did you know anything about Hemp’s, uh, relationship with Mimi?” Instead of putting him on the defensive, the question seemed to amuse him. He laughed out loud and said, “What you think I am, boy, stupid? ‘Course I knew. A better question would be, did I care.” He held up a hand. “And the answer would be, hell no! I mean I couldn’t exactly encourage them in front of my other people, that would send the wrong message, but I hoped they’d be happy together. Hemp always liked nothin’ better than tryin’ to put one over on me, so I let him have his fun. I didn’t let on I knew that there was anything between ‘em. And Mimi, well, ain’t no delicate way to put this, but she’s a dime a dozen, far’s I’m concerned. And she always was a little paranoid. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sorry as hell she’s gone, but for me life goes on. I mean, she’s already been replaced.” As if to prove his point he went over to the antique gold telephone and dialed a single number. After a few seconds he said in a sugary tone, “Hey, babe, I’m doin’ a little business out here. Bring me a coupla cold ones. Thanks, sugar.” Then he hung up the phone and sat down, a satisfied look on his face. Only a minute or two passed before a slim Oriental girl bearing a silver tray containing two bottles of Heineken and two frosted glasses appeared. She was almost the spitting image of Mimi Chang, could have been her sister for all I knew. As she walked over to Acid to give him his beer, he reached out and squeezed her around the waist in a proprietary manner. “How long you been with me now, baby?” he asked her. ~
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