“I ... forgot something.”
“Right. I’m going to let you up so we can have a civilized conversation. When I do, if you run, I’ll catch you—and I’m going to be really unhappy when I do. Understand?”
“Yeah, yeah. I didn’t do anything. Cops can’t just go knocking people down.”
“File a complaint.” She eased off, nodding as Peabody positioned herself to block the stairs. “Name?”
“Jubie, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Peabody, in a ball-breaking contest between me and Jubie the asshole, who’s your money on?”
“You, sir, but I’ve seen your work and the many broken balls resulting from it.”
“True. Where you been, Jubie?”
“Look, I just went out to pick up a pack of herbals.” He continued to aim for insulted as he shoved the hair out of his eyes, but nerves jittered through the corners. “Herbals are still legal in a guy’s own place.”
“Then you were in your own place earlier today.”
“Yeah, so what? What’s with you cops today, crawling all over the place. My lip’s bleeding.” He swiped the back of his hand over it. “I hit my lip when you knocked me down.”
“File another complaint. Tell me about the other cops.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, accenting his saggy little potbelly. “Don’t have to tell you dick.”
“Well, that’s true.” Eve offered an agreeable nod. “Just like I don’t have to tell you to assume the position so I can search you as I suspect you’re carrying illegal substances—since I can fucking see the bag sticking out of your pocket.”
He shoved at it hastily. “What bag?”
“Jubie, Jubie, let’s let bygones be. You tell me about the other cops, I walk away and you get to enjoy your herbals, since that’s what we’re calling them, in peace and privacy.”
His eyes narrowed, shifted. “How do I know you’re not doing some entrapment shit?”
“You watch too many cop shows. The cops, Jubie, where were they?”
He transferred his weight from foot to foot. “Okay, but if you screw with me, I know a lawyer.”
“God, that sure strikes fear in my heart. Did you hear that, Peabody, Jubie knows a lawyer.”
“I feel my feet trembling in my shoes.”
He scowled at both of them, but had to be considering pushing it and getting hauled in. “Couple of dudes, sharp suits. One’s a really big guy. They went in Juicy’s place. There.”
He pointed across the hall.
“Didn’t even bother to knock. Fucking cops. I heard them coming up the stairs, looked out the peep in case it was Juicy coming back.”
“Juicy usually supply you with the herbals?”
“Maybe. So I make them as cops, and they go right in. That’s a violation of civil rights.”
“Your knowledge of the law astounds and impresses. Describe them.”
“Like I said, one’s a big guy. Got blond hair. Other’s got dark hair. I didn’t take a freaking picture. Stayed in about a half hour maybe and came out all sweaty, looking pissed. That’s it.”
“Peabody, would you please show this gentleman a selection of freaking pictures since he didn’t take one.”
“Happy to.” Peabody pulled several copies of ID shots out of her bag, mixed Bix’s and Garnet’s with them. “If you’d take a look at this, Mr. Jubie, and let us know if you recognize any of these individuals.”