“Mr. Castellano, my name is Harris.” The name I had used undercover. “I hope you remember me. I'm distantly related to Isabella Vella. I know her two daughters, Bella and Rosa.”
“I remember you, Harris.”
Oh, thank god.
“I'm in a little bit of trouble.”
“You are,” Vinnie replied. “My phone has been ringing off the hook. People are looking for you.”
I winced at his words. “Yeah, I figured, but it wasn't my fault. SWAT raided the place before I could fix things, and then I was arrested. Now I'm behind bars, and I don't know who to call.”
“Has bail been set?” Vinnie asked.
“Not yet.”
“Very well,” Vinnie said. “Tell me where you are, and I will send my lawyer down to get you out.”
Yes! Yes! Yes!
“Hold on.” I pressed the phone receiver to my chest and looked up at the officer. “Which precinct is this?”
“East County Precinct.”
My eyebrows shot up. “East County?”
That was clear on the other side of the city from where I had been arrested. It wasn't even a city precinct, but a county sheriff's precinct. What in the hell was I doing here?
Oh, this was not good.
“Mr. Castellano, I'm at the East County Precinct.”
“The East County Precinct? What in the hell are you doing there?”
“I wondered the same thing, and I have no idea.”
“All right, I'll send my lawyer down to get you out, but you better be prepared. Your Italian stallion has been appraised of the situation and is currently on a flight back.”
I was so dead.
“Yeah, I figured.” On one hand, it was nice to know Sal was so dependable. I knew he would come running the moment he learned I was in trouble. One the other hand, I was in so much trouble.
“Are you safe, Harris?”
I glanced at the officer again. “Sort of.”
“That does not sound promising.”
“It's not.” I swallowed tightly. “The sooner you can get me out of here, the better.”
“A few hours at most, Harris.”
I prayed that he was right.
The officer held his hand out for the phone. “Time's up.”
“I need to go, Mr. Castellano. My time is up. I really appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, Harris. Just stay safe. I do not want to face your Italian if anything happens to you.”
