Mancuso was not messing around, putting a protective detail on Remi and, by extension, us.It was that or take the kids and disappear for a while, at least until this case is solved.I opted for the lesser of two evils and agreed to be followed around by federal agents wherever we go.
The FBI seems to believe this is a well-run and ruthless crime organization.Mancuso mentioned they were spinning their wheels before.Remi is the only real witness they have, and he is providing them with some valuable leads, which are helping to put some of the puzzle pieces together.He wasn’t able to give them much of a description of his attackers—their faces had been covered—but he’s given them his login names and passwords for the various apps he had on his phone.
The feds want to keep him safe and, because it’s not outside of the realm for a criminal organization to threaten or hurt people he cares about to force him to stay silent, Linc and I are limited too.
Everywhere we’ve gone these past few days, we have a security detail at our back.We’re trying to keep things as normal as we can when we’re home, with agents parked outside.For Linc, it means having to contend with an unmarked vehicle following him to and from school, and passing up on any extracurricular activities.Tonight, he has his football game, and he’ll have an agent with him, but the after-party would be a logistical nightmare, so that will have to wait.
“It’s not fair.”
“I know.”I put a hand on Linc’s back and lean into him.“Why don’t you see if she wants to come here after the game?You guys can watch a movie or something in the basement.”
He shrugs under my touch, “Maybe,” and then abruptly heads for the stairs.
I clean up the shards from the shattered coffee mug and wash Linc’s water bottle, leaving it next to the sink.
This morning I am taking Remi for his follow-up visit with Dr.Sharma.The hope is he will be cleared for school, because he’s miserable here, especially since I’ve kept him home these past two days.In part, so we don’t create the need for more people to be assigned to our security detail—those agents would be more useful working the case—but also because I’d hate for something to happen at Clem’s shop.
That said, it’s Remi’s sixteenth birthday on Monday and he’s hoping, if he is well enough to go to school, I’ll let him go to the firehouse after school.I can’t make promises like that until I have a chance to talk to Clem first.He’ll ultimately have to be the one to make that decision, sixteenth birthday or not.He and I have exchanged a few texts since Tuesday, just checking in, but I haven’t seen him.Maybe tonight I can pop over for a quick visit.
Things have been a little chaotic, trying to get used to what will be our new normal, at least for the time being.Hugo suggested I could work from home until Remi goes back to school, which was welcome.I’m still active on Ryan Wells’s case, but with Jason Mancuso taking over the lead, I’m okay working in the background.
Even though I stay in telephone contact with the office, I’m starting to feel a little out of the loop.I found out from Hugo there’s a task force meeting scheduled at the FBI office in Spokane on Monday, and if Remi is back in school, I hope to attend.
“I’m off, Mom.”
Linc breezes into the kitchen, as if he didn’t stomp off mad at me ten minutes ago.He’s all smiles now, leaning down to kiss my cheek before stealing my last piece of toast on his way out the door.
That’s my Lincoln, he gets mad but is never angry for long.Remi, on the other hand, can hold a grudge forever.
I finish the last dregs of my coffee and rinse my cup and plate in the sink.Then I grab the basket of clean laundry and head upstairs to make sure my kid is up and getting ready.
“You’ll be feelingthose ribs for a while longer,” Dr.Sharma tells Remi.“Those take time to heal.If you’re into sports, I’d probably give it another week or two, but other than that, I think you’re good to go.”
“Awesome,” my youngest says with a grin, as Dr.Sharma gives him a fist bump.
Good to see him smile, even though it’s intended for someone else.I’ll take what I can get.
His stitches were removed and he was checked out top to bottom.I’m relieved, but at the same time I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive.I knew he was safe staying home, where I could keep an eye on him.It’ll be a lot harder to control him now that he got his clean bill of health.
“If you get a headache that won’t go away, or your vision goes blurry, give me a call right away,” Dr.Sharma cautions him as he walks us out.
“I will,” Remi promises.
We barely get into my Jeep when he turns to me.
“I wanna go to Linc’s game tonight.”
His announcement surprises me.
“I thought you hated football?”I point out.
He shrugs.“It’s okay.I just wanna get out.I’ve been stuck inside for over a week.”
“Maybe we’ll all go,” I offer, not ready yet to let him go off on his own.
“Oh, come on, Mom.You’ve been hovering all week,” he complains.“I just want some breathing space, it’s not like I’m gonna do anything stupid.Besides, aren’t those guys going to follow us around anyway?”
“Let me think on it.”
