Jay followed Leon back down the I75 towards the next step of their plan.
    It was 4:05pm on an unusually humid Friday afternoon and the two made up gangster’s pulled up outside Leon’s house. Jay got out of his M6 and waited by his car for Leon to retrieve the Gucci sports bag full of money. After about five minutes Jay watched Leon exit the house and walk back down the drive. Jay noticed Leon looking back over his shoulder towards the upstairs window above the front door.
    ‘Yo, what’s the deal? Is everything cool?’ He asked.
    ‘Nothing man, absolutely nothing.’ Leon replied abruptly.
    Jay could tell something was not right but he had a good