Ihide behind the tinted windows of the Maserati as Dominic speaks to the police. He ordered me back to the car because he felt it would raise suspicion if a known mafia boss was at a murder scene. Then he added that with his FBI connections he would try to get some intel.
Resting my arm on the console, I watch the paramedics wheel Rafael’s covered body over to the back of the ambulance. There are five cop cars in addition to the ambulance and forensic vans. The doors to Rafael’s truck are open and the crime scene investigation team has gone over everything with a fine-tooth comb.
I turn my attention back to Dominic. He’s engaged in quite a conversation with the cops. He’s smiling and chuckling.
My heart sinks. The law was always his element. This is where he belongs, not with a mafia queen who breaks every rule that comes her way.
After shaking hands with the police, he walks over to the car and gets in.
“What happened?” I ask as he starts the engine.
“Rafael Longo is dead.” Dominic answers as he puts the car in drive and speeds off.
“No shit.”
“It appears Rafael got ambushed in his truck. There was a struggle and he got shot in the chest. A full autopsy is going to be performed. Apparently the other truckers nearby didn’t hear anything or see anyone going into the truck.”
“You seemed to be really chummy with those cops.”
“Yeah. It turns out I worked with one of the cops’ brothers in the FBI.” Dominic turns out of the yard and onto the street.
“Did they ask you why you were here?”
“I lied and told them that I came here alone. I was working on a case and Rafael was one of the people I needed to speak to. I knocked on the door and found it was open. After going inside I found him dead.”
“They bought it?” I ask.
“Yes. I’m well known in the intelligence agency. I have a decades-long career and an established reputation.” He grips the steering wheel. “Which is why I hate lying. I've built my life on being honest and upholding the law.”
Guilt fills me. I should have never asked him to help me. I’m no good for him.
“You know you shouldn’t have gone into that truck,” Dominic says out of the blue.
“Excuse me?” I turn to look at him.
“It was reckless, Cipi. What if he had been alive and standing there with a gun. He could have shot you, or what if the killer had been inside waiting and shot you. Rafael’s body was still warm which means the killing was recent.”
“I’ve walked into worse and dealt with much worse,” I retort.
“You should have let me go first,” Dominic snaps. “You’re always doing this. Acting reckless and throwing yourself into danger.”
“What?” I’m taken aback by his tone.
“You heard me. I should have just gone to the yard alone.”
Anger flares in me and so does my attitude. “Who do you think you are to lecture me? Last I checked you haven’t been around in fifteen years. I’ve been protecting myself for over a decade. I’m always the one behind the gun or calling the hit. Don’t try to play the hero now, Dominic Cartieri. We’re trying to find a killer, but you’re also sitting next to one.”
Dominic stiffens at my remark. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that last part.”
I fold my arms. I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have let his words get to me. But Dominic always does a remarkable job of making me lose all my composure at any given moment.
“What does it matter? You’re the one that left.” I bite the inside of my cheek in an attempt to keep my emotions at bay.
“You really think I wanted to leave you?” Dominic turns to look at me as we stop at the red light.
“You left and that’s all that matters.”
“I left because I had to.” The light turns green and he continues driving.
