Brian came around from the back of the couch, nudged the duffel bag out of the way, and sat next to his brother.“How much money is there, and where’s the gun?”
A low whistle came from Dan when she said the amount.“One hundred thousand dollars, minus what I’ve used to eat and stuff.The gun is in my room.”
KC narrowed his eyes and glared at her.“That’s why the fucking serial number was removed, wasn’t it?”Biting her lip, she nodded, and he turned to his brother.“I was teaching her how to shoot the damn thing so she could defend herself.”
Rolling his eyes, Brian stood again and began pacing from one end of the patio to the other.“Oh, great, just fucking great.This just keeps getting better by the fucking minute.”
“Is there any way you can find out what’s going on up in Chicago ...you know, without raising any red flags?
KC’s brother stopped pacing and put his hands on his hips.“Unfortunately, my inquiry will probably result in me getting a phone call from the Chicago PD sometime today, but I’ll say her purse was turned in as found property or something.I’ll call Sean and ask if he has any contacts up in Chicago.Maybe he can have someone do a little snooping around.”
The youngest of the three, Sean Malone, was an FBI agent in Jacksonville, Florida.Turning to Moriah, he pointed a finger at her.“In the meantime, I’m securing the money and gun.I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but you are to stay here where KC can keep an eye on you while I check out this story.I almost believe you, but I’m also a little wary until I have proof you’re telling us the entire truth.And God help you if you’re lying because I’m putting all our asses on the line here.”
Sobbing, she put her hands over her heart.“I swear, I’m not.I ...I loved my family and would never have hurt them.”
KC stood.While he was pissed off at her, he knew in his gut she was telling the truth about what had happened to her family.What he didn’t know was if everything that happened between the two of them had all been a farce.“I believe her, and she’ll stay with me until we hear from you.”He gestured for her to stand.“Let’s go get the gun and give it to Brian.”
She nodded solemnly and preceded him up the stairs without saying a word.Before the door shut behind them, he heard Brian ask their uncle, “Do you believe her?”
The older man responded in no uncertain terms, “Absolutely.”
“You and your damn, fucking strays.”
Chapter17
At noon, Chicago Police Detective Frank Parisi sat at his desk and turned on his ancient department computer.The CPD was in the process of updating their systems, but until they made their way through every precinct, he had to put up with an eight-year-old unit.With fifteen years on the force, nine of them as a detective in the Homicide Unit, Parisi was used to the department’s “hurry up and wait” standard for getting new equipment.
Five more years, and he could retire from this hellhole.Between his CPD pension and the money he had made on a few side ventures, which the department didn’t know about, he and his wife, Diane, could live very well in Florida.He could spend his days fishing, and Diane could do whatever the hell she did when he wasn’t home.He didn’t care what she did as long as he had the freedom to do what he wanted.
A red dot flashed on the computer screen, and Parisi sat up straighter.Glancing around, he made sure no one was in the vicinity and clicked on the alert.
Hallelujah!
After months of being underground, that bitch, Moriah Jensen, had finally appeared on the radar again.They would’ve had her a few months ago if that hick cop in Ohio had processed the accident paperwork faster.
Scanning the alert, he read that a North Carolina State Investigator, Brian Malone, had run her license.But if that was the case, why the fuck hadn’t he called CPD and told them he had her in custody?The whore probably batted her eyes, and the schmuck released her with a warning before he got the BOLO—be on the lookout—request back on the computer.Fucking idiot.
Parisi snatched up his desk phone’s receiver and dialed the number that was listed on the computer screen for Investigator Malone.When it went to voicemail, he left a message for the asshole to return his call.
Grabbing his jacket, he headed toward the door, advising the unit receptionist he was going to check on a lead and would return later.His partner had taken the week off because his wife had just given birth, so Parisi was flying solo for a few days.It was just as well since his partner was a Goody Two-Shoe who would run straight to Internal Affairs if he knew who Parisi was doing business with.There was no love lost between him and his partner.As long as the guy kept his nose out of Frank’s business, the detective could tolerate him.
He drove his department-issued Crown Victoria eight or nine blocks and turned left into the bus depot.Hurrying inside, he made a beeline to a row of lockers and pulled out his key for unit #702.After opening the door, he pulled out one of the throwaway cell phones he’d been given, which couldn’t be traced.He couldn’t risk making this call from his department phone or personal cell.After powering it up, he dialed the number from memory as he shut the locker door and headed back outside.
Four rings later, the call was answered by the gruff voice belonging to Adrian Hernandez.“What?”
Parisi glanced around to ensure no one was within hearing distance as he strode across the parking lot to his vehicle.“Guess who’s been spotted in North Carolina.”
“How, when, and where?”
“Some hick cop down there ran her license in Elizabeth City.I tried calling to see if he had her detained, but I just got his voicemail.”
“Let me know what he says.”
Parisi wasn’t surprised when Hernandez hung up on him without warning, as he was now used to his rude manner.The man was the biggest drug supplier in Chicago and would pay Parisi nicely for discovering the woman’s whereabouts.He’d gotten himself assigned to the Jensen murders to help clean up the mess Leo Simmons had caused.That two-bit loser gave his ditzy girlfriend a duffel bag stuffed with money and a gun, which could be tied to two other murders in the city, to hold for him.What a fucking ass!Now the money and gun were missing, along with his girlfriend’s sister.
Climbing back into his car, he hoped Hernandez killed Leo when this was over for all the trouble the jackass had caused.He’d be happy to do it for the drug lord.For now, though, he would head back to the station to wait for the investigator’s call.
Sean Malone hung up the phone after talking to his brother, Brian.So much for a few days off.
