“I told you about that when we was in Saint Louis,” Sammy said. “I can’t control her on these trips. She’s getting the other women riled up, telling them they don’t need to do things—”

He was shifty; Summer could see the little traitor’s feet stirring up dirt as he sold her mother out. She let the air rush out of her nose as she ground her teeth, all praying done.

“You threatened her kid, man, she’s agitated.”

She grew stiff waiting for what Taured would say next. Her? Taured had threatened to do something to her? Summer was on edge now for several reasons: Sammy was talking to Taured with open disrespect, the type that usually received a punishment. If they fought and Sammy fell to the ground, he’d see her. But instead of an explosion, Taured’s next words were measured.

“Replace Shanna and Desiree with Frank and Chord on this trip. Remind her about Summer if she acts up again. The sins of the parents will be visited upon their children.”

Summer felt real fear then. It was cold and it tingled as it crawled up the backs of her legs and settled in her gut. She wanted to roll on her side and curl in a ball right there under the Chevy’s hot belly. Instead, she looked at the photo clutched between her sweaty fingers.

“All right,” Sammy said slowly. “But she ain’t gonna like going with Frank. She’ll have something to say about that.”

Summer didn’t know what she was seeing, not at first. The photo was taken at an odd angle, low, like the camera had been resting on a counter.

“Don’t tell her. Load up an hour earlier and be ready to go. If that cunt gives you a problem, call me on the walkie.”

She peered closer, the sweat dripping down her sides and onto the asphalt. What she was seeing wasn’t right, but she didn’t fully understand why.

Sammy offered no further argument. There was the sound of breathing and the crunch of gravel as the men parted behind the BMW. Summer tore her eyes away from the photo and listened for their feet. She was biting her bottom lip so hard she was sure it would leave a mark. Even when she closed her eyes, she could still see the photo. She waited until she heard the hissing of the Airbus engine and heard Taured open and close the side door of the building. They had both been gone for a few minutes before she scooted out from her hiding place, tucking the photo into the waistband of her jeans. She was filthy, and more than that, she was afraid.

Lorraine is causing problems. The sins of the parents will be visited upon their children.