Page 55 of Special Agent Murphy

“Where the hell else would I be?” He wrapped the terrified boy in a bear hug and held tight. “Hey, kid. It’s going to be okay. Tell me, what set him off this time?”

“He’s never been like this before, Murph. I’ve never seen him so furious and weirdly focused.”

Worries shimmered inside, ones Murph couldn’t shake off. A drunk Rob could be ignored, but a Rob focused and pissed created a nightmare scenario. They wouldn’t kick that man to the curb.

Fuck!“Tell me.”

“I had some weed sitting in my closet for months, maybe even longer. You remember Toby? The kid who overdosed. The night that happened, he’d left his jacket here and the bag was in the pocket. I had no one to pass it to, and so I buried it in the closet and forgot all about the shit. Until Dad found it earlier.”

“Why did your dad go rummaging in your stuff?”

“He figured I had some cash lying around. Said he needed cigarettes. Figured I wouldn’t mind if he only took a few bucks.”

“Yeah, right? Was he pissed?”

“No. That’s just it. He must have hit a low point yesterday. I’ve never seen him in worse shape. I know you put him to bed, but this morning I found him on the bathroom floor, naked and… a-a real mess.”

“I’m sorry, sport. He’d have hated you to see him like that. Last night it was apparent he’s tumbling down a slippery slope and needs intervention. I figured to get him into a rehab place I know where the percent of recoveries is higher than most.”

Kayti broke into their sudden silence. “You need to tell us where he’d go to find this Neil Somers.”

“That’s just it. Somers surrounds himself with a gang of armed assholes and calls them his guard dogs. Dad’ll walk right into his nest of vipers, and they’ll gun him down. Especially since he’s carrying. Or… if they get any inkling he has anything to do with the law.”

“Tell us where this slug hangs out.”

Minutes later, Murphy hit the gas and they were speeding along the back streets that would lead them to the park where Talin figured they’d find the dealer.

***

Kayti decided to break the deadly silence. “Do you think Rob will know where these characters are?”

“I doubt it. At one time, he’d have had first hand information from his old partner, but as far as I know, she’s on medical leave right now. And… I don’t think they’ve kept in touch. She used to try to get Rob sober, help him over Mary’s death but eventually, she gave up.”

“Unless he already knows where these druggies hang out. If not, he’ll ask for a favor. I would.”

“Yeah, me too.” Murphy used the call-in car device and had connection with Officer Dell in a surprisingly short time. “Hi Sophy, it’s Shane Murphy. By any chance, did you hear from Rob tonight?”

The speakerphone came through loud and clear. “God, Murphy. I’m glad you called. I’ve been sitting here with my son of a bitchin’ leg in traction and wishing I had your number. Was just getting ready to call the FBI to connect with you. Rob called me. First time I’ve heard from him in years. He sounded deadly calm, almost like the old days.”

“He wanted to know the whereabouts for a certain drug dealer called Neil Somers, right?”

“That’s right. And I know those boys. They’re as mean as any of the caged killers we’re holding in the state pen. I could only tell him the last area they’ve been servicing. You know the Deanwood area?”

“I do.”

“Marvin Gaye Park?”

“Right.”

“We’ve busted them a few times at the steps by the bridge. The boys congregate there around ten to pick up their product and then spread out. It would be a good place to watch for them. And Murph…?”

“Yeah?”

“That’s what I told Rob. You’ll most likely find him there.”

“Thanks, Sophy. Talk soon.” Murphy pulled a perfectly executed U-turn, and they were only five minutes away.

Kayti checked the time. “It’s quarter to ten. We’ve got time.”

“Unless they got there earlier.”

“Murphy, don’t be such a naysayer.”

“Hell, slick, I’m a realist.”

“Well, stop it. We’ll get there in time. I’m praying.”

“Funny thing, when you were driving, I was doing the same thing.”

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