“Kevin came by yesterday. After all these years, he still didn’t know what had happened to my father.”
He pauses, and all I can think is,oh shit.He’s about to say something I might already know.
“He came here looking to talk to my dad, and I had to tellhim he died two years ago. Kevin looked completely blindsided. We talked for hours. I asked why he hadn’t been around for over two decades, and he said my father had him on a long job.”
He scoffs. “What the hell does that even mean, right?”
“So, I think we need to figure out what that job was. And what he’s hiding. Because he’s clearly hiding something.”
I can see the pain on his face, like he knows, or at least suspects, far more than he’s saying.
He continues, “Do you remember when we were kids, and my dad disappeared for three years after my mom died?”
I nod.
“I think something happened during that time. For those three years, he acted like I didn’t exist. Like no one existed, really, since my grandfather was still alive and running everything. Then one day, he shows back up, even more cutthroat and pissed than he was after my mom died.”
I shift in my seat, letting him continue.
“Kevin said he isn’t allowed to tell me what happened. My father made him promise not to. But my dad is dead, so what the fuck happened during those three years that no one knows, or is willing to talk about?”
I can see the hurt in his eyes, from all the secrets.
“Kevin then tells me he needs to speak to someone before he can say anything else. Who does he need to talk to? That’s what we need to figure out. I can’t break his trust, as frustrating as it is. So, we need to do some research before we barge in and demand answers. I don’t want to lose out on a possible strong relationship.”
If he doesn’t want to break Kevin’s trust, do I bring up the nurse I met last night?
“It’s odd that it took him two years to come by, right?” I ask.
“I know, I asked him that. He said my father told him two years ago to move to New York and that he’d contact him whenhe was ready to see him. But after no response for two years, Kevin got antsy. I think he felt exiled. So he finally came here.”
We spend the next few hours combing through everything we can find. There’s really nothing to go on except Antonio’s will and some large payments to Kevin. None of them link to anything suspicious, though. It all looks like money meant to cover bills and living expenses.
We decide to take a break and head downstairs.
Juliet is in the kitchen making sandwiches for us. She plates them and sets them down before moving back to cleaning. We eat mostly in silence. I watch as Juliet and Gino steal glances at each other from across the room while she wipes down the counters, neither of them quite as subtle as they think they are.
Gino mentions to Juliet that the Clippers are in town this weekend and suggests she go see the game. She’s from Los Angeles and has been a die-hard LA sports fan since she was a kid. I try to give him a look that saysyou should take her, but he doesn’t glance my way. He’s too busy watching her.
Then the doorbell rings, surprising all of us.
That never happens. The door is usually unlocked during the day so people can come and go freely. Which means whoever’s at the door doesn’t know Gino well enough to walk right in.
Juliet stands up, but Gino looks at her sharply.
“Juliet, wait.”
“What?” she asks, turning back toward us.
“We don’t know who that is,” Gino says. “Most of the guys are out training or on runs. Let us handle it.”
She huffs, throwing her arms up.“Why are you two so dramatic?”
“Juliet, not now,” Gino says through gritted teeth.
Gino and I draw our guns and move toward the door. Whoever’s on the other side is clearly anxious. The doorbellrings again. Then again. A fist pounds against the door, relentless.
We advance with our weapons raised, Juliet trailing behind us despite Gino’s warning look. He glances at me and gives a small shake of his head as he reaches for the handle.
