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“James Buckley is the prosecutor?” I asked, glaring at him.
“Yes, but don’t you dare do anything to harm him. Fingers will be pointed in this direction so fast and I won’t be able to do anything about it.”
He was having difficulty breathing given his frustration. He had no idea the way I felt, the tempered rage giving me heartburn.
“I’m curious if the prosecutor has any ties to the Armenians. I’d also interested in learning where the tip came from regarding illegal arms on her property.” I glared at Gregory. Years before he’d have demanded the information using a method that left no recourse with the police.
“I was told it was an anonymous but credible tip.” His answer was as lame as his services had become.
I was in his face within seconds, but instead of feeding the rage, I offered him a plastic smile. “It’s in your best interest to learn more than the garbage you just spouted off. Meanwhile, I’ll find that evidence you need and if necessary, I’ll hand deliver it to the prosecutor. My sister will not spend another night in jail. Understood?”
I’d never threatened the man up to this point. There hadn’t been a need, but I was losing my patience.
He took a purposeful step away, eyeing me carefully before glancing at my father.
“He’s right, Greg,” Pops said. “Don’t pussyfoot around with the bastards. This is bullshit and you know it.”
“I do, Odysseus, but things have changed. You don’t have Napa in your pocket.”
“I know someone who does.” I hadn’t thought of Dante and Diego Santos, the brothers in control of LA and beyond. As members of the Brotherhood, their gentle push against the authorities could do the trick.
“There’s another reason to track down the information Theodore stole from me,” Elena said as she crossed her arms. I knew the look in her eyes. She’d conjured up something on her own.
“What?” I lifted my eyebrows seeing the mischievous look in her eyes.
“I followed your rules of playing politics, big brother. I have some juicy little tidbits on several very important people in Napa Valley.”
“You little vixen,” I said, half laughing.
Gregory sighed, acting as if he couldn’t be party to hearing anything of this nature.
“That’s my girl,” Pops said.
“Except it’s gone,” I reminded them. “What do you have on the prosecutor?”
“Other than the fact he has a secret family, a new baby with a woman he claims is his wife but isn’t?”
“Ouch.” I couldn’t help but grin.
“We can’t use that,” Gregory insisted.
Elena gave him a look. “I know that, Gregory dear. I’m not a foolish woman. I was playing with the big boys, and they weren’t too happy I was in the game. I doubt there’s even a tip at all.”
“The prosecutor knew you had something on him?” I was curious how far this had gone.
“Well, no, other than I threatened him the night he hit on me.”
Both Pops and I laughed. Elena had balls.
That didn’t change anything.
While the prosecutor might be worried Elena had some information, I’d make a bet someone was pushing the bastard to wipe Elena and our business out of the territory. It would behoove the Santos brothers to take a genuine interest in the issue. Perhaps it would be prudent to expedite the meeting with the Brotherhood.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” I told the group. “Until I flush some things out.”
“I’m just telling you, Phoenix. You need to do this in record time,” Gregory urged. “It’s entirely possible the grand jury will be called as early as next week. If that’s the case, Elena will be charged and there will be no bail. I know how those boys work.”
Maybe it was time to allow a woman to attack. Whitney knew something even if she didn’t realize it yet. However, I would locate what we needed.
