Katherine pointed to the courtroom. “That’s wonderful. Thank you, but Gabby doesn’t have any money.” She dropped her head. “I don’t have any money.”
Colette approached and placed her hand on her shoulder. “No worries, dear. This is what we do. Your friend,” she looked down at the file, “Gabriela Rodriguez has a good case. According to Henrietta, she’s a material witness in a federal case with several defendants. We believe we can not only stave deportation, but we also have a good chance of getting her released tonight.”
“Oh, my God, really?” Katherine gasped. She couldn’t hide her excitement as she smiled and grabbed Colette’s hand. “Thank you so much.” She also thanked Henrietta and Jared.
“You’re welcome,” Jared responded. “Now, let’s go to work.”
* * *
JOSEPH
“Imade it.”
“Good. Don’t forget, you’re in the fourth office on the left. I don’t have a name plate, but there’s a big picture of a whale on the wall behind the desk.”
“I got it, bro. I’ve been to your office before. Besides, I've mastered the art of being you my entire life. You just be careful.”
“Will do.” Before hanging up, Joseph exhaled. “Thanks, Jon.”
“No need, brother. Do what you gotta do.”
Joseph hung up the phone and left his apartment. A twenty-minute drive got him to the upscale Barrington neighborhood. When he arrived at his destination, he parked, snacked on a bag of potato chips, and waited. It was nearly noon by the time anyone besides the household staff came and went.
When a fancy Jaguar pulled out of the driveway and took off down the street, Joseph took off behind it. He followed his target to the tailor, the jewelry store, and even to his coke dealer before he found the perfect place to confront him—a bar where a well-known westside bookie did business. Folks in that area saw a lot but reported very little. No one was willing to bring attention to Money Jack’s gambling establishment.
Joseph pulled into the parking lot and parked next to the Jaguar. He slipped on a pair of leather gloves and jumped out at the same time as Larry Crane. When he ran around the car, Larry took one look at him and tried to take off running. Only, he was between two cars with a brick building behind him. Larry would have had to run through him to get away. Joseph could see the contemplation in his eyes, so he punched him before Larry could make an attempt.
Larry bounced off the brick wall and fell to the concrete.
Joseph climbed over him and drilled him with punches. “You sent a man to my house to kill my woman?” he raged through gritted teeth.
Larry tried to fight back, but the preppy, overprivileged man’s hands had never seen a day of work. And, at that time, they weren’t working in his defense. He was no match. Joseph beat the hell out of him while safely hidden between the two cars. When his arms got tired, he kicked him.
“Stay the fuck away from Katherine!” he said with a kick to Larry’s ribs. “This is your only warning!”
Joseph had every intention of walking away, but Larry spit blood from his mouth and laughed. “That bitch will never testify! I won’t stand by a watch my dad ruined because she couldn’t mind her goddamned business!”
Larry’s father, Larry Crane Sr., had been implicated in the fed’s pedophilia case.
Larry curled into a ball when Joseph kicked him again.
“Your piece of shit father is a child predator! He deserves to die in jail!”
“Fuck you!” Larry spat. “My father can buy and sell you and that bitch! She’ll never make it to a courtroom!”
Joseph dropped to his knees and snaked an arm around Larry’s neck. He lifted him in a chokehold and leaned against the building for support. Essentially, Larry was telling him that he wasn’t going to stop coming after Katherine until she was dead. Joseph might have believed it to be an idle threat had Larry not already sent an attacker to their home.
He tightened his grip on Larry’s neck and wrapped his legs around him to subdue his struggle. Joseph closed his eyes and maintained the hold. He knew what he was about to do. He’d done it before. And, just like then, he felt he had no other choice.
After a minute or so, Larry was no longer struggling. He had gone completely still. He wasn’t asleep. He wasn’t breathing. Joseph had killed him. He had killed yet another man to protect a woman he loved. Maybe he was a bad man, but just like his father’s death, he would have to live with Larry Crane’s.
* * *
KATHERINE
Katherine smiled when she heard the lock turn. She’d been a bit paranoid since the attempt on her life, but it was safe to assume the next assailant didn’t have a key. Joseph walked in and placed his briefcase on the table near the door.
Katherine walked over and slid her arms around his neck. She stood on her toes and gave him a kiss.
