Page 56 of Demise

I look down at the phone. Trig got the confession recorded. We sat here and listened to the whole thing. It’s concrete. It turns out, the one we suspected ended up being the one to get this done for us.

We know now Trig wasn’t the one to snatch Bexley and Bones, and he had nothing to do with Samuel’s death. Bones told me about the note left in the flower shop—saying an eye for an eye. Bones told me Nugget swore Bones had taken everything from him, and there it is on tape. Bones became Moretti’s right-hand man when that’s all Nugget ever wanted.

It makes sense now. It’s all clear.

“I need some time with Bexley tonight.” He stands up. “Find out some things. We need to know where Moretti is sleeping, eating, and fucking. We need to know it all. It’s time to get this ball rolling.” He downs his drink. “And after all this shit is said and done, I’m taking Bexley and I’m getting the fuck out of here. I’m retiring, Johnny.”

I look up at him.

“We’re done. You know that, right? We got caught.” He exhales. “It’s over.” I watch as he leaves the room. I cast my eyes down at the ring his glass left. Reaching over, I wipe it off. Staring down at the wetness on my hand, I nod once.We’re finished.

Chapter Forty-Three

Bones

I walk out of the closet and head through the kitchen.

“Goddamn,” I hear. I stop in my tracks. “Who the fuck did this?” Moretti says.

I lift my chin and round the corner. Several men look my way. I walk diligently, but Moretti sees me.

“Bones,” he says, shocked. “Where have you been? When did you arrive?”

“A few hours ago,” I say. “What’s the problem?”

The men size me up. I let my eyes move confidently between them all.

“Nugget took the big sleep,” he says.

I tighten my eyes, acting like this is news to me. “That’s a shame,” I reply. “Who’s responsible?”

“I don’t know,” he says, looking at me a little too hard, a little too long.Careful, big boy. It’s never wise to stare the devil in the eyes.

I look back, just as hard, just as long. Moretti’s the first to look away.

“Never mind,” he says. “He was a hop-head anyway. He was glomming from the warehouse. Taking the dope.” Moretti turns to his friends. “This is Bones, my right-hand man. This is Ruel and his brothers, Ronan and Hugo.”

“Good to meet you,” Ruel says. “We’ve heard a lot about the man who wears black.”

“I’ve heard nothing about you,” I say, looking at Moretti.

“Well, you’ve been gone, my boy. But now you’re back and we need to catch up on some things.”

He’s acting as if all of this is fine. But I’ve known this man for a long time. I can tell he’s thrown off.

“Tonight, after supper?” I suggest. “For now, I need to check on the business.” I smile.

Moretti returns the smile. “Yes. Good. I was hoping you’d do that. Tonight then.”

I say my goodbyes to Moretti’s new friends and head back to Bexley. I’ve got Sweep watching Moretti throughout the day, so hopefully we can find out where he spends his time.

I’m anxious for all of this to be over.

Chapter Forty-Four

Bexley

I jump awake, looking around the loft in confusion. Tossing the throw off of me, I walk over to the wall of windows and look out onto the street. Cars pass and a bus whines to a stop. I hear sirens rushing through downtown. The gunshot was so loud, my ears are still ringing.

---