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“I’ure out how to make it,” Albert said

Howard didn’t respond directly “The way I see it? It’s Sa No question Astrid and Edilio? They’re only so because they’re in Sa”

“What thing is that?” Albert asked, keeping his tone neutral

“You got two dozen kids working under you, e of the food Between you and me? I know you have a food stash somewhere”

Albert did not so much as blink “If I have a secret food stash, why ary?”

Howard laughed “Because you are a sht dude, that’s why I’m smart, too In my oay”

Albert said nothing He knehere the conversation was going He wasn’t going to help Howard lay it out

“Both of us are smart Both of us are brothers in a very white town You with the food Me with Orc” He jerked a thumb back toward thewith all that planning and ambition of yours”

Albert turned to face Howard, wanting to send the signal clearly, unauously “Howard?”

“Yeah?”

“I am loyal to Sam”

Howard threw back his head and laughed “Oh,with you We are all of us loyal to Sa surfer man”

They had reached the deadly cabbage field Howard pulled over and turned off the engine

“Beer me,” Orc yelled

Albert dug in the cooler, hand plunged into ice water He handed the can to Howard “Last one till he does some work”