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"Because she knew how and she was cheaper than any professional in the area.” Frustrated, I run my hands through my hair. “I don't understand what this has to do with Bailey's shooting."
"We'll get to the shooting in a moment, Mr. Abrams. How often did you go over the books with Miss Hollis when she worked for Roman Empire Tattoos?"
"Rarely. I never had a reason to oversee what Bailey was doing. Everyone was getting paid, bills were never overdue, and there was money in the bank. I'd trust her with my life."
"Excuse us." The agents and the detective leave me in the cold, sterile interrogation room.
After Bailey's shooting, I was taken to one of these rooms for the first time. I was shocked to see they are exactly what the movies portray, and I swore to myself I would never be in one again.
I need to talk to Bailey. I need to find out what the fuck is going on.
The federal agents return with a different demeanor.
"Mr. Abrams,” Agent Pierce begins, “does the name Marco Villanueva mean anything to you?" His tone lowers three notches showing more concern and less anger.
"I know he's Bailey's boyfriend, but I never met him. I think she knew better."
"And why is that?" The agent scoots his chair towards me as if we’re old friends.
"The guys at the shop and I saw Bailey almost daily. She’d been beat up on more than one occasion. We were protective of her and offered to help, but she told us she knew how to handle Marco. She’s stubborn and strong.” I shake my head. “Anyway, she knew he wasn't welcome in my shop."
"Do you know who Juan Carlos Villanueva is, Mr. Abrams?"
"I'm assuming he's related to Marco."
"Juan Carlos is Marco's father and one of the top men in the Diablo Family Cartel. We believe they were using Bailey to launder drug money through your shop. Were you aware of her connections to this crime organization?"
There aren't many things in my life that leave me at a loss for words. This is one of them.
My heart beats a quickening rhythm against the cage of my ribs. My mouth goes dry and my hands dampen with sweat.
How did I not know this about Bailey?
Day in and day out for the last seven years, she has tattooed in the station next to me, been my ride-or-die, my bookkeeper, myfriend… and I had no fucking clue who she really was.
I'm stunned fucking silent.
"Mr. Abrams?”
I lift my gaze to meet the agent’s accusatory stare.
“Did you know?"
I shake my head. "N-no. I had no idea."
"We believe Bailey was the target of the shooting at your shop, and the robbery was a ploy to lead investigators in the wrong direction."
Frowning, I ask, "Why, if she's doing all their dirty work?"
"We believe Bailey and Marco embezzled money from the laundering scheme as a plan to leave the cartel. Juan Carlos found out and put a hit out on both of them."
"Before Bailey was shot Marco went to jail. It should be easy to find him.”
"Mr. Abrams, Marco was released five days before Miss Hollis was shot. According to the suspects, they were hired to kill Bailey first and then find Marco and kill him. But Marco has still not been found."
"Why have these men not gone to prison for good?" I yell, slamming my fist on the table.
"The family has enough money and connections that these men get released before even being booked. As of now, with the confessions of the shooters, we have enough to charge Juan Carlos Villanueva with federal murder for hire. We just need to find him," explains Agent Whitlock.
