“They’re gang tattoos,” Cotter said shortly. He wasn’t pleased with Molson. “Although how he belongs to two rival gangs at the same time, that is surprising.”
Molson had a cocky grin. “I’m talented. If you bothered to study them some, you’d see there are five gang tattoos on my neck. Most of them gangs don’t like each other none.”
“Then how do you belong to them all at once?” Cotter asked, genuinely puzzled.
“Through this,” Molson pointed to the tattooed tear on his face, then the crosses on his forearm, and finally to the sixth tattoo on his neck.
“Are you a gang member then?” Max asked, his curiosity aroused. “Your brother and sister are cops, yet you joined the gangs Drew is trying to put in jail? Doesn’t that seem a little… I don’t know, counterproductive?”
“Irritating, annoying, disturbing,” Drew said sharply. “I can think of a few other words to describe it. Molson, do me a favor. Tell me you’re not going to let any of your gang buddies know that Max is here, safe and sound in my apartment. His location needs to be kept secret.”
“I’m hurt,” Molson set down his empty bowl and placed a hand over his heart in a long-suffering manner. “My own flesh and blood don’t trust me.”
“You’re right. I don’t trust you,” Drew scowled.
“Now see, that really did hurt,” Molson looked at Drew, dropping the act. He grabbed his bowl and stood up. “Don’t you worry none. I’ll do you a solid and forget I ever saw him here.”
Molson clapped Drew on the shoulder as he passed him into the kitchen area, putting his bowl in the sink.
“Molson, I’m sorry,” Drew sighed. He didn’t like fighting with his younger brother but that’s all they ever seemed to do. He knew that despite his brother’s words, he probably had hurt Molson’s feelings. Molson was just a master at covering up how he really felt on most occasions. Then again, when you lived with Wacko Margo, you had to figure out a way to hide your feelings.
“When you gonna go see Ma?” Molson changed the subject as he walked to the hallway door.
“Never, if I can help it,” Drew muttered. He had no desire to see her any time soon.
“I know she’s a crappy person,” Molson paused at the door. “Yet she did give birth to you, you know?”
Drew decided not to answer. It was probably better for all concerned that he didn’t share his opinion of Margot Colborne.
“Yeah. And you guys say I’m the disappointment,” Molson shrugged and left the apartment, pulling the door firmly behind him.
“He’s interesting,” Max said from the couch. “What does the tear under his eye mean?”
“That he killed someone,” Cotter replied.
“Really?” Max stared at the young cop, surprised at the answer.
“Not necessarily,” Drew defended his brother. “It can also mean a loss. Not every tattoo means the same thing to the same people.”
“It’s a gang tattoo. Like the crosses mean closer to God or time spent in prison,” Cotter said.
“Molson’s never been in prison. He’s never been arrested,” Drew checked regularly to be sure. He didn’t like his brother’s choices and worried about him. It was one of Drews outstanding worries that Molson would someday be dead on the streets or in prison because of his ties to gangs.
“What was the other tattoo?” Max asked. “The one on his neck with the five gang tattoos?”
“That one I don’t know,” Cotter looked at Drew.
“No one knows,” Drew sighed. Molson had never told him what it meant. “Molson is the only one I’ve ever seen with that tattoo. It means something, surrounded by the five gang membership tattoos.”
“Does he really belong to five gangs? Is that even possible?” Max wanted to know. This was a possible half-brother to his family. A man with ties to gangs.
“With Molson? Anything is possible,” Drew said darkly.
“You going on the sting operation today?” Cotter asked.
Drew nodded. He knew the rookie was disappointed to not be able to participate but someone needed to watch Max. Drew was only going to be there as a lookout for the team at the marina as they scoped out a possible drug drop.
“Is this related to those guys from the building?” Max asked.
