Page 9 of Conquer

“I found that, Ed, but I need you to give me the good stuff,” I said.

He sighed. “You owe me a steak, Sammy.”

“The biggest I can find,” I said.

“Are you in some kind of trouble, Sam?”

The question was a dead giveaway that something was up, and I was even more certain there was something up.

“No, but he came to visit me today,” I said.

Ed’s momentary silence was troubling, and then he said, “I’m serious, Sam. If there’s trouble, tell me. We’ll figure it out together.”

“I’m not in any trouble, Ed, but if I was, you’re the first person I’d call. So, that means you found something?” I asked, knowing that Ed wouldn’t give me such a warning if he hadn’t.

“Records are bland on the surface, but our friend has quite the history. Looks like he’s been undercover for at least five years. Serious stuff. Like Santo Carmelli serious,” Ed said.

I tightened my grip on the phone, knowing this was significant and even more curious as to why Adrian had sought me out. He didn’t know about my investigation, but there had to be a reason he’d found me.

“Thanks, Ed,” I finally said.

“Sam…”

“I promise, if I’m in trouble, you’re the first person I’ll call,” I said.

“I mean it, Sam. I don’t know what you’re doing, but I know you’re up to something. Look out for yourself,” he said.

“Thanks, Ed. I’ll drop by soon with that steak,” I said.

Ed mumbled his good-bye, and I hung up the phone, practically buzzing with excitement.

This conversation explained so much, like why Adrian didn’t look like any cop I’d ever met.

It also left me with questions, first among them what he wanted from me, and second, made me wonder what he information he might have.

I was more excited than I’d been in as long as I could remember.

I left the library whistling.

Adrian

“You toldher exactly what I told you to?”

I hated having these conversations on the phone, but I didn’t have an option.

The man on the other end of the line breathed deep. “Yes. As far as Sam knows, you’re an undercover cop,” he said.

“Good,” I said.

“Look, if—”

I cut the man off. “I’ll be in contact if I need anything else,” I said, and then I hung up the phone. I was in no mood to hear his empty speech about not hurting her.

He was supposed to be her friend, and he was betraying her.

Something that reminded me of my own betrayal.

Maxim wasn’t exactly my friend, but there was loyalty between us, and right now, I was acting against my word, against the promises I had made to him. I had no room to judge Ed, but that he was selling out Sam irritated me.

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