Page 73 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Why the fuck does Connie know?”

Why the fuck is he so angry she does is a more appropriate question, I think to myself.

“She’s my partner. I had to tell her, Tom.” Is he serious right now? “I spend a good amount of time on the Acerbi case. She had to know why.”

“Why? Yes. What? No.” He pushes himself back, leaning into his chair. “Those photos might show Acerbi not accepting anything from Marino, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t smuggling dope into this city.” He leans up again, picking up the photo haphazardly. “Houston know about these?”

“No, sir.” I shake my head. “I just got them. He and I haven’t spoken.”

“You can go, Andrews.” He lifts the stack of photos. “I’ll speak to Houston, and he’ll advise you on our next move.”

“Sir, with all due respect, shouldn’t I be involved in our next course of action? Perhaps we need to go back to the baby’s mother since I haven’t found anything to corroborate her claims. Then, if she still doesn’t want her son, I think we need to tell Acerbi about him. He may want the child.”

“I’m not putting an innocent child in the hands of a criminal, Brianna.”

“We don’t have any evidence he is a criminal.”

He barks out a laugh, but it seems too forced.

“There is no change in this investigation. And I’m not bringing the boy’s mother back in at this juncture nor am I informing Acerbi of the kid. That would prove more harm than good. I’m not tipping him off that we’re watching him.”

“But, sir, your contact—”

“Detective!” I square my shoulders at the rise in his voice. “I said you could go. This discussion is over. Houston will follow up.” He pauses, and I suspect he’s waiting to see if I have more to say. I hadn’t meant to almost blurt out that I haven’t received a call back from the captain in special ops or that I still have Gabriel.

Drago does need to know, though. And I’m not sure how I’m going to continue to keep this a secret. It feels wrong, and I know that’s because it is wrong. He should have been told. Plus, it’s a piece of the missing puzzle. If he knows about Gabriel’s existence, then does some of what Miss Carlisle said have any truth to it? Is it possible he threatened her and the baby’s life?

I don’t know, and I want those answers. I need them. I need them to be untrue.

Without another word, I gather my purse from his couch and then leave more ticked off than I think I’ve ever been. None of it makes sense. Something about the way Tom is handling this is as off as Gabriel’s mother’s story was.

* * *

When I get backto the station, Connie is nowhere to be found. Alana can’t be my sounding board on this. I need my partner’s take. Something isn’t right. My gut says something isn’t right.

“Hey, Bri.” I glance up to see Mark swaggering toward my desk. He’s one of the friendlier, more respectful detectives working at the same precinct I do. His desk is closer to Mike’s office than mine because he’s also part of the homicide unit Mike’s on.

“What’s up?” I ask, leaning back in my chair as he nears.

He leans against my desk, crossing his legs at the ankles, looking down at me with a too-serious expression for the kind, light-hearted guy I know him to be. He’s a veteran detective, having served almost the same number of years on the force as Mike. Whereas Mike is a no-nonsense type of detective, Mark’s the jokester, so him giving me a look of concern has me giving him my full attention.

“I hear you’re having to work with Houston on a case.”

“That’s right,” I groan, realizing how unprofessional I sound. I know it’s just something I have to suck up and get over. “Mike tell you?”

He shakes his head. Mark’s silent for a beat while he places his palm on my desk, wrapping his fingers around the edge.

“Overheard him boasting about it the other night at Ten Seven.”

Ten Seven is a small dive bar that cops from all over the city like to frequent. It’s a place where they can let down their guard and know there are enough badges that’ll have their back if need be.

“What did he say?” I’m too curious not to ask.

“That he’s going to be the one to bring down an Acerbi when so many others have failed.” I clamp down my teeth so I don’t say something I might later regret.

That motherfucker.

What the hell does he and our chief have against Drago? It’s Vincent who’s allegedly done crimes—even if there’s no hard evidence against him. Maybe they think, like father like son.

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