Page 81 of Next Level
“Sorry, habit. Okay, I’m headed in there now. I want to give you a heads up before I go in that this visit is being recorded. You’ll be on speakerphone, so remember everything you say will be recorded.”
I’m in my office again, but this time the room is occupied by more people, and the door is open. Everyone knows to keep quiet.
“Thank you. I owe you for this.”
Wilkerson replies, “No, you don’t. I’d hope you’d do the same for me if I ever needed help.”
“Always.”
The phone goes silent, and you can hear the officer move around, opening and closing doors.
Some metal chains clink, and then Officer Wilkerson clears his voice. “Jared Thompson, again, you know this visit is being recorded for official viewing. I wanted to inform you that I’m adding Mr. Amato to this meeting via phone.”
I wish I could see the kid’s face.
The officer continues, “Mr. Amato, please acknowledge that you’re here and are okay with the call being recorded.”
“Yes, I, Marco Amato the third, acknowledge and accept.”
“Okay, Jared. Mr. Amato would like to ask a few questions. Would that be okay?”
I guess he nods because Officer Wilkerson says, “Please state your response as Mr. Amato can’t see you.”
The boy’s voice echoes through the speaker, sounding nervous. “Oh, sorry. Yes, he can ask me questions.”
I try to calm myself. Flashes of this kid and my girl kissing come into view.
I close my eyes, taking a few seconds to level myself.
“Ray?” Wilkerson says through the speaker.
I open my eyes. “Jared. Did you have any intention of hurting my daughter?”
Instantly, Jared replies, “No. Never.”
His voice sounds sincere, so I fire off several questions. “Tell me why? Why did you lure Samantha to you? Why did you take her? Why did you let this happen if you liked her? Why did you try to jack the load at the port? And lastly, what do they have planned for Samantha?”
By the noises I hear coming from the speaker, I’ve taken them off guard.
Then silence.
Wilkerson finally speaks. “Jared?”
“I didn’t want to do any of this. I just wanted a family who cares about me. I’ve had nothing. Garrett promised me a brother and a father. I thought my real blood had come to find me. A family I never knew I had.”
When I see Sam enter the room, I snap my fingers, wanting her to leave, but she begs me with her eyes.
I can’t say no to her. I lift my finger for her to stay silent.
Wilkerson asks Jared, “Did they force you to take Samantha?”
“No, at first I thought they were the reason I didn’t have a family. Garrett told me that the Amato family kept me from them. At first, I was mad, but then I got to know Sam. I promise I didn’t want anything to happen to her. We were supposed to take her for a night. Let her father know how it felt to lose a kid. I just wanted to give him a taste of what I went through.”
Sam has tears in her eyes.
Fuck.
“Did you know Garrett called and threatened Sam again?” I say this while watching my girl, knowing she doesn’t know. And as I expected, she panics, but Dawg is there to reassure her that she is safe.
