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“A company that deals in agriculture. What is one of the biggest agricultural things transported via ship? Livestock! Here’s an example. Look at this code.” I type in the long number. “Who in their right minds would pay eighteen-thousand for a cow? A female cow, and at that size? That’s a pretty odd-sized cow, if you ask me. Every single barcode comes up as livestock or agricultural supplies. I figured the supplies are the drugs. The animals, girls.”
“Jesus, how did you find all this so fast?”
“Like I said, I’m more advanced than a stupid gossip columnist. But wait, there’s more. I’ve had hunches for a while, but there was one thing I couldn’t put my finger on—Vincent’s connection to Calumet Harbor. You said he’s tight-lipped about who his connection is, but I think I have an idea. Hear me out. So, for the last couple of months, I’ve been doing some digging on William Brighton.”
“Mayor Brighton?”
“Yes. There’s been a lot of corruption talk going around the mayor’s office. Tons of rumors that Mayor Brighton has the Illinois Port District on his payroll.”
“Well, no shit, the IIPD falls under his jurisdiction. There’s been speculation about that since forever. Every mayor is pinged with suspicion of wrongdoings. That shit is always political.”
“True. But under Brighton’s term, there have been a lot more unsolved crimes and evidence that’s gone missing. Corrupt law enforcement officials who are being promoted.”
“What’s your point?”
“Not only do they all have the approval stamp of the mayor, but in some fashion, they are linked to the ports.”
“And? Addy, I think you’re getting off course with this one. Yeah, he may make shitty calls, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s the biggest advocate for the city’s homeless. Spends millions of dollars donating to orphanages and starving children, why would he…?”
It takes a moment for his own words to sink in. “Son of a bitch.” Wiping his hands down his face, he stares at the screen in shock.
“Right. Why would you suspect someone for drug corruption and child trafficking when they spend all their money supporting children?”
“This is some heavy shit, Addy.”
“I can’t prove anything, but I do know he has control of Calumet Harbor. And if there’s anybody who can give the clearance and have it go under the Coast guard’s nose, it’s gotta be him.”
“Fuck…fuck!” His booming voice causes me to jump, and I grab at my laptop before it slides off the bed. “How the hell did nobody realize this? Motherfucker!”
“Money talks. And like you said, since when have politics not been corrupt?”
Logan’s quiet for some time, deep in thought, then he turns to me. “Vincent has to be using one of the ports, though. It’s his main source of transportation. It always has been.”
“You said earlier he wants to throw Renaldo off. What if it’s by not using the Calumet Harbor? What if it is that he’s utilizing both? Waterways and freight trains. And what if Calumet is a ghost shipment? We know Mayor Brighton is listed on the board who oversees the Port of Chicago. He can easily make it so it doesn’t show up on the radar ’til the last minute. Which means it can go through any of the ports.”
“Shit. You’re right. I need to call Bishop back. We need to get a task force to both the harbor and the rail yard to be prepared. Jesus, Addy, I could kiss the fuck out of you right now.” He grabs my cheeks and slams his lips to mine quick and hard, leaving me dizzy. “Be back.”
“Yeah, uh…cool. Fine. It’s fine. I’m fine. I should go shower.” Yep, shower. I nod to no one since Logan has already up and vanished.
I grab a clean t-shirt and head to the bathroom. When I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I groan. “Oh god!” I don’t know how some girls make sex hair look good. I look like I fell out of a tree and hit every branch on the way down.
I throw myself in the shower, trying to wash up, but I can’t stop replaying that last kiss. I’m suddenly flushed again, and I try to wrestle the darn body wash cap open. The bathroom door opens, then the shower door, and Logan, in his naked glory, causes me to drop the bottle. “Oh gosh!”
“Looks like you could use some assistance.”
“Yeah—I mean—I was just—”
“I got you.” His smile has me moving aside to let him in. The water sprays against his back, and he bends down to grab the bottle, squirting the liquid into his large palm. “May I?” I nod, and he lathers his palms. The instant his hands touch my skin, it’s over for me.
His hands work a bubbly film across my chest, lathering my breasts. My eyes lose their ability to stay open, and I sigh, enjoying the attention. “I won’t let anything happen to you tonight, okay? No matter what, you’re my priority.”
