Chapter 10
Three days after I left that man in the rectory, I have yet to see or hear from him. When I showed up the next day, he was already gone, but his words continue to stay with me.
I wonder what all he knows, or at least presumes about me. And I wonder why he cares.
It’s five after ten at night when my phone rings. Johnny’s name on the screen has my heart picking up speed.
“What’s going on?” I answer.
“Hey, kid,” he says, defeat in his voice.
“What is it?”
“Your dad isn’t... We’ve been looking for him, but—”
“What do you mean? You said he was safe. You said nobody knew where he was! What did you find? Blood?”
“Calm down, calm down. I don’t wanna talk on the phone.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
I end the call and quickly shove my feet into my shoes. I was already in a pair of gray sweats and a white Tee when he called, so I don’t bother changing. My foot presses down hard on the gas the whole way, getting me there twelve minutes faster than usual.
I rush in this time, bypassing the man checking IDs. I’m halfway down the hall that leads to my dad’s office when I hear footsteps approaching from behind. I ignore the man’s demands to stop, violently shaking the door knob when it doesn’t open for me.
Johnny opens the door, a scowl on his face. “Good god, kid. Get in here. It’s fine, Lou,” he says to the man behind me.
“What do you know?” I ask, not bothering to sit down.
“We had someone go out there to check on him, but he wasn’t there. Doesn’t look like there was a disturbance. Definitely nothing that would raise any flags, but he’s gone.”
“Who’s the person who knew he was there? Have you questioned him?”
“Of course,” he says. “He doesn’t know anything. He wasn’t staying with him. Your dad didn’t want that. He was just checking in from time to time.”
“How do we know he wasn’t followed?”
Johnny sighs. “Look, we’re working on it. We’re gonna find him.”
“Do you know anything else about this triggerman? This guy who’s apparently been hired to kill my dad?”
“We know who he is.”
“And?”
“It wasn’t him. He’s been captured on CCTV the last few days. He’s been around town, and where your dad went, it wouldn’t have been possible for him to have gone out there and been back in town at the times he was seen. He’s been in bars, restaurants, and coffee houses.”
“I’m sure they have more than one person who can get the job done.”
“I’m just letting you know where we are because I told you I would.
Now, we’re still workin’ on some things.
I’m not worried yet. When I am, you’ll know.
Your dad is a smart man. If he thought he needed to leave, he would’ve.
I’m sure he’ll get a message to us soon, but if you hear from him first, let me know. ”
I exhale, rubbing my forehead with my fingers.
“Who’s the other family?” I ask.
“You don’t need to know.”
“Tell me, Johnny,” I spit, my voice rising.
“No. You don’t need that information. You’re already comin’ in here talking reckless. I don’t need you to go gettin’ in trouble.”
“Goddammit, Johnny! That’s my fucking name on the wall, too!” I yell, pointing at the sign behind my father’s desk that reads Gallo.
His brows go up, taken aback by my outburst.
With resignation, he shakes his head and lets loose a sigh. “The Bonetti Family.”
I give him a single nod before I leave. My anger has me seeing in tunnel vision. I don’t notice anyone around me, bumping into a couple people on my way out of the building. I start up the car, and the whole way home I think about what I could do with the information I have.
Johnny’s right. I’m not connected. Knowing it’s the Bonetti Family technically doesn't mean anything. I’ve heard of them, but what am I going to do? I’m a priest. Not a capo. Not even a soldier.
I need someone’s help.
The mysterious man pops into my head. He’s a killer. He’s not afraid of a fight, based on the knife wound he came to me with. Could I use him?
As I’m pulling into my driveway, I’m suddenly hit with another thought. One that has my chest tightening.
What if he’s the one who’s after my father?