Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“So, are you working for the FBI or Homeland Security now?”
“I’m not sure I’m going to be either at this point,” I say. “I’ll let you know when this case closes.”
“What does Kane say?”
I contemplate telling him about Kane’s father, but Andrew isn’t Kane’s biggest fan. “He wants me to keep my badge. He thinks it’s a part of me.”
“He thinks it protects him,” he comments dryly, validating my reason for not telling him about Kane’s father. I sure as hell won’t tell him Homeland basically offered to shelter Kane and the cartel. My brother is just plain irrational at times. I think he needs to find a woman willing to stab someone. She’d tear down his Captain America shield, and he’d be safer for it.
The doorbell rings, and Andrew plays doorman.
Shortly after, Jay, Tic Tac, Andrew, and Jack join me in the kitchen. “How are you with them, Jack?” I say, waving another super juicy strawberry on my fork between them.
“Was he not supposed to be here?” Tic Tac asks. “He’s been helping me.”
The two of them represent all the geeks of the world to perfection. Each a little on the thin side and wearing khakis that aren’t quite long enough. Both fitted in not-so-stylish dark-rimmed, quite practical glasses.
“Jack is not part of our team.” I chow down on my berry.
“But I need to be,” Jack argues, shoving up his frames that were halfway down his nose. He can’t need those things if he can wear them that far from his eyes. He’s trying to look smart, which he actually is. He’s Ivy League-educated. “I’m helpful,” he adds.
“Which is counteracted by the way you crawl into holes where you were not invited. What’s Lucas doing?” I ask.
“At least you said I’m helpful,” Jack replies. “And I crawl into holes with answers we need.”
I try again. “What’s Lucas doing?”
“Drinking too much,” Tic Tac explains.
“That’s true,” Andrew comments. “I left him in the Hamptons. He needs to sleep off whatever is going on with him.”
“Vodka is going on with him,” Tic Tac clarifies.
“I had no idea Lucas was drinking too much. He drinks, but it’s never interfered with his work.” I eye Tic Tac. “Has it?”
“We tend to work separately so I really can’t say.”
There’s a but. I sense it. “But?”
“Since you had me start digging into his father,” Tic Tac replies, “I mentioned it to him and he had me email him the file. That was a week ago. He just seemed to go off the deep end after that. He doesn’t reply quickly. He doesn’t return calls or messages.”
Which explains his slow response times and general checked-out state during this investigation, I think. Something about Lucas and his extreme reaction to us looking into his father feels off.
Jack points at the pie. “Can I have some? And is Kane here? Do I get to meet him? I feel making friends with him extends my lifespan.”
Jay waves a hand towards the pie. “Me too?”
“No to both of you. This pie is my sanity, which means it could be the difference between life and death for at least one of you.” I shove a bag of chocolate in their direction and then hand the artist’s drawing to Tic Tac. “This is the assassin, Ghost. Figure out who he really is.”
Jack eyes the image. “It’s Ghost, but nobody knows who he really is aside from his nickname.”
“You’re too brilliant for your own good, Jack,” I say sarcastically and shoo them all to the living room, but I halt Tic Tac before he can join them.
“Check out Lucas,” I say softly.
“He won’t call me back.”
“I mean check him out. Just make sure he doesn’t have some connection to something or someone he shouldn’t have.”
“Lucas?” he asks. “Are you serious?”
“I’m apparently paranoid right now, but my approach to things is fuck it, let’s go with it. So, let’s follow that philosophy now. Do it quickly, too. I don’t think I’ve had a chance to tell you, but Murphy claimed my uncle was about to turn on my father. Shortly after, my mother and uncle were dead. I don’t believe Lucas had anything to do with that, but he doesn’t hide his reactions well. He’s a little too off the deep end over you digging into his father in my book.”
“I’d say it’s just that we stirred up his loss, but…”
“Yes, but. Let’s get it done.”
He offers a grim shake of his head and when he would leave, I hold up a finger. “One last thing. Are you and Jack a thing?”
He laughs. “No. In case you forgot, I’m gay. Jack is straight and has a crush on you, if I’m not mistaken. But he’s also afraid of Kane. Of course, so am I. Where is he now?”
That’s a good question, I think. Where is he and what murder is he plotting? “Picking up ammunition to kill everyone who’s invaded his space.”