“No, I mean, I just wanted to show off for my friends. The gun wasn’t even supposed to be real.”
Obvious lies, but he was showing off for someone right now, speaking without his lawyer. For her, or for someone else watching?
“What friends?” Gina asked.
“They took off before the cops got there. They were watching from outside.” He nodded at Jane. “I just wanted them to see how dangerous it can be if you mess around with other people’s lives. Looking into stuff not your business.” He stared into Jane’s eyes. “You should have left me alone. Sometimes you need to back off before something happens. Like you get shot. Or you drown. Or worse.”
Drown—a reference to Simmons.
She didn’t react to the threat, watching in silence until he squirmed. Then she said, “So you’re telling me you’re working for the Mazzucas. Is that what I’m hearing?”
“What? No. A guy like me? I’m nobody. You gotta be something to work for a class outfit like that.” He looked nervous. “I’m just saying a person can’t be too careful in this city.”
“People who talk about the Mazzucas don’t live long, Fellows.” Jane shook her head. “I really wouldn’t share if I were you.”
Gina listened quietly to the interplay.
“Hey. I didn’t say anything.”
“You said everything.” Jane nodded. “Thanks. And good luck surviving a night here without cutting a deal.” Jane leaned toward him and whispered, “They’re everywhere. Watching. Listening.” She subtly tilted her head toward the officer in the corner of the room, who frowned back at her.
Fellows’ eyes widened, and he cursed at her. Then he yelled at the officer about how he’d said nothing. “You heard me. I said nothing.Nothing.I’m not a snitch!”
She stood to leave, and he screamed he wanted a lawyer. He wanted out. He stood, saw the giant officer take a few steps in his direction, then had a meltdown.
She left him to Gina and the detective who rushed back into the room.
In the hallway, she called Sullivan and finally got through.
“What do you want, O Suspended One?”
Jane huffed. “I’m coming back soon.” She gave Sullivan a brief summary of the convenience store robbery. “I think the robbery was an attempt on me, courtesy of the Mazzucas. Be on your guard, and let the team know, okay?”
“Damn. Will do. Thanks. We’ll look into Harding Fellows.”
You will, and who else?
But at least Jane knew the Code Blue Killer had no ties to Fellows and, apparently, no ties to the Mazzucas.
No ties that she could see, anyway. Not yet.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Saturday afternoon,on a weekend break from the team—and especially Gina—Jane sat with Sullivan and Williams in a downtown chowder shop. The pair had a lunch break, and since Jane wanted to know more about how Scott had been acting and what the mood was like in the office, she’d bribed her friends with famous clam chowder.
“I feel so used,” Williams complained as he slugged down a second bowl of the soup.
“No, please, eat up. My wallet can take it,” Jane said, not meaning a word of it.
Sullivan grinned. “Good. Because I have some dish for you on Matthew.”
Finally. Info on Scott.
“Man, I hate that guy,” Williams muttered and continued to eat.
“Tell me.”
“Well, apparently, he caught you stalking him.” Sullivan’s wide smile made Jane groan. “Or so he thought. He felt badly about accusing you at McGrath’s because he saw you with your date.”
