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“No need, my man,” Antoine said cheerfully. “It’s all good. So... first, Nicholas Tobin has no priors and no criminal record. He has, however, been linked to several crimes. Because he’s never been arrested, there are no prints on record. He didn’t have his wallet the day he was caught following Xavier into the city. He must have been confident to have it on him today.”
“Cocky bastard,” Molly muttered.
“Lucky us,” Antoine countered. “We’ll have to see what the cops turn up when they search Tobin’s apartment. He might still have Paul Lott’s phone and laptop, so that would be evidence toward a murder charge. But again, luckily for us, I am awesome and have obtained both Tobin’s and Paul Lott’s cell phone records.”
Farrah mimed putting her fingers in her ears. “I don’t want to know, Antoine.”
“No, you really don’t,” he said good-naturedly. “Okay. The texts you copied, Gabe, showed that Tobin was taking orders from someone else to kidnap Chelsea and Harper. The number those orders came from... wait for it...” He paused dramatically. “... also called Paul Lott’s phone. Several times, in fact. Specifically, whoever ordered Tobin tonight also talked to Paul Lott for nearly thirty minutes on the night that your father was killed, Gabe.”
“Oh my God,” Gabe breathed. He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth, then looked down at Molly. “It’s the first real actionable link we’ve had to Dad’s death.”
She took his hand and kissed it, feeling his excitement bubble through her as well. “I know. We’re getting closer.”
“Do we know who owns the phone that gave the orders for tonight’s attempted kidnapping?” Burke asked.
“No. It’s a burner. All we know is that Tobin had him listed as ‘Jackass.’ ”
“What?” Burke nearly shouted, then muttered an apology for yelling. “Did you say Jackass?” he added in a whispered hiss.
“Yes,” Gabe said. “That was the name on the text message. Do you know him?”
“Oh yeah,” Burke said bitterly. “His name is Jackson M-u-l-e. Last name is Italian—pronounced ‘Moo-lay’—but most of us grunts just called him Jackass. Though not to his face.”
“What horrible parents,” Farrah murmured, “to give him that name. ‘Mule’ was bad enough, but to add ‘Jackson’ to that was just irresponsible.”
“How do you know him, Burke?” Molly asked.
“He’s Cresswell’s freakin’ boss.”
Molly was momentarily speechless, and she wasn’t alone. She’d figured Mule was a cop, just not one of NOPD’s brass. She shared a stunned look with Gabe, then Farrah. “When I said I’d be looking for high-profile connections in Rocky’s cases, I had no idea it went that high up.”
“Yeah,” Burke said wearily. “We need to get this info to André right away. He’ll want more proof before he accuses one of their own, especially Mule, so I don’t expect anything to happen quickly. If it happens at all. I had no idea Mule was involved in anything dirty. He appears squeaky-clean. Pinning anything on him is gonna be a hard sell.”
“Don’t underestimate André,” Farrah said quietly.
“I never do,” Burke said sincerely. “I trust him. I just hope that him going after Mule doesn’t tank his career.”
Farrah looked troubled, but resolute. “He’ll figure it out. And if it does tank his career, he probably wouldn’t have wanted it anymore, anyway.”
“Can we put someone on Mule?” Antoine asked.
“Yeah,” Burke said. “Let me think. I’m going to have to move some people around.”
“I’ll go,” Molly said. “Give me his address, and I’ll wait outside his house and follow him if he leaves.”
Gabe shook his head. “You’re exhausted.”
She shook her head. It didn’t matter if she was exhausted. She was going to surveil Mule. It was the right thing to do. She could feel it in her bones. “We’re close, Gabe. I can feel it. André is busy with Tobin, and Burke doesn’t have any more staff. Val and Lucien are in the hospital and his part-timers are guarding Xavier. It’s going to be me.”
Burke sighed. “Dammit, Molly. You’re throwing logic my way again.”
“No,” Gabe insisted. “What about Phin?”
No, she thought, not Phin. Not yet. The man was still too volatile in situations outside of his firm control. She didn’t think he’d hurt anyone, but he might have to take off to avoid doing so. Leaving himself vulnerable and Mule unsupervised.
“Phin’s... not ready,” Burke hedged. “Molly, you go and watch Mule’s house. He’ll be at home this time of the night. Guys at his level don’t do shift work. Once Lucien’s out of surgery, I’ll relieve you. Is that better, Gabe?”
Gabe grunted. “No, but if it’s the best I can get, I’ll take it. I’m going with you.”
