Chapter Twenty-Six
Bhodi?
“Grey, my office!”
The order pulls me back to the present, sliding my paperwork across the desk. My chair squeaks across the floor tiles. I feel my tense muscles stretch as the threat of exhaustion lingers over me. Running my hand over my tired face, I head for the captain’s office. Already sitting at his desk, he gestures for me to sit.
Closing the door behind me, I fall into the opposite chair as the captain continues to study me.
“That was some good work out there today, Grey.”
I nod slowly. “Thank you, sir.”
“But I have one problem.”
I cock my head to one side, gesturing for the captain to finish. “Ok?”
“Harry seems to be under the impression there were two masked men in that church also.”
I can’t help but scoff, running my hand over my face again. I smirk, cocking an eyebrow towards the captain, who merely mirrors my expression.
“I know, I know, son. The guys on some much coke, he’ll be saying lilac unicorns shot him next.”
“With no statements to verify his story, we’ll have to let him detox for now and try to get a statement in a couple of days. Detective Daly will speak with him first about the disappearance of Alex Crane.”
“Understood.”
“Finish your reports and get home.”
Pushing myself from the chair, I stride towards the door. As my fingers lace around the door handle, I turn back to the captain. Opening my mouth to speak, he looks up from his desk.
“What is it?”
“Did you ever get any confirmation on what Daly said the other day?”
The captain shakes his head in response.
“I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean anything. Sometimes One PP doesn’t have leaky walls.” He shrugs.
“Thanks.”
Stepping back into the main office, I glance towards the clock. Midnight is fast approaching, and I have a couple of loose ends to sort out before the morning. Moving towards my desk, a bellowing unknown voice pulls my attention in the opposite direction.
“I want to see the captain now!” A tall man with dark greying hair, wearing an expensive grey suit with a black overcoat slung over his arm approaches me with his briefcase.
Fuck sake, this cunt.
I recognize him immediately; however, I don’t think he recognizes me. We’ve only ever had one direct dealing, but I’ve seen him storm in and out of here enough times. A fucking slimy overpriced lawyer. When I go to speak, the captain’s office door flies open, and they stare daggers at each other for around three seconds. There’s an undeniable burning hatred between the two. The silence consumes the room as neither speak.
The captain turns his attention to me, “Go home.”
“Elijah, my office now!” The captain barks his order to the lawyer.
Taking one final look at the glorified mouthpiece, his jaw ticks as he proceeds into the office without a word. Grabbing my keys off the desk, I waste no time in heading towards the exit. I take one final glance toward the captain’s office. Elijah Elom stands in the office waving his arms around in a dramatic fashion. However, the captain seems to glaze over the tantrum while sitting behind his desk. My report on the event is solid, and both Eric”s and Summer’s statements match mine. For now, I have nothing to worry about, and for once, Harry’s coke addiction has helped.
Sliding into my car, the engine roars to life. Adjusting the mirror, I glance around the quiet car park before pulling out and heading away from the precinct. I let out a low breath and feel my body going into autopilot. The only thing bugging me after tonight is weighing me down. I feel like I’m being pulled underwater with weights tied to my feet. No matter how hard I try to swim towards the surface, I’m drowning.
The way she looked at him.
I smack my fists hard into the steering wheel, hoping to relieve some of the burning tension burrowing through my body.
“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK SAKE!”
Screaming and white-knuckling the steering wheel, I try to let the rage out. The pent-up anger that I thought I had a handle on, but I know I fucking don’t. The way she looked at him pulled my fucking heart from deep within my chest and fucking shattered it.
As soon as Harry was stuck between the two of us, she couldn’t pull her eyes away. I saw the fucking hope, the want, and the fucking need.
She was never mine; I should have always known that.
Once the familiar houses come into view, I turn the corner and pull up in a quiet street. Killing the engine, I take a few deep breaths and watch my hands tremble. Running my hand over my mouth, I stare out the window, trying to work out my next steps.
Stepping out of the car, I glance around the street, but no one’s around. The streetlights are dim, and all the windows” lights are out. Luckily, this residential area doesn’t ever get very busy during this time. Pulling my leather jacket a little higher around my neck, the icy wind glides through the sparse street. Heading for the house, I begin to head up the stairs.
When the door flies open, I’m met with a glare. We stand a few feet away from each other, but I know I’ve crossed a fucking line. The rage coming off Jimmy is undeniable, and he’s not someone who bites easily.
“Don’t you ever fucking ask me to do that again!”
Jimmy moves from the doorway, and I follow, raising my hands in defense. Stepping into the brownstone, I follow him toward the living room where both Pamela and Axe sit. Their expressions match Jimmy’s.
Axe stands. As he barrels over, Jimmy throws his arm out to stop him. I don’t move. I stand my ground even though I know I’ve used them to my own advantage.
“What the fuck were you playing at out there? You could have got us cornered by the police,” He spits out.
“That was never going to happen. Harry wouldn’t have gone with you.”
“Really?” Axe cocks his head to one side, speaking sarcastically.
“Yeah, really.”
Jimmy’s eyes narrow on mine. He looks between Axe and me, shaking his head.
“I don’t fucking believe you!” He throws his hands in the air; he begins pacing the room. “You had me wear your fucking mask because you wanted to throw her off.”
My jaw moves slightly from side to side when all eyes fly to mine.
“Jesus Christ, Bhodi, I saw how she reacted when she saw it! You can’t hide that, she fucking cares about Two/Face, and you’re continuing to mess with her fucking head!” Jimmy shouts, he never shouts, but right now, he’s fucking livid with me.
Pamela shakes her head, and Axe runs his hand over his face before falling back into his chair.
“I had my reasons.” I speak calmly.
“You had your reasons? Care to tell us your fucking reasons?” Axe speaks through gritted teeth.
Reaching for the bottle of Jameson’s on the side table, I pour a glass. Taking a seat, I pass the bottle to Axe. As everyone takes a seat, I swirl the amber liquid in the tumbler before downing the measure in one.
“Detective Daly came by the precinct the other day and asked questions about Harry. I told him what I knew, what Detective Grey knew.” I begin. “He told me he was investigating Alex Crane’s disappearance, apparently, some colleagues were worried after he didn’t turn up for his shift. The police went to his apartment, and the place was smeared in pigs’ blood, and it was turned upside down.”
Axe immediately shoots me a concerned look, to which I nod in response.
“I know. We picked him up off the streets and never set foot anywhere near his apartment. The police searched his call logs and found he’d been communicating with Harry and wanted to speak with him, but by this point, Harry conveniently couldn’t be found.”
A heavy silence falls over the room. Jimmy, Axe, and Pamela all look towards me to carry on.
“Father Dudley called when he saw Summer at the church. He described Eric, and I knew it was a trap. Harry still wants Summer for some reason, so that’s why I called. You never had anything to worry about. I’d called in backup when I saw him panicking. He knows he’s safer in custody.”
“Why show Two/Face to Summer?” Jimmy asks.
Leaning back in the chair, I let out a low breath.
“I wanted to know if we can trust her. She still doesn’t know about her dad’s separate life, and she doesn’t know about us. I wanted to see if she would say anything.”
“And did she pass the test?” Pamela interjects, her face still unreadable.
“She did. She never said a word and has never even said anything to me.” I confirm.
“Where do we go from here?” I turn to Axe when he asks the obvious question.
“Luca Bernardi’s lawyer stormed into the precinct as I left. He’ll likely represent Harry. We know he’ll probably make bail. My report and the statements are sound, but that doesn’t matter. Detective Daly mentioned a task force at One PP. The PC put it together to weed out the potential dirty cops working for Luca. So far, I can’t find any proof on it.”
“Who the fuck would help him?” Pamela spits out, her body almost trembling as Axe reaches for her hand.
“I don’t know, Pam. Our only guess could be money, but I can’t find any proof, and neither can the captain.” I shrug. She shakes her head, but Axe pulls her close.
“For the last eight years, we’ve killed anyone working with Luca, are you sure the PC isn’t just hunting us?” Axe speaks, almost amused by the whole thing.
“No, I think there’s a lot more people than what we’ve removed.” I shrug.
“Has Harry been interviewed yet?” Jimmy leans in.
“No, he’s detoxing. He tried to tell the police two masked men were also at the church, but because of the drugs, no one believes him.”
“And Eric?”
“He didn’t see enough.”
“Something seemed off about him. He genuinely looked scared. Did we find out what Harry threatened him with?”
Looking at Jimmy, the realization hits me hard. Standing up, I begin pacing.
“Shit! The rapes!”
The group look at each other, confused by my outburst. Running from the house, I race towards my car. Unlocking it, I open the trunk and rummage through a box file. Once I’ve found what I need, I slam the trunk shut and lock it before rushing back up the stairs to the house.
Slapping the reports down on the table in front of everyone, Pam and Jimmy take one each before scanning their eyes over the statements. With his glasses balanced on the end of his nose, Jimmy peers over the rims.
“I hope these are copies.”
“I’m not a fucking boy scout Jimmy.”
Axe leans over Pam’s shoulder as they both scan the report.
“He’s been accused of rape?” Her brows shoot up.
“Twice.” Jimmy says, his eyes still roaming the words on the page, while he gently bites his thumb.
“See an issue with it though?” I ask, gesturing further up the page.
As Jimmy leans towards Pam and reads her report, his eyes dart back and forth between the two documents. His eyes flash to mine, a puzzled look on his face.
“Same M.O, same detective, same person accused, six months apart, both victims are illegal, and both disappeared without a trace.”
“Also, no proof and no DNA.” I point out.
“Was Eric even here in the city at the time?”
“No record of him being here in New York. He went to the local precinct in L.A. to make a statement, but nothing happened after that.” I shrug.
“You think he’s being set up?”
“I do, and I think Detective Daly is working with Luca, or maybe being forced to.”
“Because this all just seems far too convenient?”
“Exactly. Before he left the captain”s office, he mentioned surveillance, too.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Pamelas looks between us all. “But why? If there’s no evidence Eric was even around to commit those crimes, why would he be worried about being framed?”
“What if someone set up those women, to be killed?” Axe asks.
“So, the story about rape was made up? But there were eventually murdered and disposed of?” Running a hand over my face, the connection doesn’t make sense to me.
“What if it’s all connected? Eric is accused or a crime, and all of a sudden, the victims conveniently disappear. Harry and Luca are seen together as soon as Harry lands in New York and then Eric contacts Summer, luring her out in the open for Harry, we all saw how distraught he was over what he was being forced to do, What if it’s all blackmail? With one person pulling the strings?” Jimmy speaks but he sounds uncertain, although something isn’t adding up.
Replaying his words over, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not impossible but it’s too messy.
“We need to go back to the very beginning.” I say, placing my glass down on the table. “Someone murdered Michael, shot him in his office.”
There’s an uncomfortable silence filling the room, I look to Axe, Jimmy and Pam. They deflate, nodding at my comment.
“Why?” I ask. “What had him killed?”
“He was getting nervous; he had all his files removed from the apartment and we put them in storage like he requested. He had the cameras installed, changed to a pin code lock on the door instead of a key.”
“And he wouldn’t tell us why or what he was working on.” I clarify.
“That didn’t make sense, he’d never keep something from us.” Axe points out. “Not in all the time we’ve worked together.”
“Yeah but he was careful too, if he was suspicious of something he’d investigate it first before sharing with us.” Jimmy sips his drink, looking between us all.
“What did he ask you to remove from the apartment?” I ask.
Jimmy takes a moment, with the glass clasped between his hands. looking ahead before his eyes dart between us all.
“It was just personal documents, insurance documents for the clubs, ad hoc business statements and there was a camera.”
“We need to go though it; he may have hidden something amongst it all.”
“Fine, I’ll dig it out tomorrow.” Jimmy turns to me, his eyes narrow on mine. An overwhelming seriousness crosses his face. “You need to tell Summer the truth, Bhodi, all of it. We can handle the Daly stuff for now, but she deserves the truth. Even if it breaks her fucking heart, I trust her to keep the secret.”
All the hairs rise on my body, that vulnerable shudder I fucking hate so much, crawling all over me. The three pairs of eyes all look me, and Pam and Axe nod in subtle agreement.