“FBI!Don’t move!”
My mouth is open, ready to call out, but I never get the chance, as Mancuso and two other agents step out of hiding from different directions, their weapons trained on the group.
Coming out of my cover, I rush up toward the scene, my eyes fixed on Clem, who is already sitting up.
“Stop right there, Androtti, or I swear to God, I’ll shoot you myself.”
Mancuso doesn’t even look at me when his words bring me to a screeching halt twenty feet or so behind him.His focus remains on the old man still holding the gun.I was so fixated on my guy; I would’ve run right into his line of fire.
Clem’s head swings around, his eyes searching and finding me.
I can read,“I’m sorry,”from his lips, and shake my head.
Mancuso was right, I almost sent a tense standoff into chaos.I want to tell Clem it’s okay, that Remi is safe, but I don’t want to risk further distracting these agents from deescalating this precarious situation.I’m afraid I’ve already gotten myself into hot enough water, both with the feds and also my own department.
“Wallace Shirk, I need you to drop that weapon and take five steps back,” Mancuso calls out.
Shirk, who may look about eighty and frail, wears a defiant look on his age-worn face as his eyes are blazing anger at the agent’s order.There is a brief stare-off, where each man seems to be testing the other’s resolve, but after a few breathless moments, Shirk wisely decides to lower his weapon.As soon as he steps away from the gun, an agent steps up behind him and snaps the cuffs on him.
“Clem, I need you to get to your feet and come toward me,” Mancuso instructs, turning his attention to the two men on the ground.
The moment Clem starts walking, the third agent moves in on the other man.I assume this is the son, the one Mrs.Dixon spoke about.He too is placed in handcuffs as Clem moves past Mancuso and aims straight for me.
I barely have a chance to holster my weapon before I’m wrapped in a giant bear hug.
“Remi…” he mumbles in my hair before lifting his head.“I need to find him.”
I grab on to his arm as he pulls away.
“He’s safe.He found me.”
For a moment he just stands there, looking at me, before abruptly bending over, his hands bracing on his knees as he takes in and blows out a deep breath.
“Thank fuck.”
“Let’s go get him,” I suggest.“He’s gotta be wondering what the hell is happening.”
“Where are you off to?”Mancuso calls after us when I grab Clem’s hand and pull him along.
“I’m getting my son,” I fire back.
The second Remi claps eyes on the man behind me, he’s on his feet and throws himself at Clem, who barely has a chance to brace for impact.
“I was so scared they’d hurt you, but you’re the one who told me about the latch in case I ever got locked in a trunk, so I figured…” my boy rambles against Clem’s shoulder.
“You did good, kid.”
Clem awkwardly pats Remi’s back, his voice hoarse with emotion.
“I’m so fucking proud of you.”
I was able to keep it together for the most part until now.
Cue the waterworks.
Chapter27
Clem
