CHAPTER TWENTY

"Did they show?" asked the man behind the desk.

"Of course," he grinned. "The blonde is dead, but Dove was more than happy to raise her skirts for me. Not bad. A little used if you ask me." The other man laughed, shaking his head.

"Don't be so fucking picky. You just fucked a superstar. You can sell the story when she's dead. Any issues?"

"None. They wanted to try to stiff us on the money, but they're so strung out on this shit, they're not even thinking clearly." He tossed the bag on the desk, and the other man smiled, staring at the crisp hundred-dollar bills.

"I love the smell of clean money," he smiled. "How are we doing on getting the other location set up?"

"Good. The boys are nearly done with everything now. We've got three more doctors willing to sell the shit, but they all want a bigger piece of the pie since it's their license on the line."

"Negotiate. I won't do more than thirty percent."

"Got it, boss," he said, nodding at him. They heard the sounds of feet shuffling in the hallway, and both turned to see the sickly, ghost-like stick figure standing there.

"Raelynn, you're supposed to be in bed resting," said the man.

"I need another pill. Please. Just one," she begged.

"You have to eat something first," he said.

"You were the one that said I was eating too much! You said I was getting fat! I took the damn pills, and now I'm not fat. Stop trying to get me to eat."

"Raelynn, if you don't eat, you won't live. You need nutrition. Just have some broth or something light. It won't make you gain weight. I promise."

"Then can I have another pill?"

"Yes. Have some broth, and then you can have another pill." He nodded at the nurse behind her, and she led her toward the kitchen. He just shook his head.

"I guess we aren't any closer to figuring out how we ween them off this shit, are we?" asked the other man.

"Nothing yet. Every time they try something, it only makes them ravenously hungry, and they end up overeating, getting sick, or getting back on the pills again. We'll figure it out, and then we'll own the market. Not the pharmaceutical companies."

"You know me," he smiled. "I'm along for the ride. You tell me what you need, and I'll get it. Tell me where to be, and I'll be there. We're best friends, man. I'm here for you."

"I know you are. For now, just make sure Raelynn eats. I need her to be well enough to appear in public with me."

"What then?" asked the man.

"Then I'm going to find those fucking Marines and kill them all before they talk to someone."