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besides coming through with that ransom.” Scratch looked at Malek. “You know Mitch. He was your right hand for a minute there. You know what makes him tick. You know what makes him soft. Whichever button we push, we need for him to be off his square. Everybody slips up every now and then. It’s just a matter of getting caught. So what it boils down to is that we need to catch that nigga slippin’, plain and simple as that.” Scratch spoke with so much confidence, the impossible now sounded possible.
    Malek absorbed what Scratch was saying and realized he was right. He knew Mitch the same way Mitch knew him. The same way Mitch knew how to get at him, he could turn the tables and do the same with Mitch.
    No longer pacing, Malek stood erect with confidence. I put this nigga in the position that he’s in now, he thought. The same way I put him in the game, I’ma have to take his ass out.
    Malek couldn’t take on the streets by himself, not even with old faithful Scratch by his side. Mitch had the allegiance of most hoods in Flint because he allowed anyone to eat, no matter what side of the city they were from. He had united the North and South Sides. And although Malek had love and respect in the streets, he couldn’t fuck with niggas that weren’t from his side of the tracks.
    Sweets and the South Side would never come up on Malek’s watch, which was why he was now at a disadvantage. He needed more players on his team. I can do this, but I need help, he reasoned. I can’t put Halleigh at risk by trying to be on some Rambo-type shit. If I make a wrong step, then she could get hurt. I can’t jeopardize her like that. I’ve jeopardized her safety enough already. This shit is bigger than me and my ego. I have to think about her and my seed.
    â€œSo,” Scratch started after watching the invisible wheels in Malek’s head churn, “what are we going to do, youngblood ? ’Cause Scratch’ll go out blazing to save Li’l Rina. So you just say the word and tell me the plan.”
    Malek shot Scratch a serious look before taking a seat. “We’re going to rob Mitch!” he said, his voice low and his eyes focused as if deep in thought. “That’s our only choice. He’s the only person getting money like that in the city. Even if we hit another bank, it won’t produce enough money. Besides, you know every bank in town is on lock right about now. We need to hit Mitch’s stash spot. Fuck it! This mu’fucka want a half a million, then I’m gonna rob him and pay him back with his own paper. It’s our only way to get Hal back.”
    â€œOkay, okay! Now you thinking, youngblood,” Scratch replied as he stood and began to pace the room. He didn’t pace the floor out of nervousness or worry. He was pacing out of anxiousness. He couldn’t wait to set it off. The thrill of the game had for certain crept back into Scratch’s heart as a smile crossed his face, showing off his crooked, yellow teeth. “By hook or crook we gonna bring baby girl home,” Scratch declared. “But there’s only one problem that I can think of.” Scratch stopped pacing and looked at Malek. “Now, I ain’t been in the game in a good while, but the game don’t change. I know Mitch ain’t the big man. He’s running the city, but he don’t own no boats. He’s getting his product from somewhere. If we rob Mitch, then we might potentially catch heat from his connect.”
    â€œThen we’ll go to his connect. I put Mitch on. I know Fredro through Jamaica Joe. I’m a man and I stand on my own two, but I’ll do anything to get Halleigh back safely. If I got to get at Fredro to get at Mitch, then so be it. But hopefully we can avoid any excess drama if I can just call in a favor.” Malek then added, “Fredro was close to Joe, so I hope he’s willing to lend me a hand.”