Page 29 of Whatever It Takes

“Let’s be honest here.You’re obviously on Grant Anderson’s radar,” Marco said, as Charlotte sat silently in the recliner with her knees folded underneath her.

She was sipping a hot cup of tea waiting for Emery to finish up with her bath. She’d been quiet, listening to Marco and I go back and forth. I knew she wanted to ask me about Bree and why I sent her home.

What could I say other than breaking things off with her felt like I had no choice? Not with my heart making the decision for me.

Things were changing with me and Charlotte, and with Grant now out of the picture, I didn’t want anything standing in my way. In my mind, I was reclaiming what should have been mine all along.

“Hey, Quinn, are you listening to me?” Marco asked, rapidly snapping his fingers to draw my attention back to him. I gritted my teeth, not liking the fact that I was distracted. I’d been spaced out for almost a minute, lost in thoughts when I should have been focusing.

“I just want some fucking answers,” I replied. “It seems like we’re glossing over something. This doesn’t make sense. Somebody with resources is protecting him, but who?”

“I agree. That’s why we don’t want to rule out any possibilities, no matter how unlikely they may be,” Marco explained while finishing off his pizza. The two slices of pepperoni that Emery had left out for me sat untouched. My appetite was shit. “You need to be extra careful because word on the street is that those drugs belonged to Dom Scarantino. You know, King Dom who owns the drug trade in Nicetown and Hunting Park.” Marco eyed me carefully. “According to my friends in Narcotics, he’s one step away from the big boss. Which means whoever is helping Anderson is in a much more powerful position with a lot more connections.”

Didn’t I know it. We have exhausted every fucking lead. Used every goddamned government database at our disposal. Ran background checks on everyone associated with Anderson and his family. I’ve been online looking at every social media site out there and called in favors to every law enforcement agency available to me. Only to come up with nada.

I was desperate for answers, but without knowing who was helping him, I was simply wasting my time on a case that technically wasn’t even mine.

Marco stood up and started pacing the living room. He was just as pissed off as I was that we weren’t getting any closer to finding that son of a bitch. “As your friend, I’m telling you to keep your eyes open and to be safe. As a fellow cop, I want to remind you that this isn’t your case. You are not on official police duty, but I do expect you to stay armed at all times. We’ve got everyone out there looking for him. We’re going to find him.”

I blew out a deep breath. “He’s right under our fucking nose. I can feel it.”

Marco nodded in agreement. “I agree. You would think his ass would be parked on a beach in Mexico drinking tequila by now.”

“What about the woman he was with?” Charlotte asked as I eyed her carefully across the room.

Marco gave her that famous grin that he loved to brag about. “Already checked that one off the list. He hasn’t been in contact with her as best as we can tell. I appreciate the help though,” he added with a wink.

My eyes narrowed.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I feel useless just sitting here. I wish I could be more help.”

I could feel the angry scowl form on my face. “Stop apologizing.”

I hated that she always felt like she had to apologize for him. As if any of this fiasco was her fault. Grant Anderson was an idiot. He had it all. A successful career, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter. Yet for some reason, it wasn’t enough for him. Well, his loss was my gain. I probably sounded like a hypocrite, but Charlotte and I were in a different place back then and I wasn’t stupid enough to make that mistake again.

“I’ve got a few tips I’ve got to follow up on,” Marco announced and swung his head to Charlotte. “You’re in good hands, sweetheart.”

She smiled, and I scowled. He really needed to quit the fucking flirting.

“Quinn!” Emery squealed from the bottom of the stairs. She sprinted across the room and landed right in front of me.

I laughed at her enthusiastic greeting. “Hey, Peanut.”

She had on a blue and yellow pajama set that had monkeys from top to bottom and a pair of brown bunny slippers that looked way too big for her small feet. Her dark, long hair was soaking wet and looked like it was in need of a good comb through. When I noticed the tiny dimples dancing in the middle of both cheeks, I knew I was in trouble. For such a little thing, she sure could cause a huge rattle in my chest.

Marco clapped his hands as he walked toward the door. “You guys have a good night.”

“I’ll walk you out.” I stood up and followed him out to the front porch.

The second the door closed behind us he asked, “What happened with Bree?”

I blew out a deep breath and looked up at the night sky. “I sent her home.”

He studied me for a minute, leaning up against the porch railing. “To whose home?”

“I sent her back to DC.”

He whistled. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a nice girl and all, but you and Charlotte obviously have some unfinished business.”

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