"Behind the neighboring house."
Ennio makes a sound of disapproval.
"You’re serious? That street is definitely covered in cameras. If anything happens, a car parked on that property for two weeks would absolutely catch the police’s attention. You didn’t think that through, did you?"
I clench my teeth. "Ennio, I don’t want trouble anyway. I want to stay a free man, and I want to handle this as legally as possible."
"Be serious. That’s not always possible in situations like this."
I fall silent for a moment, since he’s right. "Damn it. So what do you suggest?"
"Ideally, we should wait at least a week. Although I’m almost certain that when the police follow leads like this, they review camera footage going back at least two months."
"I can’t wait that long. I have one week left to wrap this up. Let’s hope that whatever we find there will allow me to close this case for good."
Ennio presses his lips together and stares straight ahead at the road.
"I really need to stop helping people before it gets me into trouble someday," he growls.
"You’ve helped somebody in a situation like mine before?"
"More than one. Never mind. We’ll see what things look like on-site."
Ennio really is a puzzle.
Cold and abrasive on the surface, but underneath there has always been something about him that made me trust him instinctively.
"One thing I did take care of," I add quietly. "I mapped out paths along fences and backyards that let us stay out of camera sight." I offer this, hoping at least that will earn his approval.
He does not comment. Apparently, for him, that is simply the bare minimum.
We park two streets away, near a shop.
The rest of the way, he insists we go separately. He puts on a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, while I pull on my wig and a pair of sunglasses.
Before we split up, I show him the exact point he needs to reach on the map.
Ten minutes later, Ennio makes it to the neighboring building next to Tanner’s house without a mistake.
I show him the tactical situation through the window and explain that the only way in is via the downspout. Any other route would put us directly in view of the cameras.
While listening, Ennio pulls out his ever-present e-cig and takes a hit, and the distinctive vapor of a mild calming agent spreads through the air. As long as I can remember, Ennio has always vaped this stuff, which is weird to me, because he always seems rock-solid calm, almost unnaturally so. Even his heart rate is steady, and yet… he still uses it. Makes you wonder why. None of my brothers has ever asked him about it.
"Let me bum a hit. I need to take the edge off."
Ennio slowly turns toward me. His eyes are black, so dark you can’t tell where the iris ends and the pupil begins. He has the same eyes as Rocco, which is a little unsettling. Looking into them is stressful, so I avert my gaze. I have no idea what he’s thinking.
He doesn’t say a word, just slowly hands me the vape. I take a drag, and it hits me that this stuff is not weak at all.
A moment later, my body loosens up, but my head stays clear, which is a rare combo. Good shit.
Suddenly, some movement catches my attention.
"Fuck," I mutter, handing the e-cig back to Ennio.
"The door’s opening…" I whisper.
Tanner walks out of the house, carrying several bags.
