“He won’t,” Maury replied with a snort, “but think about it, kid. Why risk somebody you actually give a shit about? Instead of nominating any of their own top guys to testify against Cold, they pick on this piece of shit dude who’s already in fuckin’ prison.”
“Who was probably more than happy to make a deal with Mr. Shithead Prosecutor to get some years off his time,” Rowena said thoughtfully. “Poor bastard. Mm, well, he’s dead now.”
“So’s Waugh,” Maury said with a shrug.
David had drifted over to the bar, glancing at the charcuterie tray but not taking anything to eat. “Doesn’t look good for whoever that last witness is, does it?”
“Who is the last one?” Rowena demanded. “Some more Luchesi trash?”
“Whoever he or she is, they’re most likely in federal custody for their own protection at this point,” David said with a wry smile. “I don’t know if even Cold can get to them.”
“There’s always a way,” Charlie suddenly chimed in, grinning sheepishly when everyone turned to stare at him. “Apologies, it’s just such an exciting conversation.”
“Maybe one we shouldn’t be having in front of strangers,” Jimmy said with a faint scowl. He still didn’t trust Charlie one bit. Cold may have vouched for him, but Jimmy still couldn’t shake his suspicions.
“Oh, I’m very trustworthy,” Charlie said with a bright smile. “I do just find all of this so fascinating!”
“Darling, I’m sure you do,” Rowena said with a bat of her eyes. She looked wary for a moment, perhaps catching the same bad vibes Jimmy was, but then she redirected her attention to Maury. “What other dirt you got?”
“Well.” Maury waggled his eyebrows excitedly. “Maybe not related to the case, but I can tells ya’ that Geemaw has been mighty active for a lady of her age.”
“The grandma lady who used to work for the SSPD?” Dario blinked. “Didn’t she like tamper with evidence or something?”
“She really liked copying confidential police reports,” Jimmy replied. “Used to be a gangster’s girlfriend, right?”
“Oh, yeah.” Maury chuckled. “Back in the day, everybody wanted a piece of that lady. She was hot stuff! She had some cop boyfriend, but it didn’t last. She liked her boys bad, you know what I mean?”
“Oh, I definitely do.” Jimmy couldn’t help but blush when he realized what he’d said out loud and quickly cleared his throat. “So, what is she up to?”
“She’s been all up and down at the city courthouse,” Maury said mysteriously. “Looking up records or some shit, and then she started selling off all of her property. Turns up, little miss Geemaw owned herself a big ol’ chunk of the city.”
Charlie was curiously silent now, nibbling on some cheese and finding the floor fascinating.
“Really?” Jimmy frowned thoughtfully. “Did she happen to own the deli where Marco’s body was found?”
“Dunno, but it’s mighty interesting.”
“Boring!” Rowena declared with a loud groan. “If you guys don’t have any more dirt on what my brother is up to, I’m happy to discuss place card fonts with Charlie.”
“Ugh,” complained Jimmy, hoping dinner would be ready soon.
“Not excited about your, ahem, wedding?” David asked casually with a sly wink.
“You know we’re already married,” Jimmy mumbled under his breath.
“I know Cold wanted to protect you from all of this,” David said earnestly. “He told me what he was doing, and he still wanted my blessing.”
“Wait, what did he say exactly?”
“That he knew there was a very good chance he might not be able to take care of you if the worst should happen,” David soothed. “He told me that he loves you more than anything. You’ve made his life better, and he was going to do everything in his power to protect you.”
“He really said that? To you?” Jimmy scoffed.
“Why do you think I said yes?” David smiled fondly.
“If only he had said more stuff like that when he tried to propose,” Jimmy fussed with a deep sigh. “I still haven’t officially agreed to the wedding.”
“I’ll support you, slugger. If he screwed up, well, it’s on him to make it right.”
